2009/03/29

Elias Parish Alvars - The Liszt of Harp

Elias Parish Alvars



Parish Alvers 生活於一個充滿社會和政治變化的歷史時期中,它明顯影響了這時期藝術領域的發展。

這些年來對豎琴音樂的影響有三方面:


第一, 音樂家不再像數百年前以服務教會為主;

第二, 這些年來的藝術家有較大和自主的創作空間,也可以多點表達自己的想法;

第三, 然而最重要的,是現代豎琴的誕生,從設計上和技術上都有着很大的突破。

這些因素,加上Parish Alvers 的天份,好奇與冒險精神,和在這動盪的亂世中爭扎,  使得這位生於英國的謙謙公子,像李斯特如煙花般在歐洲樂壇綻放異彩。


February 28, 1808, Teignmouth, Devonshire, England
January 25, 1849, Vienna
2008 is Parish Alvars 200th Birth Anniversary!









continue reading "Elias Parish Alvars - The Liszt of Harp"

2009/03/26

History of the Harp

History of the Harp with Catrin Finch



The Harp

'The Harp' is a documentary hosted by Catrin Finch and published by BBC in 2007. 


Harpist Catrin Finch takes a musical journey to discover the ancient and fascinating history of the harp in Wales and the world, with interviews and performances from internationally-renowned guests including Alan Stivell, Carlos Orosco, Alemu Aga, Isabelle Perrin and Elinor Bennett.  It is a wonderful programme explaining the construction as well as the history of harp and its music.



           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_ImURf8KUE






continue reading "History of the Harp"

2009/03/23

Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (You are my heart's delight)

Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (You are my heart's delight)



I've just bought this bluray disc on Domingo/Netrebko/Villazon's Berlin concert.  The encore they sung is a beautiful aria "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" which is composed by Franz Lehar in his operetta "Das Land des Lachelns".

The Land of Smiles (Das Land des Lächelns)

This is a 'romantic' operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár. The German language libretto was by Ludwig Herzer and Fritz Löhner.

This was one of Lehár's later works, and has a bittersweet ending which the Viennese loved. The title refers to the Chinese custom of smiling, whatever happens in life. (The leading character, Prince Sou-Chong has a song early in the show, "Immer nur lächeln" ("Always smiling") which describes this.)



Click photo to watch the opera



The story
The operetta is set in Vienna and China in 1912.


In Act I, in Vienna, the heroine Lisa, a Countess, marries a Chinese prince and returns with him to his homeland despite the warnings of her friends and family.

In Act II, in Beijing, she finds that she is unable to come to terms with his culture, and especially that he must take other wives. He assures her that it's just a formality, but unhappiness is inevitable, and she is locked in the palace. Her love changes to hate.

In Act III, Prince Sou-Chong is left alone, while his beloved Lisa returns to her homeland. His sister, Princess Mi had also become attached to the Viennese official Gustav, and so the ending is doubly sad. But the prince respects the rule of his custom: always smile.


Plácido Domingo, Anna Netrebko, and Rolando Villazón - Dein ist mein ganzes Herz

https://youtu.be/y5Jezbnvawg








DEIN IST MEIN GANZES HERZ

MY HEART IS YOURS ALONE(YOU ARE MY HEART'S DELIGHT)



Dein ist mein ganzes Herz!
Wo du nicht bist, kann ich nicht sein.
So, wie die Blume welkt,
wenn sie nicht küsst der Sonnenschein!
Dein ist mein schönstes Lied,
weil es allein aus der Liebe erblüht.
Sag mir noch einmal, mein einzig Lieb,
oh sag noch einmal mir:
Ich hab dich lieb!

Wohin ich immer gehe,
ich fühle deine Nähe.
Ich möchte deinen Atem trinken
und betend dir zu Füssen sinken,
dir, dir allein! Wie wunderbar
ist dein leuchtendes Haar!
Traumschön und sehnsuchtsbang
ist dein strahlender Blick.
Hör ich der Stimme Klang,
ist es so wie Musik.


