Eliette Von Karajan - My Life at his Side

J. S. Bach Gets Karajan's Grand Treatment

Advantages: J. S. Bach; all musicians and vocalists; Karajan.
Disadvantages: Karajan's big, ponderous sound and historical inauthenticity, for some.

the Violin Concerto in E Major. This is followed by the great 'Magnificat', for which a handful of guest singers hold forth splendidly, backed by the RIAS Kammerchor (Chamber Choir). Herr von Karajan helms this ship from the keyboard of the second harpsichord. Already about 77 years old at the time of this recording, the man is much more sparing in his movements. (By contrast, the late Hungarian Georg Solti was still an energetic 90 at the time he guest conducted the Washington National Symphony Orchestra just a couple of years before his death.) The Berlin Philharmonie (Berlin Philharmonic Hall) is differently designed to the usual concert venue. The stage is close to street level and surrounded on four sides by the audience, with higher, tiered seating on three sides. Tubular light fixtures hang in staggered fashion from the ceiling ...

zerbine28 28.06.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Herbert Von Karajan - Bach Violin Concerto No 2 (DVD)

MANAGING HIS LIFE

Advantages: Interesting early life, Great career, Interesting to read
Disadvantages: None

Alex Ferguson is one of the people I most admire in football today. As much as I hate Manchester United I have to look on at his record with admiration, and I actually like the bloke as a person. Not only has he dominated English football over the last decade with his Manchester United team, also breaking the Rangers/Celtic domination in Scotland with Aberdeen and as a player. Although recently he has dropped hints otherwise, he will be retiring this summer to draw down the curtain on an illustrious career. ‘Managing My Life’ is his autobiography that covers all this and more. The book starts with a recollection of the magical events at the 1999 European Cup final when his United team beat Bayer Munich with a late come back. This was arguably the crowning glory of his Manchester career and is a good place to start ...

Chris_Padden 12.01.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Managing My Life (My Autobiography) - Alex Ferguson

My Side of the Story: A great coming-out story

Advantages: Funny, witty and smart. A great coming out story.
Disadvantages: Not for younger readers.

Jaz (real name Jarold) has just turned sixteen. The book starts with his parents calling him into the living room for a talk - they've just discovered that he's been going to gay bars and trying to pick up older men. His parents are furious and start blaming each other, before deciding that the solution is for the three of them to go to family therapy. This excludes Jaz's little sister Teresa, aka 'The Nun'. She's a devout Christian who believes her brother's going to hell, and spends much of her time praying for his soul. Jaz's life doesn't get any better away from home. He's insulted the school thug, and his best friend/fag hag Al has just outed him to a neo-Nazi. Things go from bad to worse when he accidentally outs himself at school, discovers his best friend is planning to move away, and overhears his parents discussin ...

ali_morag 08.09.2009 · Read full review
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Review of My Side of the Story - Will Davis