Quebec News

23 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by michelinewalker in Quebec

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

Canada, Liberal, National Post, Parti Québécois, Pauline Marois, Philippe Couillard, Quebec, Quebec Liberal

Paul Vanier Beaulieu
Still Life, 1955

(Artwork with permission from La Galerie Walter Klinkhoff, Montreal)

Dear Readers,

I had a cataract removed this week. The operation was successful, but I haven’t been able to post blogs for a few days and must limit the number of hours I spend in front of a computer. However, I will attempt to post a revised blog. In the meantime, I thought I should send a little update on Quebec.

News

I have news to relay. Madame Marois, Quebec’s premier, has lost considerable support because she has imposed further taxation on Québécois: $300.00, whatever one’s financial status. She is also planning to send back to work people who are disabled or live on welfare. Obtaining financial help from the Quebec government is very difficult, despite the taxes Quebec residents have to pay to “two levels of government.” See Pauline Marois’ Offensive. Individuals receiving benefits have to prove they cannot work to the extent that people who should be receiving disability benefits do not. Besides, where would they find employment? Is anyone interested in investing in a Quebec led by Madame Marois’ Parti Québécois? Moreover, people are leaving the province.

a new leader for Quebec’s Liberal Party

More importantly, the Liberal Party in Quebec has chosen a new leader, Dr Philippe Couillard. It was not a huge victory, but Monsieur Couillard seems a good choice as leader of Quebec’s federalist Liberal Party. Moreover, if an election were called, which could be the case, the Parti Québécois would not get sufficient votes. This would help the Liberals. Madame Marois leads a minority government.

In brief conversations with persons I met during my trips to the hospital, I heard many express considerable disappointment with Madame Marois’ government. They know she obtained votes by giving students the impression that, as Quebec’s Premier, she would not increase tuition fees and that students may in fact receive a tuition-free education, including those who are impervious to instruction. I hope they also know that if tuition fees will rise by a mere $70.00 annually, it is, to a large extent, at an unacceptable cost to the elderly and to the needy.

Philippe Couillard would Sign the patriated constitution

The truly good news is that, if elected to the Premiership of Quebec, Monsieur Couillard would probably sign the Patriated Constitution, honouring the contract Quebec entered into when Canada became a confederation: the British North America Act, 1867. For Quebeckers, the priority is employment. It is unfortunate that they should be unable to see that the creation of jobs depends, to a very large extent, on Quebec’s place among Canada’s ten provinces. There has to be stability in Quebec.

SOURCES:

National Post: Couillard elected leader of the Quebec Liberal Party

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/03/18/graeme-hamilton-quebec-liberals-take-a-gamble-with-new-leader-philippe-couillard/

The National Post: Couillard contemplates signing the Patriated Constitution

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/03/20/kelly-mcparland-mulcair-and-couillard-contemplate-opening-constitutional-box-of-horrors/

The Globe and Mail: Quebec says, jobs not the constitution come first

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/jobs-not-constitution-top-of-mind-in-quebec-ottawa-says/article9977709/

Students remain defiant:

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/05/17/jesse-kline-quebec-students-highlight-need-for-right-to-learn-provinces/

Ex-Student leader: Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/student+leader+Gabriel+Nadeau+Dubois+appeal+contempt+court+ruling/7489294/story.html

Summit on Education: Martine Desjardins FEUQ

http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/tag/martine-desjardins/

FEUQ:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Student+group+FEUQ+youth+wing+join+forces+ahead/8009059/story.html

composer: Claude Debussy (22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918)

piece: Feux d’artifice (Fireworks)

performer: Marc-André Hamelin (born September 5, 1961)

Paul Vanier Beaulieu
The Boats, Brittany, 1970

23 March 2013

WordPress

Thoughts on Quebec

23 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by michelinewalker in Canada, Quebec

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

Canada, Canadian Press, Canadian Unity, Denis Blanchette, National Post, Parti Québécois, Pauline Marois, Thomas Hobbes

— Pauline Marois. Nelson Wyatt, Canadian Press, Jun 21, 2012 8:18 AM ET (Photo credit: The National Post)

there are rules to everything…

President Obama is devoting so much energy to unite his country. He is fighting what Thomas Hobbes called a “private force” and viewed as “unlawfull.”