Dein ist mein ganzes Herz, etc.
You are my only heart!
I cannot be without you.
Like a flower that wilts
when unkissed by the sun!
My most beautiful song is yours,
for it is created out of love.
Tell me once more, my one and only,
oh tell me once more:
I have your love!

Wherever I am
I feel you are near.
I want to drink your breath
and kneel adoringly at your feet,
yours, yours alone! How wonderful
is your shining hair!
Dreamy and full of longing
is your radiant gaze.
Your voice is
music to my ears.


My heart is yours alone, etc.

Das Land des Lächelns
text: L. Herzer and F. Löhner-Beda
music: Franz Lehar, The Land of Smiles (1870-1948)
translation: a.l.





































continue reading "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (You are my heart's delight)"

2009/03/19

星加坡之旅

星加坡之旅

魚尾獅 (Merlion)


File:Merlion, Dec 05.JPG

(可惜我們抵埗時, 魚尾獅獅頭像因被雷電擊中而需維修, 並用帆布包圍着。)

魚尾獅獅頭的設計靈感來自關於新加坡歷史的一個傳說。根據《馬來紀年》的記載,公元11世紀時一位來自「三佛齊王國」的名叫聖尼羅烏達瑪的王子在前往馬六甲的途中來到了的新加坡。他一登陸就看到一隻神奇的野獸,隨從告訴他那是一隻獅子。他於是為新加坡取名「新加坡拉」(Singapura,在梵文中意即「獅子城」)。而魚尾則是因為新加坡是一個海島,她的一切都跟海密切相關。

夜間動物園( Night Safari )

離市區比較遠,附近就是新加坡動物園,動物園白天開,而這裏晚上才開。 離市區比較遠,附近就是新加坡動物園,動物園白天開,而這裡晚上才開。
門票分步行票和車行票,車行較貴,但步行不能走完全程。 園內完全由自然屏障分離人和動物,遊覽車也是開放的,因此從視覺上好像完全和哪些獅狼在一個區域中。 這裏不許使用閃光燈,怕驚嚇動物。
步行路線上基本上沒什麼燈,要抹黑前進。  嗅著熱帶雨林的味道走在小路上,膽小可不行啊!



新加坡植物園( Botanic Garden ) 





很漂亮的植物園,聚集了很多熱帶植物,植物園免費,但園內有個胡姬花園( National Orchid Garden )需要買票。 胡姬花是新加坡的國花。






加東 (Katong)




位於東海岸一帶的加東是一個環境幽靜的居住區。早期住在這裡的主要是富有的土生華人家族(“Peranakan”在馬來語中是“土生華人”的意思。土生華人、土生印度人和土生歐亞裔社群是東南亞特殊歷史背景下所形成的次族群)。這裡的許多古老的土生華人房子以前曾是海邊別墅,現在則因為填海的緣故而變得遠離海邊。

克拉克碼頭( Clark Quay )






一個酒吧集中的區域,新加坡河的兩岸有各種酒吧,河上有橋連接。 一個酒吧集中的區域,新加坡河的兩岸有各種酒吧,河上有橋連接。 晚上來這裏比較熱鬧。



Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: Singapore Trip 2009

Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook



continue reading "星加坡之旅"

2009/03/16

心靈加油站 - 人生的秘訣

人生的秘訣只有6個字






30年前,一個年輕人離開故鄉,開始創造自己的前途。
他動身的第一站,是去拜訪本族的族長,請求指點。


老族長正在練字,他聽說本族有位後輩開始踏上人生的旅途,
就寫了3個字:不要怕。


然後抬起頭來,望著年輕人說:


'孩子,人生的秘訣只有6個字,
今天先告訴你3個,供你半生受用。  


30年後,這個從前的年輕人已是人到中年,
有了一些成就,也添了很多傷心事。
歸程漫漫,到了家鄉,他又去拜訪那位族長。


他到了族長家裡,才知道老人家幾年前已經去世,
家人取出一個密封的信封對他說:
這是族長生前留給你的,他說有一天你會再來。


還鄉的遊子這才想起來,30年前他在這裡聽到人生的一半秘訣,
拆開信封,裡面赫然又是3個大字:不要悔。


人生的秘訣:中年以前不要怕,中年以後不要悔。 


你現在有膽怯而不敢做什麼嗎?







