MyOccasion

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It was a long work day, but I forced myself after work to go to Chatswood. There I bought Valkyrie two Swings and one set of Biting Rings: total cost ~$6.00. The cost was never the problem; merely the availability.

The name of the American External Under-Secretary For Australian Affairs, sometimes known as the Australian Prime Minister, translates well in to the French language:

My first action of any real thought today, was to finish the last few pages of "Playback", a Philip Marlowe novel by Raymond Chandler. The characterisation is all but non-existent; the plot intrigued at first, but wore thin, with the end a letdown; the "love scenes" are lamentable & utterly unconvincing. The saving grace is the Marlowe method of noting small details, mostly which prove unimportant, although some are critical & link up to solutions; all noted in short sharp sentences, proving quite impulsive reading, and the only reason for continuing to read at all.

[Font is ''Paris''.][--- Blake's Seven & Doctor Who!! ---][Font is ''Paris''.]

Blake's Seven: "Duel" [Episode 8] - I had not watched any of this series for some time; since 5th June 2005. It utterly full of inevitable doom. One should avoid it, if one feels at all depressed; the antithesis of Doctor Who, where the good have the habit of winning.

[Font is ''Paris''.][--- Blake's Seven & Doctor Who!! ---][Font is ''Paris''.]

Then, in a feckless mood, with housework only slowly moving, I put on DVD 2 of "Doctor Who" - Lost In Time". This DVD contains episodes of the Troughton Era - "The Underwater Menace" - Episode 3; "The Moonbase" - Episode 1 [audio only]; Episode 2; Episode 3 [audio only]; Episode 4. Then a pause, to give the long suffering Budgies some music. After the Concert, I continued this DVD with "The Faceless One" - Episode 1 & 2; "The Evil Of The Daleks" Episode 2. Actually, this was more or less background, as I heard it, but only in places saw it. It is so well known to me, as I have seen it numerous times. It has a most pleasant familiarity.

Later in the evening, I tried once more to watch the fifth epiosde of "Sapphire And Steel - Assignment Two", but the DVD was not co-operating.

Antonio Vivaldi - Flute Concerti - Numbers 4, 2, 5 & 6.

These are from the small part of Vivaldi's output which was actually published in his own lifetime, in the case of these works, as "VI Flute Concerti". From my front row seat [A27] I could see the name on the scores with ease. The variety of these Concerti, answer very well the criticism of Igor Stravinski, that Vivaldi did not write 500 Concerti, but rather 1 Concerto 500 times.

From my position I got to see clearly the Flautist's body language. Like most players of the small wind instruments, he is in the habit of dipping & swaying, not ostentatiously, but as a natural thing which he just does. He certainly is a very good Flautist, with his fingers very sure in placement; very strong, yet supple.

Brett Dean - Short Stories: Five Interludes For String Orchestra.

Not as much to my taste as the Vivaldi, but still well listenable. Especially so, when, after the rather 20th century intro, most of the pieces developed a lyrical, rather Romantic flow.

Piotr Tchaikovsky - Souvenir Of Florence.

It is actually written as a Sextet: two Violins; two Violas; two Cellos. This was a surprise to me, to read this in the programme, as previously I had heard this performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing as a full String Orchestra¹. So it proved too today: 10 Violins; 4 Violas; 3 Cellos; 1 Double Bass. They played this work superbly. The applause at the end was very strong.

Souvenir of Florence is one of Piotr Tchaikovsky's finest compositions, to my mind. As with the famed "Serenade For Strings", he shows this exceptional ability to compose for a String Orchestra or Ensemble. Souvenir of Florence has four parts, but with Tchaikovsky's predilection for the occasional significant pause within a Movement, the Second Movement has such a pause that most of the audience thought that the end of the Third Movement was the end of the Fourth, but the applause was stymied when the Orchestra, by their body language, showed that they had not yet finished. This happened also in the previous performance of this work I had heard, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

This composition is obviously in praise of Florence, which city Tchaikovsky undoubtedly came to love, during his various sojourns there. I still hold to my view, determined during the earlier performance, that the four Movements relate to four periods during a Florentine day; the First being the Morning with the rush of traffic; the Second, continued bustle of the late Morning, then following that pause, the Afternoon siesta; the Third, the Early Evening, with dancing adding to ambience; the Fourth, the late Evening, with more of the same, and tempo of the City increasing, rather than slowing, well into the early hours coming towards the next dawn. The dancing, in the last two Movements, is indicated by Russian Folk music. This is not incongrous at all. Tchaikovsky, to tell his Russian audience, that there is enthusiastic dancing at night by people from all classes in Florence, naturally chose Russian Folk music, so they would easily understand.

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Appendix - The Brat.

There was an unexpected intrusion during the first half of the Concert. There were half a dozen children in the first two rows, to my left. All but one were impeccably behaved. That one, in the front row, was some four seats to my left; a girl of about 8 years old or so. She was in a fit of pique, it seems, and started stamping her foot rather loudly; persistently too, as it went on for many minutes. At one point, at the start of a Dean work, Richard Tognetti turned and glared at her.