As you probably know, in Quebec, sovereignists and indépendantistes, initially called separatists are advocating secession from Canada and have done so since the 1960s. Pauline Marois is the leader of the Parti Québécois, the péquistes (PQ), as they are called, and, on 4 September 2012, she was elected Premier of the Province of Quebec. It was a narrow victory.

“A Quebec election that was too close to call has turned out to be just that: less than one percentage point – about 40,000 votes – separated the Parti Québécois [separatist]and the Liberal party [federalist] in the final ballot last night, with the third party Coalition Avenir Québec close behind.” (ANTONIA MAIONI, The Globe and Mail, Published Wednesday, Sep. 05 2012, 7:56 AM EDT. Last updated Wednesday, Sep. 05 2012, 7:59 AM EDT)

A Man Dies and a second man is critically injured.

Matters worsened. On the evening of 4 September 2012, as Madame Marois was preparing to celebrate her victory, 62-year-old Richard Henry Bain aimed at Madame Marois whose life was saved by 48-eight-year-old Denis Blanchette. However, the shooter killed Denis Blanchette and seriously injured a second man.

(please click on the picture to enlarge it)

July 22 (left), May 22 (up) and April 15 (center) demonstrations and Victoriaville riots (down). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At this point, I must step backward, as I need to tell about Madame Marois’ campaign.

Quebec students go on strike (February 13, 2012 – September 7, 2012)

The raise: (from $2,168 to $3,793 between 2012 and 2017)

In the spring of 2012, students enrolled in Quebec universities and CEGEPS[i] (numerically, Grades 12 & 13) started opposing a small raise in tuition fees (from $2,168 to $3,793 between 2012 and 2017 (Quebec student protests, Wikipedia). At that moment, tuition fees paid by Quebec students were approximately half the fees paid by my former students in Nova Scotia. The students’ demands were therefore unrealistic.

La Classe

The movement was soon named Coalition large de l’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (CLASSE). Not only were the students’ demands unrealistic, but they organized increasingly disorderly demonstrations. It was “[t]he largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian History,” between 400,000 and 500,000 people marched in downtown Montreal on May 22.[ii]

“On June 12, 2012, some protesters were referring to local police authorities as SS and anti-police pamphlets using the swastikas were distributed.” (Quebec student protests, Wikipedia)

Madame Marois (Parti Québécois) steps in

Carré rouge

Parti Québécois leader, Pauline Marois, stepped in and “supported” the students’ demands. She wore their symbol, a red square, and she became very visible. This won her a great deal of publicity. It would be my opinion that endorsing the students’ demands benefitted Madame Marois.

Bill 78

The strike was problematical. For instance, it jeopardized the completion of an academic term.
Therefore, on 18 May 2012, the National Assembly of Quebec passed Bill 78, an “Act to enable students to receive instruction from the postsecondary institutions they attend” (Bill 78, Wikipedia).
On 27 August 2012, “[p]rotesters def[ied] back-to-school law as Quebec universities reopened]” (The Globe and Mail).
On September 7, “planned tuition increases were repealed by a decree from Pauline Marois‘ Parti Québécois government the very next day” (CBC News).

Yet, on November 8, 2012, Madame Marois stated that free tuition was “very difficult” (see The Globe and Mail). (The students wanted free tuition.) Did she not know this in the Spring of 2012?

Province of Quebec, red; Canada, white

Comments

The demonstrations were disorderly and had to be contained, which costs Premier Jean Charest’s government a fortune.
There was opposition to Bill 78.
In all likelihood, Madame Marois benefitted by involving the students. She seemed a concerned mother to students who were being abused by the Liberal Party, then in power.
A man died in an attempt to protect Premier-elect Pauline Marois.
Tuition fees. Can Madame Marois make ends meet?

Dissent and Faction

Madame Marois’ Parti Québécois is advocating “sovereignty” or separation from the other provinces of Canada, which means dissent or faction and is not insignificant. On the contrary! But, I wonder whether or not Madame Marois’ Parti Québécois and fellow sovereignists, or indépendantistes are fully aware of the consequences of a separation from Canada.

