The first time I used Merlin in the woods and recorded a bird song, and then played it back, the original source and I had a kind of unexpected duet. I was gobsmacked right there among the trees and bushes and have done it several times since, just for pure enjoyment.
Thank you Elliot for the beautiful piece by Claudio Monteverdi. The Cornell Ornithology Lab App Merlin is so amazing that it stimulated me to be a monthly donor to Cornell’s Ornithology research. I have spent hours having the App identifying our backyard bird population. On a short walk in my neighborhood park, I came across a juvenile Great Horned Owl and when I played some of the Great Horned Owl calls record on Merlín, the owl responded in fascination. No wonder the App is appropriately called Merlín!
Growing up in a Mennonite church where we did not use musical instruments for accompaniment, it was thrilling when all the voices sang in four part harmony, singing those beautiful old hymns at the top of our lungs. It helped to knit us all together in a comforting and special way.
And though we are getting older now and two of my seven sisters are gone, we also llove to sing together, and harmonize in what seems to be the special close harmony that siblings often have. I think there is little as enjoyable as doing that.
Your soliloquy on the birds was inspiring, bringing to my mind all the beautiful bird songs that can be very evocative and soothing. Sounds like the mourning dove's ethereal cooing, or the almost humorous songs of the mockingbird's long trilling, as well as the cardinals or the meadow larks happy sounds, are all so beautiful but unique.
Thanks for lifting up our spirits on a Sunday morning.
We've been using the Merlin app for years and love it. Played a Kestrel call on my bird app to see if what I heard was the Kestrel -- scared the bejeebers out of a squirrel! Oops!
Thank you Susan. The Flower Duet is also a favorite of mine. I shared that same rendition a few years back when I was writing for Dan Rather on the Steady newsletter https://steady.substack.com/p/flower-duet. I hope you are having a lovely weekend. And thanks as always for being part of this community.
Ha! I did not know about Steady back then. Music soothes the soul. Nature too! My husband and I enjoy your writing very much. If more people recognized how much everyone has in common it would be a more lovely world. 🙏🏼
I love this opera, and had the absolute joy of playing it with a stellar cast at Houston Grand Opera several years ago. It is a stunningly beautiful opera. I also love the Merlin app--a different kind of song, but just as beautiful! Thank you for sharing your love of beautiful music and birdsong!
Thank you, Elliot. Birdsong in my garden is amazing this year, and I had never heard of an app for it, so I’m going to find it. And the duet … my, oh my! It sent chills down my back it was so lovely. How I would love to be able to open my mouth and emit such a glorious sound!
Absolutely gorgeous. The voice needed for Baroque is so pure. I’m a retired singer. Of many genres. Sang 60 years ago with the Miami Opera. Known now as the Florida Grand Opera. This was such a treat for me today.
I am listening on Thursday, while in my Office, working on all sorts of stuff with too many "Immediately if not sooner" deadlines. There are no words to thank you sufficiently for the gift of calm that you have given me this day -- I (obviously) stopped my working for a moment to write this note to you and also to take some deep breaths with my eyes closed. I can now proceed with the demands of the day and with a freshness in my heart and mind and body. Thank you, sir. <3
I love using the Merlin app. It’s amazing how many birds can be recorded and identified. I’m a member of a women’s 4 party harmony group. When a chord hits perfect balance and harmony, you can heard an overtone and an undertone. What a thrill that is!
I started my 'bird watching' hobby at the age of 10 when I was given a trio of books, the Little Golden books of birds, in my teens I graduated to Roger Tory Petersen. It is so peaceful to sit on a tree limb with a pair of binoculars and a bird book in hand watching these colorful creatures - remnants of dinosaurs - flitting through the trees. If you're quiet they will ignore you and go on with their routine for the day. Sitting in a meadow is inspiring too. At 91, I can identify all the birds that visit my apartment balcony
Thank you for this unexpected surprise of Monteverdi. Your appreciation of the art everywhere of all types everywhere around you, is why I find your perspective on the world so enlightened - and refreshing.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I remember as a child learning the piano at my teacher's residence in the country, the birds outside an open window seemed to respond to my early attempts to play a piece by Beethoven. Harmony seems wonderfully sacred.
The first time I used Merlin in the woods and recorded a bird song, and then played it back, the original source and I had a kind of unexpected duet. I was gobsmacked right there among the trees and bushes and have done it several times since, just for pure enjoyment.