After interval, when she returned with her parents, she was sobbing. Something had definitely been said to her. As she caused no real trouble after interval, whatever was said clearly worked.

...................................................

¹ This performance by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra was on 4th November 2004, as part of their Thursday night "Mozart In The City" series. My comments on it, at the time, are in:

My Occasional Thought-Archive 11.

I needed quite a bit to get going, after the overnight 10+ hours sleep, in three bites.

So this morning, there were two bottles of V, and other forms of caffeine less virulent. Then, as housework was slowly done, and that sole arriving Correspondence Chess game of yesterday painfully yielded its secrets, I played DVDs.

"Danger Man" episode 8: "The Sanctuary". - An Irish American is to be released from prison, where he was for setting off a bomb in London. John Drake impersonates him, taking up a job in a remote part of Scotland, which is a front for Irish rebels [1959 version]. He foils them. It was a good tight half hour story. And a strange relevance to yesterday's outrage, although this time, it is probably not the Irish rebels.

"The Persuaders" - "Someone Like Me". A lovely period [1970], mental sci fi twist in this story. Well acted, scripted & directed. The locations were excellently chosen.

"The Prisoner" - "A, B and C". This third episode was the best yet. It shows Number Six at his most intelligent deviousness. And as in the previous paragraph, this was classic period [1967] mental sci-fi stuff. This really is a great series. Thank you Dallas Jones!

Then, to compensate the Four Budgies, I moved to CDs: Carl Orff - Carmina Burana; Wolfgang Mozart - Piano Concertos 21 & 27, plus the Little Sonata in C; and now Frederic Chopin's Waltzes, plus some other dances.

Returning to the Chess game - I find it odd, that in their 1942 Soviet Championship game, both Khavin & Dubinin overlooked this combination, which I found today without too much trouble. It wins for White. Sadly, I have the Black pieces in the 2005 version. The best alternative line I have found, has me, with two Pawns up, sacrificing my Queen for a Bishop and a Knight. Normally this is not enough, but this is no normal game.

They would not have happened if George Bush Junior had never become USA President.

And he would never have come to power, if the election had have been honest.

The other six Correspondence Chess games extant, I completed tonight. Finally.

This included a break to watch the fifth episode of "Sapphire And Steel - Assignment Two". Well, having missed it for three sundays, it seemed a fair enough trade, especially as this coming sunday looks crowded.

Earlier, I was asleep for two hours. Before then, in a tired state, I scrambled the VCR, and had the wrong date for the preset. So I awoke at 6.30pm, having missed "Doctor Who". But, by the grace of good fortune, I have a recorded video of this same episode: "Full Circle" - Part One; from the final season of the Tom Baker Era. It is some years old, but proved to be of good recording quality. So, despite my incompetence, naught was missed. I even continued Part Two, as I began with the Chess games.

It just had to be started. In some cases, they had been hanging around for a week.

Six Correspondence Chess Games posted. But others are still left, and while they accumulate dust, more will by necessity arrive.

As I considered moves and responses, I watched again the first four Episodes of "Sapphire And Steel - Assignment Two". Despite my gaze being oft downwards slanted at the Chess pieces, I saw most of these episodes, which I thoroughly enjoyed, despite the several times previously seen nature of them.

A Butterfly with black and white wings ; early afternoon in the top end of McHatton Street in Waverton. Winter? Yes; but not of the most belligerent kind.

Finally today, I acquired a new female Budgie: Valkyrie. The idea is, that as Ludwig & Amadeus are a couple, now Wolfgang will have a partner, and so not get so stressed, when he sees Ludwig & Amadeus whispering sweet nothings to each other.

Alright. I meant to start well. But I felt slow. Then I decided that it would not harm to watch the premiere Episode of "The Prisoner": "Arrival". This was from about 5am to 6m. It was very good indeed. I had only the brief preview and Dallas Jones' endorsement to go; but it has proved to be a purchase of excellent value.

This did inspire me to some useful action: a tired weeks' forced inactivity made up for. But my blood sugar went low. So while it was recovering:

It was good to see that John Drake has recovered his morality. Also, the late Sam Wannemaker, the American born father of English actress Zoe Wannemaker, had a starring role, and was very impressive. Zoe is English, as her father had to flee the USA, due to the Commitee for Unamerican Activities.

"Cinema Fantastique"

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra [SSO].

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

8.00pm, at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House.

Conductor: Alain Lombard.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Maurice Ravel: Pavane for a Dead Princess.

The first time I heard it, I disliked this. Tonight merely confirmed that, no matter how well it is played, I find it irritatingly insipid. Schmaltz.

.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Maurice Ravel: Mother Goose Suite.

Preferable to the previous work, but only just. The reasons for my distaste are the same. For me, the first half of the Concert was Ravel at his worst.

.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Interval

A relief.

.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

This is what I came for: a splendid composition; splendidly performed.

