Mourning stupidity

TheBigBean

The ECB have been in discussions with Cricket South Africa but they have to fly home on Tuesday to spend a precious few days at home before heading to India and Australia. Tomorrow (Saturday) is therefore confirmed as Day 3 of a 5-day Test Match.

verylonglegs

Yeah I thought that was odd, or rather pointless in fact, making it a 3 day game. Maybe the captains to will contrive to set challenging declarations, they both claim to be not interested in draws.

secretsqirrel

briantrumpet said:

I totally agree with the Telegraph on this occasion:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/implore-bbc-reverse-decision-cancel-last-night-proms/

Like many other people in Britain, I am saddened by the BBC’s decision to cancel the Last Night of the Proms as a mark of respect for its patron, Queen Elizabeth II. And while it is clear that it could not have gone ahead in its usual, exuberant form, an alternative, more sober Last Night would have united the nation like no other occasion. Why? Because no art form speaks to our emotions in the same way as music.

Well, maybe not the "united the nation" bit, but if people want to get swept up in emotion, it would be a phenomenal way to do so.

This.

They did a beautiful performance for the ‘Last Night’ during the pandemic, which was very low key with socially distanced performers and no audience.
The ‘Last Night’ following Diana’s death opened with her favourite hymn. I suspect notice is too short to organise anything tasteful and appropriate.

briantrumpet

secretsqirrel said:

briantrumpet said:

I totally agree with the Telegraph on this occasion:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/implore-bbc-reverse-decision-cancel-last-night-proms/

Like many other people in Britain, I am saddened by the BBC’s decision to cancel the Last Night of the Proms as a mark of respect for its patron, Queen Elizabeth II. And while it is clear that it could not have gone ahead in its usual, exuberant form, an alternative, more sober Last Night would have united the nation like no other occasion. Why? Because no art form speaks to our emotions in the same way as music.

Well, maybe not the "united the nation" bit, but if people want to get swept up in emotion, it would be a phenomenal way to do so.

This.

They did a beautiful performance for the ‘Last Night’ during the pandemic, which was very low key with socially distanced performers and no audience.
The ‘Last Night’ following Diana’s death opened with her favourite hymn. I suspect notice is too short to organise anything tasteful and appropriate.

Also 9/11.

The calibre of pro musicians there is stunning, and they'd sight-read just about anything at the drop of a hat, with aplomb, and of course they will all know a vast repertoire of the standard repertoire. And the BBC Music Library is amazing. It really is a great pity that they've passed up such an open goal - there are so many pieces of music that would have brought tears to even the most hardened republican cynic, and not just with music of the maudlin kind.

Here's a piece that would have been entirely appropriate...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82-xbhfNR2g

tailwindhome

This may not be good for Anglo -Irish relations

briantrumpet

There are so many other shortish pieces of music that would have been suitable (Nimrod & Barber's Adagio for sombre, for example), and for a left-field longer piece, I think that this, with no applause, would be stunning, and entirely appropriate for reflection (it's a longish listen, but just let it unfold over you...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEDrO35p7Hs

ddraver

Pross said:

ugo.santalucia said:

thistle_ said:

Local parkruns here are now cancelled
As is a training course I had booked for next week

Not surprised Parkrun are always the first to cancel and the last to resume... in the summer of 2020 when most amateur sport tried to come back after lockdown 1, they didn't budge...

That was more to do with some of the venues not allowing them back and concerns that unless they could get the vast majority re-started the crowds at the rest would be too big.

Surely such a righteous, god given event would never be affected by a small virus...

God wills it!

rick_chasey

briantrumpet said:

There are so many other shortish pieces of music that would have been suitable (Nimrod & Barber's Adagio for sombre, for example), and for a left-field longer piece, I think that this, with no applause, would be stunning, and entirely appropriate for reflection (it's a longish listen, but just let it unfold over you...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEDrO35p7Hs

I always thought a new piece is written for each funeral of a monarch - surely they could rattle through those?

secretsqirrel

briantrumpet said:

There are so many other shortish pieces of music that would have been suitable (Nimrod & Barber's Adagio for sombre, for example), and for a left-field longer piece, I think that this, with no applause, would be stunning, and entirely appropriate for reflection (it's a longish listen, but just let it unfold over you...)

