darlene

Dave Smalley and Kim live in Arizona. That's half the 'Berries.

PS - James, how could I possibly forget Samuel Barber (20th century)-- Adagio for Strings and his gorgeous violin concerto. Also, I adore his Overture to The School For Scandal. I adore playing that!

Hi James! You have the most gorgeous journey ahead of you as you choose to enter the world of classical music. Classical music makes us all smarter! Susie pretty much covered everything you need to know about classical music! Beautiful job, Suse! I think her suggestion to listen to Dennis Lewin's programs is spectacular! Listening to Dennis' programs are about the best thing you can do to immerse yourself in classical music because Dennis not only covers the composers, but also the artists who perform the music, and this man knows whereof he speaks! He's a master teacher as well as a virtuoso artist. Eric's favorite, Rachmaninoff, is the PERFECT place to start, because you are already familiar with his music, having loved Eric's "All By Myself." Rach's music is representative of the "Romantic Period," (18-25 - 1900) although he bridges Romantic and 20th Century music, having lived 1873-1943. His music, as you already know, is absolutely gorgeous. Listen to his piano concerto #2 and his symphonies. You'll recognize some of the intricate harmonies instantly! The musical periods you want to first learn about begin at 1600-1750 (Baroque period), which covers, as all the musical periods do and as Susie said, many important geographic areas, most notably Germany (Bach, Handel), France (Lully, Rameau), England (Henry Purcell) and Italy, my favorite, being a string player (Arcangelo Corelli, my fave, Albinoni, Torelli, and all the guys whose last names sound like Italian pasta dishes). The Italian Baroque was "the Golden Age of Strings," because the Cremonese violinmakers Amati and Stradivari made the most gorgeous instruments this side of Heaven. The Torelli trumpet concerto in D Major is one of my favorite pieces, too, and if you like the trumpet, you will adore it. I'm sure Wynton Marsalis must have a recording of it out there somewhere. I adore the Bach Brandenburg Concertos too (there are six--each one gorgeous) and they are for "chamber orchestra," a smaller orchestra intended then to perform in an intimate setting for the kings of Europe. After Baroque, the Classical period is 1750-1825, and features a host of composers from every country, but again Germany brought us Haydn and his pupil, Mozart (the genius!). Haydn wrote 104 symphonies (my favorite of all to play and hear is #104, "The London"--you'll love it!). Mozart took what he learned from Haydn and refined it with unparalleled genius. I read in the Bible that when we quit the earth, our spirit (in Hebrew, "ruahh") goes back to God, and he instills ruahh into newborns from his "pool." I've always thought after reading this that our Eric received some of Mozart's AND Rachmaninoff's ruahh. I've not known a musician with the genius of Mozart besides Eric. And he's so inspired by Rachmaninoff I don't think my idea is a stretch at all. Classical music is very light and transparent in texture, compared to the other periods, even Baroque. Whereas staccato (short) notes on string instruments in the Baroque period are played on the string (the bow stays into the string) and played actually INTO the string with pressure (heavy), the Classical staccato notes on string instruments are bounced lightly OFF the string (spiccato bow stroke), giving the music a much lighter, sprightlier texture. So any violinist playing the Mozart or Haydn concertos (or their pieces) has to play absolutely pristinely CLEAN, (perfectly in tune and NO mistakes at all!), because EVERY NOTE CAN BE HEARD, DUE TO THE LIGHT TEXTURE OF THE MUSIC. My favorite Haydn Violin Concerto is his C Major and his C Major cello concerto too. My favorite Mozart Violin concerto is the A Major (#5). Other Classical composers are Carl Stamitz (Germany) and Boccherini (Italy). Beethoven bridged the Classical period with the Romantic period. he was a real rebel, experimenting in ways no one had done before. Many people considered his music to be radical. Although heavier in texture than the music of Haydn, Mozart and the other Classicists Beethoven's music retains the classical structure and his experimentation was mostly harmonic. Of all his