My Canada & a possible separation scenario

Canada is an officially bilingual country. It protects the French language. That could end for French-speaking Canadians living outside Quebec. The Federal Government might not agree to remain bilingual and bicultural.
There would be a country separating the Maritime Provinces of Canada from Ontario and the rest of Canada.
French-speaking veterans of World War II, who landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, would be very confused. They were serving their country, Canada.
There could be resentment between the two “countries.” Many Québécois would be dissatisfied, and there could be an exodus on the part of Anglophone Quebecers.
If there is an exodus, there would be fewer taxpayers.
And, to quote The Globe and Mail once again, “less than one percentage point – about 40,000 votes – separated the Parti Québécois and the Liberal party.”

But I would go further…

Past referendums have not supported separation from Canada. In other words, the people of Quebec have yet to agree to a separation from the rest of Canada.

Yet, unlike my Nova Scotia health-insurance card, which was valid everywhere in Canada, including Quebec, my Quebec health-insurance card provides limited coverage outside Quebec.
I pay taxes levied by the Quebec government (5%) and taxes levied by the Federal government (10%).

It would appear that the above is the price Québécois and Quebecers pay because Quebec failed to sign the Patriated Constitution of 1982. There is a substantial degree of duplication: a government inside a government. What I would like to know is whether or not Quebec’s government has been mandated to start walking away from Ottawa.

As for the manner in which Madame Marois was elected to the Premiership of Quebec, it has been described as “opportunistic” (The National Post, 21 June 2012)? There is nothing wrong with seizing the moment. However, the goal may defeat the means and the means defeat the goal. At any rate, Quebec now has its own flag day. I should be very pleased (Quebec creates its own flag day; Fleur-de-lis to be feted every Jan. 21 [timescolonist.com]).

There were deaths in the 1960s and, on 4 September 2012, Denis Blanchette was shot protecting Parti Québécois Leader Pauline Marois. Human life is fragile and so very precious. I’m certain Denis Blanchette’s life was dear to him and to his family and friends. So none of this is banal. If Quebec does want to secede from the rest of Canada, persons whose integrity and good will are above suspicion will have to negotiate acceptable terms.

However, what remains a mystery in my eyes is just why Quebec has not signed the long Patriated Constitution of Canada (1982). It has been 31 years since it arrived on the North-American side of the Atlantic. A referendum held in May 1980 did not allow Quebec to negotiate a new partnership with Ottawa. The indépendantistes were then named the Mouvement Souveraineté-Association, a “forerunner” of the Parti Québécois.

There are rules to everything…

January 23, 2013

WordPress

_________________________

[i] Quebec students enter A CEGEP (Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel or General and Vocational College) after Grade 11 and, two years later, successful candidates obtain a Diploma of College Studies (Diplôme d’Études Collégiales). The Vocational program is a year longer.

[ii] Schonbek, Amelia (September 2012). “The Long March”. The Walrus: 15–16.

singer songwriter: Joni Mitchell (b. November 7, 1943)

title: “Both Sides Now”

Quebec demands continued federal cash to recruit police officers (macleans.ca)
Quebec creates its own flag day; Fleur-de-lis to be feted every Jan. 21 (timescolonist.com)
‘I believe it was an assassination attempt’: Pauline Marois says there was ‘political’ aspect to attack on election night (news.nationalpost.com)
Shooter Aimed at Premier-elect Pauline Marois (michelinewalker.com)

The “Manifest Destiny” & the News

18 Sunday Nov 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in United States

≈ Comments Off on The “Manifest Destiny” & the News

Tags

CNN, George W Bush, Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, John L. O'Sullivan, Le Monde diplomatique, Manifest Destiny, National Post, United States

American westward expansion is idealized in Emanuel Leutze’s famous painting Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way (1861). (Photo credit: Wikipedia) (please click on the picture to enlarge it)

Emanuel Leutze (24 May 1816 – 18 July 1868)

The Manifest Destiny

(please click on the picture to enlarge it)

John L. O’Sullivan as he appeared on the cover of Harper’s Weekly in November 1874. O’Sullivan was then attending a conference in Geneva that sought to create a process of international arbitration in order to prevent wars.