The idea of these silent films being shown on a screen, as the music played, was a bit dubious. The Orchestra had to endure laughter on odd occasions. As the screen was behind them, they could not see the reason. I felt they did well to keep their concentration. A few did appear unhappy about the circumstances. Others, however, took the opportunity of pauses in their own score, to turn around and look at the screen!

.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Alain Lombard conducted again, but now standing rather than sitting, and moving freely without a walking stick. So it was a temporary injury.

It was a decision that came on me yesterday. I would buy the DVD Box Set of "The Prisoner" and the first DVD Box Set of "The Saint"; one today, and the next next pay. Which when? Yet to decide. The Kings Cross Library had my loan of Leslie Charteris' "Call For The Saint"; this decided me to buy "The Prisoner"; along with the recommendation of Dallas Jones of the Doctor Who Club of Australia, a man who once buily his own Dalek, and who has excellent taste in such matters.

Well? It was a long work day; I had been up to Edgecliffe after work, before coming home; like, nothing constructive was available in me!

This episode started off in a way which filled me with a fair degree of moral doubt. Because a young woman John Drake knew, had become a heroin addict, he was prepared to destroy the life of an inoffensive and honest expratriate Englishman, who was working as a Civil Servant in the country where the heroin came from. Drake got him to co-operate, by tricking him into playing at the local casino. Here he lost money he could not afford, leaving him in Drake's power. Alright, the writer made it work out to a happy ending; yet still, really for the first time in this series, the moral essence of an episode was very dubious. However, this series was made in 1959-60, with the Cold War intense, as it ever was. So it fares better than expected.

My leg muscles were very sore after work, so I lay down for some, carefully stretching my muscles while I read the Francis Durbridge novel: "Paul Temple - The Madison Case". After about an hour or so my legs felt more reasonable.

We had the final episode of the first story of the 18th season of "Doctor Who" at ~6.05pm to 6.30pm today. This was made in 1980.

It has a new opening titles sequence & music, but so far the same 4th Doctor [Tom Baker] & companion, Romana 2 [Lalla Ward]. However, this is his last season, as it is hers. Script Editor Douglas Adams has left; replaced by Barry Letts, now termed an Executive Producer.

"The Leisure Hive" is a good story: interesting, involved & entertaining. The sets and special effects are also fine; not wobbling much at all. The acting is very good, including Adrienne Corri as Mena, the Algolan Leader. Corri is best known for a scene in the movie "A Clockwork Orange" in which she says nothing much: "Singing In The Rain".

Then I should have been writing letters to people and such. Instead I thought, why not just one epiosde of "Danger Man". This was the 5th "The Lovers". Then another, the 6th "The Girl In The Pink Pyjamas". Next I watched the previews of other shows on all six "Danger Man" DVDs. By then, it was nearly time for "The Bill" on ABC TV. So, no writing of letters occurred. Disappointing! My spineless will that is, not "Danger Man".

[Font is ''Paris''.][--- Rain & Rainbow Lorrikeets!! ---][Font is ''Paris''.]

Earlier in the day, just after noon, I witnessed a flock of Rainbow Lorrikeets in a tree in Crows Nest Road in Waverton, being very noisily excited about a rather insubstantial drizzle.

[Font is ''Paris''.][--- Rain & Rainbow Lorrikeets!! ---][Font is ''Paris''.]

At 1.10pm, in a smallish tree at 30 McHatton Street, near the boundary with 28 McHatton Street, I saw an adult pair of Rainbow Lorrikeets, with their half grown young. The last was essentially the same size as the adults, but differed in the plumage being rather less gaudily adorned. More clearly though, was its persistant calling for food. This is always a very annoying sound, but in this species it reaches its zenith.

It most be just as irritating for the parents, but they have the talent of feigning indifference for long periods. Which ability no doubt explains why the young have developed such persistent & determined calling. It is a variation of the "evolutionary arms race".

This morning my old PC crashed. And then again. But on the third occasion it stabilised.

Thus I was able to go to the meeting of the Doctor Who Club of Australia, at Drummoyne. Much on the 2005 rebirth of Doctor Who [Eccleston Era]. This has pleased almost all in the Club.

For the last two Sundays, I have not watched Sapphire And Steel. This is not through lack of interest. On the contrary, it is the rushed nature of these two sundays, with going out for much of each day, that made me decide I could not watch Sapphire And Steel, while giving it the full attention which I feel it demands. I choose to wait for the right moment. Haste is not necessary, for the DVDs are still there, awaiting my pleasure.

It began raining a few days ago. After an initial storm sheeting raining, it has continued with a drizzle, which has been persistent, yet rather insubstantial at any point in time, although the cumulative effect is surely very significant for the local plant life.

[Font is ''Paris''.][--- The Montagues And Capulets!! ---][Font is ''Paris''.]

Also I listened to the Prokofiev Suites CD. Good, but the first track: "The Montagues And Capulets" is so wonderful, it tends to overshadow the rest. I played that track thrice!

