(originally written June 2012) Shostakovich 10 A wonderful performance of Shostakovich’s 10th Symphony by the CBSO under the mesmerising Andris Nelsons. Shostakovich is a site of ideological battle, his music fiercely contested and debated, with every sort of hidden meaning detected which might make it acceptable to anti-communist listeners. At the root of this is …
Category: poetry
Crabbe – Tale 11: Edward Shore
Returning to Crabbe after a long absence (10 months) I am confronted by a Tale for which I have little sympathy. However I am able to admire Crabbe's narrative skills and the power of his verse, even if I am suspicious of the ends to which they are put in this case. Edward Shore is …
John Clare : ‘strange death of life’ (OP)
7th September 2005 At the ECW list we are reading Bate's biography of John Clare. I was not too sure about the earlier parts of the book, both becuase it seemed to me that Bate was failing to provide an adequate context for the political and literary world which formed the backgorund to Clare's emergence …
When In Rome (OP)
4th July 2007 Continuing to watch Rome, the second series, and reading a lengthy discussion on ECW about classicism, I fell to musing on these topics. The problem with the discussion was the lack of definition of 'classicism'. What do we mean by this? In the context of talking about the Eighteenth Century we use the …
Me from myself – to banish (OP)
22nd August 2005 Here is another poem that was posted on the Women Writers list... Me from Myself -- to banish -- Had I Art -- Impregnable my Fortress Unto All Heart -- But since Myself -- assault Me -- How have I peace Except by subjugating Consciousness? And since We're mutual Monarch How this …
Having It Out With Melancholy (OP)
8th August 2005 On a Yahoo list I am on someone posted this poem... Having it Out with Melancholy by Jane Kenyon 1 FROM THE NURSERY When I was born, you waited behind a pile of linen in the nursery, and when we were alone, you lay down on top of me, pressing the bile …
Marianne, Lucy Jordan and Lizzie Eustace (OP)
26th June 2007 A superb South Bank show documentary on Marianne Faithfull; film from a recent concert, and a couple of interviews, the main one being conducted by Bragg (not a favourite of mine, but I must admit this was a good, fairly self-effacing interview). All the main events were covered - the discovery, As …
Continue reading Marianne, Lucy Jordan and Lizzie Eustace (OP)
Goldsmith’s Traveller
On the EighteenthCenturyWorlds List ( see right for link) Ellen recently posted some verses from Goldsmith's The Traveller..... Goldsmith, from "The Traveller" Creations' mildest charms are there combined, Extremes are only in the master's mind. Stern o'er each bosom reason holds her state, With daring aims irregularly great; Pride in their port, defiance in their …
Moving Toyshop 