Aled spends another day in the Northamptonshire area filmimg for Escape. We hope you find a nice property for them Aled !
Aled's Most Recent Blog Post
Mon, 2011-11-28 18:02
#1
White Christmas and a Pole :-)
I’ve been very lucky to see “White Christmas” in Southampton twice.
As I wrote before – it’s an absolutely great show, I liked it very much. Aled’s performance was phenomenal, “Blue Skies” was terrific, I got goosebumps when listening to this song. 
But I want to tell you about a little curiosity I found out about the musical, in particular about “I Love a Piano” song. In second verse the original lyrics are:
“And with the pedal I love to meddle
When Padarewski comes this way
I'm so delighted if I'm invited
To hear that long haired genius play”
But there are also alternate lines:
“And with the pedal I love to meddle
Not only music from Broadway
I'm so delighted if I'm invited
To hear a long haired genius play”
But it doesn’t make much sense, does it?
And in Southampton Adam Cooper and Louise Bowden (Phil and Judy) were singing the second version. With no doubt I’d prefer to hear the original one. 
Ignacy Jan Paderewski was a Polish pianist, composer, teacher, diplomat and Prime Minister in 1919. He played for Queen Victoria at the begining of his career! During WW II he was awarded the Order of British Empire for his diplomatic activity. He spent much time in the USA giving piano concerts and it was a great success. And he had fluffy, long hair what made all women fall madly in love with him 
Irving Berlin must have known Paderewski and surely was impressed by the great pianist if he included his name in one of his greatest hits.
Well, I don’t expect the whole world to know who Paderewski was, that’s probably why the producers of the musical use the changed version now. But I found a clip with Lisa Minelli singing “I Love a Piano” with Paderewski.
I just want you – who are going to see “White Christmas” – to be aware of the original version. And when you hear the song during the show, please think warmly about forgotten Paderewski
Mon, 2011-11-28 22:30
#2
Peter Lewis
How interesting Magda. I don't blame you as a Pole for pointing that out and educating us a little about the great Paderewski. 
(What a pity 'Paderwski' is not allowed in Scrabble as it could score 257 across two triple word squares! 
)
I can't help but wonder if your surname is a long one like his and if it ends with 'ski'? (Questioning smiley)
The 'Pole' most of us in the UK associate with 'White Christmas' is the 'North Pole' ...and 'skis' with the piste! 
Glad you enjoyed your two Aled "White Christmas"s. I doubt that I'll be able to see one 
Tue, 2011-11-29 07:24
#3
I can't help but wonder if your surname is a long one like his and if it ends with 'ski'?
No, unfortunately it's not. "ski" (or "ska" for women) centuries ago meant the person had the aristocratic roots or was a rich landlord. My ancestors were peasants So my surname is a very simple one
The 'Pole' most of us in the UK associate with 'White Christmas' is the 'North Pole' ...and 'skis' with the piste!
It's high time you changed these associations
I doubt that I'll be able to see one
Don't doubt, just do it! My favourite vicar at my parish used to say that if you love something you have to be ready to sacrifice both your time and money for it... And I did it! And I would regret it to the end of my days if I hadn't have done it! Well, I almost had a heart attack two days before my flight when I heard about Aled's leg injury but happily everything turned up to be ok.
Tue, 2011-11-29 13:57
#4
Peter Lewis
I take it that you are not a Scrabble player then Magda? For those of us who do play, SKA is a type of West Indian pop music of the 60's. Is Magda the equivalent of our 'Margaret' or short for 'Magdalene' maybe? Either way it's a lovely name.
You probably know that 'magma' is molten rock beneath the surface of the earth but your name reminds me also of the 'Magna Carta' and 'Magna' the Science Adventure Centre here in Sheffield: www.visitmagna.co.uk/
It sounds as if your favourite vicar of your parish was a very wise man.and probably based the advice he gave you on Jesus' parable of the Pearl (Matthew 13: 44-46). From your description, Aled's 'White Christmas' is a 'pearl' of a show!
I might just take your vicar's advice and try and get over to Liverpool, my birthplace, to see 'White Christmas'. 
In the meantime I and no doubt many other Aled fans will be praying that he he sustains no further injuries of the sort that gave you such a scare! 
Wed, 2011-11-30 19:38
#5
Magda is the short for Magdalena :-)
I'm not a keen Scrabble player although I play it online from time to time (but rarely).