[Font is ''Paris''.][--- John Le Carre/Jospeh Cotton/Orson Welles!! ---][Font is ''Paris''.]

Further, I watched "Journey Into Fear", a movie from 1942, which I recorded early friday morning whilst asleep. Doug Anderson [SMH Guide] praised it, and rightly so.

"Heroes And Lovers"

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra [SSO].

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

8.00pm, at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House.

Conductor: Alain Lombard.

Piano Soloist: Paul Lewis.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Ludwig Van Beethoven: Coriolan Overture.

This Overture I have heard often in live performance; perhaps more than any other Beethoven compostion. It is as well known, as the play it is based on is obscure. This is not the Shakespearian "Coriolanus", but a "free gloss on it"¹ by Heinrich Von Collin.

It is said that the Overture is intended to capture the synopsis of the play in music. If so the vivacity of this Overture must surely capture it much better than it was. If the play actually matched the Overture, it would be still performed today as well.

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Ludwig Van Beethoven: Piano Concerto Number 5.

This is the Piano Concerto which Beethoven considered to be his best, and Ludwig may well be right. I witnessed a wonderful performance of this earlier this year, with Freddy Kempf and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Sebastian Lang-Lessing. Tonight's performance was also wonderful.

Paul Lewis has a very "clean" technique. Where there is some isolation of the chords, in the quiter parts of the Concerto, these are really accentuated. This gives the Concerto a different feel from that which I have heard heretofore. While this was a superb performance, his emotional understanding of the work, while it certainly was good, was not as good as that of Freddy Kempf.

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Interval

I ate. My blood sugar seemed to be tending low. A hypoglacaema is an unawanted intrusion when one wishes to enjoy music.

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Sergei Prokofiev: Symphony Number 1

This was intended by Prokofiev to be in the style of a Joseph Hadyn Symphony, if Haydn had continued to live and write in the same style, whilst assimilating new ideas; and certainly, especially in the case of the final movement, listening to Russian Folk Songs.

The reason behind this decision: Prokofiev normally composed at a Piano. Between the two Russian Revolutions, he was in the country, and wisely so, but without a Piano. So he had to compose the Symhony in his head. This made him to decide to go to simpler musical forms than he had been using heretofore. Serendipitously, he had studied Haydn's Symphonies .

Certainly the Symphony has a Haydn feel, while certainly being an original composition, and not merely a copy or compilation of earlier Haydn works. At the same time, there is a gentle sense of humour pervading the whole work, such that I fully warmed to the idea of Prokofiev the person, not just Prokofiev the composer.

In the Third Movement at one point: a visual musical joke. The Cello had been playing a base line often, throughout the Symphony. Now they are playing just one string with the right hand, without any fingering with the left. You have to warm to guy who can put that in a serious composition.

.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Sergei Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet Suite Number 2.

The Montagues And The Capulets begins it with a bang. Like, I have heard this piece, or parts of it often, used as music in film and television. But I never knew till now, who wrote it. The SSO played it with an intense power, which it so demands.

The rest of the Suite is certainly very fine, but must by necessity pale somewhat, after such an opening.

.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Alain Lombard is a conductor, whom I have not heard of before. Yet, a quick glance of his c.v. in the programme shows that he has an extensive career as a Conductor with outstanding Orchestras & Operas.

Tonight's performance certainly showed his ability. He was certainly warm in his praise of the Orchestra during the audience applause; his open smile certainly being unmistakably without any artifice. Yet the impression I got was that this was no less than he expected, and no Orchestra would dare to play under its ability and disappoint him.

. ... ... ... ... ... ...

¹ A quote from the Programme.

Today I viewed "Danger Man" episodes 2 & 3; respectively "A Time To Kill" & "Josetta". Both kept up the high quality of "View From The Villa". At first I did have some doubts on "Josetta" as it threatened for a while to be Cold War propaganda, but it soon went beyond that.

I checked at JB-Hi-Fi in Town after work. The woman on the enquiry counter told me that my "Danger Man" Box Set One, which was being sent there from their Macquarie Centre shop, was not yet in. Soon after I arrived home, as I lay down resting, I heard my answering machine vocalise, with a message being recorded from the same shop to say: "Danger Man" Box Set One has arrived, is awaiting me.

Although my body said no; my mind said yes. I dragged myself back together, went in to town and bought it. Not long after coming back home, I sat down and watched the first ever episode [from 1959] - "View From The Villa".

This show I had never seen before, except for once seeing the opening titles, which I either did not recall quite correctly, or what I saw was a later title sequence. What actually happens is that the "Danger Man" title appears. Then John Drake [played by Patrick McGoohan] walks out of the building, breaks into a slight jog as he crosses the road. Finally, he fairly casually gets into his white sports car, starts it and drives off.

Be that as it may, this first episode is excellent: well written by Ron Clemens; tightly directed to get a complete story into half an hour, yet without any sense of it being rushed, nor with things left unexplained; the acting was very good; the camera work likewise. My only problem is John Drake's somewhat inconsistent American accent, which I was prepared to accept as par for the times. ITV insisted on the accent, as they wished to sell to the USA.

