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Classical Music

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Ken Smith
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Apologies. In the 4th line of Andre Rieu’s quote, it should read ‘classical music’ not ‘classified music’.


   
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Powmill-Naemore
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Posted by: @ken

After a two week break through health problems I’m almost reaching the climax of my review of classical composers so now I continue with:-

LEONARD BERNSTEIN 1918/1990

At the insistence of his grandmother Bernstein was actually christened Louis and it wasn’t until his grandmother died when he changed his name by deed pole to Leonard when he was 18, however to his contemporaries he was called Lenny. He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1918 to Jewish Ukrainian parents and didn’t have any formal teaching in music until at the age of 10 his elder sister wished to get rid of an upright piano which presumably she had no use for when she got married. So the young Louis self taught himself on playing the piano until his formal education continued at a couple of public schools before enrolling at Harvard University where he became the instigator of enlisting his colleagues into performing operettas such as Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ and Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘Pirates of Penzance’.

Most of his early compositions were classical, his first notable one being his Jeremiah Symphony in 1942 followed by his Second Symphony entitled ‘The Age of Anxiety’. But he always felt that he needed further outlets for his prodigious talent. In deep despair and practically penniless he had been on the verge of quitting music altogether when he was then offered the post of Assistant Conductor to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and so began one of the most spectacular careers in the history of music, one that was to encompass the multiple roles of conductor, composer, pianist and author which became more evident in his own output. Simultaneously almost he was composing classical and light music. He wrote a very successful ballet in 1944 named ‘Fancy Free’ at the same time as one of his stage musicals ‘On the town’ which was made into a film in 1949 starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Vera Ellen and Ann Miller. In 1950 he completed the incidental music for ‘Peter Pan’ and three years later the musical score for ‘On the Waterfront’ starring Marlon Brando, Rod Steiger and featuring Eve Marie Saint on her debut appearance. He was still also writing classical music including 3 Choral works, his Violin Serenade and several piano works. What’s more he took the New York Philharmonic Orchestra on tour to Europe and was the first American to conduct at the famous La Scala Opera House in Milan.

However his most famous musicals were ‘Candide’ in 1954 and earlier ‘West Side Story’ in 1949 but made into a high box office film with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim in 1961. The former was based on a Voltaire novel, but the latter roughly on Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ but brought up to date featuring a territorial warring battle in New York’s West End between American youths called ‘The Jets’ and immigrant settlers from Costa Rica called the ‘The Sharks’ starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno,
 George Chakiris and Russ Tambyn. ‘West Side Story’ included a plethora of famous songs such as “Something’s coming”, “Maria”, “Tonight”,”America”, “I feel pretty”, the Maria’s final death scene “There’s a place for us”, but my favourite when the Jets realise what a real set of delinquents they really were as they sing “Gee, Officer Krukpee” but still blaming society for their delinquency.

Leonard Bernstein though still carried on writing classical compositions with his Kaddish Symphony in 1963 and still remained a leader in the Civil Rights Movement almost to his dying days. He had suffered with asthma since his 50s and later suffered from emphysema finally dying aged 72 in Manhattan in 1990. When the cortège of his funeral drove through Manhattan, even the construction workers stopped working doffing their helmets and shouting “Goodbye, Lenny”.

West Side Story be American etched on my heart when I was fortunate to be included in the cast of Sharks in the College's celebrated production in the 70s. (Father) Ricardo Morgan choreographed this bunch of juvenile delinquents, himself having performed as a dancer in the West End before later becoming a priest. Many happy memories of that show and I latwr got to play in an amateur production on the west end stage myself. Layer still playing Riff in a production in Geneva. The show and its music has truly followed me all my life. Still, for me, the greatest musical of them all.


   
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Powmill-Naemore
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Posted by: @ken

And finally a quote from Andre Rieu which I have just come across.  “I don’t see the difference between classical music and other music. Some people are very strict stating that some music isn’t classified music. I even hear people state that some music isn’t pop music. For me there are no borders in music; there’s only good music and bad music. Good music is music that touches my heart”.