Ah yes. If I recall correctly Barber’s Adagio was played for the 9/11 performance? When I get some quiet time I will stick my headphones on and listen to the Sibelius piece. 😊

briantrumpet

rick_chasey said:

briantrumpet said:

There are so many other shortish pieces of music that would have been suitable (Nimrod & Barber's Adagio for sombre, for example), and for a left-field longer piece, I think that this, with no applause, would be stunning, and entirely appropriate for reflection (it's a longish listen, but just let it unfold over you...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEDrO35p7Hs

I always thought a new piece is written for each funeral of a monarch - surely they could rattle through those?

Hmm, no idea about that. Possibly. There's been some cracking music written for coronations.

Two other ideas...

Firstly, some other haunting Elgar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ5-jyoBX2I

And then some music that celebrated Lizzy's coronation, harking back to Lizzy 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mguuwtp9WoY

rick_chasey

For example this banger (which Kubrick fans will know):

https://youtu.be/AYELAu9hqdU

briantrumpet

rick_chasey said:

For example this banger (which Kubrick fans will know):

https://youtu.be/AYELAu9hqdU

D'oh, silly me, I've even played that. Though I think it would be more stunning at the funeral itself.

rick_chasey

For sure. That whole 10 mins is outstanding.

I love choral music as long as it’s not chirpy.

briantrumpet

rick_chasey said:

For sure. That whole 10 mins is outstanding.

I love choral music as long as it’s not chirpy.

Purcell's harmonies in the Funeral Sentences are exquisite... he used spiky dissonance like no-one else. I was a bit obssessed by them when I was at university. They were played at his own funeral about a year after he wrote them for Queen Mary.

DeVlaeminck

rick_chasey said:

For example this banger (which Kubrick fans will know):

https://youtu.be/AYELAu9hqdU

A Clockwork Orange ?

(Genuine question it's a while since I've watched it)

katani

ugo.santalucia said:

blazing_saddles said:

ugo.santalucia said:

blazing_saddles said:

ugo.santalucia said:

Pross said:

Jezyboy said:

Pross said:

I don't think we are unique as a country in postponing events for a few days when the country's head of state dies. I doubt the NFL would be going ahead this weekend (not sure if the season has started but you get my point) had Biden died yesterday and if Macron died in the middle of July I suspect the Tour would at least have a few stages cancelled.

I think the professional sports is understandable for the first weekend. The grassroots less so, for me at least.

The biggest problem area for me is the events that fall into neither category e.g. the Great North Run and Ironman Wales where it is mainly amateurs but they have already spent a fortune on entries and probably travel / accommodation. The organisers will have also spent large sums so if they then have to issue a refund it could break them. Add in the loss of revenue for a town like Tenby. The impact of the local kids football team having to postpone a fixture is relatively minor, they'll get to play it later in the season and there won't be much financial loss (they'll have several fixtures postponed through the season due to weather or lack of officials no doubt).

Maybe no apparent financial loss, but the alternative might be videogames and McDonalds for some... others might be forced to splash money in other forms of entertainment... I am not saying they should, but many will...
To nobody's benefit, really... it's not that Charles the Third gives a monkey about that

Ugo, I am sure that if they knew how incensed you are by the possibility of having your plans upset, they would have shoved her in a cardboard box and buried her at the bottom of the garden, next to the corgis.

My dad passed in 2019... as I said, I was allowed 7 statutory days by my employer to fly to Italy for the funeral and spend a bit of time with my mum... we all got on with it and so should the Windsors... I don't know why we have to get involved in this compulsory mourning.
And yes, if I have to change any plan, I'd be mighty pissed off...

That's not a lot of time, granted.

I'm far removed from being a royalist, but with your experience in mind, surely you can appreciate the logistical nightmare of gathering leaders, dignitaries and celebrities from all over the world in one place and providing them with the expected level of security?
No doubt individuals will have their own demands and requirements.
10 days doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room.

As far as I am concerned, they could take 3 months to organise the funeral... I am not sure why the nation has to be in mourning...
To quote a former prime minister "you mourn if you want to, I'm not one for mourning " personally, I had no dealings with the queen... she was a decent human being, giving her status, but I never met her... I have no feelings either way... just like many other people who are not Royal memorabilia collectors

I don't suppose you know when and where this photograph was taken, who is in it and what was happening then. Her majesty the queen's eyelid didn't even bat once. Not a decent human being at all.

DeVlaeminck

It's Kenya.

Do we blame the Queen for the actions of the British govt and colonialists?

rick_chasey

How much agency are her critics giving the queen?

I’m all for an honest appraisal of British history in the last 70 years but let’s not pretend she played a material part in any of it beyond being roommeat

tailwindhome

...

ddraver

Song for Athene is rather good. Sung that at a few funerals. Certainly has an affect...

https://youtu.be/2ma_Ouv74_8

(Well, I say sung...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........)

briantrumpet

ddraver said:

Song for Athene is rather good. Sung that at a few funerals. Certainly has an affect...

https://youtu.be/2ma_Ouv74_8

(Well, I say sung...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........)

An amazing piece - needs a good resonant church acoustic to really work.

rjsterry

rick_chasey said:

How much agency are her critics giving the queen?

I’m all for an honest appraisal of British history in the last 70 years but let’s not pretend she played a material part in any of it beyond being roommeat

Agree she's not been making the political decisions but I think it's incorrect to say that she has not played a material part. I don't think we'd have seen the international response to her death that we have if that were the case.

surrey_commuter

rick_chasey said:

How much agency are her critics giving the queen?

I’m all for an honest appraisal of British history in the last 70 years but let’s not pretend she played a material part in any of it beyond being roommeat

Do you not read the news? She is the glue that held our nation together for the last 70 years.

Like a NED she has to take responsibility for things that were done in her name.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

It's like watching a bike race with just the support cars and no bikes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-62866826

secretsqirrel

N0bodyOfTheGoat said:

It's like watching a bike race with just the support cars and no bikes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-62866826

I thought the same thing. Family got the telly on in the background, if I wasn’t busy doing stuff I would probably find it quite relaxing watching the Scottish countyside go by with inane babbling commentary in the background.

So long as Carlton doesn’t take over when they get to Edinburgh 😄

DeVlaeminck

https://twitter.com/NoContextBrits/status/1568215065874124800?t=0sKZv5MBZ4FYoj4d0k091Q&s=19

orraloon

secretsqirrel said:

So long as Carlton doesn’t take over when they get to Edinburgh 😄

Road furniture! Roundabouts! Sketchy! Gnarly! For goodness sake!

kingstongraham

"Or as I like to call him, the Prince of Wheels, hehe"

Pross

Suspect Si Clarke is favourite to cross the line first in Edinburgh.

They could have kept the ToB going and merged the two. Nice little tour around the Isle if Wight, split the costs in the difficult financial times

laurentian

Going back to the FA decision to cancel all the footy, we played rugby on Saturday following guidance from the RFU (basically observe a silence . . . we also had black armbands).

After the match standing outside the clubhouse having a pint in the sunshine with one of the younger lads I play with (they're all younger lads to me!) whose mate had turned up to watch. I commented to the mate that he was a big lad and could perhaps play rugby. He said he was a footballer and had come to watch his mate play for us as his game was cancelled. He said that he had watched us line up and observe the minute's silence and felt that he had "missed out" in marking the death of the queen because his football match had been cancelled. A stange case of not being able to show respect due to somebody deciding to show respect on your behalf . . .

(I know he could have done this in a different way if he had wanted to)