Auld Lang Syne

No particular reason to post this here, except that I truly love this song and it brings back so many associations and memories.

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Adaptations of famous music in movie soundtracks

I am always fascinated when the inclusion of a famous song or classical piece in a movie gets it absolutely right. By that I mean that it not only perfectly reflects the mood and meaning of that movie scene but enhances its emotional impact in almost preternatural manner.
Such is the case with Shostakovich’s “Waltz No. [...]

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Classical music that makes me happy

Despite the title, this post is not going to be a complete list but more of a little story.
One day when I came back from a rather stressful day of school and in a really bad mood — I was thirteen at the time — my mom suggested I lie down on my bed, close [...]

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Very cute short film

The film reminded me of a Bangalore classroom years ago. Me and this-girl-who-was-not-yet-my-girlfriend were communicating via notes scribbled on paper. It was supposed to be a study session of course but when have such details dampened the excitement that comes with the early stages of a romance?
Come to think of it, [...]

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El Salon Mexico by Copland

I discovered this fabulous piece of music through KUSC today. It has this quality of utter spontaneity and joie de vivre, building up to an absolutely triumphant finish. It lifts my mood everytime I hear it. Enjoy:

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Only in the Times of India

TOI is a haven for extraordinary writing but today they have surpassed themselves. Have a look at this piece, titled “Have a heart.” It begins:
Manmohan Singh’s sternest critics will not deny that the prime minister is, if nothing else, all heart. And, regrettably, that heart is in trouble.
What eloquence, what depth of feeling. I wish [...]

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The Habanera

Below is an abridged translation of the Habanera, currently my favourite song in all of opera.
When will I love you?
Good Lord, I don’t know,
Maybe never, maybe tomorrow.
But not today, that’s for sure.
Love is a rebellious bird
that nobody can tame,
and you call him quite in vain
if it suits him not to come.
Nothing helps, neither threat nor [...]

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Can’t get out of Carmen mode

What’s so special about Carmen?
For one, the truly great music. Carmen is magical melody after magical melody. As for the orchestration, this is what Richard Strauss had to say:
“If you want to learn how to orchestrate, don’t study Wagner’s scores, study the score of Carmen. What wonderful economy, and how every note and every rest [...]

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A funny coincidence

As I was watching the opera today, it struck me that there were some remarkable similarities between the character of Carmen and a person I loved a long time ago.
I was thinking of this just now and suddenly remembered that her cellphone ring tone used to be the March of the Toreador. She really liked [...]

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Carmen

I went to see the LA Opera production of  Carmen today.
What can I say about Carmen that hasn’t been said before? I had been waiting to see it for three years. Too often when your expectations are that high, you end up disappointed. Not so with this one.
It was one of the most beautiful experiences [...]

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Which Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has the best music?

I can’t make up my mind! I first heard Evita in high school and fell in love. Years went by and my favourite changed to The Phantom of the Opera. It stayed so for a long time till a year ago when I heard Evita again and started preferring it again. Then I heard Jesus [...]

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Sound and reasonable laws

Eugene Volokh takes apart a New York Times editorial in his inimitable style:

The New York Times editorializes in favor of “sound gun-control laws.” Which ones? “Reasonable gun-control laws,” which can now be enacted following the “gun lobby”’s defeat in November. (No word on the success of the “gay lobby,” “abortion lobby,” “women’s lobby,” and so [...]

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Atlas Shrugged updated

Click here to read an updated version of Atlas Shrugged in light of the current financial crisis..
(Hat Tip: Marginal Revolution)

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What’s the difference?

In view of certain recent events, it seems appropriate to re-post this wonderful video.

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Blasted

The New York Times has a nice article on “Blasted”, the extremely violent play that has been shocking — and wowing — audiences and disturbing the actors themselves.
The Soho Rep production has been unnerving theatergoers since its first preview, which sold out like every subsequent performance, and it has earned strong notices that have led [...]

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