Now we journey to Prague the capital of what used to be known as the Czech Republic but in recent times has become Czechia. Prague is a political, cultural, and economic hub of central Europe, with a rich history and Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectures. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia […]
Paris 2
A second visit to the city of light for some songs performed by people from outside France. “Free Man in Paris” is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. It appeared on her 1974 album Court and Spark, as well as her 1980 live album Shadows and Light. It is ranked No. 470 on […]
Copenhagen
Our journey moves north again to Copenhagen the capital of Denmark. Originally a Viking fishing village established in the 10th century in the vicinity of what is now Gammel Strand, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the early 15th century. Beginning in the 17th century, it consolidated its position as a regional centre of […]
Paris 1
Paris is the capital and most populous city of France. Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of the world’s major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, fashion, gastronomy, and science. For its leading role in the arts and sciences, as well as its early and extensive system of street lighting, in the 19th century, […]
Barcelona
Interestingly in Spain it is not the capital Madrid but second city Barcelona, that has inspired songwriters. Barcelona is a thriving city best known for its lush beaches, art museums, sports culture, and towering architecture. Some common song motifs include emphasizing Barcelona’s cultural side or expressing a desire to return to the city to find […]
Athens
In the classical period, Athens was a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum, Athens was also the birthplace of Socrates, Plato, Pericles, Aristophanes, Sophocles, and many other prominent philosophers, writers and politicians of the ancient world. It is widely referred to as the cradle of Western Civilization, […]
Now The Green Blade Rises
To celebrate Easter Day, I have chosen to bring you one of my favourite Easter Hymns, even though it is not one that will be regularly sung on this day. I hope it proves a suitable background to your celebrations of Jesus being Alive! “Now The Green Blake Rises” John MacLeod Campbell (J.M.C.) Crum (1872-1958) […]
I Will Wait
The Saturday between the tragic events of Good Friday and the miracle of Easter Sunday has always been marked by the Christian church as a period of waiting. Obviously for the disciples, they thought that all their hopes had ended, even though Jesus had promised to return. So today our music selection reflects that sense […]
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
In honour of it being Good Friday I am pausing the current series to bring you an ancient hymn which I have always found to be very moving at this time of year, although I must say it seems to have fallen out of favour these days and I have found it less frequently sung […]
Rome
Moving on again, this time from the Austrian capital Vienna to the Italian capital Rome. Rome’s history spans 28 centuries. While Roman mythology dates the founding of Rome at around 753 BC, the site has been inhabited for much longer, making it a major human settlement for almost three millennia and one of the oldest […]