It doesn't get much better than this, Boomers. Enjoy!
John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
Showing posts with label Christmas music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas music. Show all posts
21 December 2015
21 December 2014
07 December 2014
Celtic Woman
Before the concert report, this: please take a moment today to remember Pearl Harbor, attacked this day in 1941. Too many Americans lost their lives that day.
And here it is, from the air:
Also, my father-in-law, may he rest in peace, would have been 83 today.
And now, the music:
Last night, my wife and I went to see Celtic Woman in concert at the Atwood Concert Hall in downtown Anchorage.
It was everything one could expect from that group of very talented ladies, plus their accompanists (piano, percussion, uilleann pipes, bagpipes, Irish whistle, etc) and the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra.
With one exception.
Judging by the sold-out crowd's response, they (and we) would have been perfectly alright with more Celtic Christmas carols, and fewer American standbys.
Don't get me wrong: the music was wonderful, and the ladies in question were in wonderful voice ... but we can hear traditional carols by turning on the radio, or Pandora, or whatever.
And when a Celtic tune was played, the audience was electrified. Clapping, foot-stomping, dancing in the aisles excited!
But it was two solid hours of non-stop singing, dancing, and exciting music well-spent. Those who have seen the women in concert, or even on PBS or YouTube, will know what I mean.
If you're one of the few who haven't, then here's a sample:
And if your browser doesn't display the video above, go here to see it on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/z2bEMjyA9wo
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| USS Arizona Memorial |
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| Add caption |
Also, my father-in-law, may he rest in peace, would have been 83 today.
And now, the music:
Last night, my wife and I went to see Celtic Woman in concert at the Atwood Concert Hall in downtown Anchorage.
 |
| Mairead, Mairead Carlin, Susan and Lisa |
It was everything one could expect from that group of very talented ladies, plus their accompanists (piano, percussion, uilleann pipes, bagpipes, Irish whistle, etc) and the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra.
With one exception.
Judging by the sold-out crowd's response, they (and we) would have been perfectly alright with more Celtic Christmas carols, and fewer American standbys.
Don't get me wrong: the music was wonderful, and the ladies in question were in wonderful voice ... but we can hear traditional carols by turning on the radio, or Pandora, or whatever.
And when a Celtic tune was played, the audience was electrified. Clapping, foot-stomping, dancing in the aisles excited!
But it was two solid hours of non-stop singing, dancing, and exciting music well-spent. Those who have seen the women in concert, or even on PBS or YouTube, will know what I mean.
If you're one of the few who haven't, then here's a sample:
And if your browser doesn't display the video above, go here to see it on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/z2bEMjyA9wo
06 December 2014
Busy Day
We have a fairly full schedule today.
There's the normal Saturday morning routine, where we visit our usual stores for groceries and supplies. This must be done fairly early, before the Reavers begin straggling in.
My wife has a dentist appointment in late morning; I'll probably wind up in the waiting room with my Kindle in hand.
Then we have dinner and a concert this evening. You see, Celtic Woman is in town ... and since we don't often get the big names acts up here, we're excited.
All y'all have a great day - and thanks for stopping by.
There's the normal Saturday morning routine, where we visit our usual stores for groceries and supplies. This must be done fairly early, before the Reavers begin straggling in.
My wife has a dentist appointment in late morning; I'll probably wind up in the waiting room with my Kindle in hand.
Then we have dinner and a concert this evening. You see, Celtic Woman is in town ... and since we don't often get the big names acts up here, we're excited.
All y'all have a great day - and thanks for stopping by.
10 December 2012
31 December 2011
Mannheim Steamroller Concert
It was a wonderful evening with family and friends. The Atwood Hall was packed, and we were second row center in the mezzanine - a great view, close enough to see facial expressions.
The temperature outside was in single digits, and it was snowing all evening. I can't imagine a better way to see a Christmas holiday concert.
This was the West Coast touring company consisting of five guys, at least two of whom are original members of the group. They were supplemented by nine folks from the Anchorage Symphony on strings, woodwind, Baroque trumpet (in D, for those who are keeping score) and a French horn.
The lighting was as good as you would expect, but the added bonus was video on the back wall of the stage, with scenes clearly done for their concerts. Many of the songs were accompanied by a Renaissance-style Madrigal dinner scene, which reminded my wife and I of doing such things in college. Lovely.
One piece featured scenes of a horseman riding hard through fields and forest (think "Denys Moore" a la Monty Python). There were only two pieces which we'd not heard before - "Above the Northern Lights" and "Messengers of Christmas".
It was wonderful to see and hear all their music performed live, and see how much fun the performers had with it. We enjoyed it immensely. The audience of Alaskan was very, very appreciative, as we don't get many front-line acts up here; several standing ovations, and three encores. It was GREAT.
The temperature outside was in single digits, and it was snowing all evening. I can't imagine a better way to see a Christmas holiday concert.
This was the West Coast touring company consisting of five guys, at least two of whom are original members of the group. They were supplemented by nine folks from the Anchorage Symphony on strings, woodwind, Baroque trumpet (in D, for those who are keeping score) and a French horn.
The lighting was as good as you would expect, but the added bonus was video on the back wall of the stage, with scenes clearly done for their concerts. Many of the songs were accompanied by a Renaissance-style Madrigal dinner scene, which reminded my wife and I of doing such things in college. Lovely.
One piece featured scenes of a horseman riding hard through fields and forest (think "Denys Moore" a la Monty Python). There were only two pieces which we'd not heard before - "Above the Northern Lights" and "Messengers of Christmas".
It was wonderful to see and hear all their music performed live, and see how much fun the performers had with it. We enjoyed it immensely. The audience of Alaskan was very, very appreciative, as we don't get many front-line acts up here; several standing ovations, and three encores. It was GREAT.
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