"Endless Forms Most Beautiful"

My current favorite song is Endless Forms Most Beautiful by Nightiwish. I love it because there is an awe of nature on planet Earth that I relate to. I think about this song when ever I go hiking. The line "every endless form most beautiful" has become a theme song to me. It means for me to never take what I see for granted. How amazed I am with what I see in nature. Here are some of my favorite pictures that I have taken of nature along with some of my favorite lines from the song. 

Photo taken by me

We are a special speck of dust

A fleeting moment on an ark

A celebration, a resthaven

Of life

photo taken by me

Lay on a field of green
With Mother Eve
With Father Pine reaching high
Look at yourself in the eyes of aye-aye
Unfolding rendezvous

photo taken by me 

Deep into the past
Follow the aeon path
Greet a blade of grass
Every endless form most beautiful

photo taken by me

Alive, aware, in awe
Before the grandeur of it all
Our floating pale blue ark
Of endless forms most beautiful

Writing Music

I have started writing lyrics lately and then writing music for them. I am extremely proud of what I have done so far. They are not very good but still as first tries go. I think they are quite good. It has been relaxing for me and I have been enjoying myself while doing it.
I wish I could record them. That would be fun, but sadly I do not have the equipment to experiment with that maybe someday I can.
I have also checked out like 10 0r 11 books I would have to go count them. Three of them are audio books. I am really excited about getting back to reading. I have really missed it in college. I was reading but it was not the fun recreational reading. I have a goal for how many books I want to read this summer before school starts.
I will also be doing some camping this summer which is going to be awesome.
Hopefully I will be inspired soon to write some more interesting content for my blog. For now though I do not have much to tell you.
Love!
~Elizabeth Hamre

Finished First Year!

 

To day I took my last final for school and turned in my last project. This has been an awesome year and I feel like I have grown up so much in the past year. So much has happened and so many awesome people that I have met! It has been an amazing time. I have learned so much.

I love music theory it has probably been my favorite class. I now feel like I really know how to compose music and I understand how it works better. I hope to compose over this summer.

I am planning on writing a bunch of blog posts and reading tons of books. I have lots of practice goals too.

Love!

~Elizabeth

Music Major

Hey Everyone! I am super excited to tell you that I got into the music program and am now officially declared a Bachelor of Music in piano performance!
I also recently got to perform for the first time in college. It was a short piece called Etude in E-Major by Heller. It was really exciting to get to play. I was also nervous but it went really well and I did not forget how to play it. It was really wonderful to play the piano that is used for performances. It has to be one of the most wonderful feeling pianos in that I have ever had the pleasure to play!
PE is over and I am way less stressed now! I will not me missing that class. I am looking forward to registering for class in the fall.
Music theory has been wonderful and amazing to do. I love to understand music, and now I can talk about music with much more depth.
Overall things are amazing right now and I hope you all are having an amazing time. Thank you all for still following me despite my inconsistent posting.
Lots of Love!
~Elizabeth

Doctor Who Tag Question 3

Day 3 - Favorite theme songs

My absolute favorite is The Doctor's theme from seasons 1 and 2. It changes a little in the next few seasons with Ten. I love how mysterious is sounds. I think it fits with the mystery of time. 

My next favorites would have to be the opening and ending credits themes. 

This one is from season 5, I prefer the ones from the earlier seasons though. 

This is the one that I really like!

I really enjoy I Am The Doctor as well. There is this building excitement of it in the beginning that is repeated but just makes me simile. There is just something about it. 

Those are my favorite Doctor Who sound tracks. I am not particularly familiar with all of the tracks though I have notices that I have never been displeased with any of the music that I have heard. 

Blessings

~Elizabeth 

Christmas Eve

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel 

That mourns in lonely exile here 

Until the Son of God appeared

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee o Israel. 

O come, O come, thou rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell they people save 

And give the victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee o Israel.

Day 28 — Your favorite Orthodox radio station/internet radio station

As I live in America there are no stations on the radio that play orthodox music sadly. :(

However with this age of the internet we do have access to radios on the internet. My favorite is Ancient Faith Radio. I enjoy many of the podcasts, and my whole family loves the music. :)

Day 11 — Your favorite chant

This is my favorite song/chant. It is soothing, and calming. I enjoy the melody, and I love to sing it.

A Dream Come True

So today was huge for me. I was for me literally a dream come true. That is the only way that I can describe it. I didn't wear a pretty dress. I didn't met a dashing prince(though that would not be to bad). I didn't win some amazing prize, or get a great award. I taught my first piano lesson. I taught. I was not the one on the bench. I was on the chair. I was not the one being told how to play. I was the one doing the telling. I was the one teaching.

This is my dream come true at it is what I have always wanted to do. I have been wanting to do this since I was twelve. Now, finally, at seventeen I am able to start. It felt so beyond what I could grasp. That I would never be ready for it. It was only in the past year that I decided I was finally read to teach beginners. And now I have two students. Both boys. One is seven and the other is five.

