I came by your newsletter from George Bothamley's article on Caravaggio's 'St Ursula'. So happy to have found a Substack about music and beautiful writing. This particular piece was written on my birthday, so I am twice as happy to find it. Thank you. Greetings from Romania!
Happy New Year and congratulations on six months! I have just found your newsletter and its name immediately made me smile, because I have recently come to the conclusion that after a 30-year break with piano, I want (or better said desperately need) to play some really melancholy music, I need it back in my life and I don't care if I won't be as good as I once used to be... I am old enough to let go and not care :) It is wonderful you are writing about classical music and I am looking forward to be a part of the community of classical music lovers. Bach is a perfect choice for the beginning of the year (well, for every day of the year, if you ask me :)), thank you and wishing you lots of success!
Thank *you* for being here! I'm so glad Shades of Blue crossed your path, and I'm delighted to hear you're finding your way back to the piano after too many years apart. I hope the music and words I share here bring you lots of inspiration! 💙💙
Michael!! Congratulations on six months!! ✨🎉✨ This space is a bounty of lush work already and within such a short period (tho *feels far longer!!) I’m so grateful we were in the same Foster season, I can’t imagine life without Shades!! I saved this essay as the last piece of leisurely joy as my long holiday vacation finally comes to an end tonight. And joyful it is!! While I listened, I teared up reading all the comments--both from folks here and from Bach fans around the world on the video you shared. What an honor to put art into the world... gifts for us! Thank you for all of your hard work so far and hopefully much more to come! 💙🩵💙
Thanks so much, Katie! Your support here over the past six months has been instrumental in helping me keep my confidence high — and my butt in the seat writing. What an honor to put art into the world, indeed! Wishing you a wonderful start to your 2024. 💙
Op- you clocked me, reading & listening on Sunday morning :) happy new year Michael! I always look forward to learning more about the music and composers from your writing. Also love the way you tie it back to a reflection on life. Beautiful piece and selection for the New Year... thanks for the optimism. Can't wait for what's next!
Happy New Year, Connie! Thanks for your kind words and for engaging so meaningfully and thoughtfully with my work over these past months. It means so much. Here’s to another year of music and discussion! 💙
I rarely watch classical music on video but seeing this with the singers and musicians really gave me a deeper connection to the music. Wishing you more success in the new year.
I'm glad to hear that, John! Seeing the music performed does offer a whole other layer of awe to the experience. Thanks so much for reading and for supporting this newsletter. 🙏
I’m so happy to have discovered your newsletter, Michael! I checked it out after your commented on my Bernstein post. I’ll be delving in the archive...
Appropriately divine choice for the time of year, Michael, and a beautiful painting too!
Many congratulations on the success of Shades of Blue, which is thoroughly deserved. It has brought me a lot of joy and tranquillity this year, and clearly many people feel the same. Well done, and here's to even greater success for you in 2024. X
I came by your newsletter from George Bothamley's article on Caravaggio's 'St Ursula'. So happy to have found a Substack about music and beautiful writing. This particular piece was written on my birthday, so I am twice as happy to find it. Thank you. Greetings from Romania!
Welcome, Crina! I'm so glad you found your way to Shades of Blue, and I hope you enjoy the music and the words I share here. 💙
Happy New Year and congratulations on six months! I have just found your newsletter and its name immediately made me smile, because I have recently come to the conclusion that after a 30-year break with piano, I want (or better said desperately need) to play some really melancholy music, I need it back in my life and I don't care if I won't be as good as I once used to be... I am old enough to let go and not care :) It is wonderful you are writing about classical music and I am looking forward to be a part of the community of classical music lovers. Bach is a perfect choice for the beginning of the year (well, for every day of the year, if you ask me :)), thank you and wishing you lots of success!
Thank *you* for being here! I'm so glad Shades of Blue crossed your path, and I'm delighted to hear you're finding your way back to the piano after too many years apart. I hope the music and words I share here bring you lots of inspiration! 💙💙
Michael!! Congratulations on six months!! ✨🎉✨ This space is a bounty of lush work already and within such a short period (tho *feels far longer!!) I’m so grateful we were in the same Foster season, I can’t imagine life without Shades!! I saved this essay as the last piece of leisurely joy as my long holiday vacation finally comes to an end tonight. And joyful it is!! While I listened, I teared up reading all the comments--both from folks here and from Bach fans around the world on the video you shared. What an honor to put art into the world... gifts for us! Thank you for all of your hard work so far and hopefully much more to come! 💙🩵💙
Thanks so much, Katie! Your support here over the past six months has been instrumental in helping me keep my confidence high — and my butt in the seat writing. What an honor to put art into the world, indeed! Wishing you a wonderful start to your 2024. 💙
Op- you clocked me, reading & listening on Sunday morning :) happy new year Michael! I always look forward to learning more about the music and composers from your writing. Also love the way you tie it back to a reflection on life. Beautiful piece and selection for the New Year... thanks for the optimism. Can't wait for what's next!
Happy New Year, Connie! Thanks for your kind words and for engaging so meaningfully and thoughtfully with my work over these past months. It means so much. Here’s to another year of music and discussion! 💙
I rarely watch classical music on video but seeing this with the singers and musicians really gave me a deeper connection to the music. Wishing you more success in the new year.
I'm glad to hear that, John! Seeing the music performed does offer a whole other layer of awe to the experience. Thanks so much for reading and for supporting this newsletter. 🙏
I’m so happy to have discovered your newsletter, Michael! I checked it out after your commented on my Bernstein post. I’ll be delving in the archive...
Likewise, John — I’m so happy to have discovered your newsletter! Looking forward to all the musical discussions to come in 2024.
Such a joy reading your work (and listening to the music!). So wonderful to be reminded at times why we do this. Your purpose is so valuable. 💙
Thank you so much, Kate — that means so much to me! Indeed, we all need reminders as to why we've taken up this work as ambassadors of beauty. 💙
Appropriately divine choice for the time of year, Michael, and a beautiful painting too!
Many congratulations on the success of Shades of Blue, which is thoroughly deserved. It has brought me a lot of joy and tranquillity this year, and clearly many people feel the same. Well done, and here's to even greater success for you in 2024. X
Thanks, Jules! I'm so thankful for your support in reading and sharing my work. 💙
And isn't that Munch just marvelous? I have to make it to Olso one day to see that titanic sunrise in person.
It's a pleasure, and thank you for your support too!
I love Munch and I had never seen that one before so thank you. It's beautiful. Start planning that trip to Oslo!
💙
Thank you. Lovely reading, lovely listening, lovely inspiration. Blessings of peace and harmony.
Thank *you* for being here, Susan! 💙
It’s amazing to see how far you’ve come in just six months. Keep writing and sharing your experiences, thoughts, and lovely music recs!
Thanks, Lyle! So grateful for all the support you provided to help make this happen.
So glad that resonated with you, Orige. 💙