A live record by Jane Birkin, backed by an amazing band featuring Algerian violinist Djamel Benyelles. My favourite tracks here are Élisa, Et quand bien même and Fuir le bonheur (all by Serge Gainsbourg) and an instrumental She Left Home by Benyelles. Warning: this chanson with North African flavour can be addictive. Possible side effects: after Arabesque, the “original” versions of the Gainsbourg songs may not work for you.
Élisa, Élisa, Élisa saute-moi au cou |  |
Yesterday, Yuri and I went to see this movie in Saffron Screen. Starring Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau and Elke Sommer as sexy Maria Gambrelli, and with a score by Henry Mancini — yes, another classic that I’ve never seen before. Clouseau, naturally, speak English with ridiculous French accent, as French are supposed to do in France.
“I believe everything and I believe nothing. I suspect everyone and I suspect no one.”
Marvellous.
Here’s one expertly crafted psychological thriller. The acting is phenomenal. The impossibly long shots where apparently nothing happens keep you glued to the seat. By the end of the movie, I didn’t expect all the ends to be tied. I didn’t expect them to be left that loose either. I would stay short of calling Caché a masterpiece, but it is a film not to be missed. A word of advice, if I may: “Stay seated while the credits roll”.
For a few weeks now, I had this book (bass clef edition) for my trombone practice. It also can be used for baritone and euphonium. Every new note introduced is accompanied by a handy diagram of slide position for trombone (or valve positions for euphonium). Best of all, it has a great selection of simple (mostly traditional) tunes to annoy thy family or neighbour.
Now that I’ve mastered the low A, I can play God Save the Queen. According to Wikipedia, the first national anthems of Russia (Молитва русских), Germany (Heil dir im Siegerkranz) and Switzerland (Rufst du, mein Vaterland), as well as Norway’s Royal anthem (Kongesangen), were all set to this tune. So was American My Country, ’Tis of Thee. Well done, anonymous composer.
I like the concept of this book, but... Maybe it was intended to be a screenplay rather than a novel (it is all written in present tense), or maybe something was lost in translation, but it did not quite work for me. I think it would make a great creepy stop-motion film though.
Before starting on trombone, I did not realise that on brass instruments one can play the whole series of harmonics in the same position, much like one can play a series of harmonics on a guitar string. That means I can play the first three notes of Also Sprach Zarathustra without moving a slide, just by changing the embouchure.
According to Wikipedia,
In the first or closed position on a B♭ trombone, the notes in the harmonic series begin with B♭2 (one octave higher than the pedal B♭1), F3 (a perfect fifth higher than the previous partial), B♭3 (a perfect fourth higher), D4 (a major third higher), F4 (a minor third higher), A♭4 (a minor third higher than the previous partial; this tone <...> is always 31 cents, about one sixth of a tone, flat of the twelve-tone equal temperament minor seventh <...> it may be avoided and played in an alternate position, though it has been the practice in Germany and Austria to play the note in position <...>), B♭4 (a major second higher), C5 (a major second higher), D5 (a major second higher), E♭ (a minor second higher, but almost exactly a quarter tone higher than it would be in twelve-tone equal temperament), F5 (a major second higher).
OK maybe in Germany and Austria they like their A♭ flat, but why it is flat? This page from the HyperPhysics explains that “the 7th harmonic shows the most severe departure from any equal tempered interval”. A♭4 is the seventh harmonic from the fundamental note (B♭1).
I thought, since I am not employed any longer, I won’t attend any more meetings. But no. Arco Iris had an AGM yesterday, instead of the second half of the practice. With chairperson, minutes, reports etc. Luckily, this only happens once a year, and in fact it was rather interesting, though it did not finish in time. I had to rush to train and did not exercise my right to vote (elections of the next committee).
Among other stuff, I learned that Arco Iris played impressive 36 (!) gigs this year. I am glad that I have contributed to some of these events.
Today was my tenth gig with the band. Also it was the longest set so far (one-hour set by the ice rink on Parker’s Piece, as a part of the Cambridge Music Festival). And the coldest. Maybe we did not sound our best tonight, but the ice skaters looked as if they were enjoying the music.
I need tea.
