Now I have to say that though I love all forms of music – western/eastern, classical, rock, easy listening etc. – when it comes to Film soundtracks/music I am a big buff. Names like Maurice Jarre, John Williams, James Horner – but to name a few – are true inspirations […]
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A very interesting interview with former FBI Director, James Comey on CNN. It provides truly unique analysis/observations of Covfefe and more importantly the contrasting styles of leadership between him that old friend. For me James Comey embodies the temperament/approach of a true leader; balanced, consistent and with a firm moral/ethical foundation. […]
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It is all well said by President Emmanuel Macron in calling for the protection of Democratic/Liberal values/traditions in Europe. In my mind however this is only one part of the equation/approach. The other integral part of this approach is for Europe to apply basic principles when dealing with rogue/authoritarian regimes […]
Read More As usual I continue to share some of my favourite music I come across on the web. This is one performance I came across lately of a jazz concert by; Candy Dulfer (saxophone) Jan Van Duikeren (flugelhorn) Improvisations are just awesome – great talent. In my view the saxophone is […]
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My latest music video – mostly audio to make it simple – playing “La Paloma Blanca” a composition by Dutch composer George Baker. Still working my way through the learning curve of audio recording so bear with me – for best quality you can get please use a headphone – connected to the […]
Read More My latest music video – mostly audio to make it simple – playing “I See the Light” a composition by Alen Menken. Still working my way through the learning curve of audio recording so bear with me. I am also hoping with the new (audio only) simpler setup I am […]
Read More We’ve been watching the complete travesty of politics/government Trump Style for over a year now. But beyond the shenanigans that have clouded this administration one of the most dangerous elements is when personal affairs (and/or personal judgements) start influencing policy, particularly foreign policy and particularly when this involves a super […]
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Once in a while I like to share some of my favourite music I come across on the web. This is one performance I came across lately of a very popular composition by the Spanish composer Francisco Tarrega called “Recuerdos de la Alhambra” – translated to “Memories of Alhambra”. Alhambra (Qalat […]
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Yet another cowardly attack claims lives in France. Today we also here about the death of Lt-Col Arnaud Beltrame, 45; the gendarme helped bring an end to a gunman’s shooting spree in southern France yesterday. I am angry – very very angry – the same way I feel every time a similar […]
Read More One of my all time favourite clarinet concerto’s performed brilliantly by; Iceland Symphony Orchestra Cornelius Meister, conductor Arngunnur Árnadóttir, clarinet The concerto was written in October 1791 for the clarinetist Anton Stadler. It consists of three movements, in a fast–slow–fast succession. It was also one of Mozart’s final completed works, and […]
Read More Some may know that I am a HUGE fan of James Last and his incredible orchestra from previous postings. It was through his musical interpretations that I decided to play the trumpet. Though I do know most if not all his work, I came across this piece recently which is […]
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Well it certainly helps when we have a proper government in place rather than a bunch of hacks led by BREXITEERS who do nothing but brag about their nationalist approach in protecting the interest of the country. However, when it is truly crunch time in terms of action required against […]
Read More A wonderful moment where the Godfather finally decides to conduct his family playing themes from the Godfather movie; though it seems they don’t always agree. Or is it Danny DeVito doing the conducting? Could go both ways, but hope you enjoy anyway this weekend and don’t you forget to order […]
Read More Here is another composition worth watching/hearing. It’s by the Nader Abbassi Orchestra a Swiss/Egyptian Conductor also with solid classical music conducting experience; his profile site here. The performance is of Egyptian movie scores; here a composition by Moudy Al Imam for a film named “A Message to the Governor”. Reason […]
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My latest music video playing – or attempting to play – The Immigrant from Godfather II. A few glitches along the way but happy with overall progress. It’s a start and certainly a way for me to record progress. Hope you enjoy.