I hadn’t heard that quote until quite recently, but that is exactly what I tried to convey when I started this project last September. I then wrote that classical music is any music that is as popular today as it was when first composed; in other words music that has stood the test of time. I wish I had been aware of Andre Rieu’s comments last September, because it would have been a good quote to use when starting this project.

I must say that I am not a particular fan of Andre Rieu, but I think you have hit the nail on its head Ken. There are no borders in music, only music you like, that touches your heart as Rieu says, and what touches my heart wont always be the same as what touches your heart or anyone else's heart. So, which of us has the right to say any music is not good music.

Music, as I think you have shown, is bonded deeply to our memory. It is quite remarkable that even as the memory of people suffering any of the different forms of dementia subsides, music remains one of the keys that works. So many people still knowing songs and melodies despite other memories that are faded. 

You have helped bring back some memories for me with these postings. You have also introduced me to some new names that over time I am now going to seek out and give a listen to.

So, thank you for putting all of these together. That has been a very worthwhile project.

This post was modified 3 years ago by Powmill-Naemore

   
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Powmill-Naemore
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Posted by: @powmillnaemore
Posted by: @ken

After a two week break through health problems I’m almost reaching the climax of my review of classical composers so now I continue with:-

LEONARD BERNSTEIN 1918/1990

At the insistence of his grandmother Bernstein was actually christened Louis and it wasn’t until his grandmother died when he changed his name by deed pole to Leonard when he was 18, however to his contemporaries he was called Lenny. He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1918 to Jewish Ukrainian parents and didn’t have any formal teaching in music until at the age of 10 his elder sister wished to get rid of an upright piano which presumably she had no use for when she got married. So the young Louis self taught himself on playing the piano until his formal education continued at a couple of public schools before enrolling at Harvard University where he became the instigator of enlisting his colleagues into performing operettas such as Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ and Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘Pirates of Penzance’.

Most of his early compositions were classical, his first notable one being his Jeremiah Symphony in 1942 followed by his Second Symphony entitled ‘The Age of Anxiety’. But he always felt that he needed further outlets for his prodigious talent. In deep despair and practically penniless he had been on the verge of quitting music altogether when he was then offered the post of Assistant Conductor to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and so began one of the most spectacular careers in the history of music, one that was to encompass the multiple roles of conductor, composer, pianist and author which became more evident in his own output. Simultaneously almost he was composing classical and light music. He wrote a very successful ballet in 1944 named ‘Fancy Free’ at the same time as one of his stage musicals ‘On the town’ which was made into a film in 1949 starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Vera Ellen and Ann Miller. In 1950 he completed the incidental music for ‘Peter Pan’ and three years later the musical score for ‘On the Waterfront’ starring Marlon Brando, Rod Steiger and featuring Eve Marie Saint on her debut appearance. He was still also writing classical music including 3 Choral works, his Violin Serenade and several piano works. What’s more he took the New York Philharmonic Orchestra on tour to Europe and was the first American to conduct at the famous La Scala Opera House in Milan.

However his most famous musicals were ‘Candide’ in 1954 and earlier ‘West Side Story’ in 1949 but made into a high box office film with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim in 1961. The former was based on a Voltaire novel, but the latter roughly on Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ but brought up to date featuring a territorial warring battle in New York’s West End between American youths called ‘The Jets’ and immigrant settlers from Costa Rica called the ‘The Sharks’ starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno,
 George Chakiris and Russ Tambyn. ‘West Side Story’ included a plethora of famous songs such as “Something’s coming”, “Maria”, “Tonight”,”America”, “I feel pretty”, the Maria’s final death scene “There’s a place for us”, but my favourite when the Jets realise what a real set of delinquents they really were as they sing “Gee, Officer Krukpee” but still blaming society for their delinquency.

Leonard Bernstein though still carried on writing classical compositions with his Kaddish Symphony in 1963 and still remained a leader in the Civil Rights Movement almost to his dying days. He had suffered with asthma since his 50s and later suffered from emphysema finally dying aged 72 in Manhattan in 1990. When the cortège of his funeral drove through Manhattan, even the construction workers stopped working doffing their helmets and shouting “Goodbye, Lenny”.