However, I do like dealing with words, with languages in general. I did my degree in linguistics :-) that's why I respect a lot the beauty of language, especially my mother tongue. I love playing with words, seeking hidden meanings, experience the variety of a language as a system. I read very carefully everything of high importance to me - e.g. songs' lyrics ;-) I was preparing myself meticulously to see White Christmas, it's how I found out about the disappearing Paderewski ;-))
You're perfectly right with the parable of the pearl. I'd say White Christmas is two handfuls of pearls, Aled is the shiniest gem :-)
Wed, 2011-11-30 22:55
#6
Peter Lewis
They are both lovely names Magda. I guess you like your 'Aled friends' to call you by the shortened form.
Pity you don't play Scrabble more often, as we could have had a game. We'd have to play the English version though, as I know little Polish. A friend at church, Jozefine has taught me a little but not enough to play it in your first language.
I share your love of language and word play. I think I know what you mean by 'hidden meanings' but you'll have to explain a little further about 'the variety of a language as a system'. I too look closely at the lyrics of songs and hymns and believe that if the message of the words is worth hearing then the singer or singers need to have good diction - something that Aled always observes and demonstrates (first learnt as a choirboy and this has stayed with him all these years later.)
I'm glad I found the appropriate text from which your vicar derived his advice.
You have probably noticed that I write poems and songs/hymns. I have a feeling that you might have written some poetry or prose also?
Tue, 2011-12-06 23:48
#7
you'll have to explain a little further about 'the variety of a language as a system'.
Hi Peter,
“The variety of a language as a system” is more philosophical than logical ;-) And I feel my English is not good enough to explain precisely what I mean but I’ll try :-)
I understand it as its richness in terms of many functions the language can perform. It’s not only the obvious way of simple communication in speaking or writing. It can create the reality around you. You can describe the same thing in many different ways, including the possibility of manipulation, depending on what particular words you choose and how you use them, with what intention.
Poetry – seemingly illogical and unnecessary use of language but it can touch you so deeply you may even cry... What makes you read the same poem again and again although you know exactly what it’s about? The power of language?
I like comparing languages looking for differences and similarities. It’s fascinating to find unexpectedly the same word in completely distinct languages. The language also reflects the variety of cultures, people’s ways of thinking, progress of civilisation, etc. The good example is the formation of dialects within one language/country.
What I’ve also noticed – you may speak many languages but you always think in your mother tongue. It comes naturally so the language determines your identity as well!
I have a feeling that you might have written some poetry or prose also?
Fortunately, I don’t write any prose or poetry. Probably I’m not gifted enough ;-) So I’m satisfied with reading and criticising what others have written :-))
Wed, 2011-12-07 20:36
#8
Peter Lewis
Thanks for your explanations Magda.
I love Aled's first language - North Walean Welsh and I have learnt a little over the years that I have been visiting the area that Aled's parents still live in. The next time you come to the UK Magda you must visit Eryri (Snowdonia). I am able to communicate a little with the Welsh people when I am there and they seem to appreciate my interest in their lovely singy (musical) spoken language. Welsh poetry is beautiful and when it's set to the unique music of the Welsh and sung by a Welsh choir, Bryn Terfel or Aled himself, it can arouse deep emotions like no other.
Regarding thinking in your mother tongue (a lot of people don't realise that we use words in our head to think with) I understand that people who live in a foreign country and learn to speak in the language there, on their death bed often revert to their native language before passing away.
I like to listen to Aled on Welsh speaking TV. Every so often he uses an English word, as, with Welsh being the oldest European language, there is no Welsh equivalent to a number of our modern English words. There are some Welsh versions of English words that look funny e.g. 'tacsi' (taxi)
Wed, 2011-12-28 20:51
#9
Yes, I’d love to come to Wales again. I haven’t been in the north of the land yet.
In 2007 I spent 5 fantastic days in Swansea and the Gower Peninsula. I even managed to pick up some Welsh words but obviously have forgotten them by now ;-) My Welsh friends gave me a kitchen towel with Welsh anthem printed on :-) Maybe I should learn this at least when wiping plates ;-)
By the way, Peter – have you already been to “White Christmas”?
If so – tell us all about. If not – what are you waiting for? :-))
Tue, 2011-12-20 12:23
#10
I don’t expect the whole earth to know who Paderewski was, that’s probably why the producers of the musical utility the changed cribs now. But I found a stylus with Lisa Minelli singing “I Love a Piano” with Paderewski.