Thank you Elliot for the beautiful piece by Claudio Monteverdi. The Cornell Ornithology Lab App Merlin is so amazing that it stimulated me to be a monthly donor to Cornell’s Ornithology research. I have spent hours having the App identifying our backyard bird population. On a short walk in my neighborhood park, I came across a juvenile Great Horned Owl and when I played some of the Great Horned Owl calls record on Merlín, the owl responded in fascination. No wonder the App is appropriately called Merlín!
In....and yes, divine harmony here.
Growing up in a Mennonite church where we did not use musical instruments for accompaniment, it was thrilling when all the voices sang in four part harmony, singing those beautiful old hymns at the top of our lungs. It helped to knit us all together in a comforting and special way.
And though we are getting older now and two of my seven sisters are gone, we also llove to sing together, and harmonize in what seems to be the special close harmony that siblings often have. I think there is little as enjoyable as doing that.
Your soliloquy on the birds was inspiring, bringing to my mind all the beautiful bird songs that can be very evocative and soothing. Sounds like the mourning dove's ethereal cooing, or the almost humorous songs of the mockingbird's long trilling, as well as the cardinals or the meadow larks happy sounds, are all so beautiful but unique.
Thanks for lifting up our spirits on a Sunday morning.
What a beautiful piece. I had not heard that one before! The Flower Duet is one of my favs - https://youtu.be/C1ZL5AxmK_A?si=O_QqC8N5QqZvbH6o .
We've been using the Merlin app for years and love it. Played a Kestrel call on my bird app to see if what I heard was the Kestrel -- scared the bejeebers out of a squirrel! Oops!
Happy Sunday everyone.
Thank you Susan. The Flower Duet is also a favorite of mine. I shared that same rendition a few years back when I was writing for Dan Rather on the Steady newsletter https://steady.substack.com/p/flower-duet. I hope you are having a lovely weekend. And thanks as always for being part of this community.
Ha! I did not know about Steady back then. Music soothes the soul. Nature too! My husband and I enjoy your writing very much. If more people recognized how much everyone has in common it would be a more lovely world. 🙏🏼
Oh my oh my! Thank you for this gift I would never have mistakenly tripped over. Sublime!
Those are the best kinds of gifts.
I love this opera, and had the absolute joy of playing it with a stellar cast at Houston Grand Opera several years ago. It is a stunningly beautiful opera. I also love the Merlin app--a different kind of song, but just as beautiful! Thank you for sharing your love of beautiful music and birdsong!
Thank you, Elliot. Birdsong in my garden is amazing this year, and I had never heard of an app for it, so I’m going to find it. And the duet … my, oh my! It sent chills down my back it was so lovely. How I would love to be able to open my mouth and emit such a glorious sound!
Absolutely gorgeous. The voice needed for Baroque is so pure. I’m a retired singer. Of many genres. Sang 60 years ago with the Miami Opera. Known now as the Florida Grand Opera. This was such a treat for me today.
I am listening on Thursday, while in my Office, working on all sorts of stuff with too many "Immediately if not sooner" deadlines. There are no words to thank you sufficiently for the gift of calm that you have given me this day -- I (obviously) stopped my working for a moment to write this note to you and also to take some deep breaths with my eyes closed. I can now proceed with the demands of the day and with a freshness in my heart and mind and body. Thank you, sir. <3
Thank you for this lovely note. It brought calm to my day. I greatly appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Have a good day.
I love using the Merlin app. It’s amazing how many birds can be recorded and identified. I’m a member of a women’s 4 party harmony group. When a chord hits perfect balance and harmony, you can heard an overtone and an undertone. What a thrill that is!
Monteverdi was heavenly, thank you!
I started my 'bird watching' hobby at the age of 10 when I was given a trio of books, the Little Golden books of birds, in my teens I graduated to Roger Tory Petersen. It is so peaceful to sit on a tree limb with a pair of binoculars and a bird book in hand watching these colorful creatures - remnants of dinosaurs - flitting through the trees. If you're quiet they will ignore you and go on with their routine for the day. Sitting in a meadow is inspiring too. At 91, I can identify all the birds that visit my apartment balcony
Thank you for this unexpected surprise of Monteverdi. Your appreciation of the art everywhere of all types everywhere around you, is why I find your perspective on the world so enlightened - and refreshing.
Stunning!! I hadn’t heard this until today.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful music.
Beautiful. Thank you! 💖
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I remember as a child learning the piano at my teacher's residence in the country, the birds outside an open window seemed to respond to my early attempts to play a piece by Beethoven. Harmony seems wonderfully sacred.