'...simple gifts'

 

The first daffodil opened today - I suppose it's not fully open, it probably didn't see the point on this cloudy and drizzly day - but I was certainly happy to see it there, reminding me that the days are growing longer and that spring, or at least hints of spring, will be more frequent in coming days and weeks.  Yes, 'simple gifts' indeed.

~~~~~

When I was reading the NYTimes this morning, the online version - I saw the piece from last Thursday about the performance on Inauguration Day of the John Williams piece 'Air and Simple Gifts'.  I thought that it was a beautiful piece, and when I read that it was pre-recorded, I first thought 'who cares?' and then realized that I cared so little that I found it odd that they just didn't say so.  Transparency, right?  Nonetheless, I enjoyed it - especially the section performed by the clarinetist, Anthony McGill (taken from, I believe, an old shaker hymn tune).  If you haven't heard 'Air and Simple Gifts', do listen to the pre-recorded, but matched, version...which '...served the moment.'

~~~~~ 

Comments

[Susan Tomlinson]

Sigh. I don't really care that it was pre-recorded, either. It's such a pretty piece, and it was such a celebratory day. Peaceful transition! Shouldn't we be focusing on that miracle?

You know what I do care about? I care about stamping out snarkiness...

(Was that snarky?)

Anyway, love the daffodil. :-)

[jodi]

There will always be those who have to criticize everything...it was a beautiful piece, I loved it and the whole day...and your daffodil made me smile as we dive down to 0 degrees or so again tonight.

[Anna/Flowergardengirl]

Wow--I did not hear this until now. I guess you would call it symbolism represented here. Laugh then where ever you may be was a powerful part of this arrangement. I took that from it and would certainly not have cared if it was pre-recorded.

Looks like Obama loved it.

[Layanee]

Hauntingly beautiful!

[Sheran]

It has been unbelievable to me that there has been so much criticism about the prerecording of the piece. Anyone who knows anthing about stringed instruments was certainly wondering how they could be in tune in the cold on that platform - even if there were heaters. Silly, uninformed people. Drives me nuts. The piece was lovely.

[Pam]

Hi Everyone, thankfully - this being 'news' died down quickly, so now perhaps folks can enjoy the piece. Each time I listen to it, I like it more (Sheran, I'm not a musician, but did read that it was too cold to depend on - or risk - the use of stringed instruments. Thanks for chiming in.)