Strad

In this blog, a Strad is as much a legend as a Fender Stratocaster. You can search my blog for 'Fender' or 'Zappa' to read the Jimi Hendrix stratocaster story.

Girls, girls, gils. Musical girls. No Rihanna, Madonna, Gaga or Beyoncé. My girls are of the classical type. No misunderstanding; every poppy girl went through thousands of hours of practice ands devotion. Respect for every body.

Why does a Stradimarius or a Giardini violin sound so great? They tried to replicate it many times. Nobody ever succeeded. It was not the lacker. The story goes, that around the 1700's there was a mini ice-age. Trees grew slower then. Especially on the north side of the Italian Alps. That's where the wood came from. I like this lovely 'broodje aap' story.

I'm not sure if it was French philosopher Pierre Bourdieu who stated that reality is all imagination and imagination is all reality. A deep thought, but not very practical.

How do you get this bunch of sexy women into one blog? Well, years and years of practicing. I blogged them all before. Enjoy these lucious lady's.

• Carmen Habanera. Most classic sexy scene ever.
• Rita Moreno likes to be in America.
• Olivia Newton John and this greasy scientology guy.
• Abba The Dancing Queen.
• Willeke Alberti is Dutch camp.
• Maria Callas in Tosca.
• Karsu Dönmez Dutch-Turkish jazz pianist.
• Didem is famous Turkish belly-dancer.
• Monique van de Ven and Rutger Houwer in Turkish Delight.
• Julia Fisher does it on violin ánd piano.
• Janine Jansen on violin. She once had a short burn-out.
• Valentina Lisitsa (pianist from Ukraïne).
• Hanna-Elisabeth Müller (Soprano).
• Danielle de Niese did sexy Haydn operas.
• Ria Valk is a Dutch Gay Icon. I love her.
• Tante Leen and Johnny Jordaan also Gay Icons.
• Elizabeth Tailor got an oscar for this, he didn't.
• Marilyn Monroe was 'close' with JFK.

You must have noticed by now my classic kink. Here's a Beethoven clip from Valentina Lisitsa Beethovens's Moonlight Serenade.

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Julia

Julia Fischer.

No, this is no accident, all pictures are black-and-white in tone. That's the hallmark of this blog.

As a contrast with my previous blog, I want to introduce Julia Fisher. She is a great looking super-multi-talented woman, who plays the piano and the violin as wel with big orchestras. Here she's playing a piano-concerto of Grieg.

She also can pretty good play the violin. Multi-talented woman. Click here to see her play the Mendelssohn violin concerto.

I stated before on this blog, that classical music can be very sexy. I even suspect agents and producers to promote sexy women like Janine Jansen. She is a Dutch fiddler with raving critics, especially in the UK.

Now, that was typical Dutch. To downplay our greatest assets. The RCO (Royal Concertbuilding Orchestra) was once pronounced as The Best Orchestra In The Whole Wide World, even before the Wiener and Berliner crews. That's something to be proud of. But it got little attention here in the Netherlands. They have a long Mahler tradition with directors like van Beinum, Bernard Haitink, Ricardo Chally, and now Mariss Jansons.

Mariss can even make the Wiener sound great. He is a modest genius. That's what we like here in the Netherlands. No pompous Karajans or Haitink ego's. Brilliant Italian Ricardo Chailly did some great work with the RCO but he was definitely a cultural mismatch. I think Leonard Bernstein (RIP) would be a great director for the RCO. He also was a composer (West Side Story). As a director he was more pronounced than Mariss. I was just blown right out of my pants, when I saw Leonard Bernstein explaining Gustav Mahler to an audience of 12 yo kids.

I just got my ticket for the Concertgebouw. December 19th. Balcony, best seat, 125,= Euro. Concert of the RCO with Mariss Jansons. Third symphony of Mendelssohn. Best combination in the whole wide world.
"Remember, to shave your armpits and dress classy for this event, and don't forget some clean underwear".

