It's a good day and I'm celebrating the election with Nina.

It's Under-appreciated or Forgotten Music Today

I didn't get the memo that it was Under-appreciated Music Day today, but I'm quick on the zig-zag. Besides, I didn't have my Friday's Forgotten Book post written up yet and was sitting here wondering what to write about. It's been THAT kind of week. Lazy. Sleepy. Relaxing.

All of today's blog links are gathered over at Todd Mason's blog, SWEET FREEDOM. Don't forget to go take a look and listen.

On the spur of the moment, I've come up with my own favorite under-appreciated music to talk about. I'm including a few youtube links at the bottom of the post which will take you to various sections of John Williams' magnificent film score for SUPERMAN - my entry in today's under-appreciated or forgotten music day.

This is my favorite John Williams movie score - not to mention, his own personal favorite - one I listen to all the time, especially when I'm needing a bump on the boot to get things working - art wise.

Of all of Williams' superb scores (among them, JAWS, STAR WARS, JURASSIC PARK,  RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, E.T., CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, etc. etc. etc.) SUPERMAN still has the most resonance with me because of it's perfectly on pitch emotional variety. When needed, there's the stirring, rock/em-sock/em full orchestra thunderclap in the more explosive scenes with Superman in the city and/or saving the world.

But in the early half of the film (after the thunderous musical accompaniment to the destruction of Krypton), we get the emotional farmland/heartland music of the young super child, super boy, super teen.

Phyllis Thaxter's close-up through the screen door as 'her' son leaves to find his destiny is heart wrenching, as is the music that accompanies it.

John Williams musically captures the vastness of the early Midwestern setting. It is a joy to listen to.

Of course, the energetic and stirring Superman theme is just as good in its own forceful way.

It's great driving music, by the by.

Later in the film we get a terrific thing (called March of the Villains on the CD.) which, if I'm remembering correctly, accompanies Ned Beatty (Lex Luthor's incompetent henchman Otis) as he thumps along the street, oblivious.

Of course, very little can compare to the 'flying' theme, when Superman takes Lois on a special flight around the skies of NYC. It is definitely a Big Sigh moment. Absolutely gorgeous music. Williams captures the movement of flying, the lightness - the freedom of it.

I've listened to this score since the 1978 film debuted (was it really that long ago?) and I've never tired of it. I own several of John Williams' memorable film scores, but SUPERMAN still reigns musically supreme for me. Far as I'm concerned, the man is an incomparable genius.

Okay, the embeds didn't work. Obviously I'm still doing something wrong. So here are the links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGUyNy07ZYg&feature=related  The Main Theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXYj8nChItw&feature=related  Leaving Home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD0RofPgoo8&feature=related  Love (Flying) Theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moA6RGE_MzM&feature=related  March of the Villains

Ah, technology, how great thou art.

Composer/conductor John Williams.

Where is Spring?

Just askin'. I'm still utilizing my winter coat. I mean, c'mon. If winter comes, can spring be far behind? Remember that? Maybe some music would help. How about Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland? Part 1 here and Part 2 here. And Part 3 here.

Painting by American Impressionist Frank Benson.

10 Greatest Composers

Guess who is Mr. Numero Uno?

At least according to Anthony Tommasini who turned his research into a fairly comprehensive two week project to get at the 10 Best. Today: the results in the NY Times.

A good day for sublime music.

About five more inches of snow fell last night.

Sunday Salon: A Chamber Music Quartet Goes Digital - What do you think?

Before I do my weekly summing up, I thought I'd post this intriguing piece with slide show from today's NY Times Arts Section. Titled: A Quartet Goes Digital. The Borromeo String Quartet embraces the new technology. These musicians are using technology in an unique way, applicable to their own performances and feel about the centuries old music. It's interesting the way they talk about technology's use in self-correction. To read more about The Borromeo String Quartet, please go here
.

I suppose it's clever and inevitable. If it's not detrimental to the original music, I'm guessing this is probably the next step. But how they'd fit laptops behind every member of, say, the NY Philharmonic is problematic. Maybe some sort of Kindle-look type thing?

