Stormy Weather

[Nick Armstrong]

Yes, that's a good idea. Music with Spring in the title- and there's quite a lot gurnemanz.

Slight variant - not Spring in the title, but something even more specific: my favourite piece for the time of year is John Foulds's "April - England"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jcW-t8-yew

[amateur51]

Im rather cold though, maybe as I had a wretched asthma attack last night!

i'm very sorry to hear that BBM - I have been fairly clear of late but this morning I had a bit of a turn, nothing as bad as yours certainly but a reminder to keep taking the steroid puffer.

I hope that you manage to recover in time to soak up some of these glorious rays, BBM

[amateur51]

Slight variant - not Spring in the title, but something even more specific: my favourite piece for the time of year is John Foulds's "April - England"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jcW-t8-yew

New to me Caliban - intriguing - many thanks

[salymap]

Does anyone know" April,April, laugh thygirlish laughter, then a moment after, weep thy girlish tears"?
It was a 2 part song for children I think, referring to the weather of course.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Song: "April"

April, April,
Laugh thy girlish laughter;
Then, the moment after,
Weep thy girlish tears!
April, that mine ears
Like a lover greetest,
If I tell thee, sweetest,
All my hopes and fears,
April, April,
Laugh thy golden laughter,
But, the moment after,
Weep thy golden tears!

William Watson (1858-1935)

Many settings, sals (including one by Roger Quilter) - but I can't find a two-part setting. (There's an SATB version by Paul Fetler?)

And, apparently, in the 1945 film, Without Love, Katherine Hepburn's character repeatedly misquotes the opening line.

[Serial_Apologist]

Beautiful clarity, hardly a cloud to be seen; but remarkably cool for late April - just 11 C maximum - indicating residual cold, following such a chilly winter.

[Anna]

It looked to become the perfect day: Thick frost but blue sky and sun from early on. Aha, thinks I, I will don my Gertrude Jekyll boots, grab the trusty secateurs and my leather gauntlets and give the garden a swift makeover. Alas, once I'd returned from a short trip to town it had clouded over and temperature plummeted and - once more chilly! So I didn't (although now it's brightening I am a fairweather gardener!)
I also like John Fould's April. I noticed a lilac in bud and the kerria is lovely and bright.
April is the cruellest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.

[BBMmk2]

i'm very sorry to hear that BBM - I have been fairly clear of late but this morning I had a bit of a turn, nothing as bad as yours certainly but a reminder to keep taking the steroid puffer.

I hope that you manage to recover in time to soak up some of these glorious rays, BBM

I am better, thank you, am51. Goodness knows why that one started. I thoiught rather sit indoors, all day, take advantage of the weather and get some sunlight! Feel a lot better for it now!

[mangerton]

I've just looked up Gertrude Jekyll, of whom I had never heard. I thought she might have been related to Dr Jekyll, but apparently not. My ignorance is shameful.

Sorry to hear your policies remain un-secateured, Anna. I hope your weather improves soon. It's very similar here.

Referring to April, we have this from Thomas Morley:

April is in my mistress' face,
And July in her eyes hath place;
Within her bosom is September,
But in her heart a cold December.

[salymap]

Song: "April"

April, April,
Laugh thy girlish laughter;
Then, the moment after,
Weep thy girlish tears!
April, that mine ears
Like a lover greetest,
If I tell thee, sweetest,
All my hopes and fears,
April, April,
Laugh thy golden laughter,
But, the moment after,
Weep thy golden tears!

William Watson (1858-1935)

Many settings, sals (including one by Roger Quilter) - but I can't find a two-part setting. (There's an SATB version by Paul Fetler?)

And, apparently, in the 1945 film, Without Love, Katherine Hepburn's character repeatedly misquotes the opening line.

Thanks ferney, what a mine of information you are, a lovely poem, someone I knew set the words I think it is O/P.

[Anna]

I've just looked up Gertrude Jekyll, of whom I had never heard. I thought she might have been related to Dr Jekyll, but apparently not. My ignorance is shameful.
Sorry to hear your policies remain un-secateured, Anna. I hope your weather improves soon. It's very similar here.
Referring to April, we have this from Thomas Morley:
April is in my mistress' face,
And July in her eyes hath place;
Within her bosom is September,
But in her heart a cold December.

Mangerton, did you think I was a Jekyll and Hyde character, my secateurs grasped above my head ready to inflict mayhem and murder upon some innocent primroses?!!! I think this describes April very well as well:-

"The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March."
(Robert Frost)

[Nick Armstrong]

It looked to become the perfect day: Thick frost but blue sky and sun from early on. Aha, thinks I, I will don my Gertrude Jekyll boots, grab the trusty secateurs and my leather gauntlets and give the garden a swift makeover. Alas, once I'd returned from a short trip to town it had clouded over and temperature plummeted and - once more chilly! So I didn't (although now it's brightening I am a fairweather gardener!)
I also like John Fould's April. I noticed a lilac in bud and the kerria is lovely and bright.
April is the cruellest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.

Old Gertie was a local celeb when I used to live in Godalming.... http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/munstead_wood_garden

Glad you like the Foulds too, Anna! Yes the 'cruellest month' thing seems true when one gets out into the slicing wind.... I risked it by making my recent trip to Brittany without any form of coat... ignoring the old 'cast not a clout till May be out' saw... The warmth of the first day gave way to slightly chillier days before coming home yesterday, but I didn't regret it - it was fine to stroll out in just a reasonably substantial shirt I didn't sit out and sip coffee in the breeze though - it was nice to get inside for one's refreshment

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

we all trust you had a fine gastronomic experience or two in Brittany Caliban

searingly clear day in the middle kingdom warmer out than in but such light ..

[Nick Armstrong]

we all trust you had a fine gastronomic experience or two in Brittany Caliban

Nothing too haute though... very much an en famille time. However, I enjoy the galettes complètes (buckwheat pancakes filled with grated Emmenthal, ham and an egg) washed down with Breton cider as much as any Michelin-starred food: so yes!

Anyway, have to rush, Dr. Who is on in 15 mins

It appears to be taking place in Caliban House

(I've tried - but I really find it unwatchable clap-trap, with some terrible writing and shocking acting from the leads... Dougray Scott is showing them up something rotten, he's the real deal...)

[mangerton]

Mangerton, did you think I was a Jekyll and Hyde character, my secateurs grasped above my head ready to inflict mayhem and murder upon some innocent primroses?!!! I think this describes April very well as well:-

"The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March."
(Robert Frost)

Oh no, absolutely not! Anyway, there are much more lethal gardening implements than secateurs.

I do like that Robert Frost poem.