Old Fogey’s Favourites

In my other blog, Idolising Jane, I have just posted a list of my top ten favourite screen versions of Jane Austen. I remarked in my comment on the 2005 film of Pride and Prejudice that its musical soundtrack is heavenly. And so it is. The composer is Dario Marianelli.

Here is the opening piece - Dawn.

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For my ‘Morning Has Broken’ Anthology. A Spring Morning - here in a slight but charming song by Gustav Mahler. Piano trills echo the birdsong in the branches of the linden tree.

‘The linden tree taps at the window, branches heavy with blossom; Get Up! Get Up! Why do you lie there dreaming? The sun is up already! Get Up! Get Up!’

Lucia Popp sings this delightfully, sunlight in her voice, accompanied by Geoffrey Parsons.

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This lovely song by Clara Schumann was offered as a gift to her husband, Robert. As a song it is worthy to stand alongside the best that he wrote. Morning has broken as a clear, sunlit day. The sun, her lover, awakens her, just as it might open the petals on the blossom.

‘I desire only to rest upon your breast, and there transfigure you with the sunlight’s shining joy.’

It is touchingly sung by Geraldine McGreevy.

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As a companion to my Going to Sleep anthology, here is one about waking up. Waking up from blissful dreams or from nightmares, from the repose of sleep to the cares of the world, to the sight of the beloved in whose arms you have rested, or into the cold light of day.

Here we start on a positive note. An English hymn, in the immensely popular version by Cat Stevens.

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