Glasgow Central, where this train terminates….

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You know how the automated voice on trains helpfully keeps you informed of your whereabouts? For example:

"This is Dumbreck. The next stop is Glasgow Central where this train terminates."

At least, that's what you're supposed to hear. But if you're on sabbatical, and you're listening for a word from the Lord, you know, a wee word of encouragement or a hint that life is supposed to be for fun as well as work, and Sheila points out the phonetic possibilities, what you hear is

"This is Dumbreck. The next stop is Glasgow Central where the strain terminates".

And as Sheila and I were on our way to Miss Cranston's Tearoom we took this as such a wee prophetic word. At Glasgow Central the strain terminates, and fifty yards along Gordon Street is Miss Cranston's – now is that a wee word or what!
Readers of this blog will remember I covered myself in embarrassment on my last visit after a bad experience with a cafetiere plunger that took messy revenge on me for forcing the issue. This time – nae problem. Just a gentle downward push, and all the staff can breathe a sigh of relief.

On another note, yesterday – while watching the afternoon downpour I was on the exercise bike listening to Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and the Fourth Horn Concerto. Not sure Mozart could ever have envisaged the joy he would bring a sweaty Baptist working out – but the Clarinet Concerto is a work of heartbreaking genius.

Tomorrow if I don't get out running cos of the rain – though it looks to be better – I'll listen to the first piece of classical music I ever sat right through and listened to – in astonished surprise. I was given it on a vinyl LP by Sheila (around 1974!) after I'd read Unfinished Journey, the autobiography of Yehudi Menuhin. It's Brahms' Violin Concerto, a piece I've listened to regularly ever since, and never yet tired of it.

Now. What else should I listen to that would tone up my mind and spirit the same way that physical exercise does the body? This month is classical – so any suggestions welcome. I've a wee budget for some new CDs.

One of the tasks over the next while is reducing the number of CDs which sit on the shelves no longer listened to. Charity shops here I come – but does anyone listen to the likely rejects anymore…..?.

Comments

10 responses to “Glasgow Central, where this train terminates….”

4 September 2008

Lawrence Osborn

How about some Bach? Angela Hewitt’s recordings of The Goldberg Variations and The Well-Tempered Clavier are superb. Or perhaps his Cello Suites (if you can stand the relatively poor sound quality, Pablo Casals’ recordings from the 1930s are available on Naxos).

Reply
4 September 2008

Lawrence Osborn

How about some Bach? Angela Hewitt’s recordings of The Goldberg Variations and The Well-Tempered Clavier are superb. Or perhaps his Cello Suites (if you can stand the relatively poor sound quality, Pablo Casals’ recordings from the 1930s are available on Naxos).

Reply
4 September 2008

Sean Winter

Hi Jim
I am in a major Bach phase at the moment that has lasted for almost a year. Not sure if it is your thing – but if so I would recommend a box set of the Passions + Mass in B Minor + Christmas Oratorio. You have a choice, depending on your taste for such things – for solemnity and Lutheran piety you need Richter
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Sacred-Masterpieces/dp/B00004SAAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1220516511&sr=8-1
But if you prefer something lighter, that captures Bach’s sense of the dance then Gardiner is the best value:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/J-S-Bach-Christmas-Oratorio-Matthew/dp/B00008RWR9/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1220516634&sr=8-12
Both sets can be picked up via Amazon marketplace for about £35.00 which is about £3-4 per CD. You can also listen to excerpts of both on Amazon. The downside is that there are no libretti – but these can be found online easily.
In Italy we visited Bussetto, Verdi’s birthplace, so I have started revisiting the operas. we could also talk about Wagner at some length, but I suspect that may definitely not be your taste.
Happy listening.
Sean