I know the family really well, and they are close to our church so I just had to walk to their house after choir practice. I am really looking forward to seeing them grow and play more advanced songs. I know they are enthusiastic about too.

I feel so happy at the moment. Now all I need to worry about is trying to get into a college music program. Oh the joys of Senior year. :)

Blessings
~Elizabeth
PS. Today was one of the best days of my life! :)

The Effect of Words

"It was enchanting to meet you" or "call me maybe."? which would you want someone to say to you? These are such different things to say. Each conveying different ideas and images.

So I know I set up a blog(D-Major D-minor) to talk about music on, but I am using Taylor Swifts song as a demonstration of what I want to talk about on this blog. What I want to talk about is how what words you use can greatly effect what people think of. Words are dangerous, and powerful tools.

Just look at the difference between the two examples of telling someone you were glad to see them. I really, really, REALLY don't care for the second, but the first makes me think of Jane Austen, the Victorian time, and fairy tales. It just has a much better image for me. Taylor Swift is a talented writer she knows how to use words, I will give her that. Part of the reason I think she is so popular is that she knows how to write a good song( I will take a moment to admit that I am a kind of Taylor Swift fan). Some of her stuff is cheesy, but happy.

Words are something that I really like to pick apart and look at what they can really convey to the reader, or listener. They are extremely important, and something that everyone should learn how to use, and use well. I enjoy writing and often feel like I am not sure of what words to use to best convey my point. I hope that I will get better with time and practice.

This was something that struck me while listening to this song, and I felt it went with what I tend to write about on this blog.



Blessings
~Elizabeth
PS. I found out that Taylor wrote this song for Adam Young, the singer for Owl City. Fun fact for the day. :)

A New Blog

Music is a huge part of me. I love it! It is like my air. It is my career choice.

That being so. It is something that I want to talk about music a lot. If I posted half the music that I wanted to post here it would completely dominate this blog. This blog is not a music blog, it is a place for me to be me, and post about what I want to. I have posted some music, however I need a bigger outlet to release all the music I want to talk about, be it classical, modern, religious, folk, Celtic, or anything else. Enter D-Major D-minor. My musical outlet. I am pretty excited about it actually. :)

I hope you go over and check it out!
Blessings
~Elizabeth

Funeral March

I really really REALLY want to learn how to play the Funeral March by Chopin. I have fallen in love with its sad, mournful, and powerful sound. It is such a very moving song.

I found on youtube a recording of Rakhmoninov playing the Funeral March. It is very interesting. It was a little to fast for my taste, but still very cool!



 Blessings
 ~Elizabeth

Searching for Lambs

 So pretty!!!!I wish very very badly that she would record this for a CD! it is so lovely and sweet. The sound of it and her voice are perfect for the simple song. There are also some images that it brings to me. Like how the Church cares for the flock, and the Church is the bride of Christ. Those are some things it made me think of.

 I love Loreena Mckennitt!!!! <3 <3 <3
Blessings
~Elizabeth

My latest obsession

So if you know me, I go through these little obsessions. They vary and are of a lot of different things, like crafts, movies, TV shows, books, historical characters or time periods, completely fictional characters, and music. So my latest music obsession is Boyce Avenue.

I sort of knew they existed, but had not looked to closely. Now I wish I had. I have fallen in love with their covers of songs I liked, and songs I didn't really like(but that I now like their covers of). How did I not know about them sooner?

Anyway the above one is is one of my favorites, it is the one that got me started. I liked Katy Perry's original, but there were parts I didn't like. This one is sweeter, and it has the piano. Which I completely feel in love with. :)

That is all for now.
Blessings
~Elizabeth

Mo Ghile Mear & A Riogain Uasail

So on an exploration of an artist I just found, Julia Fowlis, I heard a song that with a tune that sounded extreamly familiar. So after making my sisters listen to it we figured out what it was. The tune was exactly the same as that in Mo Ghile Mear. It inspired me to do a little research. so far. I have found very little on the second song, but what I did find out for sure was that they were by the same author Sean Clarach Mac Domhnaill. He wrote Mo Ghle Mear  and several years latter wrote A Riogain Uasail as a response to the first song. That is all I could figure out for sure. I was not able to figure out what the second song was about but here are the two for you to listen to side by side.


 
I adore Oral, and I like her version a lot better than Celtic Woman's version. I love the Irish bag pipes that I am hearing. I am pretty sure they are Irish bag pipes, they don't quite sound like the Scottish ones.






I really really like this song. It is so pretty, sad, and soothing. I have fallen in love with it! :)

Blessings
~Elizabeth

Safe and Sound

 Listen to this song! Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars. Sorry I can't post the video in here. YouTube kept saying it could not be played on this cite. The link will take you to it though.

