Friday, September 18, 2009

Johann Strauss statue


It'll be interesting to see if the Beatles' music will still be played in one century, like the one of Johann Strauss (1825 - 1899) who appears in this photo. I found out only recently - and by coincidence - that he had a bust in Paris in the 10th arrondissement. He was surrounded by art students that were drawing his portrait while I was taking the photo. Here is some Strauss music to cheer you up before the weekend ;-)

34 comments:

  1. i hope the beatles music is still around....i am more curious to imagine what format it will be in.....beautiful sky - oh did i just see lucy.....;) ;) - get it...get it.

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    1. Lucy in the sky with diamonds, of course! There is no reason why the music of the Beatles or any other intelligable music of the period shouldn't continue in the millenia to come alongside the music of Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Schubert, as well as the Strauss family. They (the Strausses and their contemporaries) were after all the 'Pop idols' of the day. Teenage girls swooned over both the elder and the younger Johann Strauss and Eduard Strauss was also very popular in his time.

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  2. omg - after i read my comment, i realize how corny it was....so sorry.

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  3. Maria, you beat me to it, you got there first,GF. How about I put a bust of you in the 10th for your efforts.

    I like what the Brits do. I have seen so many statues decorated with scarves, a hat, or whatever to give it a life!!!!!

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  4. Is it just me, or does Johann look a lot like Mark Twain? Fabulous photo.

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    1. American friends have made similar comments to yours.

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  5. I can't decide if he looks like he's floating or going down the street in a parade. Nice 'stache. I bet it tickles.

    I'm fairly certain the Beatles' music will be around for another century. It's definitive of a whole generation, and a very interesting generation at that. The vehicle it's played on, however, is anyone's guess.

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  6. Ms. Vandertramp - I thought exactly the same thing! They're very similar.

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  7. I have a Paris question from the movie Amelie, which I watched again the other night. There's a scene at a fun fair in which Audrey Tautou goes on one of the rides and is flirted with by a skeleton. Does anyone know - does this place really exist somewhere in Paris or did they make it up for the movie?

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  8. @Carrie. Actually I don't remember this scene. But we have several fun fairs in Paris, so it could have been one of them.

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  9. Carrie, I didn't check, but this site may have your Amelie answers.

    http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/a/amelie.html

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  10. Offhand, there is a carousel near the metro stop (Abbess?)

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  11. Thanks everyone. I'll check the site, Suzy, maybe it'll be on there.

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  12. I definitely remember the carrousel at Abbesses from the last time I was there (2005). I agree that this statue of Strauss bears an astonishing resemblance to Mark Twain (nice shot, Eric). And I believe absolument that the Beatles' music will be around for a very long time. My kids discovered the Beatles when they were in their teens (and were so impressed to find that my peers and I knew every lyric to every song)!
    Have to say that as much as I appreciate Strauss, I'd still rather hear this.

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  13. My vote is yes. We've been listening to the Beatles for close to 50 years and there is still a strong interest.

    The young people are keeping it alive as far as I can tell. I see some kids half my age listen to the stuff I used to listen to in high school and it both surprises me and amazes me at the same time. :)

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  14. Not only are the young'uns listening to the Beatles, Doors, CSN&Y, but on old fashoined records. I gained major cool points with my twenty-something acquaintances for what they call my "awesome vinyl collection" and retro record player. They are much more familiar with my music than I am with theirs.

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  15. Good lord. Fashioned. I will get used to this new netbook keyboard eventually.

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  16. Definitely agree with Mrs. Vandertramp. This could be Mark Twain, and maybe he was actually Strauss reincarnated.

    Didn't he say... "Morals are an acquirement - like music, like a foreign language, like piety, poker, paralysis - no man is born with them." (Mark Twain)

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  17. The only thing I am sure is that in one century none of us will be there to have the answer... Sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your day ;-)
    Who knows ... Eric may have his statue made somewhere in Paris too, in one century, surrounded by students drawing his portrait.
    In this case, I suggest him to grow a big moustache, "à la façon" Strauss or Twain and the comparison will turn great immediately :)

    Listening to Strauss soundtrack (thanks to your link), I missed pictures at first to match with the music. Then I closed my eyes and pictures came along. This Strauss music is very intoxicating, isn't it?

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  18. Mrs. Vandertramp - funny you should talk about vinyl. when my son was seven he came home from school and told me "mom - my teacher has a big black cd" at which i said "me too let me show you"...funny.

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  19. R.I.P. Willy Ronis, my second favorite Paris photographer.

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  20. Excellent Willy Ronis!!!!
    There is a filiation here. Undoubtedly.
    Very well seen Mrs. Vandertramp.
    Very well.

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  21. Quote from Willy Ronis:

    "I have never sought out the extraordinary or the scoop. I looked at what complemented my life. The beauty of the ordinary was always the source of my greatest emotions."

    Our dear Eric certainly carries on that philosophy.

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  22. Actually I think his hair makes him look a good bit like Albert Einstien. When we were in Vienna last my wife kept laughing since they have likeness's of Struass all over the city....



    Sean

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  23. ETS - I checked out the film location site and its really cool. But, it doesn't include the fair location. : (

    In the film it looks like a real location and I think Jeunot used all real spots for the movie. (Its not the carrousel at Abbesses, but an entire fair.) Anyone else who might know where it is??!!! : )

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  24. Michael - wonderful Twain quote that I've never seen before! Thank you!

    Ms. Vandertramp - wonderful Willy Ronis, whose name I did not know - I'm sorry to say - and whose photos I just fell in love with. (I did know the one of the little boy with the baguette.) Thank you, too!

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  25. hey.. thats a lovely blog you have there.... nice pics!!!

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  26. This emperor needs to be waltzing away from my desk to eat lunch. Thanks for the fun discussion and music.

    Maria: did Lucy have diamonds? If so, add them to your crown.

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  27. My guess is The Beatles songs will still be playing in one century. It's already been almost what? 50 years since they ended? So I guess they're on their way!

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  28. I know I'm not the first, but for a second there, I was trying to figure out why they would have a bust of Mark Twain in Paris. LOL!

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