送給退休朋友的六項建議


 1. 退出股票市場

股票上漲,血壓上升,想買買不到。
股票下跌,心裡慌慌,想賣賣不掉。
鈔票是賺不完的,把機會讓給年輕人吧!
玩票或血壓不會上升或心裡不會慌慌者不在此限。


 2. 及時行樂
   只要體力允許,想去的地方就立刻去吧!
莫等走不動時後悔、遺憾,
只要有機會,多與老同學、老同事、老朋友聚聚!

 聚不在吃,怕的是時間不多。  
存在銀行的錢不一定是你的,
該用的時候要用,臨老要善待自己。



 3. 想吃什麼,就吃什麼,快樂最重要
   想吃的、愛吃的食物分為兩種:
對自己健康有益的,要常吃、多吃、但不是全部。  
對自己健康無益的,要少量、偶吃、但不是不吃。  
不想吃的、不愛吃的食物偶而也要吃一點點,平衡營養。



 4. 樂觀看待生病、往生
有錢、沒錢、有權、沒權都要經歷
生、老、病、死的過程,無一倖免。
有病時不必害怕、不用擔心,把後事交待好,
隨時可走,了無遺憾。
把身體交給醫生,把生命交給上帝,把心情交給自己。
如果擔心能醫好疾病,那就擔心吧!
如果擔心能延長壽命,那就擔心吧!
如果擔心能換得快樂,那就擔心吧!


5. 兒孫自有兒孫福
 對於兒孫的事,耳朵可以廳,眼睛可以看,但嘴巴不要說。
 原則是:說了無效的事不說,做不了的事情不做,

被動的事要看情形,兒孫獨立是你福氣。
 
6. 顧好四老
 老身:多注意健康資訊,保養全靠自己。
 老本:自己賺來的鈔票,要自己保管好。
 老伴:另一半要多珍惜,有一個會先走。
 老友:見面機會要把握,只會愈來愈少。

continue reading "心靈加油站 - 人生的秘訣"

2009/03/12

觸動心靈的動物繪畫:Lesley Harrison 動物作品集

觸動心靈的動物繪畫:Lesley Harrison 動物作品集


Afternoon Nap - Pastel Painting by Lesley Harrison

Lesley Harrison 是美國知名的女畫家,以粉彩畫棒作為主要的創作工具,並以此榮獲了若干專業獎項和榮譽。 Lesley已經從事專業繪畫32年了,她把對動物的熱愛結合在繪畫的職業生涯中,創作了一系列非凡的動物繪畫作品。和動物們的親密接觸讓Lesley的繪畫總能捕捉到動物的靈氣,所以她作品中動物的神態表情都能傳達出一種個性、優雅和力量。她說:“我堅信,只要用‘心’繪畫,就能觸碰別人的內心,感動別人。”

英文原文介绍:


Lesley Harrison - Working on a new painting
Lesley Harrison's Sacramento, California girlhood was shaped by animals and art. "I was born loving animals, she says. "It seems to be in my blood." She remembers an ongoing menagerie from cats to chickens. She started drawing animals in 2nd grade. "I was taken to the principal's office more than once, because I was drawing horses instead of paying attention to the teacher," she laughs.

"In 1975, I picked up a stick of pastel and it was instant love. I had tried other mediums, but nothing ever clicked." By 1983 she was selling enough paintings to quit her day job. Talking about getting her work into galleries, Lesley relates, "Whenever I'd approach a gallery about showing my work, the first thing they'd ask was what was my medium? I'd say pastels and they would say they weren't interested. So I finally told a gallery that I worked in oil and pastel (which was true!). They told me to bring the oils, not the pastels. I took both and left them for review. They loved the pastels!

