h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am now in my third year already of the music course and this one's really hard. Not everyone can reach the same standard in those three years; for the piano and organ, within a certain framework, they accept you at whatever standard you are.

Many of the kids on the course - somehow this seems to be mainly boys - join at the age of 14-15, having played the organ since they were about 9 and are absolutely immersed in the instrument, playing it, improvising and also the mechanics of the thing. They really love it and are extremely highly motivated. They may have less interest in singing, conducting, or even playing the piano, but the organ is the most important part of the course, really, anyway.

I have no interest and no motivation for learning the organ, and find it very difficult to get my head around, but I'm soldiering on, especially as there is a dire shortage of organists in our area.

On the way back from the music course, which is on Saturday mornings, I get off the train and go straight into town for this year's Summer Festival project choir practice, where we are singing two secular works set to works by Goethe (Johann Wolfgang. see below) Mendelssohn's "Walpurgisnacht" and Beethoven's "Meeresstille" und "Glückliche Fahrt" The concert will open with the Egmont Overture and takes place on 6 July - open air, as usual.

Tickets aren't on sale yet, but if anyone's interested...!!!

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Johann Wolfgang was never "von" Goethe, although most people put that in the name. Perhaps I should post that in the Useless Facts thread.

We sang Walpurgisnacht last Halloween. It's a great piece. The Beethoven, on the other hand, is rather dull.

The fun part is the words "Die Nebel zerreissen" in the Beethoven. Our musical director is called Nebel, and it's quite odd threating to tear her to bits. (The phrase is in the indicative, not the imperative, but can be construed as a command)

The trick with the Beethoven is to remember that it's a representation of a lull, a completely calm sea. I suspect that this will be illustrated with projections of suitable photos or art works during the concert. Still, we've only just started work on it. It might still turn out to be dull, as you say!

Interesting about Goethe. He was a pal of Beethoven's; there is a story of them walking together in Vienna, and B was furious with G for stepping off the pavement to let a member of the nobility pass. Beethoven said "they should step aside for us!"

Beethoven was van, which is Dutch and means nothing special; he did try changing it to von once (denoting aristocracy) and was told off in very clear terms.

Well, according to this 'ere internet, apparently Goethe was given the "title" of VON in 1782. So maybe what I was always led to believe (that he never was a "von") is only half true.

In an internet search, it is almost impossible to find a mention of Johann Wolfgang Goethe without the "von", although in biographies, they always start with Johann Wolfgang Goethe was born....

Our school is called the Goethe Gymnasium, which is why I thought I knew a little about him. The school, and the official Goethe web site, do not use the "von". I've seen a couple of plays, but I've never actually sat down and read any Goethe.

another thing to start reading when I've finished my course. German literature is one of the subjects I would be completely stumped on in a pub quiz.

Things I would be stumped on in a quiz:

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