Bach's cantata BWV 12 Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen

 

I went to a lovely concert with a friend this Sunday evening in Braunschweig Cathedral. The concert began with Vivaldi's violin concerto, "La Stravaganza" No. 4 RV 357, which was followed by Bach's Cantata BWV 12, "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen." A great evening close up to the orchestra and choir.

 

 

The soloist in rehearsal before the concert.

 

The soloists and conductor take a bow after the performance.

 

 

 

Cold, Wet and Windy with the Cuckoo in Timmerlah..

It's interesting to watch men at work.

 

 Some awful weather here for the beginning of May, although I seem to remember,  that this time last year, I had to borrow a warm coat from a friend, so no change really.   What has changed though is the view from my front window.   A Netto supermarket is taking shape, and will be opened in mid June.   At the moment the village has no shops, so it is much needed, but it is a shame it has to be in front of my window.

This roof edge will  soon have a bright orange Netto placard.  Shame it's not green.

 

 Where once were green fields, I now have the end of a building jutting into the landscape.  The space to the right will soon be occupied by a new fire station, so the village's gain is my loss.   Never mind, my neighbours need the shop, and I can still see the brocken over the top of the roofs.

Mrs Cuckoo has arrived in Timmerlah.

 

I did my usual 3.5 mile walk to Weststadt for some groceries this morning, and on the way back I heard the cuckoo in the woods. for the first time this year.   I  know it's a sign of spring, but why did nature chose a bird with nasty habits to herald in the summer. 

 

How interesting it would be to go back in time, and follow the development of this bird, to discover exactly where it learnt it's "let's toss other birds' babies out of the nest" skills.  

 

 

 

Martin Luther and the 500th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Prostestant Reformation in Europe.

 

This year Braunschweig is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the beginning  of the Protestant Reformation in Europe.  On Tuesday I collected a few brochures, as you can see above, which give information about the various exhibitions and concerts taking place throughout the year, to recognise the end of the Pope´s Catholic control of the church, and the beginning of the modern era of Protestant worship.

 

Martin Luther

 

Martin Martin Luther was born to Hans Luder (or Ludher, later Luther) and his wife Margarethe (née Lindemann) on 10 November 1483 in Eisleben, Saxony, then part of the Holy Roman Empire. He was baptized as a Catholic the next morning on the feast day of St Martin of Tours. His family moved to Mansfield in 1484, where his father was a leaseholder of copper mines and smelters and served as one of four citizen representatives on the local council.

 

For more information please read:

Martin Luther - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther

Martin Luther was born to Hans Luder (or Ludher, later Luther) and his wife Margarethe (née Lindemann) on 10 November 1483 in Eisleben, Saxony ...

 

 

According to one account, Luther nailed his Ninety five Theses to the door of All Saint's Church, in Wittenburg.  Scholars Walter Krämer, Götz Trenkler, Gerhard Ritter, and Gerhard Prause contend that the story of the posting on the door, even though it has settled as one of the pillars of history, has little foundation in truth. The story is based on comments made by Philipp Melanchhon, though it is thought that he was not in Wittenberg at the time.

 

The Ninety five Theses can be seen engraved into the door of All Saints' Church, Wittenburg.   The Latin inscription above informs the reader that the original door was destroyed by a fire, and that in 1857, King Frederick William lV of Prussia ordered a replacement be made.

Pulse for Europe in Braunschweig.

 

The big banner outside the Schoss in Braunschweig city centre.

 

Pulse of Europe is a pro-European citizen's initiative founded in Frankfurt, Germany at the end of 2016. It aims at encouraging citizens of the European Union to speak out publicly in favour of a pan-European identity.  As Europe is facing democratic deficits, the imminent Brexit, as well as the as popularity of  right-wing populist and nationalist political parties,  the initiative aims at counteracting euroscepticism.

 

 

A group of about 100 people came out to support peace and friendship amongst the peoples of Europe.

 

I gave short address to the audience about the group in Bath, who meet on a Sunday to promote peace and unity in Europe.

Off to Hannover in the Morning.

Orchids growing in the Herrenhausen Gardens in Hannover.  I spent a day in these gardens some years back, and they are well worth visiting if ever you visit the city.

Herrenhausen Gardens - visit-hannover.com

www.visit-hannover.com/en/Sightseeing-City-Tours/Tourist-Highlights/Herrenhausen-Gardens

Redirecting to http://www.visit-hannover.com/en/Sightseeing-City-Tours/Sightseeing/Tourist-Highlights/Herrenhausen-Gardens.

By suitcase is packed, all 21.5 kgs of it, so I'm all set for the off at 08:25 on Saturday morning.   I fly to Hannover, where a friend will meet me at the airport.   It will be nice to spend three months in my second home again. 

We are off to Germany on Saturday 29th April.

Norbert and I are off to Germany on Saturday.

You can all follow us on flight BA0978,  Sat 29th April. leaving Heathrow (hopefully) at 17.10.   We hope to arrive in Hannover at 19.45 local time, where our friend will collect us at the airport, and drive us to our flat in Timmerlah.

Watch this space for more news, and lots of pretty pictures of my second home.

Welcome to my 2017 Blog about my summer in Braunschweig

I'm flying from Heathrow to Hannover on Saturday 29th April, and will stay in my adopted city until Wednesday August 3rd.   I have a few trip planned already, one of which is a trip to Belgium, another to Hamburg to view the new Elbphilharmonie, and a third major coach trip with Waggum Choir back to Bath.  I'll rejoin the music and English groups, and of course sing with the lovely ladies of Waggum Ladies Choir.  I'll start packing in early April, and be ready in time for leaving Devizes at 8am for the airport on Saturday 29th April,

 

Watch this space for more news.