Priceless Paintings from W7

A 45 minute cycle trip after work, followed by an express-picnic in the park, followed by a bit of culture. Oh, and another 45’ cycle ride back home.

I have to admit that I didn’t like the music much, but the assembly of percussion instruments used in Mahler’s 6th Symphony alone was worth the trip. Ingo Insterburg would have been jealous of their collection of cow bells and bang-on wooden boxes. (Wuchtig, aber markig (forceful but pithy) is Mahler’s description of the first movement.)

Always nice to see the Albert Hall sold out. Mahler always attracts lots of people, or maybe it was the much-hailed Scottish bassoonist Karen Geoghegan, who played Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto in B flat major (KV 191) to much applause.

Not my favourite Proms concert, but a nice way to spend an evening nevertheless.

Thoughts Albert Hall, life, music

Media informs me that you are in a dire situation, with You Tube, iTunes, peer-to-peer file sharing, illegal downloading, and all that. I am truly sorry, for I understand all this modern technology means you are no longer holders of the monopoly of distribution, and you can no longer sell outdated technology in the shape of a flat piece of vinyl or silvery plastic at prices that you dictate.

Now, listen up. Here’s where you’ve got it right for a change:

Recently, I watched a documentary on the telly, telling the story of Genesis’ 2007 European tour. I liked what I saw, and bought an official copy of the Genesis When In Rome DVD set. Three DVDs for £15, featuring the aforementioned documentary, three hours of a very fine concert, and lots of background material and extra features.

I will happily pay the same again for a similar product. This is a good product, well worth its money. Compared to a single 50 minute playtime CD, which you used to sell at the same or similar price, this is a lot of value for the money.

Well done.

Thoughts Internet, music, online world;

I mentioned Pandora some while ago. Pandora is a fantastic online music service, but sadly, Pandora is no longer available outside the USA. For the same reason –conservative RIAA and record label’s protectorate, I guess-, Rhapsody also never (yet) became available outside the US.

But, Spotify is now available to everyone in the UK, so that’s progress! Compared to Pandora and Rhapsody, the name Spotify is a regrettable step back, but as far as technology and content goes, it’s great.

It’s free and unlimited if you tolerate an advert every 3 songs. Register with them, download their player, search for an artist, select the album, hit Play – done.

Advert-free options are also available for a fee.

Go, Spotify!

Thoughts, Web/Tech music, online world;