In the middle of the nineteen century a concept developed that supported the notion that the US had the right to expand and that expansion was “prearranged by Heaven.”[i] The term “Manifest Destiny” was coined by John L. O’Sullivan (15 November 1813 – 24 March 1895), in the July–August 1845 issue of the Democratic Review. In an article entitled Annexation, O’Sullivan advocated the annexation of Texas and, later, he would also advocate the annexation of the Oregon Country.

In the mid-nineteenth century, Americans used “Manifest Destiny” to justify expansion, at any cost, beyond Louisiana Territory.

And that claim is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to us.*

*(Manifest Destiny, Wikipedia)

States’ Rights

John O’Sullivan was also an advocate of States’ Rights. It was his view that “the presidency had become too powerful and that states’ rights needed to be protected against encroachment by the central government.” (Manifest Destiny, Wikipedia)

The Indian Removal Act (1830)

What stood in the way of “Manifest Destiny” was slavery. John Quincy Adams (11 July 1767 – 23 February 1848), the sixth President of the United States (1825–1829), had adhered to the notion of “Manifest Destiny,” but he opposed expanding slavery. Andrew Jackson (15 March 1767 – 8 June 1845), his successor, was a slave-owner who supported slavery and played a role in the Indian removal. The Indian Removal Act (1830)[ii] was signed into law on 26 May 1830 and forced thousands of Indians living East of the Mississippi River to relocate West of the Mississippi River to Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory.

(please click on the picture to enlarge it)

The Indian Removal Act

The Divine Right of Kings

“Manifest Destiny” reminds me of the doctrine of the divine right of kings. In the mind of Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (born 25 Sept. 1627, Dijon, Fr.—died 12 April 1704, Paris), arguably the most eloquent preacher in the history of France, kings were accountable to God only.

According to Wikipedia “[t]he belief in an American mission to promote and defend democracy throughout the world, as expounded by Abraham Lincoln and later by Woodrow Wilson and George W. Bush, continues to have an influence on American political ideology.”[iii]

The News

English

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/

The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/

The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

Le Monde diplomatique: http://mondediplo.com/ EN

CNN News: http://www.cnn.com/

CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/

French

Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/

Le Monde diplomatique: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/

Le Devoir: http://www.ledevoir.com/

German

Die Welt: http://www.welt.de/

_________________________

[i] Frederick Merk, Manifest Destiny and Mission in American History: A Reinterpretation (New York: Knopf, 1963; reprinted Harvard University Press, 1995)

[ii]The Indian Removal Act and the Dawes Act http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~mille22c/classweb/american/dawesact.htm

[iii] National Humanities Center

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/mandestiny.htm

November 18th, 2012

WordPress

The President of the United States & the Art of Mary Cassatt

08 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Art, United States

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

CNN, Gazette, Le Devoir, Le Monde, Le Monde diplomatique, Mary Cassatt, National Post, United States

: Mary Cassatt (American, 1844–1926). The Fitting, 1890–91. Drypoint and aquatint etching on off-white, moderately thick, moderately textured laid paper. Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 39.108

Exhibitions: Japonisme in American Graphic Art, 1880–1920

Barack Hussein Obama II: The President of the United States of America

Yesterday, I was too tired to write a blog. I had stayed up to watch the results of the election.

As usual, CNN covered the event thoroughly. When Wolf Blitzer referred to President Obama, he called him the President of the United States and he called Mr Romney, Governor Romney. In the end, President Obama remained Barack Obama, President of the United States of America.

As for Mr Romney, he was gracious in defeat and he seemed freed of the constraints of extremists in the Republican Party. President Obama spoke with Governor Romney and they may speak again. It is too soon to tell in what capacity Mr Romney could help his country, but discarding talent or humiliating people is not the President’s approach. Remember my little blog on the Five Presidents. But to return to Mr Romney, according to a close friend, he “would be willing to work for Barack Obama.” (The Telegraph, UK). This link may be corrupt as well as links listed under NEWS. I inserted them yesterday, but they may lead to today’s news.

