"Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and why do the people imagine a vain thing?" Just ask Tiny and Baby. Totally warm and fuzzy with us, they can't stand the sight of each other. Above, the lion lies down with the lion in a rare moment when the warmth of the kitchen counter on a cold winter's day trumps their mutual disdain.
"Oh, what a masterpiece. God!" shouts Mr. Tuck as we immerse ourselves in Handel's Messiah this night. Lots of crappy versions out there in cyberspace. We opted for a Handel and Haydn Society performance we have down home on a good old-fashioned CD. But so much huger than that. It was a recording of the very night that Ben and Ellen and Tuck and Sissy attended a Symphony Hall performance of the Mozart version these many years ago. Tuck and ourselves and Barry and Ginny attended 'em for years, starting with the first, magical one with Thomas Dunn and lots of amateur singers that made our heart sing. Then came Christopher Hogwood and the professional singers we have today. Which is better? Okay. Call us old fashioned, but we are partial to the old days.
Both the sing along version and the professional versions are wonderful. Being there in person for any performance adds that extra special something that you don't get by listening on CD or television (no matter how good the sound).
I saw the Messiah done many years ago (when I was in college) I haven't seen a live performance of it since then - so I think I need to plan on doing that next year. :-)
Posted by: Teresa | December 17, 2007 at 11:03 AM
The Messiah is uplifting in most iterations - and I think Teresa has a good point. We all should try to see it live at least a few times in our lifetime.
However, like Sissy, I find it less and less enjoyable to go out.
Sissy, seriously - the exquisite Tiny and Baby don't LIKE each other? Of course, Sam doesn't like anybody at all except me, so there is precedent!
Went (under protest) to a Christmas Party yesterday some 70 miles away in Southern Maryland! Clearly a good friend to animate us to travel that far! Her cat decided to hiss at me. We (the cat and I) discussed the matter. She ended the afternoon on my lap.
Posted by: Gayle Miller | December 17, 2007 at 04:37 PM
Who wants to go out when you have a warm kitchen and two Fuzzy Youngsters to keep you company?
Posted by: Elisson | December 17, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Ah! Symphony Hall, you have a way of bringing back memories. I can't imagine a sing along version. Regarding travel, curled up with cats is the way to be.
Posted by: mog | December 17, 2007 at 09:52 PM