Outside 35 King Steet in Waverton, there was a mature Brushtail Possum on the grass verge, beside the footpath. It lay there looking quietly peaceful; quite serene. But it was dead.

Today has, for these parts, the shortest period
from sunrise to sunset, for the year.

Sydney Schubert Society .

Schubertiad 315 - 19th June 2005.

The Venue: Saint Peters Presbyterian Church, North Sydney.

A 19th century Church, constructed of hand hewn convict blocks. It has a charming, dignified appearance, quite out of place, on the edge of North Sydney CBD.

The Players:
Roger Benedict - Principal Viola with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Jeanell Carrigan - Piano & Goetz Richter - Violin,
are both on the staff of the Sydney Conservatorium Of Music.

The above institution has a treasury of musical talent in its staff.

L Spohr - Duo [op 13] E Minor [for Violin and Viola].
Goetz Richter [Violin] + Roger Benedict [Viola].

Spohr is a composer whom I know all but nothing about. I gathered from Richter's introduction that he is mid 19th century, often maligned and perhaps unfairly at times. It was also interesting that before the following work, Benedict said that he did not enjoy playing Spohr, because "he is not kind to Viola players".

As for myself, I found it enjoyable enough in itself, and I had no problems with listening to it. However, it seemed to me to somewhat lacking in depth, and I would not be interested in buying it on CD; as with the Herrmann last night.

The other compositions in the proramme are performed by
Roger Benedict [Viola] and Jeanell Carrigan [Piano]

Robert Schumann - Märchenbilder [Fairy Tale Pictures] op 113:
Nicht Schnell; Lebhaft; Rasch; Langsam, mit melancolischem Ausdruck.

Robert Schumann, on the other hand, continues to surprise me! Benedict said in a brief introduction, as I undestood him, that Schumann captures the quality of a child's perception better than any other composer. These short pieces are wonderful! They have this childlike quality in the most profound way, without in any sense being childish or immature. There is in this simple clear compositions, a deep profundity. The quality of the Viola playing was also obvious, with the emotional expression being very impressive.

Interval

There was finger food, with tea and coffee, outside in the the garden which surrounds the church. A small path of green, with the tall buildings of North Sydney CBD looming incongrously above the old sandstone church. I walked. There are two old Native Fig trees [either Moreton Bay or Port Jackson] at one fence, with twisted trunks, sprawled horizontal heavy branches and exposed roots. At the far end, I stood on a sandstone block and saw 2 William Street, where I once lived.

Then above, I saw dozens of Leaden Flycatchers, feeding on the wing unsually high. They coursed back and forth between the tall buildings. Then two dropped a little in height as they flew westwards, and I could hear some happy shreiking, which good feeding. Then those two disappeared behind houses. I looked back to centre sky, directly overhead, but they had all left for other feeding.

Franz Schubert [arranged Benedict] - Four Songs from "Winterreise".
Auf dem Flusse; Frühlingsturm; Der Wegweiser; Der stürmische Morgan.

The actual songs may have varied from what was in the programme. Benedict mentioned something in this regard, which I missed. They are all originally some of the many Schubert songs, which Benedict has arranged for Viola & Piano. It seems that Viola players are often scouting for works to play which are more than just "Bas Continuo".

The songs transfer well to this instrumental duo. Despite swallowing the wrong way, right at the start of these songs, and being unable to clear my trachea completely by coughing, because that would spoil the music, and thus having to move the phlegm up my trachea to my oesophagus by contractions - yes, that is as thoroughly unpleasant as it sounds! - I really enjoyed these arrangements.

Franz Schubert - Sonata in A Minor ["Arpeggione"]
Allegro moderato; Adagio; Allegretto.

That is just Schubert's luck that he composes a magnificent work for a new instrument, the Arpeggione, only to have the instrument disappear from performance in a mere handful of years. This Arpeggione was apparently a large, Cello-sized Guitar, with six strings, which was played with a bow rather in the manner of a Cello. Fortunately this Sonata translates well to the Viola. I love it! It has that sound which I associate with the mature Schubert: a rough, almost grating edge, which melds seamlessly on to the melodius centre.

Encores: Another Schubert Song arranged for Viola.
Jean Sibelius: Valse Triste.

After several return, another delightful Schubert song was played, and as the applause continued after that, Valse Triste was played. I am very fond of this short Sibelius work, which has a divine deep melancholy. I have never heard it performed as a duo, on Viola & Piano, but it definitely works very well.

"Elgar's Beloved Cello Concerto"

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra [SSO].

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

8.00pm, at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House.

Conductor: Jeffrey Tate.

Cello Soloist: Truls Mørk.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Bernard Herrmann - North By Northwest: Overture.

This was a brief work; just 3 minutes long, and thus, in quite a contrast to the other two works on the programme. It was enjoyable enough to listen, nd it was well played by a full orchestra, including various percussion, but it does not interest enough that I would ever wish to buy it.

