Thought for the Day.

Some people talk simply because they think sound is more manageable than silence. (Margaret Halsey)

A Delicate Balance

A Delicate Balance

Another in the American Film Theatre Collection, "A Delicate Balance" like "The Iceman Cometh" is intelligently translated to film. Directed by Tony Richardson and starring Katherine Hepburn and Paul Schofield this is a wonderful showcase for some serious acting talent. For me Hepburn steals the show: maybe because there is a lot of her own personality in the character she plays, which makes her interpretation ring true. There are some good supporting roles too: Lee Remick as Hepburn’s daughter and Kate Reid her sister (who replaced Kim Stanley) are particularly fine. Joseph Cotton and Betsy Blair also give good performances. The extras on this DVD are appealing. They include interviews with the author Edward Albee, David Watkins cinematographer and Betsy Blair: all providing some fascinating insights into the filming of the play. Highly recommended for theatre (and film) buffs.

Thought for the day.

Most people who are dissatisfied with the Establishment get over the feeling the moment they become established. (DHM

Heifetz Concertos

Heifetz Concertos: RCA Living Stereo 82876 63722

Heifetz made the first recordings of the Sibelius and Prokoviev Concertos featured in this new SACD release in the Living Stereo series from RCA and therefore come with a certain cache. The performances featured here were recorded some years later, in 1959 and in the case of the Glazunov, in 1963. All three recordings have been re-mastered for this SACD release and all sound very good indeed. As for the playing of Heifitz; what can one say that hasn’t been said before? One just wonders at the tone that he is able to produce and the technical virtuosity with which each one of the concertos is accomplished. These recordings may not be the best versions of available recordings, but I for one would not want to be without them.

Thought for the day.

The only knowledge attainable by man is that life is meaningless. (Tolstoy)

Thought for the day.

"Swans sing before they die; 'twere no bad thing
Should certain persons die before they sing." (Jonathan Swift)

The Iceman Cometh

The Iceman Cometh

John Frankenheimer directed this film in 1973 as part of the American Film Theatre series of movies, which were brought to the screen by producer Ely Landauer. This rarely seen film is now available to a wider audience on DVD.

The play itself is legendary and is often referred to as the greatest american play of the twentieth century. One can debate whether it is or is not, but for sure one can say that it is a challenge for both actors and audience alike. The movie itself has a running time of 171 minutes and has to have something special to keep one watching. I rather think that it does. For starters, it contains a marvelous cast, which includes: Lee Marvin, Frederic March, Robert Ryan and a very young twenty something Jeff Bridges. Their commitment and obvious feeling for ensemble coupled with expert direction and atmospheric photography keep one riveted to the screen. This is one not to be missed by anyone who cares for great theatrical works.

Some words to ponder.

People who make no mistakes make nothing.

La Tebaldi

La Tebaldi: Decca 430 481 - 2

In the 1950s and 1960s opera fans the world over would argue that Renata Tebaldi was the only serious rival to Maria Callas. Listening to this compilation CD by Decca, which arrived in the post today, one can see why. One can hear all the drama and passion of the music that Callas undoubtedly delivered, but to my ears there is none of the ugliness that was so often a characteristic of her voice.

There are some twenty two tracks on the two discs which were recorded between 1955 and 1968. The recordings are vivid and only a slight tonal thinness in certain tracks betrays their age. This is music with a high tingle quotient. Just listen to "Mamma Morta" from Andrea Chenier to hear what I mean. Wonderful stuff!

Spring in the Alpujarras. 

Spring

Spring is here and a time to renew and even start anew. There is something about this season: all life seems to awake from the darkness of winter with a desire to clean, build, repair and renew. And some even begin to write a weblog!

Even if it is only a couple of sentences, my aim will be to write something here each day. First off and with Spring in mind, here are some favourite verses from A.E.Houseman's 'A Shropshire Lad':

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now

Is hung with bloom along the bough,

And stands about the woodland ride

Wearing white for Eastertide.

Now of my three score years and ten,

Twenty will not come again,

And take from seventy springs a score,

It only leaves me fifty more.

And since to look at things in bloom

Fifty springs are little room,

About the woodlands I will go

To see the cherry hung with snow.