* * *

I am featuring Mary Cassatt (May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926). Artist Mary Cassatt was born in the United States, but lived in France for most of her adult life. She ended up befriending Edgar Degas, joined the Impressionists, and was influenced by Japonisme. Mary Cassatt did not marry. She felt she could not be a wife, a mother, and an artist. However she painted women, especially women as mothers and she made lovely portraits of children.

Being a woman proved an obstacle to Mary Cassatt’s career. She could not enter schools such as France’s École des Beaux-Arts, in Paris. However, the Impressionists opened a few doors for her and her art remains. She has left a precious legacy.

In 1894, Mary Cassatt was described by Gustave Geffroy [i] as one of “les trois grandes dames” of Impressionism alongside Marie Bracquemond and Berthe Morisot. Women called “grande dame” are very rare.

The News

This list was compiled yesterday, before I realized I had exceeded my limits and had to sleep. I suspect these links will probably take you to today’s news.

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/

The Washington Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/index.html

Le Monde diplomatique: http://mondediplo.com/ EN

The Montreal Gazette: http://www.montrealgazette.com/index.html

The National Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/index.html

CNN News: http://www.cnn.com/

CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/

CTV News: http://www.ctvnews.ca/

Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/

Le Monde diplomatique: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/

Le Devoir: http://www.ledevoir.com/

La Presse: http://www.lapresse.ca/

Die Welt: http://www.welt.de/

_________________________

[i] Gustave Geoffroy (1894), “Histoire de l’Impressionnisme”, La Vie artistique:
268. (Quoted in Mary Cassatt, Wikipedia.)

composer: Beethoven (baptized 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827)

piece: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61, II. Larghetto

accompaniment: piano

(The music, Beethoven’s only Violin Concerto, ends somewhat abruptly)

Micheline Walker©

November 8th, 2012

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(please click on the picture to enlarge it)

News & Views: 28 October 2012

28 Sunday Oct 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Uncategorized

≈ Comments Off on News & Views: 28 October 2012

Tags

Arthur Rackham, Gazette, Jenő Jandó, Le Devoir, Le Monde, Le Monde diplomatique, National Post, WordPress

— Arthur Rackham, Cinderella, 1909

Photo credit: Antique Vintage Art

Arthur Rackham (19 September 1867 – 6 September 1939)

I wrote my final blog on the American presidential election and will be posting it after I send the News. There is more to say about the “Noble Savage” and other topics.

The article I will post I about planned parenthood. I am making the point that there is hypocrisy in the attitude of Republicans. If a weathy person gets sicks, he or she can afford treatment and medication. Moreover, a wealthy woman can manage if and when she will have a child. She can buy birth control and she can buy an abortion. Moreover, she can also afford children and can hire help in caring for them.

But my post lacks an important paragraph which would have to do with a woman’s right to say “no” to unprotected sexual intercourse. There is nothing wrong with a woman saying “no,” until she is ready to have a child. In fact, there are still women who say “no” until they have found a husband or are in a stable and permanent relationship. If a man cannot understand a woman’s wish to wait, it may well be prudent to let him go. Do not listen to such arguments as the classic you-don’t-love-me-if-you-wont… In other words, do not let a man bully (that word again!) you into sexual intercourse. Walk away as fast as you can and do not look back.

The News

English

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/

The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/

The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

The Montreal Gazette: http://www.montrealgazette.com/index.html

The National Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/index.html

Le Monde diplomatique: http://mondediplo.com/ EN

CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/

CTV News: http://www.ctvnews.ca/

French

Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/

Le Monde diplomatique: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/

Le Devoir: http://www.ledevoir.com/

La Presse: http://www.lapresse.ca/

German

Die Welt: http://www.welt.de/

Micheline Walker©

October 28th, 2012

WordPress

composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791),

piece: Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331 – I. Andante grazioso

pianist: Jenő Jandó (born 1 February 1952 in Pécs)

President Obama for America

17 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Canada, United States

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Gazette, Le Devoir, Le Monde, Le Monde diplomatique, National Post, New York Times, United States, WordPress

The President of the United States of America

To all my American Friends

Let this gentleman guide you into a better future. And in return be his guide. He has paid his dues, i.e. taxes. As for Mr Romney, having studied the social contract, I am rather surprised he is even allowed to drive his car(s) on the highways of America. Citizens pay their income tax. Is there any way his indebtedness to the United States could be assessed?