Lesley works on location and also supplements those sessions with reference photographs. This approach allows her to develop paintings that are fresh yet rendered with authority. Although pastels are notoriously difficult to master, Lesley has received a number of professional honors & awards for her technical excellence. Recently, for the 3rd consecutive year, the Pastel Society of the West Coast recognized her for her contribution to pastel as an artistic medium. She is also a member of the exclusive Pastel Society of America.


触动心灵的动物绘画:Lesley Harrison 手绘动物作品集 - Lesley Harrison 手绘插画:Icy Whiskers壁纸图片13



触动心灵的动物绘画:Lesley Harrison 手绘动物作品集 - Lesley Harrison 手绘插画:Taking A Break壁纸图片36



触动心灵的动物绘画:Lesley Harrison 手绘动物作品集 - Lesley Harrison 手绘插画:New Feathers壁纸图片39


(Source: http://www.wallcoo.com/paint/Lesley_Harrison_Painting_Animals_That_Touch_The_Heart/index.html;

http://lesleyharrison.net/;

http://www.harrison-keller.com/index.htm)

continue reading "觸動心靈的動物繪畫:Lesley Harrison 動物作品集"

2009/03/09

金色童年, 法國畫家 Donald Zolan 兒童水彩畫集

金色童年 - Donald Zolan 的兒童水彩畫集



在金色童年水彩畫集中, 大家能感受到小朋友幕幕真實而溫馨的生活片段,比如在浴缸中洗澡玩水,聞花香,觀察察蟲子,和小朋友交往等等。

Donald Zolan是個溫暖而直率的藝術家,印象就如看見一位老朋友的感覺。他是位非常有才華和受歡迎的藝術家。在他的畫裡看見的愛和快樂是他自己誠實的展現。Donald Zolan在3 歲的時候開始畫,在5 歲以前,以水彩贏得比賽。在13 歲的時候贏得他的第一個主要的藝術比賽並且獲得芝加哥有聲望的藝術研究所的獎學金。在16歲,他贏得芝加哥的藝術高等學校的獎學金。

Donald Zolan在Nantucket建立他自己的畫廊。在他的畫裡, Donald Zolan表達了他對孩子的愛, 讓大家來一起欣賞他的畫作吧!

溫柔時刻




春天的天使



夏天的泡泡澡



發現毛蟲



夏天的小鴨


(Source:http://www.zolan.com/fineart/no_prints.html)

continue reading "金色童年, 法國畫家 Donald Zolan 兒童水彩畫集"

2009/03/06

Top images 2008 (2)

 Top images from the Internet for Year 2008



Special Category for Best
“Urban Painting”
88.9% votes



Special Category for Best “Body Paints”
86.6% votes





Special Category for Best
“Adventure Sport”
80.9% votes




Special Category for Best 
“Transport”
86.7% votes



Special Category for Best
“Public Display (Masculine)”
86.7% votes



Special Category for Best 
“Public Display (Feminine)”
86.7% votes



Special Category for Best
“Public Display (General)”
86.2% votes




The Special Mention
86.7% votes






And finally .....
The Prize that leave us with the last word....
92.6% votes







Till Next Year..... 



continue reading "Top images 2008 (2)"

2009/03/03

Top images 2008 (1)

Top images from the Internet for Year 2008

The best natural exterior picture
88.6% votes





 

The best natural interior picture
90.7% votes





The best urban picture
87.8% votes




The best “Human” picture
86.2% votes



The best “On the Spot” picture
86.3% votes



Special Category for best 
“Human Landscape”
87.7% votes



Special Category for Best
“Animal World”
89.3% votes




Special Category for Best
“Pets (Dogs)”
83.6% votes



Special Category for Best 
“Pets (Cats)”
82.7% votes





And more .....



continue reading "Top images 2008 (1)"