Romance, Candlelight and strings. I'm listening to some classical
guitar work as I pen these word and its putting me in the mood for romance.
What is romance, this elusive quality that has inspired so much creativity.
Whatever the act, be it painting, poetry, songs, stories, they have been
used to express the full glory of romance for the consumer of the
act. We are driven to create, and so it goes to reason that our feelings
would be an important motivation to these drives. We are romantics
at heart, so we express romance.
One of my favourite cd's is "Romantic Cello Concertos". These works
are performed by Orfa Harnoy. Personally, I believe Ms. Harnoy does
her best work when she is interpreting the work of the Romantic composers.
She is able to delve and express the lushness of that period. I do
contrast this with her interpretation of Vivaldi, she is not a Baroque
performer, but a Romantic.
The overall theme of this issue is Romance. The poetry here brings
further interpretation to the theme.
An exciting event has occurred in the history of this humble ezine;
I've received a request to archive 'Above Ground Testing' with the National
Library of Canada. All your hard work will now have a potential audience
beyond just my home page. I do thank all who have contributed.
Your acts of creativity is the engine which drives this endeavour. Thank
you for your monthly inspiration.
Enjoy the rest of the ezine.
This
month's book is "Breakfast on Pluto" by Patrick McCabe. According
to the award on the front cover, this book was a finality for the Booker
Prize. The novel follows the life of Patrick "Pussy" Braden.
It is a diary he was asked to write, by his psychiatrist Terrance.
"Pussy", as he prefers to be to known, is a transvestite male prostitute.
His diary takes him from his life in Tyreelin Ireland, to London England,
during the early 70's. The book takes as its background both the
music of that time and the sectarian violence between the IRA and
the British nation. Pussy's life is filled with violence and it was
just a matter of time when the political violence of the time would become
part of his life. As he writes, you begin to understand where this
violence comes from and how it is finally expressed.
Is this book an enjoyable read? I would say, no. I did read
it, more often with just dogged determinism. Is it a compelling read,
I would answer, yes. It gives you an opening to the mind of this
abused character. This is a disturbing book.
If
the word 'cabaret' evokes pictures of Liza Minilli, Joel Gray and Marlene
Dietrich, and if you like those pictures, the disc "Slow Fox" may be one
you wish to add to your collection. Ms. O'Callaghan has put together
a disc of tunes which place you in the front seat of a smoky cabaret.
Her music is selections from German cabarets, Kurt Weill and the contemporary
work of Leonard Cohen.
Her voice is enjoyable and her interpretation of the songs is appealing.
You will be drawn to the style of her singing and the music she interprets.
My personal favourite is the song "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen.
She interprets this classic of Cohen melancholy to a song of redemption
and hope.
If you wish further information, please visit the Marquis Classic web page
at
www.marquisclassic.com.
Relationships
amaze me, really; two people who have become people apart
from
each other in most cases come together and in the simple bonds of
love
must learn to understand, adapt, and grow together.
It
is as though two branches from separate trees are grafted together
in
the hopes of producing the fruit of love.
Valerie Schwander
Charlotte's Web Page is celebrating the month of February
and welcomes all partakers of written word to come and view the best in
awardwinning poetry and short storys.
Main features are: Award winning Elisha Porat and Ward Kelley.
As always, your works are appreciated. If you want to see your work in these pages, simply e-mail me at: pabear_7@yahoo.com.
All work is copyrighted by
the various authors, respect their right of ownership. "Above Ground
Testing" is copyright 2000, by Paul. Please write for permission
to copy. Next month's theme is
"coffee". submissions
are now being received.