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Now that I’ve returned to Trumpet playing as a hobby, one of my favourite tunes among the many film scores is the music of the film Lawrence of Arabia by the French composer Maurice Jarre. I also love the film and while browsing I came across this interview about the […]
Read More Now that I’ve returned to Trumpet playing as a hobby, one of my favourite tunes among the many film scores is the music of the film Lawrence of Arabia by the French composer Maurice Jarre. I also love the film and while browsing I came across this interview about the […]
Read More This is my second music video and the learning journey continues – with pleasure I might add; considering what I mentioned in previous post regarding my experience. Here I am accompanying the BBC Concert Orchestra performing the famous Lawrence of Arabia theme. A few glitches on the way but happy […]
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Now here’s my little story about me and the Trumpet. It all began in the early 1980’s when I was high on what’s sometimes referred to as “easy listening” orchestra’s like James Last & Paul Mauriat. It was actually through their musical interpretations that I was quite effectively introduced to […]
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As an old timer I cannot think of a better way to spend the New Year except with music from my all time favourite Orchestra – James Last; I am an old timer you understand 🙂 Hope you take the time to view the clip and that you enjoy it […]
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With 2017 drawing to a close here’s a couple of final thoughts for the year about BREXIT & the EU; The first suggestion is that Referendums built around a slim majority to make decisions that have profound impact on a nation is a flawed concept; whether it be BREXIT or […]
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Here is some great music by a young and talented Harpist Amy Turk from the South of England playing Johann Sebastian Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor; a superb interpretation of this musical masterpiece. Hope you enjoy the music as I have and make sure to visit Amy’s website to learn […]
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The United Nations General Assembly on today, Thursday 21, 2017 adopted a resolution criticising the U.S. decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and begin the process of moving its embassy there. Now beyond the foolishness of the U.S. administration to make that decision, something I posted about here, and […]
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I came across a very interesting article entitled How China’s “sharp power” is muting criticism abroad (link below) about China’s increased influence/meddling in western democracies mainly to promote a positive image of the country, and distorting information to suppress dissent and debate. It’s safe to say that this behaviour is […]
Read More In a recent tweet by the PM she called for Tolerance, Decency & Respect in the treatment of politicians. Here’s the tweet; Threats of violence and intimidation are unacceptable and have no place in our politics. Everybody should be treated with tolerance, decency and respect. — Theresa May (@theresa_may) December […]
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Here are some interesting tweet exchanges today (my responses are in green) Theresa May’s Orderly/Painless BREXIT .@theresa_may: We’ll deliver Brexit in a smooth and orderly way – without disrupting people’s lives and without disrupting businesses. pic.twitter.com/pwwDNo2MDt — Conservatives (@Conservatives) December 15, 2017 Yes of course, no one will feel a […]
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Arriving soaking wet to Brussels suffering from the effects of the political Tsunami battering her government every since the Conservatives loosing overall majority in British parliament on her watch to the latest defeat on BREXIT bill, this while arguing to EU she’s still in control, one can only imagine whispering […]
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This is in every sense of the word my all time favourite movie ever. The film was released in 1984 and directed by Miloš Forman, adapted by Peter Shaffer from his stage play Amadeus. The story, set in Vienna, Austria, during the latter half of the 18th century, is a […]
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OK, now that our political “geniuses” are celebrating defeating the government in parliament to give MPs a legal guarantee of a meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels; here are a few thoughts; This is merely kicking the can down the road because as of yet there […]
Read More Another one of my all time favourite Composers, Niccolò Paganini an Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer (1782–1840). He was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time. A truly transformative composer when it comes to violin compositions – what one would call in the world of technology nowadays “Disruptive” […]
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It seems on a daily basis now that we continue to get a drip..drip analysis of BREXIT’s effects on the economy, some good but mostly quite negative – and the worse part is that no one can really tell fact from fiction. This while our “lovely” politicians continue playing their […]
Read More The reason for this brief post is to record a tweet I posted on twitter commenting on a video clip by journalist/LBC radio presenter James O’Brien speaking to a caller on his reason for voting to leave the EU; I feel it is important enough to re-post on my blog site […]
Read More Now I happen to be one of those who – though a non-American myself – always believed in American leadership never questioned (effectively) the perception of strength of the American model of Democracy & Liberalism. This view however has been shattered to smithereens for a few simple reasons, and here’s the […]
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It turns out – as we learn from media reports NOT our British government – that the UK has agreed a deal where by the UK will remain in the Customs Union & Single Market during the transition period which means it will continue to accept all EU rules and […]
Read More I came across this video clip on YouTube published by Deutche Welle TV in 2013. Though a few years old I chose to post the first part of the program because it reflects my deep passion not only for classical music and great composers like Beethoven but also to the […]
Read More This might be a self-serving post but it is an issue that does mean a great deal to me as a British citizen living in Europe. Having gone through the agreement signed today between the EU and the UK, particularly in relation to Citizen’s Rights I can see no provisions […]
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I came across this article; Where the Gods Live by the Austrian journalist Tessa Szyszkowitz which provides a very interesting insight – among the many out there – about life in Jerusalem, and decided to share it as a follow up to a recent post I made with the link […]
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Let’s first get things straight; I identify myself as a Liberal heart/soul and subscribe to Liberal values & traditions. I also happen to believe that Liberalism is about centrist/pragmatic policies rather leaning towards the alt-left or alt-right of political ideology. I was a member of the Liberal Democrats for 10 […]
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Very sad to learn of the death of Johnny Hallyday today aged 74 a true icon of a singer. Influenced by Elvis Presley and the 1950s rock n’ roll revolution, Hallyday became famous in the 1960s for singing Rock ‘n’ Roll in French. He will be missed but never forgotten. May […]
Read More This is simple/brief commentary/predictions on Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; This in my view is by far the biggest US foreign policy blunder ever even eclipsing the decision to invade Iraq of 2003. Political ramifications will be swift and will not be restricted to the […]
Read More Forget about the politics of it all; Border Controls, Customs Union, Single Market, Remainer, Brexiteer etc. Let’s all agree on a few basics; With the weak Prime Minister in 10 Downing Street leading (or to be more accurate by the look of things; is being led by) a shambolic government […]
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