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I don’t think @tags were working when I responded to Shades Of Blue Substack, so you’ll have missed my link to you.

I’ve copied it here, just for your info.

“I’ve just joined Prestomusic, ( courtesy of recommendation of @jvhalbrooks) while keeping my Spotify subscription.

I’m now rediscovering listening to albums, as artists intended, and it’s quite a novelty.

I think the ability to check out other recordings of works is a major strength, and absolutely fascinating. I’m like a child in a toy shop at the moment. I’m now listening to the full album of Ian Bostridge’s Schumann.

I wanted to get a feel for the poetry, and unlike you, I can’t translate from German, BUT, I found another album through the Explore feature with English translation. So really pleased. My first time really appreciating Schumann’s song cycles. Thank you.”

And thank you, John, for pointing me in a very different direction re how to listen to music!

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I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! So much great music, and so nicely presented.

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I'll check out Presto too, and the song cycle, and what a gorgeous passage from Wells. How perfectly it evokes the feeling of the music.

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Doesn’t it? I’ll be interested in how you like the Blake Songs. They are very different from anything we’ve heard so far.

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I'll let you know. :)

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Apr 21Liked by John Halbrooks

Just ordered my Dad (he of the first London performance anecdote from last week) several CDs from Presto for his birthday. He of course is very specific about which ones and sends me the exact catalogue link :)

London Symphony was a lovely start to the day. A worthy ode to the world’s greatest city. Controversial statement but one I stand by! Onto the Blake songs…. another great Londoner…

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What a good daughter you are! I’ll agree with you about London as the world’s greatest city—though I must admit that there are plenty of great cities that I have not visited. Let me know what you think of the Blake songs. They are very stark compared to much of the RVW that we have listened to.

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Apr 21Liked by John Halbrooks

The Blake songs were not what I expected at all!

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John, thanks for the heads up about Presto. I will check them out. I pretty much just use Spotify at the moment as we have a family plan but it has its pros and cons.

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