About Me

My photo
I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

Translator!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

The Hills Are Alive and It's Got Me Running...

I'm well, the stitches are out and the dressing/soft cast is off -- a freeing experience for me.  I'm making lists and checking tasks off as I complete them -- this in itself feels good.

My friend TAG at The Amature Gigolo got me thinking this afternoon.  He's featuring a contest on the 100 pieces of music that one should know and understand -- pieces that broaden and define.  I've taken that to mean music that has affected me on a grand scale.  And while I may not list 100 pieces, I will try to recall that music which helps define who I am.  I reiterate that I had always wanted to be a professional singer and I had intended to major in voice so music has forever been a big part of my life.  In the thousands of compositions that I've sung or listened to, there are quite a few that have moved me.  Here is a partial list.  Perhaps some of these have been important to you as well.

1.  Handel's Messiah -- the entire work.  I've sung it hundreds of times and each time it affects me the same way.
2.  "Canon in D Minor" by Pachabel
3.  "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables
4.  "Do You Hear the People Sing" from Les Mis
5.   The entire score of West Side Story
6.   "Rainbow Connection"
7.   "Brian's Song"
8.   "Rhapsody in Blue"
9.   "Seasons of Love" from Rent
10.  "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do by Neil Sedaka
11.  The Brandenburg Concertos by Bach
12.  "For Good"  from Wicked
13.   "Bad Day"  Daniel Powter
14.   The theme from The Champ by Dave Grusin
15.   "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot
16.   "Bess"  from Porgy and Bess by Cole Porter
17.   "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha 
18.   "The Last Farewell" sung by Roger Whitaker
19.   "Shed a Little Light"  by James Taylor
20.   "Walking in Memphis"  Lonestar
21.    The theme from Casino Royale as performed by the Tijuana Brass
22.   "Kokomo" by The Beach Boys
23.   "Trumpeter's Voluntary"
24.   "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" by Handel
25.    Marcello's "Oboe Concerto in D Minor"
26.    The theme from The West Wing
27.    "Appalachian Spring" by Aaron Copeland
28.    "Fanfare for the Common Man" by Aaron Copeland
29.    "The Planets" by Gustav Holst

9 comments:

Unknown said...

yay it's ooff! So happy for you! I hope your hand feels okay.
Sorry I've been a bad friend...the box is still on my head :o)

Great idea about the music list but tough to do - Sam would like this. It boggles my mind the music he knows. Your list is great!

I left an award for you in my blog if you want to pick it up- we discussed this so I know!

~ Amy

TAG said...

First the important things. Glad to hear you are progressing nicely from the surgery.

Second, good start to the list. There are some things on there that are new to me. So you can bet I'll be checking them out. There is no need to do a full 100 songs. But don't think you have to stop at your 26 either.

Thanks for getting this thing going with a bang.

TAG

Rick Rockhill said...

Oh mot excellent list there Kathy! I am a big music fan, and we have similar tastes.

Jay said...

That's a pretty good list. I would have put "I Touch Myself" by The Divinyls on mine, but you have more class than I do. ;-)

Glad you got the cast off!

Jamie said...

Wonderful list!

I am happy to hear that you are feeling better/healing. I hope you have a happy weekend.

Hugs, friend!

Andrew said...

You might find this interesting, but I was a voice Major in college. I was getting minor in piano. I haven't sang or played the piano in years. I miss it. I have often thought of going to church just to sing in the choir. Very nice list of music you compiled there.

jane said...

great list. have you seen wicked? happy weekend!

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Glad you're recovering from the surgery.
I have absolutely no musical talent, but I do enjoy listening to music. There are quite a few songs that are unknown to me. I'll have to check them out.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Wow, lots of connections here. I walked down the aisle to Pachelbel's Canon. Now it always makes me tear up (happily).

Love Nessun Dorma. Possibly the most beautiful single song ever.

And I loved The Last Farewell when I was in high school. Thanks for reminding me of that.