WordPress, help

Yesterday, my reader was not accessible. It was filled with blogs from I person I follow, I tried to get beyond these posts, but gave up after two hours. Does WordPress have a way of controlling this problem. I would like to read the blogs I was sent, but one blog would give me access to all the blogs the person I follow has written. Then I would read all of the blogs I follow. Doing so is very important.

The News

English

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/

The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/

The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

The Montreal Gazette: http://www.montrealgazette.com/index.html

The National Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/index.html

Le Monde diplomatique: http://mondediplo.com/ EN

CNN News: http://www.cnn.com/

CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/

CTV News: http://www.ctvnews.ca/

French

Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/

Le Monde diplomatique: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/

Le Devoir: http://www.ledevoir.com/

La Presse: http://www.lapresse.ca/

German

Die Welt: http://www.welt.de/

Micheline Walker©

October 17, 2012

WordPress

The News, October 4th, 2012

04 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

CTV News, Gazette, Jacqueline du Pré, Le Devoir, Le Monde, Le Monde diplomatique, National Post, New York Times, Nicholas Roerich, Nicholas Roering

Guests from Overseas, by Nicholas Roerich

Nicholas Roerich, (October 9, 1874 – December 13, 1947)

I am sending the news without commenting on Nicholas Roerich whose life and times are fascinating. It is best I discuss Roerich separately as I wish to send the News as quickly as possible.

Please note that last night’s debate between President Obama and Mr Romney can be watched on the New York Times and elsewhere.

I have been extremely busy during the last few days. As a result, it has not been possible for me to post blogs.

News

English

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/

The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/

The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

The Montreal Gazette: http://www.montrealgazette.com/index.html

The National Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/index.html

Le Monde diplomatique: http://mondediplo.com/ EN

CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/

CTV News: http://www.ctvnews.ca/

French

Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/

Le Monde diplomatique: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/

Le Devoir: http://www.ledevoir.com/

La Presse: http://www.lapresse.ca/

German

Die Welt: http://www.welt.de/

composer: Gabriel Fauré (12 May 1845 – 4 November 1924)

work: Élégie in C minor, Op. 24 (1883)

performer: Jacqueline du Pré (26 January 1945 – 19 October 1987)

October 4th, 2012

WordPress

News and more on the music of Jean-Philippe Rameau

28 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Music, Sharing

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

CTV News, Gazette, Le Devoir, Le Monde, Le Monde diplomatique, National Post, New York Times, WordPress

Black-Billed Cuckoo, John James Audubon

Photo credit: Wikipedia

John James Audubon (26 April 1785 – 27 January 1851)

Rameau’s Boréades is his fifth and last tragédies en musique and opéra-ballet. Rameau’s librettist for the Boréades was Louis de Cahusac. As you know, Rameau was maligned during the Querelle des Bouffons (1752-54). However, allow me to quote German scholar H. W. von Walthershausen:

“Rameau was the greatest ballet composer of all times. The genius of his creation rests on one hand on his perfect artistic permeation by folk-dance types, on the other hand on the constant preservation of living contact with the practical requirements of the ballet stage, which prevented an estrangement between the expression of the body from the spirit of absolute music.”

His ballets were suites (called “ordre” by François Couperin): gavottes, minuets, loures, rigaudons, passepieds, tambourins, and musettes. These pieces are usually gleaned from various folk dances, such as the Spanish and possibly Portuguese passacaglia.

Absolute music is self-referential. It excludes all pieces that have so much as a title, such as Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” Music that is not self-referential is called programmatic or program music.

