Right Now

[TullyBascombe]

I was up early this morning for my Sunday round of golf. On the way to the course I normally listen to a news station on the radio but this morning, on a whim, I decided to swap stations and just happened to run across this track:

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I always liked this one so it was a nice start to the day.

Yes, it's one of my favorite too. I found the arm patch of the soldier climbing on the train interesting, a blue star on a rounded hexagon on a red circular field. It doesn't look British does it? Then I remembered that I had seen it amongst my dad's things. It's the insignia of the Army Services Forces. My father was assigned to the signal corps for awhile, the signal corps was one of the branches of the ASF.

[maartendas]

Google made a nice tribute today to a composer who also inspired Robert Prizeman:

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[maartendas]

Just wanted to share two recent musical delights with you.

Last night I attended an impressive concert by Stile Antico in the wonderful gothic Dom church in Utrecht, landmark of this city which I could call my hometown for over a decade. Stile Antico, as some of you may know, is a renowned a cappella mixed choir of twelve, specialised in 16th and 17th century vocal music. The concert was part of the 'Early Music Festival' and featured works by Lassus and Gombert. Mass settings, motets with texts from the Song of Solomon, and two Magnificats. I basked in the sound which glowed and flowed. One thing I love about hearing this type of music performed is hearing the vibration in the room, the 'texture' of it. A quality you always miss on a recording. It's hard to pick a favourite but it was probably either the Gloria or Sanctus from Gombert's 'Missa Quam pulchra es'. The Gloria had some wonderful dynamics and sudden dissonances whereas the Sanctus was very mystical and full of reverence.
After a standing ovation they received an Edison (Dutch music award) for their 2011 'Puer natus est' recording. They then sang an encore, 'Vide homo' by Lassus, a moving piece about the betrayal of St. Peter which was the last work Lassus ever wrote.

I coudn't find a video of last night's repertoire but this one shows you what this choir can do (and how they operate without a director):

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ETA - I found a link of the audio recording (it was also broadcast live on radio in 20 or so countries!)

http://concerthuis.radio4.nl/concert/36 ... ile_Antico

Saturday I watched the annual Prinsengracht concert on TV - a live open air performance by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and a famous soloist, on one of Amsterdam's many canals. This year the concert featured Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja. I had never heard of him before but will not forget his name now that I heard him. He has a rich, golden tone, very steady and warm, with a lot of emotion and control, capable of bursting out in full force and flickering like a tiny flame seconds later. Here's what I'm talking about:

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[TullyBascombe]

I've developed Bell's Palsy. About a week ago I began having difficulty blinking my left eye, the next day my left cheek began to sag, now the entire left side of my face is paralysed. I sort of look like "Two Faced" from Batman.

[maartendas]

I am very sorry to hear this Tully. I am unaware of the details of this condition but what you describe is very sad. I wish you strength and peace in dealing with this situation.

[Yorkie]

I've developed Bell's Palsy. About a week ago I began having difficulty blinking my left eye, the next day my left cheek began to sag, now the entire left side of my face is paralysed. I sort of look like "Two Faced" from Batman.

Does this condition improve Tully?

[TullyBascombe]

Maybe, maybe not. At my age I've got a higher chance of continual facial weakness. I've been treating myself with high dose steroids and Acyclovir, the preferred initial treatments. It's been 9 days now. Good responders usually show at least the beginning of improvement within the first 14 days and I haven't yet. I'm at least able to close my eye, though with the lower eyelid being flaccid tears flow off the wrong place and when I wash my face I have to be careful because even though the lids feel shut there's enough of a crack that I've accidently rubbed the surface of my eyelid with a cloth. Pronunciation of "m", "f", "b" and "p" can be problematic, and I have to be careful about thing falling out of my mouth and biting my lip and cheek. It's also made communication at the clinic difficult. When I enter a room little kids no longer look at me like I'm St. Nick, but more like I'm somethig from their worst nightmare. I've had a couple toddlers go completely rigid with terror on me. Even dealing with the staff I can see that they mistake some of the things as hostile because of how my face looks and my voice sounds. Of course the high dose steroids don't help in that department. When they were at their peek early this week I felt a little bit like The Hulk. I'm in the tapering phase now.
If it doesn't begin to show improvement in the next week I'll have to arrange to see a specialist about possibly getting the facial nerve surgically released.

[Yorkie]

Well, I hope things improve without surgery Tully but at least they can sort it out for you. Fingers crossed.

[TullyBascombe]

I'm gettinmg a twitch in my cheek. It looks like my patience may pay off.

[Yorkie]

Good news Tully, keep (half) smiling

[maartendas]

I haven't been very active on the Forum lately and this is due to an important development in my personal life.
As some of you may know, I have been thinking of entering religious life for quite some time now. (In fact, Libera has played an important role in my journey of faith).
To make a long story short, I will be starting my postulate (trial period) at the community "Francis' brothers and sisters" on November 15. A three month trial period in this new and still small community who follow the way of life of St. Francis. It's a life of prayer and work, going outside a lot to meet people and help the needy wherever we can, always with the community home as place to start from and return.
It is a very exciting step to take and preparing for it has its ups and downs.
I wanted to let you all share in this news, and if you can keep me in your thoughts, I will appreciate it very much.

[Yorkie]

Best of luck Maarten. If you decide to make this permanent after your trial period would that mean you had to give up life on the internet/concert trips?

[maartendas]

Thanks.
Concert trips will most likely be out of the question, yes. Life on the internet: perhaps not completely, but a lot less for sure.

[kay]

you have chosen a wonderful vocation my best wishes to you for your future.

[maartendas]

Thank you Kay