.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Edward Elgar - Cello Concerto

This is, without doubt, my favourite Elgar composition. The Cello ranges between great sorrow and agitation; at times there is quiet melancholy or the resignation of defeat; but there is no joy, no pleasure, in the remoresless dark emotion. Yet despite its blackness, it is a work which engenders great pleasure, a surfeit of happiness within me. Paradoxical? Yes, indeed! However, an understanding of melancholy, of malaise, of misery, which is experienced by another, yet overcome and turned in to a masterful work of Art, can not help but be uplifting to my Soul.

The Cellist, Truls Mørk played magnificently. He is a wonderful Cellist, bringing the full emotion this Concerto demands. After being brought back by applause six times, he played an encore: a solo work by Benjamin Britten.

We have had a good record with Elgar's Cello Concerto in Sydney. The last time I heard it live was in 2001, when the soloist was Steven Isserlis, and Osmo Vänskä the condcutor. That performance I recall very well, and it is a benchmark which I use to rate performances. Tonight was its equal.

.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Interval

At interval I went straight out to look at the CDs. There was one of Truls Mørk with the Birmingham City Orchestra, condcuted by Simon Rattle, playing the Cello Concertos of Edward Elgar & Benjamon Britten. I paid and was first in line for the autograph of Truls Mørk on the CD and the booklet. A certain weakness in this regard I have.

.. ... ... ... ... ... ...

Richard Strauss - Ein Heldenleben

The first I had ever heard of this Tone Poem, "Ein Heldenleben" [The Hero's Life] was in 2003, when the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester visited Sydney. It is a wonderful work, and I was inspired to buy a CD, which had the composer conducting it: the one sure way to know exactly what the composer had in mind. There were difficulties for me this time, as my movements were restricted due to the paper bag on my lap, which contained the newly bought CD, plus the programme. If I moved even slightly, the paper crackled. Thus I was restricted, and dilligent in this matter, despite discomfort in my legs.

While I found the performance tonight to be very good & thoroughly enjoyable, it was not quite as good as I recall that of the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester. This may be because it is the case; or perhaps my discomforted distracted my judgement a little; or it could be that the memory gives a fondness to the first hearing of a great work which was previously unknown to the listener. Whatever the case, that is my perception at this point in time.

... ... ... ... ... ...

The Conductor, Jeffrey Tate is English, and has long experience, both in the Concert Hall and Opera House, conducting with many famous Orchestras. He is to my perception very good at this. Yet such is the strength of Conducting in both ability and numbers, it comes as no surprise that I have never heard of him prior to tonight.

During the morning, I was reading Jane Austen's "Sense And Sensibility" aloud, chapters 39 & 40, while music played; and if my voice was any trouble for the Budgies, they must have been too polite to say so. Then I played a DVD: Episode Six of the BBC TV adaption of the same, which is nearly a quarter of a century old; yet very good nonetheless. Still, despite the two chapters read, the DVD got "ahead of the book". This is a neccessity of time, this abbreviation, I suppose. Mind you, I would be happy for them to have strung it out.

The afternoon was completing those four Chess games, which I had planned for the evening of the day that they arrived, which was yesterday. But I fell asleep unexpectedly, and slept for nearly eleven hours. Then it was to be this morning; which being stymied by my gross inertia. Instead, I went into town, became weak, and ordered the previously mentioned "Danger Man" DVD at JB-Hi-Fi. The afternoon proved, although at some slow length, to be more profitable for Chess. The actual posting of the games was at the Quay, just before the Concert. I have an aversion to my local post boxes.

DVDs: I have resisted buying. But I feel a weakening, in regard to either the "Danger Man" Box set for 1959-60, which is the only one that I have ever seen on sale; or "The Saint"- Volume One box set. Possibly both.

And this, despite the fact that I have all but never seen either. Of "Danger Man", I have only a memory of the opening scene, where he runs across the street and jumps in to his sports car. Then the title appears in large block italic letters across the screen. With "The Saint", I have a memory of Roger Moore talking, although I can not remember what, and then the end credits came, with that Saint Cartoon image. The image I am well familiar with, as my Father used to read the books on which the series is based. Perhaps I should before I consider buying.

Be that as it may, I love the spoofs of these kind of thriller shows, especially "The Avengers" and "The Persuaders". So I expect to also like the originals. They were, after all, often written by the very same screen writers.

With CDs I have been almost as self-controlled, albeit not quite. At Fish Fine Music in George Street in Town, on Saturday 11th June, I bought three Naxos CDs for $27.00, after 2MBS-FM subscriber discount. Schubert: String Quartets, Volume 3 [Numbers 9, 7 & 3] - Kodály Quartet. Christian Cannabich: Symphonies Numbers 47 to 52 - Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia, condcuted by Uwe Grodd. Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach: Cello Concertos - Tim Hugh [Cello] & Bournemouth Sinfonia, conducted by Richard Studt.

Having finished work early, for a change, I seemed overwhelmed by all this extra time.

Sadly, the time was not used to its true potential. Time is ones life, after all.