West Side Story be American etched on my heart when I was fortunate to be included in the cast of Sharks in the College's celebrated production in the 70s. (Father) Ricardo Morgan choreographed this bunch of juvenile delinquents, himself having performed as a dancer in the West End before later becoming a priest. Many happy memories of that show and I latwr got to play in an amateur production on the west end stage myself. Layer still playing Riff in a production in Geneva. The show and its music has truly followed me all my life. Still, for me, the greatest musical of them all.

I meant to write that West Side Story will always be etched on my heart, ever since I was fortunate to be included.....

 

I have no idea how it transformed into what I posted...... I have spotted a couple of strange 'later' transformations in there too....

FFS ....fat finger syndrome 😏


   
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Ken Smith
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I’m pleased West Side Story brings back happy memories for you. If I had to choose my favourite film musical it would be a toss up between Showboat, Guys and Dolls, and Kiss Me Kate. However for stage musicals the little-known Blitz! wins hands down, maybe because I lived through the War, but also because it reminds me how much my late wife also enjoyed seeing the show twice, once in London and once in Newcastle. One can’t put a price on nostalgia, it’s wasted on the young. I hope your health problems are over; I’m now contending with vertigo, maybe too much time on my iPad! Loved your poem in Limerick fashion by the way.

This post was modified 3 years ago 2 times by Ken Smith

   
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Powmill-Naemore
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@ken

Thanks for asking about my health, but I'm fine. It has simply has been a particularly demanding time for me at work over the last few months and I am also still engaged in major DIY renovation of the house we live in,  so sometimes I get behind on reading and posting in here.

I saw an amateur production of Lionel Bart's Blitz! myself in London in 80s and also had the opportunity to appear in a production of Oliver myself also in 80s.

West Side has it for me for the power of the story it tells along with the sheer class of the musical score,  not forgetting the happy memories it brings me. Seen it on stage a few times as well, both professional and amateur and it has never disappointed.

There are a host of stage musicals I love, Guys and Dolls is in my list too, and I got to dance in the big crap game number in an amateur production of that one too. Stubby Kay's rendition of Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat in the film is memorable.

If you ever get the chance I would highly recommend Blood Brothers. I don't know if there is a video recording of it to see. Willy Russell the Liverpool playwrite wrote the script as well as the music. Another really powerful story, but one of the most impressionable things about it is the way adult actors/dancers portray young children and who knew Willy Russell could write music! My son rates this as his favourite of all the shows we took him to over the years.

If you dont get to do it first, I might try to put together a series on West End and Broadway Shows, but I don't expect to get around to finding the time to do that for a long time into the future 🙁

This post was modified 3 years ago by Powmill-Naemore

   
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Ken Smith
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Powmill-Naemore 

What I meant to add is that my favourite 3 show-stoppers from musicals are “There is Nothing like a Dame” from South Pacific, “Well did you Evah” from High Society, and “Gee, Officer Krukpee” from West Side Story which however has additional verses in the stage version compared to the film.


   
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Ken Smith
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There’s always been a sporting rivalry between Teesside and Tyneside going back to the old TV programme of ‘Shoot’ presented by George Taylor (remember him?). Well technically most of us used to call it was on Tyne/Wear television not Tyne/Tees as Boro and Teesside hardly got a mention. It might be a minor sport, but over this weekend Redcar Bears Speedway team have not only beaten Newcastle Diamonds but absolutely thrashed them home and away in successive nights. Gone are the days when the Diamonds had six times World Champion Ivan Mauger the Kiwi dominating the sport, but the Diamonds have since lost their lustre. They’re no longer in the higher echelons of the British League these days but competing with Redcar Bears (formerly Teesside Tigers) in the Second Division (National League). I don’t care what sport it is be it dominoes or cribbage, but it’s always satisfactory to thrash the Geordies, isn’t it?

This post was modified 3 years ago by Ken Smith

   
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Ken Smith
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How the above article appeared under Classical Music I don’t know, but I thought I’d set up a new topic called Tyne/Tees Rivalry. Perhaps Werdermouth can correct that!


