Haunting Music

I am really starting to enjoy the music of Midnight Syndicate. They are actually a local group. Some people think the music is too creepy. True, it is good background for horror movies. But I think a lot of their work is just simply hauntingly beautiful.

Here is some of their music with poetry from E. A. Poe.

Expanding my musical horizons

I may have missed out on getting tickets to Don Giovanni, but I will be going to a concert by Dula Kávé--a modern Hungarian group.

Anyhow, here is a video. Looks like they combine a little bit of traditional folk with modern:

Artistic Impression

This video is beautiful. It depicts an artist's interpretation of Ukraine during WWII:

Friday Cat Blogging

Looks like NASA has started employing cats. Wonder what is their hourly rate?

h/t to Dr. J.

Nature Photography

As most know, I love doing nature photography. Mostly plants, but sometimes I expand out to the native fauna.

Took these pictures of some of the native "birds" in West Point, KY.

Musical Monday

Facing my fear

Every one who performs in the musical realm has a musical piece that is dreaded from a performance perspective. For me, it is Ave Maria. Ironically, it has always been one of my favorite pieces to listen to. Just was happy I was never asked to sing the piece. Always dreaded the idea of having to perform it.

Well, it turns out that this weekend I was asked to sing this piece for a future Christmas performance. It figures. After many years of not having to sing, I have to jump in with this piece? Sort of the musical equivalent of being thrown into the deep end.

Why is it that others have more faith in my vocal abilities than I do?

Anyhow, here is an absolutely lovely rendition from Sarah Brightman. I doubt I will give as lovely as a performance as she does in this video, but at least I have about three months to prepare.

Friday Cat Blogging

Another one from Simon's Cat: