Zürich - Niederdorf

June 16, 2009 8:02 AM | Related Categories: Music,Cafes

Nothing like a nice cup of tea, reading the morning paper.

Apologies for disappointing all the music fans on Sunday. Normal service will be resumed next week.. but what the hell, doesn't really go with the photo, but I already uploaded a piece specially for Peter, so here it is. I should stress that the dedication is based on the combination of Swedish text by a Swedish (thanks, Peter) Finnish poet, set by a Finnish composer, sung by a Norwegian soprano and has nothing to do with the lyrics.....

Den Forsta Kyssen

A famous voice from an old recording. Kirsten Flagstad was maybe past her best when it was recorded, and this sort of voice is rather unfashionable today, but there is no denying the glorious sweep in the climaxes of this short Runeberg setting by Sibelius. One can understand why she was such a renowned Brünnhilde.

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Sincere thanks Richard for this special attention! Just a small remark perhaps: Runeberg was also Finnish although belonging to the Swedish minority and writing in Swedish. So, he's considered as a leading Swedish language author, but as a national Finnish poet, also responsible for the lyrics of the Finnish national anthem (with music written by a German immigrant). I believe that many Finns would like to make Sibelius' Finlandia to their national anthem which may be understandable.
# Posted By Peter | 6/16/09 12:52 PM
Peter - Swedish/Finnish - now you're just splitting hairs..... ;-)
# Posted By richard | 6/16/09 1:04 PM
LOL Peter and Richard!

I can see that opposite the cafe is a Bodega Espanola... somehow I can't imagine Zuricheers, Zurichians, Zurich... (how do you call the people living in Zurich ???) having tapas and drinks and waiting till 10 pm before having dinner.
# Posted By nathalie | 6/16/09 3:37 PM
Hi Nathalie. Zürcher(en)/Zürcherin(nen) - and that is not just 'a' Bodega Espagnola, it is THE Bodega Espagnola, and a great place it is too
# Posted By richard | 6/16/09 8:47 PM
Ok, so you see that shoe in the bottom right of the photo - I so feel like that could have been my foot ! I was sitting in that very spot, today, sipping my cassis sirop. Only, it was a few hours after you posted this article... Oh well, that would have been funny!

And yes, I can second that notion - that THE Botega Espagnola is an awesome place, that I think even Zürcheren would stay up for ! ;)
# Posted By Kerrin @ MyKugelhopf | 6/17/09 12:34 AM
This looks a great place, love the photograph. That slope going down must be pretty dangerous in winter with snow and ice?

Now I know nuffin' about opera - so can add nothing to the discussion - but I loved the recording.
# Posted By Jilly | 6/17/09 2:06 PM
Some stunning photos here - really beautiful blog. B&W photos... it's been a long time...
# Posted By Wolynski | 6/19/09 5:33 AM
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