I’d like to welcome Mike Appleton to the Flowers for Socrates family! He doesn’t write as many columns as some of us, but when he does, he speaks volumes. Erudite and knowledgeable, Mike always makes his case clearly and to the point. He’s also one of the most reasonable people I have the pleasure of knowing which, if you know that I like to argue for sport, can be quite exasperating when you’re spoiling for a good argument and in strolls Mike being all perfectly reasonable. I hope you all enjoy and look forward to his future contributions here as much as I do! He’s another fine addition to our rapidly growing family.
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Flowers For Socrates 
Well … he’s not made of marble and he’s definitely not one of the girls but now I can honestly say that our “cup runneth over”. I don’t know if my heart can take much more joy. Welcome!
You know, Blouise, that is one of the things that makes playing poker with Mark so damn hard. Not only is his head made of marble, he’s using Cicero’s face. You can’t read a tell off him without using a tunnelling electron microscope.
Welcome aboard, Mike!
Gene,
It’s the eyes in the back of his head that get me … very hard to sneak up and steal the pot from him.
This is great!
What a wonderful group writers.
. . . group OF writers.
Of which I obviously fail at!
gbk,
lol … well writ
Damn it Mike A.,
Now I have to keep up Mike S. again so people can tell us apart. Sure you really wouldn’t want to be called Michael, rather than Mike? Actually, it shouldn’t be a problem, you’re the white haired old guy without the beard.
I am very glad to have you writing with us and look forward to your stuff
In keeping with “cup runneth over” … please close your eyes and listen for this is one of the most beautiful renditions I have ever heard … simple and extraordinarily pure
Blouise,
Thanks for that rendition. What a wonderful vibrato.
gbk,
The vibrato is firmly supported by the back and abdomen muscles. The tonality indicates a superb ear. The diction is clean. The phrasing floats. Then listen to the piano accompaniment. I guarantee you the accompanist is breathing with her and moving on the bench as she moves … he/she is anticipating yet following. The two of them have hung that piece out in the air and are watching it flow through the room. It’s about as close to perfect as two people can get.
Blouise,
Yeah, her pitch is scary good, and her phrasing and dynamic control are flawless.
Mike A. wrote that splendid post on the RCChurch and contraception. I am sooo glad he has joined you here.
Blouise,
Every bit as beautiful as my favorite: Elly Ameling “On the Wings of Song”.
Wow, Blouise. That was simply stunning. And her vibrato sounds so effortless and natural. I know it’s thousands of hours of training, but even then, not everyone gets that good a result. That’s one thing that often bugs me about vocalists, especially on a piece like that which has so much vibrato written into it, is that it sometimes sounds strained and forced even if technically executed. Not that though. Gorgeous. Any idea who the mystery woman is?
Gene, the vocalist in that video is Barbara Bonney. Link is to her web site:
http://www.barbarabonney.com/
Thanks, Chuck. 😀
“Mike A. wrote that splendid post on the RCChurch and contraception. I am sooo glad he has joined you here.” (pdm)
That’s why I gave him the Ave
Right over my empty head.
Oh well. It is a sublime piece of music even if I didn’t get the point.
Couldn’t have a better one…. You are all good…