The last time I visited the Concert Building was with my highschool class. About 40 years ago. They played an Opera from Mozart. I couldn't understand a word of it, but it was very impressive. Some daring highschool teachers still have a warm place in my hart.

Drifting away agian. Back to Julia. In these clips she plays the piano with The Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, (Young German Philharmonic), conductor is Matthias Pintscher. Enjoy.

• Edvard Grieg, Piano Concerto, first movement
• Edvard Grieg, Piano Concerto, second movement
• Edvard Grieg, Piano Concerto, third movement

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Cigarettes

Scene from Seville (Spain)

Another [1984] movie. It's situated around the cigarette factory in Seville (Spain) in the 19th century. It's all about love, passion, jealousy, bull-fights, a frivolous gypsy girl (Carmen), a handsome corporal (Don Jose) and a not so happy ending.

My father introduced me to this Carmen opera (thanks Pa) and it made a firm impression on me since - for its story, its catchy songs and its sexy undertones.

Georges Bizet was a French music composer from Paris in the Romatic style. So, here is his best story and greatest (last) opera. Not sure if he was ever into Andalusian territory, but he did his research; I've been in Seville and saw the factory with my own eyes. It's a great building and its still there, but it has other usages today. The opera is so great.

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Just to warm you up, try some clips from the Tube;
- Carmen overture with some Chilean 'balls'
- Sexy 'Habanera' song with English subtitles
- 'Toreador' from Dmitri & choir is impressive

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'La Plaza de Toros de Ronda' (~100 miles SE of Seville) is THE bull-fight-temple in southern Spain. The BF scenes in this movie are from there and they are awesome. I've never seen any 'arty' bull-fight scenes in any movie; here is your chance.

Not for the faint-of-heart. When the toreador conquered the bull, he cut of his balls as a trophy. Ernest Hemingway was a bull-fight-fan. He is one of my heroes, maybe a substitute father (sorry Pa). Spinning around again. I did a holiday tour in southern Spain and I kinda fell in love with this region.

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Take a look at this Ronda bull-fight movie . There are A- and B- category Toreadors; same as in Football / Soccer. This B-clip is very instructive for beginners. The Toreador is the star of the show. Some Picadors pinch the bull with some nasty spears to make him jumpy (always a HIM). The final scene is, that the Toreador will stab the bull with his sable between the shoulder-blades down through his heart. The bull then goes down, and he can take his balls. Finally the bull-corpse is dragged away by two horses.

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George Bizet(1838–1875)did his Carmen opera a year before he died. Bizet now lies on the celeb-only cemetery Père Lachaise in Paris. I've been there too and it was an existentialist experience.

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Bizet, Carmen, 1984, Spanish and English subtitles. Director: Francesco Rosi. Cast: Julia Migenes (Carmen), Placido Domingo (Don Jose).

http://rapidshare.com/files/336788009/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part01.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336789687/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part02.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336791342/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part03.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336792787/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part04.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336794266/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part05.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336795893/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part06.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336797385/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part07.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336798999/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part08.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336800906/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part09.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336802933/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part10.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336804688/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part11.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336806341/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part12.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336808186/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part13.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336809925/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part14.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336811720/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part15.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336813442/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part16.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336815020/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part17.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336816707/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part18.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336818336/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part19.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336820034/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part20.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336821492/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part21.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336822892/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part22.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336824382/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part23.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336825811/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part24.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336827394/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part25.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/336828501/Bt_Carmen__Opera_FILM_D.mingo-minervasyte.net.part26.rar

English subtitles;
http://rapidshare.com/files/336885930/Carmen.idx

psw = minerva

All credits go to the original uploader

Enjoy

Joseph

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) looking very cool.
Did you noticed the Black and White tones in the picture?

On your right-hand side you can find some of my favorites. The latest entry in the Music Department has many free .flac music [uncompressed, high quality, big files]. I stick to all the .mp3 formats for my daily music. But for exceptional and classical music the .flac format is my choice; put up the volume and your headphone.

This site has many more to offer. Their HQ music (in several styles) is an amazing treat.

