Two Words, One Answer.
Emirates
 United Arab Emirates - Country Shield Patches $3.95 Our shield patches feature each country's flag below the name, and can be sewn on or ironed on. Actual size is approximately 2.5" x 2.75". ("Flagline.com" does not appear on the item.)  United Arab Emirates Grounded Adapter Kit - GUD and GUF $14.00 Grounded Adaptor plug changes your appliance plug to fit United Arab Emirates outlets.  National Anthems of the World: Swarovski Orchestra $17.98 Underwhelming. I came away thinking the musicians all were somehow stateless persons. They read their parts for certain, but without much 'spirit.' Uniformly lacking - auspiciously so. If nothing else, a National anthem ought to raise goosebumps, for it is the music of the land, itself. Some (e.g.: the EU anthem by Beethoven and the anthem of Hungary or Japan's song) seem to be composed in such a way as to enable thought; others seem to engender competition and manliness - Brazil's anthem - or Ireland's or the anthem of Italy; still others sound almost mystical and transcendant; as does (to me, at least) the beguiling, beautiful anthem of the Marshall Islands. My nation's National Hymn, using old English tune which, I am told, was a drinking song in the Sceptered Isles, is difficult to sing, much less play in multiple parts - derives its beauty not from the music but from a poet's eternal words in time of war that every school US child learns early on in life. And so forth. I wish the Swarovski CD showed these musical virtues. Now, don't get me wrong: what I have tried to describe here is how to touch a spirit or to kiss the wind in answer to its kiss. These CDs did not achieve it, IMO. A CD, same subject, that DID is a recording by the New Japan Phiharmonia (Title, issue date not known). If Amazon offered it, I would hit the One Button instantly. The Swarovski CD, however.... well, I don't think so.... Steve in PA |
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