What do you think? What would Bach think?

Happy Birthday DAVE BRUBECK!!

The one and only. My brother and I were teens when Brubeck was doing his fabulous best. Loved him then, love him now. Listen to this viruoso performance of his most famous work: TAKE FIVE. from the transcendent album, TIME OUT. Paul Desmond at the alto sax is so smooth, so cool. And here's the Quartet's performance of STRANGE MEADOWLARK as a bonus. My brother reminded me, only just today, that we saw Dave Brubeck Live at Hunter College in the early sixties. I had totally forgotten. No doubt about it, my memory is shot.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Brubeck!!

Thanks so much to Ivan over at his THRILLING DAYS OF YESTERYEAR blog for the reminder.

Sunday Salon: Hallelujah 'Flash-Mob'

How thrilling. A Hallelujah 'Flash-Mob, in the middle of a Mall, in the middle of a quick Mall snack, in the middle of shopping Mall madness. Thanks to SJ Rozan for posting the video on her Facebook page where I picked it up. I've watched it several times and loved it more each time. What a splendid thing.

Obviously, as S.J. says, this was rehearsed so it's technically not a real flash-mob type occurrence, but hey, it's close enough and who cares about 'the how' of if when the result is so spectacular.

Thanks so much, S.J. for passing it on.

Music in Films: DIVA

Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez singing the gorgeous aria from La Wally, Act. I. This occurs at the very beginning of the 1980's French film, DIVA, still, after all this time, my favorite romance/crime-thriller. The synchronization is a bit off on this video unfortunately, but I wanted you to see the glorious diva at work. If you haven't seen this film, you must get your hands on it asap, drop everything and watch it. (The subtitled version, of course. No dubbing allowed.)

The dvd is a GREAT Christmas gift for the romance/mystery/Francophile on your list. (Talk about hitting several birds with one stone.)

I'd also recommend this film as a superb example of the often brilliant art of set decoration and design. Esthetically, simply a beautiful film to watch above and beyond the amazing screenplay, terrific direction, wonderful acting and camerawork. Am I besotted with this film? Emphatically, yes!

The divine Wilelmenia Wiggins Fernandez as she appears in the film.

Music to Ride Horses By

Over on Pattinase, Patti posted one of her favorite movie themes: MIDNIGHT COWBOY - a great one to be sure. That gave me the idea to post a few of mine. The word 'cowboy' seems to be the operative word for today.

• First is the THRILLINGLY PANORAMIC theme by Bruce Broughton for SILVERADO, one of my all time favorite westerns. Here's the trailer for the movie, in case you haven't seen it and you're in the mood. I am a BIG fan of the French horn, in case you hadn't guessed that.

• Theme from THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, sountrack by the brilliant Elmer Bernstein. Great film, even greater music. Last year on vacation in N.C., this film came on cable and my brother and I sat down in the evening to watch it. We knew the scenes backwards and forewards, even most of the dialogue. We kept everyone else entertained with our running commentary on the film, even jumping up and down off the sofa to act out some of the actor's moves - embarassing! Needless to say, a GREAT favorite of ours that we hadn't seen in ages. The younger members of the group shook their heads at us 'oldies' and went to bed. They missed a classic.

• Theme from THE BIG COUNTRY, by Jerome Moross. Not only a BIG theme, but a spectaular opening credit sequence. I never tire of watching and listening. I think there's a re-mastered version out there, if I'm not mistaken. The color in this is nowhere near the original.

Note: Painting up at the top by Frederick Remington.

Sunday Salon: How about a bit of Gilbert and Sullivan?

Yes, no big surprise, I'm sure - I am a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, and waiting patiently for the film (delightful, from all I've read) based on their lives, Topsy-Turvy to finally become available on Netflix. (Been waiting for ages, but I persevere.) I don't buy films without watching them at least once to see if I like them or not - makes sense to me. Anyway, in the meantime I've discovered that I can watch snips of Gilbert and Sullivan on youtube, so I thought I'd share one of my favorite G&S songs from: Yeoman of the Guard