The .ogg format is about the same as the .flac format and also plays fine in my WinAmp player. The .ape format is also an uncompressed music format, but does NOT play in my favorite player. Oh well, different styles, many smiles.

Here is the 30MB. Overture track from Joseph Haydn’s opera L’infedeltà delusa (“Deceit Outwitted”) in .flac format.

The full opera can be found here on this great site .

Enjoy

Perfetto

Dutch Andre Rieu is underestimated all the time. He tours the world with a 500+ crew. I was always a secret fan. Now he (slowly) gets the Dutch attention that he deserves. Andre is doing some concerts in his southern homeland (Netherlands, Maastricht).

You should notice his great/big production and making all these Italian girls crazy with his music. The final moments are very nice.
I think I’m going to buy a 200 Euro ticket for his next show.

Enjoy

Jets & Sharks

click to enlarge

I just read the story in my newspaper that the FBI was watching Leonard Bernstein. With other leftish anti-Vietnam artists he was in a scheme to embarras president Nixon. Jacqueline opened the 'John F.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' with 'The Mass' of Leonard Bernstein - one of his most radical works. President Nixon was not present. Oh, Lovely America (West Side Story).

Japan

Bach Collegium Japan

It's not yet Sunday morning here. The moment-supreme for this music. So I'm killing some time with the Drums.
This one is for my Japanese and classic friends, great music from the Bach Collegium Japan, Yoshikazu Mera, Masaaki Suzuki.

- track-1 = Widerstehe doch der Sünde
- the full "Baroque Arias" album = 140MB.

Enjoy

Richard

Richard Wagner stands for long multi-hour opera's. Most of the time pretty boring. But sometimes there is some great stuff. Die Walküre (the Valkeries) are in German / Scandinavian legends the ghost-ladies on white horses that haunt you into death. The theme was used in many places. Here are some;
- Opera clip - by Pierre Boulez
- Apocalypse Now - helicopter attack scene
- Trailer of the Valkyrie movie (Tom Cruise)

Enjoy

Danielle

Danielle De Niese (soprano) is Australian and she is from 1980

Have you seen the backgrounds? It's the northern area of Amsterdam, the Central Station is on the right hand side. The trains are me in, every morning around 08:00, travelling from left to right. In the evening around 18:00 from right to left. About five times a week, reading my morning paper and picking out the fresh blogs for you ... LOL

The Amsterdam recordings are probably made in the new BIM house at the IJ waterfront. Danielle De Niese has some Dutch roots and VPRO radio has the best (internet) offerings of advanced Dutch culture. She is an opera hotty, some wild mental linkings going on here.

- Danielle in Amsterdam, dec, 2007 (tube)
- Danielle in a red dress (sigh) (tube)
- Danielle from a previous blog
- Danielle at the BRIT awards in 2008 (tube)
- Danielle sings Händel and talking freely about it (tube)
- Danielle without Händel (would like to see that) (.mp3)

Enjoy

Nabucco

Nabucco opera, 2007

I agree, I am repeating myself. But this is so great music. And Bertolucci's Novecento movie started with the death of Verdi in 1901 with so great Robert De Nero and Dominique Sanda. We are definitely on romantic territory now ... ;)

Maybe I will post a full opera some time. The West Side Story would be nice. The Romeo and Julliet theme by Leonard Bernstein.

For now I restrict myself to some Nabucco tracks. Guiseppe Verdi [1813-1901] is an Italian opera composer who made some popular and splattering music that ordinary people could whistle in the streets (volume up);
- First track (Ouverture) of the Nabucco opera
- Va Pensiero is the Hebrew Slave choir song

Enjoy

Susan

Susan Larson as Cleopatra (by Händel) - who said opera is not sexy

It must have been almost a year ago now that I read about opera's, performed in Sydney or New York and projected in live widescreen format in an Amsterdam Cinema. I'm not sure if this ever happened, but it sounds like a great idea.

And then I could watch lovely Danielle De Niese in about three times her size ... ;)