symphonies, I love his Pastoral (#6) the best. #9 is monumental, but as a first violinist, I find that my part goes on forever and never stops. As one of my friends once said, "It's a beast," if you're in first violin. Louis (or Ludwig, he's sometimes called) Spohr String Quartets are delightful, Rossini's Overtures (La Gazza Ladra--The Thieving Magpie; The Barber of Seville, to name two) are great. Carl Maria Von Weber (Der Freischutz) and Franz Schubert's symphonies (#5, which I adore, and the Great C Major as well as His #6 (Unfinished). I also adore his Overture to Rosamunde (sometimes called The Magic Harp). The opera was a dismal failure as far as popularity, but the Overture remains to this day. I love playing it and hearing it. The Romantic composers besides Rachmaninoff, are Robert Schumann (His piano quintet Opus 44--I adore playing it), his symphonies (Spring and Rhenish). I adore his Symphony #2, also fun to play. Of course, Brahms is monumental. His symphonies are amazing. His 1st Symphony has that beautiful and powerful "Dies Irae" moment and I adore playing his Symphony #2 in D Major and his Symphony #4 in e minor. Chopin piano music is exquisite. Dennis Lewin plays Chopin so beautifully. Franz Liszt (Les Preludes), his rhapsodies. Felix Mendelssohn (Symphony #4, "Italian,") and his gorgeous Violin Concerto in E minor. Max Bruch, (Scottish Fantasy for Violin--makes me cry every time I hear it--you can smell the heather in Scotland!) and his gorgeous g minor violin concerto, but his d minor violin concerto is even more beautiful--very reminiscent of the Scottish Fantasy. Giuseppe Verdi opera is a MUST to listen to and will give you the added dimension of how the Romantic period shaped vocal music. Also Puccini! Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in a minor. If you can get your hands on a recording of it by Oscar Levant, you'll have the best performance of it ever made. Oscar is my favorite pianist of all time. Mahler, Bruckner and Wagner are heavier, but you'll really "get" Romanticism in music if you listen to them. Tchaikovsky's symphonies (#6, The Pathetique), Frederick Delius (England) "Walk to the Paradise Garden" from "A Village Romeo and Juliet" is GORGEOUS. Antonin Dvorak (Symphony "From the New World"). Love it! Rimsky-Korsakov "Sheherazade," VERY Romantic in every way. Very "epic," which is what Romanticism is all about in music, as in literature. Jan Sibelius, Finland, "Finlandia" and his symphonies. I love Carl Nielsen's works too (The Four Temperaments and his symphonies, and Little Symphony for Strings). Also, Ralph Vaughan-Williams (Fantasy on a Theme of Thomas Tallis). Sir Edward Elgar (England) wrote some romantic marches (Orb and Scepter, Pomp and Circumstance) and gorgeous orchestra works. Hector Villa-Lobos' Bacheanus Brazilieras (especially #5, find a recording by Marni Nixon, who is the mother of Andrew Gold (Eric Carmen's friend and collaborator). Marni Nixon was THE premier vocalist--she sang for all the major stars and was an AMAZING vocalist in her own right. Claude Debussy (La Mer, and his beautiful gossamer piano piece, Claire de Lune), bridges Romantic and 20th Century periods too. You already know Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story. 20th Century Classical Music--there you go! Aaron Copland, who taught Bernstein. His Appalachian Spring, "Rodeo," just beautiful music. George Gershwin (find Oscar Levant's recordings) of Rhapsody in Blue, Concerto in F. His Porgy and Bess (opera) is gorgeous. Benjamin Britten (England).. Paul Hindemith (Symphonic Metamorphosen, Mathis de Mahler), Bela Bartok (Hungary), Howard Hanson (Song of Democracy), Igor Stravinsky (The Firebird) and Prokofiev (Violin concerto in g minor--just gorgeous). You've probably already heard Peter and the Wolf. Zoltan Kodaly (Hungary), his Hary Janos Suite. That's a start! Susie really went into detail. Go on Facebook and find Dennis Lewin's cds for sale. He is a gifted virtuoso pianist and you will just love his recordings. I have his cd and nobody plays Debussy's Claire de Lune like Dennis. Welcome to the world of classical, James! You're just gonna love it here! Have fun! Love, Dar

This is funny. And it's GREAT that you guys are here! I didn't know we were back!

i just came upon this post, LC. What a gorgeous recording! Thank you so much for sharing! LOVE it! --Dar

I just saw this and am so saddened to hear. He was such a great member here and a great friend. Rest well, dear friend Kholvn. We will never forget you. With love, Dar

When my school system was encouraging teachers to learn how to do all their routine tasks on the computer and introducing computer software for grades and grade books, I resisted. My husband decided it was time to connect to the internet, but I didn't want any part of it. In an effort to convince me, he carted me off to the public library and began a demonstration. I wasn't one bit enthusiastic. In desperation, he typed "Eric Carmen" in the search bar and UP popped "Raspbernie"'s website, EricCarmen.com. All these years, adoring Raspberries and Eric music in isolation, I had no idea there was a whole website dedicated to it. Several hours later, I was still happily entranced at the computer, and when Herman said "Let's go home," my reply was "How quickly can we get connected to the internet?" I was a brand new member of EC.com in short order, and in rock and roll Heaven! I still thought "Raspbernie" was some guy probably out in California and was absolutely bowled over when standing in line to see Eric's first performance onstage after 16 years, to meet Bernie and Ken Sharp in line in New Brunswick and find out that "Raspbernie" had only lived a few miles from me all this time. Having harbored and dream and absolute belief that Raspberries would reunite, even when everyone laughed at me and said "Yeah, right!" , I watched in amazement as the membership and events on this website grew and it evolved and became the engine by which "the dream" became reality. Late night chats with Eric and Jim and so many EC.com friends were amazing events. Becoming connected to those who knew and recognized the "magic" of the music was an honor and a privilege, not to mention becoming friends with Bernie and truly getting to know Eric and the guys, and finally being able to TELL them how much their music meant to us all these years and THANK them for being the sountrack of our lives. This labor of love is unique--there will never be another like it--and I thank "Raspbernie" from the bottom of my heart for helping us all live the dream. The community forum may fade, but the music that bound us all together will remain forever, and the experiences and love shared here will remain forever inscribed in our hearts. As our beautiful Susie Bouvier said, "If the reunion can happen, then Hall of Fame will too," and she's right. She suggested a "homecoming" of our members and friends before the forum fades into history. I think that would be a fitting tribute to this labor of love. Thank you, "Raspbernie," for this magnificent gift. Because of you, we are no longer islands, but will be connected forever. With much love, Dar

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIC! Wishing you a birthday and year as joyful and exciting as your music has made us feel. Thanks for all the music, love and friendship which has made our lives oh so much richer for knowing you. All the best of love, success and happiness to you, my very special friend! --Love, Dar

Way to go, Susie!!!! BEAUTIFUL cake for our star! I posted on Kirk's thread but wanted to post also on Susie's: HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIC !!! Your music has inspired some of the very best moments of my life and has been there for me through everything. It's been my "sunlight on the other side of the clouds" and my abject and complete rejouissance in ecstatic moments. Through your music, you've always been there for me, so I wish all of YOUR dreams and wishes come true today and forever... with the deepest gratitude and love. <3 (sideways heart) --Dar

Bernie, I asked a question about the cd set. I will preorder that and I know the vinyl set coming out in November will have 2 additional songs on it, but my question is: What is the DOWNLOAD Amazon says the vinyl set will have that the cd set doesn't? And what form will it take? Amazon did not explain. I asked the question in what I thought was this thread, but, silly me, it seems to have ended up somewhere else, and I'm not sure where!

Bernie, just one question. There's the 2 cd set coming out August 18 and the 3 record vinyl set coming out November 24. I know the 2 additional songs on the vinyl set, BUT it says the vinyl set "comes with a download." It comes with a download of WHAT? And what form will that take? It wasn't clear at all what Amazon meant by that. Can you clear it up? Thanks!

After all, I still wear my mustard seed necklaces!

Hey Bern! I WILL! And I am well. And don't forget to bring Larry Bogush, (if he's not working today. haha) Ah, for those days! But somebody said "the more things change the more they stay the same...." so I always hold out hope for a time warp! After all, we got one after 32 years, once, didn't we?! Love to you! :)--D

Facebook and Twitter may be "the 'in' thing of the moment" but the real "heart" of EC and Raspberries fandom is right here, having started with the impossible dream of one man--"Raspbernie"-- to bring Raspberries back together. And he DID that! No Facebook or Twitter facsimile can ever claim that amazing feat. And those were indeed "Glory Days"! And they'll never go away for me, because I've locked them securely right here in my heart. But things don't last forever--not even PEOPLE last forever. So "life," (albeit not as GOOD) goes on, whenever we have to face the loss of people or things or even "change." All that said, THIS PLACE will never lose its magic for me. So... while I sent you a message on FB (and I don't know how to use Twitter and am not interested in even trying...) HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIC!!!! Wishing you love, joy, success, peace and all your birthday dreams come true (because "dreams are forever and some things you never forget." Some fabulous musical genius once wrote that and it's been my signature line ever since! ) And thank you for being the soundtrack of my life and validating Bernie's labor of love and all of our dreams by bringing the magic back, that "one brief moment that was our Camelot," in 2004. We will ALWAYS love you and love that music that is no other definition but MAGIC. With love, Dar

Thank you for sharing, Kateriina, and a hundred welcomes to you! Your post is very heartfelt and appreciated. So much evil in this world--and it's seemingly inexplicable. This beautiful video needs to be seen the world over. I love and appreciate the music of Arvo Part. This boy has a gorgeous voice and a great talent. Thank you so very much for sharing. The beauty of the music and the message surely will open many hearts, and I hope, many eyes. Darlene

Thanks, Matt! I LOVED Bill Bixby, and I always will. Will watch for this! -- Dar

PS -- HERMAN SAYS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO! -- Dar

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DIANED! I just e-mailed Diane a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, but was going to start a thread for her here. THANKS A MILLION, TIM, for doing it! Diane, I wish you the HAPPIEST birthday in the world, and may every one of your birthday dreams come true, because you are indeed the SWEETEST lady and the very truest friend anyone could ever be lucky enough to have. Diane, we are all so much richer for having you for a friend. Love you to pieces and hope this year gives you a beautiful new home, continued great health and all of your wishes come true! Love, Dar

Completely agree!

So sad, pretender. So sorry for his loss. Indeed he was a class act and a great man. He will always be remembered. RIP Ernie. --Dar

These are really great posts! Society isn't evolving for the better, and the NFL is a true mirror of what's going on in the world at large. Considering that Bill Clinton openly admitted using drugs and the current president went through college in a drug-induced haze, and we're talking about hard-core cocaine here, not just pot, alleged past drug use is not any reason at all to deny Rush Limbaugh ownership of an NFL team. That just doesn't wash. What would they be afraid of--that he would convince the players to use drugs?! How ridiculous, considering the behavior of the players in general. No, it doesn't wash. They denied him because he is a Conservative. He's a squeaky-clean Mormon. That may be a reason, also. It's more than just individual or even collective behavior that really rots here, it's the "mentality" of the entire NFL. And this New England Patriots cheating scandal is just the latest debacle. We didn't even watch the superbowl. We had no interest, as my husband says, "in watching cheaters who shouldn't even be there to play in the big game." That they were allowed to play and not disqualified is a symptom of the NFL's lack of morality. I was sad that the Seahawks lost. So was Herman. At least they BELONGED there. The Patriots didn't. The NFL is just one more place where boorish, crass and violent behavior is rewarded and honesty is scoffed, even laughed, at. A boycott is a great idea. --Dar

It's amazing to me that the one guy who never wrote love songs wrote one of the most heart-rending, "you broke my heart" songs ever-- Robbie Robertson of "The Band." Robertson could have chosen from several of the guys to sing this but I think choosing Rick Danko was the best thing he could ever have done. Rick just wails it out so expressively and their vocal duet (Danko and Robertson) is just perfect. Not to mention Garth Hudson's absolutely heartfelt sax solo. No wonder Bob Dylan loved this band! I ADORE this song and posted it on facebook. Anyone else love it as much as I do? Enjoy! --Love, Dar

I LOVE this, Matt! Thanks for posting it, Ira! I ADORE "Sharing the Night Together" and just loved Dr. Hook always. I thought they were a great band! You're right--if you don't like their songs, you're not alive! --Love, Dar

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY ELLEN! Wishing you every blessing on your special day. Larisa's birthday post is a beautiful and loving tribute. Such a pretty girl you are! Sending love and good wishes today and throughout the year! --Love, Dar