Reply
4 September 2008

Sean Winter

Hi Jim
I am in a major Bach phase at the moment that has lasted for almost a year. Not sure if it is your thing – but if so I would recommend a box set of the Passions + Mass in B Minor + Christmas Oratorio. You have a choice, depending on your taste for such things – for solemnity and Lutheran piety you need Richter
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Sacred-Masterpieces/dp/B00004SAAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1220516511&sr=8-1
But if you prefer something lighter, that captures Bach’s sense of the dance then Gardiner is the best value:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/J-S-Bach-Christmas-Oratorio-Matthew/dp/B00008RWR9/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1220516634&sr=8-12
Both sets can be picked up via Amazon marketplace for about £35.00 which is about £3-4 per CD. You can also listen to excerpts of both on Amazon. The downside is that there are no libretti – but these can be found online easily.
In Italy we visited Bussetto, Verdi’s birthplace, so I have started revisiting the operas. we could also talk about Wagner at some length, but I suspect that may definitely not be your taste.
Happy listening.
Sean

Reply
4 September 2008

Sean Winter

Oh, amen to Angela Hewitt, especially on the 48. I prefer Rostropovich for the Cello Suites.

Reply
4 September 2008

Sean Winter

Oh, amen to Angela Hewitt, especially on the 48. I prefer Rostropovich for the Cello Suites.

Reply
5 September 2008

Richard

Bach Cello Suites, as played by Pablo Casals.

Reply
5 September 2008

Richard

Bach Cello Suites, as played by Pablo Casals.

Reply
6 September 2008

Mike Coumans

Hello Jim,
For what its worth, I recommend (in no particular order):-
a) Debussy – Nocturnes, La Mer.
b) Classical guitar (Julian Bream) – Albeniz, Paganini, Tarrega.
c) Chopin – esp. Nocturnes.
As Sean Winter has already indicated you can listen to excerpts on Amazon (and other websites) before buying. You might want to make use of price comparison websites. As CD format is the same worldwide (unlike DVDs) you might be able to buy cheaper from abroad (e.g. amazon.com) or European websites such as Bol.com or Elcheapo.nl (I kid you not !!)
If you go to the likes of Amazon they will tell you “People who bought this CD also bought …” so if you like a particular style of music by a favourite composer this is a way to point you in the direction of other lesser-known composers of that genre.
You can buy individual tracks legally from ‘download’ websites – if you only like a few tracks on a CD and were reluctant to pay for the whole CD just for 2 or 3 tracks. You could make a compilation to suit your taste.
You could also unearth new gems by listening to on-line classical radio – (whilst you work!!) – or borrow from friends / library to see what you’d like to add to your permanent collection.
I have a couple of compilation CDs which are published with the express purpose of introducing people to a wide selection of classical music. Next time you’re in the frozen North be sure to remind me to lend them to you.
Hope these ramblings were of some use.
See you soon,
Mike.

Reply
6 September 2008

Mike Coumans

Hello Jim,
For what its worth, I recommend (in no particular order):-
a) Debussy – Nocturnes, La Mer.
b) Classical guitar (Julian Bream) – Albeniz, Paganini, Tarrega.
c) Chopin – esp. Nocturnes.
As Sean Winter has already indicated you can listen to excerpts on Amazon (and other websites) before buying. You might want to make use of price comparison websites. As CD format is the same worldwide (unlike DVDs) you might be able to buy cheaper from abroad (e.g. amazon.com) or European websites such as Bol.com or Elcheapo.nl (I kid you not !!)
If you go to the likes of Amazon they will tell you “People who bought this CD also bought …” so if you like a particular style of music by a favourite composer this is a way to point you in the direction of other lesser-known composers of that genre.
You can buy individual tracks legally from ‘download’ websites – if you only like a few tracks on a CD and were reluctant to pay for the whole CD just for 2 or 3 tracks. You could make a compilation to suit your taste.
You could also unearth new gems by listening to on-line classical radio – (whilst you work!!) – or borrow from friends / library to see what you’d like to add to your permanent collection.
I have a couple of compilation CDs which are published with the express purpose of introducing people to a wide selection of classical music. Next time you’re in the frozen North be sure to remind me to lend them to you.
Hope these ramblings were of some use.
See you soon,
Mike.

Reply