The News

English

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/

The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/

The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

The Montreal Gazette: http://www.montrealgazette.com/index.html

The National Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/index.html

Le Monde diplomatique: http://mondediplo.com/ EN

CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/

CTV News: http://www.ctvnews.ca/

French

Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/

Le Monde diplomatique: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/

Le Devoir: http://www.ledevoir.com/

La Presse: http://www.lapresse.ca/

German

Die Welt: http://www.welt.de/

composer: Jean-Philippe Rameau (September 25, 1683 – September 12, 1764)

title: Les Boréades (The Descendants of Boreas)

genre: tragédies en musique

performers: Les Arts Florissants

conductor: William Christie

produced by l’Opéra National de Paris

September 28th, 2012

WordPress

Artist John Frederick Kensett & the News, 17 September 2012

17 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Uncategorized

≈ Comments Off on Artist John Frederick Kensett & the News, 17 September 2012

Tags

Gazette, John Frederick Kensett, Le Devoir, Le Monde, Le Monde diplomatique, Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Post, New York Times, WordPress

Study of Beeches, ca. 1872

John Frederick Kensett (American, March 22, 1816 in Cheshire, Connecticut – December 14, 1872 in New York City)

Photo credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History

Today, I wish to express a degree of indignation. As you know, a video ridiculing Prophet Muhammad was seen on YouTube and, therefore, globally. Making and showing such a video was juvenile behaviour. To the individuals who think this was great fun, “boys will be boys,” I want to say that the persons who made the video acted irresponsibly and recklessly.

Inflammatory videos can lead to the death of innocent people and they invite a repetition of the attacks of 9/11. Moreover, people who show hatred harm the effort of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama. They also harm the reputation of Americans who are respectful of other cultures.

It would seem appropriate to ask the persons who produced the video ridiculing Prophet Muhammad to go and apologize to the grieving families of the four persons who died in Lybia: Christopher Stevens, US Ambassador to Libya, Sean Smith, a Foreign Service information management officer, former Navy SEALs Tyrone S. Woods and Glen A. Doherty.

My apologies. I thought two persons had died in Lybia, but there were four victims. (See CBS News, 14 September 2012.)

The News

English

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/

The Washington Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/index.html

The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

The Montreal Gazette: http://www.montrealgazette.com/index.html

The National Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/index.html

Le Monde diplomatique: http://mondediplo.com/ EN

CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/news/

CTV News: http://www.ctvnews.ca/

French

Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/

Le Monde diplomatique: http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/

Le Devoir: http://www.ledevoir.com/

La Presse: http://www.lapresse.ca/

German

Die Welt: http://www.welt.de/

September 17, 2012

WordPress

The Old Pine, Darien, Connecticut, ca. 1872

Remembering, Varia & the News

11 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by michelinewalker in Canada, Sharing

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Gazette, Handel, Harmonious Blacksmith, Ilya Repin, Le Devoir, Le Monde, Le Monde diplomatique, National Post, Sviatoslav Richter, The New York Times, the saddest day, United States, WordPress

Apples and Leaves (1879), by Ilya Repin (State Russian Museum)

Photo credit: Wikipedia

9/11

It was the saddest of days. I was in my office, but was told to come and see what was happening in New York. We were crying. All flights to the United States were redirected to Canada and in localities where there were no hotels, motels, inns, such as Gander, Newfoundland, local families took in bewildered passengers.

I worried. If they needed medication, did they have enough? Did they have their nightgowns or pyjamas. Little things. I think my concerns were of a motherly kind.

However, later that day, I received a telephone call from a person of considerable influence in Ottawa, Allan J. MacEachen. We discussed the attacks. He wanted to know what I would do under such circumstances. I answered that, personally, if I were the President of the United States, I would not do anything. I explained that, in my opinion, the terrorists had to be tracked down, but that the United States should not engage in a war.

And what would you do as a Canadian, he asked. I answered that, in my opinion, we were doing what we could and should do. Planes headed for the United States were landing in Canada. We had to be compassionate, hospitable, generous. We had to be good neighbours.

President Obama’s Campaign

As a Canadian, I cannot even imagine life without the social programs put into place about 50 years ago. The person I mentioned above, had lost his elections and was coming back to Antigonish, Nova Scotia. However, Lester B. Pearson (23 April 1897 – 27 December 1972), an extraordinary Canadian, asked him to stay in Ottawa and design social programs: universal health care, students loans, the Canada Pension Plan, which he did. We are very fortunate. I have written a blog about this person, the Honourable Allan J. MacEachen.

The pictures : I will let it be

Regarding yesterday’s posts, I have decided to feel flattered and let things be. I am not engaging in hostilities as it could harm some of my colleagues at WordPress. They could lose a sponsor.