Monday, November 27, 2006

Conveying the mood of the season

Here's a movie I made last week, featuring a barrel organ in a Rotterdam shopping centre.
Sinterklaas songs are uptempo and cheerful.
After december 5 the organ grinders replace their punchhole playbooks by the much more solemn and syrupy Christmas repertoire, that we then only have to endure for 3 weeks!

Just discovered: there is a film about Santa Claus where the connection is made with our Spanish Sinterklaas. The film is called Nicholas of Myra and the trailer can be viewed here.

Following the encouter with the barrel organ I went to market. As usual really lovely colours and patterns...




18 comments:

Vallypee said...

Despite the syrup and goo, I still love these old barrel organs Koosje. they remind me that not everything in the world has to be sophisticated and arty, and they are such lovely extravagent things in themselves.

Love the market pics too. They make it look positively exotic.

Anne-Marie said...

I think they're a lovely reminder of a different time.

Thanks for all your good wishes. Consider us all licked.

Dale said...

Hi Koos!

I can only see a fuzzy portion of your movie - I'll have to wait and use the computer at work.

There is nothing I love better than going to the market!

It's not the same as shopping at the store...
There's all the bargaining and comradarie mingled with a revelry tinged with urgency.

Not to mention the variety of wares that catch the eye as well as the imagination!

Great photos, my Friend.

Love
Dale

Lannio said...

Nice pictures. The organ reminds me of those carosels in French towns. nice market pictures too. Makes me realize again that I have to go down to the end of my street to the St. Lawrence Market. It was established in the 1800's (that's old for us) and has all the basics plus every exotic food you can almost think of.

You have a talent for telling great stories through the medium of film. Thanks!

Koos F said...

Hi Anne-Marie
So happy to see you are back in the kingdom of Blogium.
This circle of is very dear to me.

As Dale says: Friend. I think that is the right word here. Thank you Dale!

A comment not on this page but on You Tube where the film is hosted.
The commenter is robin de orgelman (the organ grinder), and he just writes: "draaiorgel de rosalia". So he knows this one.
His youtbe film shows very well how a punchcard book is used to produce the music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K1SgwEmkUQ
There are othe draaiorgel movies on that page. Recommended viewing.

Koos F said...

Sweet Lannio, your comment came in while I was writing mine. Great minds think alike. Thanks for telling about the St Lawrence market, I like that type of detail!
Just remember the market is closed on Sundays and Mondays...

Lannio said...

Oh Koos you don't disappoint. I gave you the name of the market and the fact that it was situated at the end of my street on purpose. Your inquisitive mind acted just as I thought it would. ;-)

Koos F said...

You see through me, Lænnio ;=)

Anonymous said...

Hi Koos,
A pity that most of those organs are engine driven nowadays. Was this an original one?
I could not see the Nicholas of Myra trailer. The sound was there though but no image....

Lannio said...

Ah yes Koos ... now things are changing

gypsy noir said...

those people were walking by and not even looking at that beautiful piece of machinery...thats so sad because it was a piece of art in its self..

oh those pictures of sweets have made me hungry now ill have to have some jelly babies...

Koos F said...

Erik-Jan, There are hardly any hand-operated barrel-organs left, and this one is no exception.
Luckily the motors they use are really silent...

Hi Lesnio, can't wait to see the next letter change. The way I see it, it might go either of two ways, but I will not hazard a guess.

Gypsy, I agree on the piece of art and the attention it deserves. On the other hand there are so many of them around and we are so used to them, that the lack of attention can be forgiven.

Ahvarahn said...

Lovely colors, and I can just smell this market. I’ve been away but it’s good to be back. Familiar places. I extend my best wishes to you an Vallp. Be well and healthy.

Anonymous said...

Hi Koos,
Every engine is silent since you got used to Formula One racing in Rotterdam.......
Erik-Jan.

Dale said...

Koos, I love Christmas - syrup, solemnity and all!!

I have found one of the magical things about having kids is being able to experience my childhood again - vicariously through my own children!

And that includes Christmas!

:)
Dale

Koos F said...

That's a good one, Eric-Jan ;-)

Great to have children, Dale, and good to know you can enjoy them in such a special way.

I'm sure you saw the hidden smiley behind syrup and solemnity?

Dale said...

... as the lump in your cheek is your tongue?

Koos F said...

...lump in your cheek is your tongue?
Or the shoe left behind after taking out my foot? ;-)