Once home, I had not planned to be finding Chess moves.
But six Chess games arrived in the post.
All six games now have the move completed.

There were other things to be done,
but the chess part of my mind was active. So!

Actually, I had planned to go to the CCLA quarterly meeting tonight. But my body is not willing to travel, albeit my mind is still working. ... Well? Sort of!

This is the kind of thing, I suppose, that in the game of Chess is known as:
"A Mysterious Grandmaster Move".

It was a whim. I was up unusually early, with the close by Winter Solstice Sunrise, still yet to come. So I moved early on the DVD front: Sapphire And Steel; the fourth episode of Assignment Two [Episode Ten overall]. This continues, at least to my taste, to be absolutely wonderful. There are certain inconsistencies to swallow. But once these are well digested, this Assignment just verves along with a rivetting fascination!

For four days running now, the effect of the early morning dew has been such, that at ~1pm in the afternoon, where the grass has been in shade through the morning, it is still thoroughly sodden. This is why, with almost no rain, the grass is still so green & fresh.

This morning early, I heard from the BBC, by way of ABC News Radio, that the riots continue in La Paz in Bolivia [and hopefully the majority Indians will finally gain political control of their country!], while in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, twenty people were shot dead by the army or police, during riots disputing the recent election results.

It is hardly surprising I become so insular and self obsessed, when the immediate international outlook is bleak, and the longer term prognosis is even far worse. When the Chinese tyranny crumbles, for a variety of enviromental & social reasons, the World will increase greatly in instability.

And locally, the bleakness is likewise. New South Wales is 91% drought declared, with some areas in the west of the state recording their lowest ever rainfall. Global warming is the culprit, although the Commonwealth Government continues to do nothing about that, preferring instead to plan a punishment of ordinary workers. This is a classic example of short sightedness: it reduces their chances of hoodwinking these people again.

The Noisy Miners in Waverton this afternoon, were verbally brawling in almost every big tree.

"Mozart In The City" - The Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

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7.00pm, at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney.

Director: Louis Lortie.

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Piano Concerto Number 16 in D, K451
Piano Quartet in G Minor, K478.
Piano Concerto Number 17 in D, K453.

An evening is Mozart is most enjoyable. Louis Lortie shows his versatility here, as his Mozartian Piano shows that light enlivening touch, which one naturally expects of Mozart's Piano Concertos. His hand movements were well keeping within the emotion of what he was playing. His left hand was, at times, raised with a cavalier flourish, but only during the First Movement Allegros. During the Second Movement Adagios, his hands were more subtly displayed when not actually keying. When there was extended right hand only playing, at any time, his left hand simply dropped, as if dead limp.

Having heard Lortie play Schumann's Piano Concerto last friday, plus the live broadcast, last tuesday, of his performance of Chopin's solo Piano works, I appreciate the range of styles which he does play, each with a complete concordance with the composer's psyche.

The Mozart Piano Quartet was a real ear opener for me. The first two Movements had an almost Schubertian feel about them. Only the final Rondo has a more characteristic Mozartian ambience, as with his Concertos; except, that it was very noticeably played at a somewhat slower pace.

The two Piano Concertos, although written closely one after the other, and though clearly sharing a similar formula, had a distinct difference in ambience. The 16th was very sprightly & cheerful throughout; even the Adagio was very light hearted. The 17th, au contraire, was slower, more serious & solemn, even during the First Movement.

... ... ... ... ... ...

My health problems were a menace. My blood pressure was low, my blood sugar fell during the performance, and consequently my legs were in pain. The irrational reptilian inner brain tried to take control, throwing up a repeated thought and desire to toss my porgramme over the third floor rail, into the stalls. This I avoided with ease. I know the reptilian brain has no sense of the rational! It is not a master with me; rather a distant slave! Yet still I took the time to stretch my legs, when I could do so, without disturbing others in the third floor audience!

After the performance, Louis Lortie was signing CDs in the foyer. The Schubert-Mozart one appealed, but I had not the money upon me. Also, I continued to feel most unwell. My body insisted on rest, on sleep. So, as Shakepeare is wont to say, it was: adieu.

... ... ... ... ... ...

Micheal Dauth, the Concert Master, was credited in the programme as the Director. Yet it was Louis Lortie, who energetically waved his hands in the direction of the Orchestra, before suddenly sitting down, and dropping them dexteriously to the keys. Thus, I have credited him as the Director.

He is not the easiest person turn pages for. But at the signing of CDs, and at any time after the concert ceased, he was a most affable & charismatic person.

This afternoon, yesterday's tree of Noisy Miner internal squabbling, seemed quite devoid of Birds of any sort.

I had hoped to achieve much this evening. But when evening came, I was quick in lack of any motivation - a malaise indeed! At least I enjoyed two episodes of The Persuaders on DVD, Chain Of Events & The Old, The New And The Deadly, which both I have enjoyed previously. Yet it would have been much better for my mind to have been productive.

