Tuesday 24 July 2012

As we approach Ferr'agosto

It is that time of summer when cities fall into a sort of somnolence or drowsiness. In Italy the approach of Ferr'agosto the great summer holiday for all around 15 August which last 30 days, the cities empty and everything is close.

To this wonderful time of summer a little summer music by Emmanuel Chabrier, (1841-1894) his Suite Pastorale with paintings by his close friend Edouard Manet (1832-1883). Chabrier was much admired by several musicians like Debussy, Ravel, Satie, Stravinsky. Francis Poulenc wrote his biography. This music was the theme of a favourite radio afternoon show on the CBC called ''Off the record'' hosted by the late Bob Kerr for 40 years. Kerr was truly a Canadian broadcasting legend.



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