Favorite Classical Music Part 2

Concerto for Two Violins: Largo

(Antonio Vivaldi)

This is the first piece in my playlist and I always play it twice before proceeding to the next. :) 

Liebestraume

(Franz Liszt)

Liebestraume which means "dreams of love" is Liszt's most popular composition. This always puts me in a dreamy state.

Rondo Alla Turca

(Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

Lullaby
(Johannes Brahms)

MUST.... GET.... COFFEE...

The Swan

(Camille Saint-Saens)

Love Letter: Ronald Reagan to his wife, Nancy

February 14, 1977

Dear St. Valentine,

I'm writing to you about a beautiful young lady who has been in this household for 25 years now - come March 4.

I have a request to make of you but before doing so, feel you should know more about her. For one thing she has two hearts — her own and mine. I'm not complaining. I gave her mine willingly, and like it right where it is.

Her name is Nancy but for some time now I've called her Mommie and don't believe I could change.

My request of you is — could you on this day whisper in her ear that someone loves her very much and more and more each day? Also tell her, this "someone" would run down like a dollar clock without her so she must always stay where she is.

Then tell her if she wants to know who that "someone" is to just turn her head to the left. I'll be across the room waiting to see if you told her. If you'll do this for me, I'll be very happy knowing that she knows I love her with all my heart.

Thank you.

"Someone"

Favorite Classical Music Part I

Cello Suite No. 1, Prelude

(Johann Sebastian Bach)

Upon seeing the first two pictures I thought, "Hey, the man looks like Dali" and then after a while I read the description of the video that says "Bach's "Cello Suite No.1" by Yo-Yo Ma, accompanied by a Salvador Dali-inspired slideshow."  So, it really is Dali and I thought, this video is perfect. Bach and Dali in one. :)

Canon in D

(Johann Pachelbel)

Thank goodness I have ears! 

Clair De Lune

(Claude Debussy)

OK, so this is completely off the track but I have to tell you, I laughed when I saw a comment below this Youtube video that says, "Anyone who thinks Twilight has a "brilliant story line" hasn't actually seen a good movie or read a good book." That was so funny I had to give it a thumbs up! :)

La Primavera (Spring)
(Antonio Vivaldi)

One of Vivaldi's four violin concertos which used to put me to sleep. Although all four concertos have the same set of tempo markings (allegro - largo -allegro) Spring has to be my favorite because for me it symbolizes birth or budding of a new life.

Carmina Burana

(Carl Orff)

Performed by: UC Davis University Chorus, Alumni Chorus, Symphony Orchestra and the Pacific Boychoir   

Out of the 254 poems and dramatic texts, 24 were set to music by Carl Orff entitled Carmina Burana. I am not familiar with all the movements but the opening and closing number called O Fortuna is one of my favorite classical music. 

When I played this video, I started having goose flesh soon as the drum played and later, I literally was pouring tears. I swear I was crying! This is what good music does to me. 

Air on the G String - Johann Sebastian Bach

AIR ON THE G STRING

(Johann Sebastian Bach)

Sung by: Libera

This used to be my lullaby some months ago along with Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Strauss's The Blue Danube etc. Thanks to the Reader's Digest Classical Music Collection CD. :) 

SONG FACTS: (Wikipedia.org)

The original orchestral suite was written by Bach for his patron Prince Leopold of Anhalt some time between the years 1717 and 1723

The Air on the G String was the very first work by Bach to be recorded

Classic Love Letter: Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine Beauharnais

Napoleon Bonaparte

Born: 15 August 1769
           Ajaccio, Corsica
Died: 5 May 1821 (aged 51)
           Longwood, Saint Helena, British Empire
Titles: Emperor of the French 
            Reign: 18 May 1804 - 11 April 1814 (9 years, 328 days)                      
                         20 March 1815 - 22 June 1815 (94 days)
            King of Italy
            Reign: 17 March 1805 - 11 April 1814


*Napoleon married Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796, when he was twenty-six; she was a thirty-two-year-old widow whose first husband had been executed during the Revolution. Until she met Bonaparte, she had been known as 'Rose', a name which he disliked. He called her 'Josephine' instead, and she went by this name henceforth. Bonaparte often sent her love letters while on his campaigns. (wikipedia.org)


December 1795

I wake filled with thoughts of you. Your portrait and the intoxicating evening which we spent yesterday have
left my senses in turmoil. Sweet incomparable Josephine, what a strange effect you have on my heart! Are you angry? Do I see you looking sad? Are you worried? ...

My soul aches with sorrow, and there can be no rest for your lover; but is there still more in store for me
when, yielding to the profound feelings which overwhelm me, I draw from your lips, from your heart a love which consumes me with fire? Ah! it was last night that I fully realized how false an image of you your portrait gives!

You are leaving at noon; I shall see you in three hours.

Until then, mio dolce amor, a thousand kisses; but give me none in return, for they set my blood on fire.

Classic Love Letter: Katherine Mansfield to John Middleton Murray

Kathleen Mansfield

Born                              October 14, 1888
                                       Wellington, New Zealand
Died                               January 9, 1923 (aged 34)
Pen name                     Katherine Mansfield
Nationality                    New Zealand
Literary movement    Modernism

Mansfield and Murray had begun, in 1911, a relationship that would culminate in their marriage in 1918. They led a troubled life during this time. (wikipedia.org)


Spring 1919

My love for you tonight is so deep and tender that it seems to be outside myself as well. I am fast shut up like a little lake in the embrace of some big mountains. If you were to climb up the mountains, you would see me down below, deep and shining - and quite fathomless, my dear. You might drop your heart into me and you'd never hear it touch bottom.

I love you - I love you - Goodnight. Oh, Bogey, what it is to love like this!

Classic Love Letter: Juliette Drouet to Victor Hugo

Born	Julienne Josephine Gauvain 10 April 1806 Fougères, Brittany, France
Died	11 May 1883 (aged 77) Paris, France
Nationality	French
Ethnicity	Breton
Occupation	Actress
Known for	Mistress of writer Victor Hugo

Juliette Drouet to Victor Hugo

Friday 8 p.m

If only I were a clever woman, I could describe to you my gorgeous bird, how you unite in yourself the beauties of form, plumage and song!

I would tell you that you are the greatest marvel of all ages, and I should only be speaking the simple truth. But to put all this into suitable words, my superb one, I should require a voice far more harmonious than that which is bestowed upon my species - for I am the humble owl that you mocked at only lately, therefore, it cannot be.

I will not tell you to what degree you are dazzling and to the birds of sweet song who, as you know, are non the less beautiful and appreciative. I am content to delegate them the duty of watching, listening and admiring, while to myself I reserve the right of loving; this may be less attractive to the ear, but it is sweeter far to the heart.

I love you, I love you. My Victor; I cannot reiterate it too often; I can never express it as much as I feel it.

I recognize you in all the beauty that surrounds me in form, in colour, in perfume, in harmonious sound: all of these mean you to me. You are superior to all. I see and admire - you are all!

You are not only the solar spectrum with the seven luminous colours, but the sun himself, that illumines, warms and revivifies! This is what you are, and I am the lowly woman that adores you.

Juliette