I really love this amazing song. I fell in love with it even before I read the books, but know that I have I like it even more! There is no one person in the books that it works for and it is so true for anyone. It could work for every one and anyone. Rue, Katniss, Peeta, Prim, anyone from district 12, or just any one from anywhere! I think that is what I like most about it, and the simplicity of it, the soft melody with mostly the guitar as the main instrument. I love the music video too. There are quite a few references too the book that I caught in the video. Hopefully the commercial will not be bothersome.

May the odd ever be in your favor!
~Elizabeth

CD Review: The Wind that Shakes the Barley

CD: The Wind that Shakes The Barley
Artist: Loreena McKennitt
Released: 2010
As most of my followers know by now I am an ardent fan of Loreena McKennitt. :) She is by far my favorite artist I did do a very long fan post over here with a lot of information about her in it.

In the Wind that Shakes the Barley Loreena goes back to her roots. It reaches back to much a similar style to that of Elemental and Parallel Dream.

Songs: 
As I roved Out: This song can get very easily stuck in your head. It is a bouncy happy song, with a story to it. It is a  a little difficult to understand what she is saying too. I would look for the lyrics. The story is one that is um... quite interesting, I would take away a moral from it. Otherwise a very enjoyable song.
On a Bright May Morning: This is one of my favorites. It is sad song and one with a story to learn from. It is a sad romantic tale. The last stanza is my favorite. One interesting thing though is that some other artist called this song as I roved out, but all the other artist who have songs titled as I roved out have the story that is like the one above. Strange?
Brian Boru's March: This is one of my favorite instrumental songs. It makes me think of fall, I love the happy melody and the variety of instruments used. It is a lovely arrangement of the song.
Down By the Sally Gardens: Just to say I think this song is way over done. I almost seems that if you are going to be in the Celtic Genre you have to do this song. There are so many versions. I like it is just that is is every where. I like it and it is a lovely version. The story and the moral is also a good one too. (I have linked to a live version for this song. I think it is wonderful live, and Loreena always sounds better live :)
The Star of the County Down: This is such a fun bouncy song, and I enjoy is very much! It is my happy song. I love the instruments used in it as well. I also love the story the song tells.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley: I love this song. The cello is amazing! The words are so lovely, the poeticness of the lyrics is one the best parts. Loreena's voice is perfect for the song. It is a definite favorite! (sorry I cannot find a link to listen to the song :( )
The Death of Queen Jane: I think this is my least favorite. I don't know why, you would think I would like it since I believe it is about Jane Seymour, who married Henry VIII. It is Tudor, and I love to read about the Tudors. It is sad, and the music is lovely, and Loreena has done a marvelous job with it!
The Emigration Tunes: Loreena wrote this song. It is a mournful sounding song. I enjoy the instruments used. I would not that it is an instrumental song.
The Parting Glass: I love this song! The sad melody, the strings, the words, her soft voice. It is beautiful! I think is is my most favorite song, tied with The Wind that Shakes the Barley,on the whole album. I like this version better than other versions I have heard since the sad sound fits more with the mood, rather than some of the happier versions I have heard.

Overall I love this album. It has wonderful, beautiful, lovely music that ranges from happy to sad. I would recommend this to anyone who is into Irish/Celtic music. Loreena McKennitt  is a must have for your music collection.
Blessings
~Elizabeth

Christ is Risen!!

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling down death by death

And upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

Here is the song in Greek, it is one of my favorite versions! It was a wonderful day with sunshine. :) 

Christ is risen!!!!
~Elizabeth

Fear no more

This song makes me want to cry. So peaceful, sweet and sad. I would love to listen to this while I am falling asleep.

Fear no more the heat o' the sun

Nor the furious winter rages;

Thou they worldly task is done,

Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages.

Golden lads and girls all must,

As chimney-sweeps, come to dust.

The septre, learning, physic, must

All follow this and come to dust. 

Fear no more the frown o' th'  great;

Thou are past the tyrant's stroke.

Care no more to cloth and eat; 

To three the reed is as the oak.

The septre, learning, physic, must. 

All follow this and come to dust. 

All lovers young, all lovers must

Consign to thee and come to dust.

~

 Blessings
~Elizabeth

PS. The lyrics are from Shakespeare. Loreena put them to music. :)

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!! I hope you all are having a lovely day! We have had a very strange March I will say that much. I woke up this morning to find it snowing. It didn't stay though thankfully!

Anyway to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day on my blog I am going to put up a bunch of Irish songs, as I have a great fondness for Celtic Music. :)




First in line is Loreena Mckennitt's version of Star of the County Down. I like to up beat happy sound of the song, it is fun to listen too.



Here is another happy song. I really love this songs up beat feel, it is a fun sort of party song as well. :)



I love Meav's voice, and this song is simply lovely. It does not have a lot of excess instruments, mostly her beautiful voice.



This is a song on Orla Fallon's latest album. I love her voice it is sweet and gentle. This song always makes we wish I could dance! :)

Well that is all for now I hope you all have a lovely day and enjoy pretending you Irish! :)
Blessings
~Elizabeth