A Northumbrian Diary
I know it was not a dream, anymore than life is
Agustín Fernández Gran Canaria, Ve'ulai 0 Comments
Just as we exit 2019 I have a little something to add. In connection with the previous post Dreamed lake? Dreamed river?, we now have a live recording of Ve’ulai to listen to. In the unexplained absence of the recording engineer, my friends in Canaria had to make a homemade recording. Not the best sound, but […]
December 2019
Agustín Fernández Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Coro Juvenil de la Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Marcela Garrón Velarde, Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, Rachel, Ve'ulai, Yehuda Sharet 0 Comments
23 December 2019Ve’ulaiarrangement for choir and string quartet of Yehuda Sharet’s setting of Rachel’s poemCoro Juvenil de la Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran CanariaMembers of Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran CanariaMarcela Garrón Velarde, conductor Auditorio Alfredo KrausLas PalmasGran Canaria
Dreamed lake? Dreamed river?
Agustín Fernández If fate decrees, Israel, Lake Kinneret, Palestine, Rachel, Rede Bridge, Redesdale, River Rede, Sea of Galilee, Ve'ulai, Yehuda Sharet 0 Comments
And here is the famous Ve’ulai. It is a poem written by Rachel (1890-1931). Also known as Rachel Blaustein, or Rachel Bluwstein, Rachel is often referred to as the national poet of Israel, even though she was born in Russia and technically she never set foot in Israel. Although she emigrated to Palestine, she did […]
Last Sunday of August
Agustín Fernández dog, river, symphony, the hand of an angel 1 Comment
Gorgeous, bright, sunny morning. Tomorrow’s bank holiday adds an extra luxuriance to the sense of here and now. The future can wait; the present is here. A tone-poem of colour is playing outside, with clear pre-echoes of autumn. The birds sing their part in this anthem of celebration with only a hint of elegy […]
Two autumns
Agustín Fernández autumn, Buson, Haiku, Komagane, Komagane Middle School, Masaoka Shiki, Mizawa Sensei, Redesdale 1 Comment
Yuku ware ni Todomaru nare ni Aki futatsu For I who go For you who stay Two autumns This haiku’s authorship is posthumously disputed between Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) and the much earlier Buson (1716-1784). My knowledge of Japanese is not enough to understand why over a century’s distance cannot be ascertained from the choice and […]
A Northumbrian Anthem
Agustín Fernández A Northumbrian Anthem, organ 0 Comments
The organ piece I completed yesterday (23 August) was written to very precise specifications by the commissioner. In the event it proved a more than suitable vehicle for the feelings outlined in the final paragraph of the last entry, below. It is an anthem of love, gratitude, faith and hope. As special thanks for their interest […]
November 2018
Agustín Fernández A Northumbrian Anthem, Generosity, King's Hall, Newcastle University, organ 0 Comments
23 November 2018 at 18:45A Northumbrian Anthem for organ (première)Generosity – a Festival of Philanthropy and GivingKing’s HallNewcastle University
December 2014
Agustín Fernández Cantata de Navidad y Epifanía, Coro Infantil de la OFGC, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Marcela Garrón Velarde 0 Comments
18 de diciembre de 2014Sala Gabriel RodóSede de la Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran CanariaLas Palmas de Gran Canaria Cantata de Navidad y EpifaníaCoro Infantil de la OFGCLuis García, barítonoMarcela Garrón, directora
Bellingham Show 2014
Agustín Fernández Bellingham Show, Cumberland wrestling, Ian Stephenson, no gluten free! 0 Comments
Show day last Saturday, and it was the best I can recall. The elements ignored the baleful forecast, allowing perfectly tolerable weather, and the public turned up in force. There was the usual array of displays, amusements and entertainment. To get the only negatives out of the way first, I starved for lack of any […]
Chon-Ja
Agustín Fernández Kasumapuge, Komagane, Writings 0 Comments
Chon-Ja (Kasumapuge) Como una sorpresa en la noche profunda me alumbró tu rostro tras el mostrador. Estabas allí, no sé desde cuándo dada a tu faena de licor y charla con un suave esbozo de sonrisa triste, madura y lejana, pero hospitalaria Tras el maquillaje de nieve y harina tu cara irradió, notándose apenas, […]