Today is World Book Day, which encourages children of all ages to celebrate the power of reading and explore the pleasures of books. Here are some songs that were inspired by books. 1984 by David Bowie Nineteen Eighty-Four is the 1949 dystopian novel written by George Orwell that takes place in an imagined future where […]
I, Daedalus
“I, Daedalus” composed by Andrea Price is inspired by the Greek myth of Daedalus, the brilliant craftsman whose inventions were as remarkable as they were tragic. The piece is through-composed, moving seamlessly between five distinct sections. Opening with a short, reflective introduction, it explores themes of ingenuity and ambition, building into moments of energy and […]
The Parting Glass
“The Parting Glass” (Roud 3004) is a Scottish traditional song, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It has also long been sung in Ireland, where it remains popular; this has strongly influenced how it is often sung today. It was purportedly the most popular parting song sung in Scotland before Robert […]
The Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet
The Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet have been set by various composers for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Thomas Tallis set the first lesson, and second lesson, of Tenebrae on Maundy Thursday between 1560, and 1569: “when the practice of making musical settings of the Holy Week readings from the Book of Jeremiah enjoyed a […]
Bard Movies 16
Men of Respect is a 1990 crime drama film, an adaptation of Macbeth and was directed by William C. Reilly. It stars John Turturro as Mike Battaglia, a powerful lieutenant in the D’Amico crime family, executes a large-scale hit on the family’s enemies, earning a promotion to a caporegime and the undying respect of his […]
Can’t
After our interesting delve into the word ‘Ain’t’ yesterday, I thought it might be interesting to follow that up with some songs using the word ‘Can’t’. The origin of the word is older easier to discover than ‘Ain’t’. It first appeared in 1597 as a contraction of the word ‘Cannot’. I was always told at […]