Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

This midweek interlude is supposed to be about lesser-known or less-heard composers' works, and on the whole that has been achieved. I could not go past this one, however, despite his being quite well-known, at least for his hauntingly beautiful Symphony of Sorrowful Songs. Yes, I'm talking about Henryk Gorecki (6th December, 1933, Czernica, Poland). If, btw, you haven't heard that symphony, do yourselves a favour.

Anyhoo... When looking for something else of his to share with you this week, I happened upon this. I was mesmerised! This is heavy metal-level harpsichord and orchestra stuff. It's driving, throbbing, relentlessness is captivating. The virtuosity required is stratospheric. Stick with it. Hear the homage to Bach and Handel in the first movement, then, in the second, nods to Mozart and, later, to Beethoven. But this is all Gorecki, baby! It's less than ten minutes of sheer musical mayhem that forces its way into the psyche and leaves one wanting more, more, more!

Me-Now-Views; Less Speak More Peek

Sort of Archival... only insofar as I was clearing out the files related to the now sleeping My Take bloggy, which I thought were all empty. However, there were seven images left over... so they might as well fill this space!

Menonday Art Vibe; Woof, Wooluf

In the hunting room of Duff House, as you might expect, there are pictures related to the subject and purpose. Today, I bring you two for the price of one post.

First is the painting "A Dead Wolf" by the Flemish Baroque painter Jan Fyt (1609-1661). He was one of the top animal and nature painters of his time and was much emulated by later artists. It is a testament to the craft of this work that, despite the fact that we are looking at the proceeds of a hunt, I was captivated by the rendering of the fur and the sense of respect for the animal even in death.

Second is A Dog's Head by Scottish artist William Simson (1799-1847). Simson was better known as a landscape artist, but did complete some quite excellent portraits and animal works. Although a little dark, I loved this piece - I felt like the dog was just asking for a pat on the head!