   
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Ken Smith
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Back to Music for awhile. I love these old recorded Andre Rieu concerts and how they embrace the culture, dances and folk music of the countries I have visited. I only wish my wife had been alive to see these concerts on Sky Arts, she so loved the Strauss Waltzes in particular. Andre’s entrances with ’76 Trombones’ set the tone and often finish with ‘Adieu’ from Robert Gilbert’s ‘White Horse Inn’, but in between beautiful Strauss waltzes, and even Presley and Abba music, a pure cacophony of sound. I can’t wait to see his next concert in early January, a contrast to the New Years Day concert from Vienna which I also love. 

I don’t know who said that music makes the World go round, but it’s true and one is rarely disappointed unlike following football which more often than not following Boro has been so capricious. 


   
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Ken,

many years my wife and I and our wo children were holidaying in France near Chartres. WE used to make the kids visit Cathedrals and Art Galleries, they hated it at the time but now they do it with their children. We were visiting Chartres and I said 'we must see the Cathedral. Rolling of young eyes and an OK dad.

When we got there we had to wait a short while because they were rehearsing for a recording of Saint Saens Organ Symphony. We got the obligatory please be quiet, they are checking sound levels, just stand here in complete silence please.

Then the organist hit the keyboard and I'm sure our son's hair just stood on end with eyes looking like billiard balls. The hair on my arms stands on end thinking about it. Both of our children, now in their forties have the Deutsche Gramophon recording. As you say memories and in this case serious musical power. Listen to the third movement up loud, uplifting just doesn't do it justice.

Perhaps they should play that short intro as Boro come out of the tunnel.

Stay safe,

UTB,

John

This post was modified 2 years ago by John Richardson

   
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Ken Smith
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@ John Richardson 

I too am familiar with Chartes, as I believe is Martin Bellamy. It was a stopping point from our return home from the Algarve in late March every year.


   
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@ken

A lovely place and area, we stayed in a gate up on the plateau south of Chartres and above the Loire valley.

I think Mike was about eight and Kath around eleven. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, not least with the Boro!

Stay safe,

UTB,

John


   
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Martin Bellamy
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@ken I have visited many parts of France, but I think Chartres is still on my list. I’ve got a ferry booking for Sept 22, that’s now in its 4th incarnation. Can’t wait to get back across the Channel. 


   
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Ken Smith
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I’ve just watched Jan Lisiecki playing all five of Beethoven’s Pianos Concerto from the Konzerthaus Berlin. I must confess that I’d never heard of this young Canadian of Polish extraction. But what amazes me is that though he played all these concertos without music which I guess is quite normal, but after his first applause he shook hands with every member of the orchestra. Perhaps if all footballers even those given yellow cards,  shook hands with the referees and his officials after the match there might be a greater understanding of what a difficult task it is being a referee.


   
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Ken Smith
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Posted by: @martin-bellamy

@ken I have visited many parts of France, but I think Chartres is still on my list. I’ve got a ferry booking for Sept 22, that’s now in its 4th incarnation. Can’t wait to get back across the Channel. 

 


   
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Ken Smith
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I envy you Martin, but sadly my touring days are over. My favourites though are the Alsace region of Strasbourg, Kaysersberg, Colmar and Ribeauville, or further south to Provence and the Camargue which I’ve visited twice. Bon voyage, mon ami!


   
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Martin Bellamy
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Merci @ken We had a fantastic trip to Alsace. Check it out here: https://c13mpr.com/2018/10/03/i-love-not-plan-comes-together/


   
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Ken Smith
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@martin-bellamy 

Thanks for sharing that with me. Did you see ‘A Year in Provenance ‘ recently with Carol Drinkwater on Channel 5? It brought back special memories for me. One year my wife and I spent a week in Nice including the Mardi Gras    -    Magic Moments!


   
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Martin Bellamy
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@ken We did see some of the episodes and we have been to Provence once too.  We had a vague plan to retire to France but Brexit put paid to that as the rules are too difficult to make it possible. Hopefully we’ll feel confident enough to go in September.  