1.15pm: The large tree outside 10 McKye Street in Waverton had around a dozen Noisy Miners in its branches. They were engaged in a very noisy verbal stoush amongst themselves. Over the next hour or so, I was back there several times, to witness this verbal dispute continue. It may well have gone on until dusk!

Middle Evening: On an inspiration, I managed to connect one of my small radios to my Hi-Fi speakers. It did have the approriate socket, which I had not realised priorly. Thus myself and the Three Budgies enjoyed in style, Lottie Lortie playing a small selection of Chopin's numerous works for solo Piano. This is a live broadcast on ABC FM [Fine Music] from the City Recital Hall in Angel Place, Sydney.

Andor Lilienthal had his 94th birthday last month, as reported in today's Sydney Morning Herald. This Hungarian Chess Grandmaster is famous for defeating World Chess Champions. My favourite is his win over Max Euwe at the 1937 Stockholm Olympiad. In the final position with bishop + 2 pawns versus bishop + 2 pawns; 3 of the 4 pawns are on the 7th rank.

All tht thinking yesterday has had its effect; not so much that I never changed gear today, but rather never kicked the engine over. But I did indulge in my DVDs of British TV drama of the 1960s & 1970s.

Firstly, The Avengers from 1967: The Positive Negative Man. Good, but I have seen this season so often, which is frustrating, as there are so many years of this show which I have not seen for decades, and then I was extremely young, and more which I have never seen.

Secondly, Blake's Seven: Seek-Locate-Destroy. This is the sixth episode of the first series. The usual involved story, except in this case, a quick anti-climatic & strangely upbeat ending. Blake & crew utterly outsmart the Federation. The dreaded infamous Servalan of the frocks makes her debut in this episode. At the moment I am not repeating Blake's Seven episodes. Many are really too depressing to view more than once, albeit this one today is worth reviewing.

Thirdly, Sapphire And Steel: I finally moved on to the third episode of Assignment Two [Episode Nine overall]. It was the right time to continue, and excellent it proved. This Assignment is perfectly to my taste, so I am willing to edge along with pleasure.

Fourthy, The Persuaders: Powerswitch [the seventh episode]. I missed the picture in places, as I was at times involved in housework. What I saw was very good & well worth a repeat.

Why I have such an affection for the British drama of the sci-fi, thriller & spoof thriller of this period is a bit myserious. It is an innate taste, rather than reclining in old memories. I may have seen The Avengers' The Positive Negative Man, when I was child - I can not quite recall clearly! - but the other three programmes viewed today were all quite new to me: A several decades old premiere!

It seems I have tackled naught but Correspondence Chess Games today. Fourteen I eventually posted: that is, all ten from the 2005 Qualifying Tournament; three of the four from the 2005 Class Three Championship; one from the 2004 Qualifying Tournament.

The only game not in my hands at the dawn of today, was that other game in the Class Three. I have two other games in the 2004 Qualifying, but they will have to wait. I have plenty of time on both. My last remaining 2003 Candidates Tournament game is threatening time trouble, but is probably lost. I shall probably have to tackle it tomorrow.

"Bravo Louis Lortie"

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

8.00pm at Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House.

Conductor: Gianluigi Gelmetti.

Soloist: Louis Lortie.

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Anton Webern - Passacaglia, Opus 1.

Robert Schumann - Piano Concerto in A Minor, Opus 54.

Johannes Brahms - Symphony Number 1 in C Minor, Opus 68.

This Webern was new to me, but his Passacaglia is an interesting & delightful work. Once more, those associated with Schoenberg continue to pleasantly surprise me.

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At the April-May interface I was awakened to Schumann, by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Now here was the only composition of his which I have on CD; the only one I really knew much about at all, before the TSO's enlivening of my mind.

Tonight it almost got off to a terrible mis-start. The man who has the seat in the front row, to my immediate left, is prone to eating sweets or something of that ilk, which he keeps in a plastic packet. Inadvertently he crackled the packet, just as this Concerto was being started by Gelmetti. Lortie spun around in an instant and glared at him, in an unmistakable vehement admonition! The man appologised with a verbal: "pardon". Somehow, Lortie was back at the keyboard, and playing without missing a beat, or a required emotion. I was astonished! He recovered so quickly; then played so well.

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Brahms surprised me yet again! Honestly, I should stop being so amazed that I like hearing his work played, even though I have little of it on CDs. It is almost as if I do not want to like his work, because he had certain insipid personal qualities that irritate me!

This First Symphony, so long delayed in its composition, is an absolute charmer par excellence. It is so full of allusions to and musical quotes from Beethoven, that he hardly could have fitted more in and called it an original work. Beethoven's 9th Symphony was most prominant in this. And yet, it is clearly an original work; is clearly Brahms, and not a mere Beethoven imitation.

The European Union Nomenclatura have their heads in the sand over this constitution.

It is dead & will have no lazarus like rebirth. It is time to start the constitution redrawing from scrtach again, and this time remember it is democractic, and listen to what the people want, not what the powers that be think they should have.

My Occasional Thought

For The Day