“In the spring time the only pretty ring time” ~~~
I can’t quite recall the very first time I read or heard these words by Thomas Morley but they’ve never gone away. That’s pretty damn good staying power for a songwriter from Renaissance England. Never estimate the power of a tune–a poem set to music for entertaining the masses. Spring is all about bringing things to life–contrary to the famous commercial GE has nothing to do with this when it comes to nature and the reality of our own existence. Every time art is created it’s an affirmation of the creative life forces centered in the promises of spring.
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It Was a Lover and His Lass by Thomas Morley-– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Morley
Paul Phoenix (now of the King’s Singers) and Barry Holden, then choristers at St. Paul’s Cathedral, sing “It Was a Lover and His Lass” in this 1978 production of As You Like It [ by William Shakespeare], starring Helen Mirren.
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Sand Animation ~ Spring ~ Marriage D’Amour by George Davidson
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Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera ~ Music “Sweet Child of Mine” performed by Vitamin String Quartet
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Tracy Chapman ~ Spring
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Stravinsky ~ The Rite of Spring, Part 1 ~ Watch at FULL screen for full visual beauty impact. ~ “Jay Bacal performed and rendered this piece using virtual instrument software by Vienna Symphonic Library.”
Click through to watch on YouTube for more information about the creation of this piece and others. Yes, there is MORE. The following is from the creator/uploader:
Each shape corresponds to a family of instruments:
ellipse: flutes (also cymbals and tam-tam)
octagon: single reed (clarinet, bass clarinet)
inverted ellipse/star: double reeds (oboe, English horn, bassoons)
rectangle: brass (also, with “aura,” timpani, guiro and bass drum)
rhombus: strings. . .
In this video, musical pitch (as ordered in the musician’s “circle of fifths”) is mapped to twelve colors (as ordered on the artist’s “color wheel”). With this mapping, changes in tonality and harmony correspond to changes in the color palette. You can read more about this technique here:
http://www.musanim.com/mam/pfifth.htm
Unpitched instruments (bass drum, cymbals, tam-tam, triangle, guiro) are shown in gray.
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Who is more in tune with spring than young people? Time for some serious education which has nothing and everything to do with the birds and bees aka sex education that really tells where babies come from. What’s the big deal? None of us would be here without the biological act of sexual intercourse–modern science’s efforts for infertile couples et al aside. Education, education– what’s it for really? In so many ways children are at the mercy of the parents, teachers and culture which often shortchanges them with devastating consequences. Where does the shame, guilt and fear come from? Who creates the dysfunction regarding sexuality? Such discussions are increasingly important as is evident by all current news regarding sex, rape and violence. Isn’t it possible to have a society which behaves in a healthy, positive manner concerning sexuality? Newsflash–the Stork crash landed and won’t be bringing any more babies to anyone. Unless, it recovers enough to fertilize its mate’s eggs.
Spring Awakening ~ Full Version Off Broadway
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Awakening
Full Off-Broadway Spring Awakening.
Spring Awakening is a rock musical adaptation of the controversial 1891 German play of the same title by Frank Wedekind.
It features music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater.
Set in late-19th century Germany, it concerns teenagers who are discovering the inner and outer tumult of sexuality.
The original play was banned in Germany for a while due to its portrayal of masturbation, abortion, homosexuality, rape, child abuse and suicide.
In the musical, alternative rock is employed as part of the folk-infused rock score.
Spring Awakening received eleven 2007 Tony Award nominations, winning eight, including Tonys for best musical, direction, book, score and featured actor.
The show also won four Drama Desk Awards, while its London production won four Olivier Awards.Cast:
Melchior Jonathan Groff
Wendla Lea Michele
Moritz John Gallagher, Jr.
Adult Man Stephen Spinella
Adult Woman Christine Estabrook
Ilse Lauren Pritchard
Hanschen Jonathan B. Wright
Georg Skylar Astin
Martha Lilli Cooper
Ernst Gideon Glick
Otto Brian Charles Johnson
Anna Phoebe Strole
Thea Remy Zaken
Musical numbers
Act I
“Mama Who Bore Me” — Wendla
“Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)” — Wendla and Girls
“All That’s Known” — Melchior
“The Bitch of Living” — Moritz, Melchior and Boys
“My Junk” — Girls and Boys
“Touch Me” — Boys and Girls
“The Word of Your Body” — Wendla and Melchior
“The Dark I Know Well” — Martha, Ilse and Boys
“The Word of Your Body (Reprise)” — Otto and Georg (not on the cast recording)
“And Then There Were None” — Moritz and Boys
“The Mirror-Blue Night” — Melchior and Boys
“I Believe” — Boys and Girls
Act II
“The Guilty Ones” — Wendla, Melchior, Boys and Girls
“Don’t Do Sadness/Blue Wind” — Moritz and Ilse
“Left Behind” — Melchior, Boys and Girls
“Totally Fucked” — Melchior and Full Company (except Moritz)
“The Word of Your Body (Reprise)” — Hanschen, Ernst, Boys and Girls
“Whispering” — Wendla
“Those You’ve Known” — Moritz, Wendla and Melchior
“The Song of Purple Summer” — Ilse and Full Company
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Soundtrack from Spring Awakening
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I do believe Bear and Johnny will be singing some spring soon. Links when they flower. 🙂
Let the lovely Lisa put some spring in your steps : http://undergroundenergy.wordpress.com/2014/05/08/spring-the-life-of-the-seasons-music-theme/
Whoa, Johnny and Lisa duet–yeah, du-et–that’s what I said. Oh now, yeah they are flirting and making dates online too… Johnny’s place for the spring beat –> http://johnnyojanpera.wordpress.com/2014/05/08/all-things-spring-music-theme/
Hey, hey, Bear is here –> http://bearspawprint.wordpress.com/2014/05/09/spring-music-theme/
Much thanks to everyone sharing their favorite Spring music things. 🙂