Reasons to be cheerful

[cloughie]

I'm not usually a fan of today's musicians when compared with yesterdary's, but I was 'cheerful ' on Tuesday with Daria Stasevska's BBC S.O. performances of Sibelius Pelleas et Melisande and Rachmaninov's Third Symphony, both absolutely top-notch and worthy to be put alongside classic recordings of the past. Strongly recommended on BBC Sounds. I was very pleased with her Sib 5 at last year's Proms. This is clearly a conductor to listen out for, I think.

Yes she is excellent - her Sib performances are always good and that Rach 3 was superb. I switched R3 on part way through and thought - wow! What a great sounnd and perfect shaping - who’s that?

[gradus]

I hope you know, gradus,that Sir Thomas made a longer 1955 stereo recording of Pelleas, which has always had glowing reviews. I think it was this version of At the Castle Gate that was used for The Sky at Night. I think Karajan;s 1983 recording is also superb.

I like the later Beecham recording but its the sound of the earlier that I feel so suits the mood of the music.

[eighthobstruction]

....I feel a 200% increase in spirits would be very gladly received hereabouts....................Oh joy...........but until then.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSaRTJN6Ej4&t=217s

[kernelbogey]

Potential retaliatory US 200% tariff on European wines & spirits. Could result in greater supply and lower prices for Europeans...?

I only learned this today but apparently the US takes no notice of DOC etc - so they can 'replace Champagne with US champagne'.

[Old Grumpy]

I only learned this today but apparently the US takes no notice of DOC etc - so they can 'replace Champagne with US champagne'.

Perhaps Freedom champagne or Make champagne Great Again...

[french frank]

I only learned this today but apparently the US takes no notice of DOC etc - so they can 'replace Champagne with US champagne'.

It's a pity they don't have a group like Led by Donkeys in the US. That would cheer up a lot of people the world over, I would think.

[Roger Webb]

https://youtu.be/gDm4IphrlYg?si=gc0ZFXXU4qFNGcj1

[kernelbogey]

JD Vance booed at Kennedy Center, Washington, concert.

Admittedly, Washington is a democrat city: nonetheless I was cheered.

[LMcD]

JD Vance booed at Kennedy Center, Washington, concert.

Admittedly, Washington is a democrat city: nonetheless I was cheered.

Watch out for a White House statement claiming that he received a standing ovation.

[french frank]

Watch out for a White House statement claiming that he received a standing ovation.

I like the Trump-appointed interim director's comment that the crowd was 'intolerant'. He didn't apparently specify what they wouldn't tolerate (nor add that indeed where there was intolerance there was hope).

[LMcD]

I like the Trump-appointed interim director's comment that the crowd was 'intolerant'. He didn't apparently specify what they wouldn't tolerate (nor add that indeed where there was intolerance there was hope).

It's all Zelensky's fault for 'talking far too much' during the Great White House Ambush.

[vinteuil]

.
... why are the Europeans so disrespectful ??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh2DViJUBNQ

.

[eighthobstruction]

.......I wake up, open my eyes - and the disrespect starts....despairing disrespect....about 0915 hrs malcontented distain kicks in....by coffeetime - I'm ready for coffee....which primes me for disgust,utter contempt and snarling inability to escalate my adjectives....

[Petrushka]

.......I wake up, open my eyes - and the disrespect starts....despairing disrespect....about 0915 hrs malcontented distain kicks in....by coffeetime - I'm ready for coffee....which primes me for disgust,utter contempt and snarling inability to escalate my adjectives....

[oddoneout]

.
... why are the Europeans so disrespectful ??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh2DViJUBNQ

.

What's his problem - there's nothing stopping USA production of whisky, no need to involve those nasty Europeans.
And what on earth has that Lutnick chap been at - hasn't done his brain cells any good whatever it is.