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Ken Smith
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I’ve just watched an Australian ballet version of Franz Lehar’s operetta “The  Merry Widow” and what a deiightful experience it was. I wondered how it would work without the lyrics, but the story was told at the beginning and between the Acts.

Basically the story is that the ambassador of Pontevedro, Baron Zeta, hopes the newly widowed and wealthy Pontovedrian widow Hanna Glawari will marry the dashing Count Danilo keeping her fabulous wealth in the country where it is sorely needed. Hanna is invited to the embassy ball in Paris, but when she meets Danilo, he realises that she is the childhood sweetheart that he jilted many years ago. He still loves her, but she is playing hard to get. 

But the sub plot is that Baron Zeta’s young wife Valencienne is in love with the French attaché, Camille and they steal away to Hanna’s garden pavilion, and to prevent being caught, Hanna pretends to be engaged to Camille upsetting the original plan. Later at Chez Maxine with passions running high, Danilo challenges Camille to a duel. But like all romantic stories every thing is sorted and Hanna and Danilo are left alone to seal their love with a waltz. 

I wondered how an operetta with lyrics could be turned into a ballet with no words but Lehar’s music and a cast of over 30, not all ballet dancers won me over as it did the audience outside of Sydney Opera House. 

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Ken Smith
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I notice that the Andre Rieu concerts are touring England this year with performances at the Arena concert halls in Newcastle, Leeds and Birmingham. Two years too late for me unfortunately, but hope they’ll be televised on Sky Arts later.


   
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Ken Smith
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Although Diasboro was formed specifically for opinions about Middlesbrough Football Club, it has become a forum for many diverse subjects, my abiding favourite one being about classical music, and I congratulate Werdermouth on allowing me to write about a subject that overrides my love for football and cricket and something that has always been close to my heart.

I’ve always wanted an outlet for a subject such as this, and if only I had persevered with my piano lessons my life would have not been wasted on the trivial of football so much. I have just listened to a rendition of Chopin’s ‘In Mir Klingst Ein Lied’ or ‘So deep is the night’ which rather sums up my life since Enid died 14 years ago this month.

Why do classical songs seem so much more beautiful when sung in German?  Thanks Werdermouth for allowing us to write about so many different subjects, even if Politics and Religion are verboten.

 


   
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@ken 

It’s nice to have a forum where so many people have similar and diverse views which is what makes it interesting.

Both my parents loved music and insisted I went to piano lessons from an early age. I must confess that although I could pick up a tune and read music I wasn’t a virtuoso!

The music lessons came in useful during the early to mid sixties when I swapped the piano for a keyboard similar to the one used by “The Animals, Dave Clark Five” etc etc.

Playing in a band (or group) had two main advantages. The money earned was four times the meagre amount paid to be as a young apprentice quantity surveyor. Secondly the venues we played at attracted young girls all beautiful all in mini skirts and all loving our music (honestly!)

I met my wife at one of these dances that we played at and are still together today for which I feel very fortunate.

I agree with you that music means so much to everyone in differing ways and 

“music was my first love” 🎶

OFB


   
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@ken 

Thanks Ken, though I'd only add that the beauty of classical songs may be brought into question were I to sing them in german 😉 


   
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I was a contributor to a book a couple of years ago ( it’s still for sale in all good book shops!) All the local musicians of the sixties seventies and eighties contributed. It’s called “Boys in the bands” by Chris Scott Wilson a great guy and celebrated drummer.

Hopefully these photos can be seen.

OFB


   
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This was one of my bands the Satellites from Stockton.

Played the Fiesta, Sporting Club, Titos and most of the NE Clubs including the Jazz Club at Coatham Redcar.

Hapoy Daze

 

 


   
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Ken Smith
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Music doesn’t let you down as there are never any losers if one watches your favourite singers, lyricists or musicians. Depending on my mood I much prefer classical music to most other forms, though I’m fairly eclectic in my taste.


   
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@ken 

I’m fairly electric with my choice of music as well!

Oh hang on !

I think I’ve misread your post sorry 😢 

OFB


   
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@original-fat-bob.  I detect an under current in your post! 😎


   
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