MusingMuso Posted May 18, 2006 Author Share Posted May 18, 2006 I remember Ena Baga, at the age of 84 play for a 2.3/4 hour silent film show at the National Film Theatre - mind you she did need a gin & tonic after it. I also note that people who don't appreciate cinema organs usually can't play them or have very narrow musical tastes. Just because someone can't stand garlic it is not necessary to condem all cooking that uses it. FF <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ======================= I enjoyed the moment, when I listened to Ena Baga accompany a silent-film. Her improvised style was very definitely of a certain period, but I vividly recall almost "waking-up" about half-an-hour into the film. I wasn't "waking-up" as in "waking-up", but I was suddenly waking-up to the realisation that after the first five minutes of the silent-film, my ears and faculties had accepted the live, improvised organ-playing as if it were a soundtrack; so flawless was Ena Baga's mastery of her art. Afterwards, I was talking to Ena Baga, and I expressed my appreciation, and without any prompting, she replied, "Well, my father always used to say, if a film is accompanied properly, the audience should be unaware of it". That was exactly what she had achieved, then well into her 80's. In the book "Bagatelle" by the late Tony Moss (Keystone publications), there are three splendid photographs, where Ena Baga is photographed in the company of a rather ferocious-looking Sir George Thalben-Ball, in the larger-than-life company of Carlo Curley and in the company of someone by the name of Frank Fowler. It's a fascinating account, not only of a talented lady (with her equally talented sisters), but also a style of English-life which now seems long gone. MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 I also note that people who don't appreciate cinema organs usually can't play them or have very narrow musical tastes. Just because someone can't stand garlic it is not necessary to condem all cooking that uses it. FF <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, certainly, I am not remotely interested in playing a cinema organ; but - narrow taste? Not me! Anything from plainchant to Metallica (excluding brass/silver bands, Country & Western, Rap, serial music, minimalist and anything by Sorabji; most other things are in). In any case, as I believe Brian Childs has said, it would be a dull world if we all liked the same things.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Farr Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 Well, certainly, I am not remotely interested in playing a cinema organ; but - narrow taste? Not me! Anything from plainchant to Metallica (excluding brass/silver bands, Country & Western, Rap, serial music, minimalist and anything by Sorabji; most other things are in). In any case, as I believe Brian Childs has said, it would be a dull world if we all liked the same things.... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> How did you cope wth the "bat out of Helsinki" - Lordi - and some of the other acts on Eurovision the other night? Rgds MJF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrew Butler Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 How did you cope wth the "bat out of Helsinki" - Lordi - and some of the other acts on Eurovision the other night? Rgds MJF <{POST_SNAPBACK}> To hell with the music - this year's contest had some of the shortest skirts and best legs for years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 How did you cope wth the "bat out of Helsinki" - Lordi - and some of the other acts on Eurovision the other night? Rgds MJF <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Um.... I played a concert in a local church - I managed to avoid all of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 To hell with the music - this year's contest had some of the shortest skirts and best legs for years! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ....and that was just the men.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Farr Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 To hell with the music - this year's contest had some of the shortest skirts and best legs for years! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, I did say "and some of the other acts" - you can take that whichever way you wish, although I dare say there was as much for the eye as there was for the ear! Rgds, MJF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Farr Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 All of which reminds me, I saw an organ CD the other day - pretty rare at the edge of this desert, I must say - and almost bought it regardless of whether the young lady in question can play. A certain Iveta Apkalna. I dare not ask "is she any good" for fear of the misunderstandings my question might cause ... Rgds, MJF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 All of which reminds me, I saw an organ CD the other day - pretty rare at the edge of this desert, I must say - and almost bought it regardless of whether the young lady in question can play. A certain Iveta Apkalna. I dare not ask "is she any good" for fear of the misunderstandings my question might cause ... Rgds, MJF <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So she was fit, then? (I do like to keep abreast of developments in the organ world.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Farr Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 So she was fit, then? (I do like to keep abreast of developments in the organ world.) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Fit for what, my dear pcnd? Now, we're not going to steam all ahead full into the sea of misunderstandings of which I warned ... are we? Rgds, MJF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vox Humana Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 A certain Iveta Apkalna. I dare not ask "is she any good" for fear of the misunderstandings my question might cause ... She's been mentioned on this site before. I'd go and Google a picture to link, but at my age I have to watch my heart. She could make an old man very happy... although I dare say there was as much for the eye as there was for the ear!Anyone else get the impression the voting has more to do with the presentation than the actual "music"? I suppose this is inevitable when "music" itself is so carp (if you'll pardon me being koi). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrew Butler Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 So she was fit, then? (I do like to keep abreast of developments in the organ world.) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> She's fit! ................ http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/iveta_apkalna.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Barry Oakley Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 Out of curiosity I Googled Iveta Apkalna and came across a reference to her on an April 2006 BBC Radio3 programme webpage. They were playing some of her recordings, but you've probably guessed it that they occured in the middle of the night. Typical BBC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vox Humana Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 Typical BBC!What's typical is that it was probably nothing to do with the BBC at all. As I understand it, "Through the Night" is a compilation of music provided by European stations, so it's thanks to broadcasters in Europe, not the Beeb, when we get to hear organ music! But I'm more than happy to fall asleep to the soothings - or even the boisterous gymnastics - of Ms Apkalna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusingMuso Posted May 23, 2006 Author Share Posted May 23, 2006 Well, certainly, I am not remotely interested in playing a cinema organ; but - narrow taste? Not me! Anything from plainchant to Metallica (excluding brass/silver bands, Country & Western, Rap, serial music, minimalist and anything by Sorabji; most other things are in). In any case, as I believe Brian Childs has said, it would be a dull world if we all liked the same things.... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> =========================== I'm just flabbergasted.............. How can anyone not enjoy Dolly Parton? She came up with some of the biggest hits of all time! MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusingMuso Posted May 23, 2006 Author Share Posted May 23, 2006 ....and that was just the men.... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ==================== They had a Scottish entry this year? MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrew Butler Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 ===========================I'm just flabbergasted.............. How can anyone not enjoy Dolly Parton? She came up with some of the biggest hits of all time! MM <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh - HITS, sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vox Humana Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Oh - HITS, sorry! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Now what did you think he meant? A nice pair of en chamades? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Oh for God's sake.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paul@trinitymusic.karoo.co.uk Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Oh for God's sake.... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think the reference was to 'outstanding natural attractions'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusingMuso Posted May 25, 2006 Author Share Posted May 25, 2006 I think the reference was to 'outstanding natural attractions'. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ============ Each to his own, I suppose. MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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