Friends, if Storm Eunice calls today, please stay safe. Video of Colin Davis conducting the ‘Storm Interlude’ from Britten’s Peter Grimes; Royal Opera; 1981.
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Great idea Colin – I’m sure I would have enjoyed this more than I did the storm itself. Incidentally, though it didn’t make the main news, a house gable collapsed at Whitstable, just down the road from me, taking out the owner’s car as well. Am about to go and investigate the outside of my house….the dustbins fetched up down the garden, despite my previous preventative measures, Small fry beside other damage, such as the steeple in Wells.
Hi Monica, good luck with post-storm investigations. It was mixed blessings for other friends: one has no electricity, will be off most of today, Saturday, while another mate called Eunice a “damp squib”. (Lucky her.) Another friend (in the south-west) thought her garden shed was on the way out but it survived. I was fine apart from the howling (the wind, not me) and the war-like racket as dustbins jockeyed for different locations and obtuse angles. Col
Decided to enjoy(!) one of the greatest composers of storm music during our storm.
I worked through Tapiola from four different conductors, settling on the Beecham stereo LP. Perfection in every way.
Then to The Oceanides again from Beecham after Colin Davis and Ormandy, both a little too heavy handed.
Finally my treasured Supraphon LP containing music by Shakespeare conducted by Smetacek.
The Tempest opening music is as perfect a representation of uncontrolled storm music as I know.
It catapults Sibeliius into the pantheon of composers who represent natural forces so perfectly. It puts Beethoven and Strauss somewhat in the shade.
Sadly, I’ve discovered I have a roof problem – trying to get fixed. Fingers crossed as more gales on the way….
Good luck!