The Fredösphere

It was too true to be good.  Or something.

Meanwhile...

Roll over, Edison:  some French guy made a vocal recording that predated yours by 17 years.  What is odd, from our modern point of view, is that, although the recording device was invented in 1860, no playback method was attempted (or even contemplated, apparently) until recently.  (Title on the A side?  It's "Au Clair de la Lune.")

Also...

Der Drübermensch and his fellow members of the Boychoir of Ann Arbor were joined in concert by the hoary heads of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club.  It was a great chance for the boys to hear what kind of sound a 100+ member ensemble can make in a medium-sized church (in this case, St. Paul's Lutheran of Ann Arbor).  Also on display were the ancient customs that give the club it's appealing Gemütlichkeit:  the concert-ending school songs, the use of finger snaps for applause, and especially the elaborate body piercings, especially the wearing of elephant tusks in the nasal septums, which look terribly painful and are probably illegal, but which are worn with panache even when they cause awkward situations in doorways.

Okay, so I made up that last part.  Hey, I gotta give the guys some reason to complain each time I blog them, don't I?

Finally, let me praise the conducting of Paul Rardin, who combines control with enthusiasm (were those his fists I saw flying around?) in a perfect combination.  He offered a miniature seminar on vocal leadership in this one concert.

Labels: Choral, Culture