Stuck in my hotel room, with lots of work to do, I decided to enjoy myself by listening to a selection of CDs I had brought with me. Listening on a Walkman often makes the music more personal and direct. (Having an earphone makes my right ear slightly hurty as well, but c'est la vie).
I listened to this 5-CD set I picked up for a snip. It's kind of weird, combining the instantly recognisable with a few obscure pieces, and almost without exception, by obscure orchestras and soloists. A bit hit-and-miss, such as when Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance is played by the 'Marine Concert Band' and you just know that most of them are AWOL ( I have a different version where the organ comes in at full throttle and with total splendour).
Nevertheless, I took the opportunity to make a note of a few more pieces to be considered for my All-Time Favourite list.
Mendelssohn's Overture, The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave);
Mozart's Overture, Marriage of Figaro
Handel's Ombra Mai Fu (the Largo from Serse/Xerxes. All I have to decide is which version in my collection I like the most - various instrumental versions, or one of the versions with singing by Kathleen Ferrier, Plácido Domingo or Bryn Terfel.
Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky
Mendelssohn's Symphony No 4 (Italian) - 1st movement
Brahms's Lullaby. Probably the first tune I ever learnt, thanks to the wonderful cot mobile sent to me when I was born by my Auntie Imelda, then in New York, now in Florida.
Currently on repeat play on the CD player Queireme Mucho, a Chrimbo pressie from my sister. Favourite tracks (at the moment) - Cocula, Frio frio and Flor De Azalea/No Me Quieras Tanto/Piel Canela.
