365/365 Songs: Auld Lang Syne
There’s really only one song a Scot could play on Hogmanay: Auld Lang Syne. Our national poet Robert Burns wrote the poem in 1788 and along with the traditional tune known as Roud, it has become the traditional song of the New Year. Many versions of the song exist in many languages. Last year students from Glasgow University broke a world record for the most multilingual performance of the song on St Andrew’s day.
A year ago today, late in the evening I had what seemed like a great idea: I’d just bought a new piano and since I wanted to encourage myself to play more I thought it would be a fantastic idea to record a different piece of music every day of the year. I was fairly certain I knew 365 songs and I’d be able to choose particular songs to play for particular occasions or particular reasons. Over the past twelve months I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this challenge, although at times it has been difficult, particularly with so much travelling this year. On some occasions I had to record up to two weeks’ worth of songs in advance before a long trip, which made getting ready for the trip that bit more hectic! One of the best things about the challenge has been that I played much more this year than I have done probably in the last ten years – and indeed that was one of the main aims of the project. I’m not sure if I’ve “improved” – perhaps if I’d played the same song each day it would be easier to determine, if a little less interesting! I’m afraid I’ll not be continuing to publish daily songs in 2011, though I may add a few songs which I never quite got to round to playing this year, but the daily commitment is just a bit too much to continue.
I wonder if anybody listening to my songs has had any particular favourites over the past year? I’ve particularly enjoyed playing many songs – jazzy numbers like Bess, you is my woman now, A wink and a smile, Makin’ Whoopee, At last, All the things you are and My baby just cares for me; pop numbers like You’ve got a friend, She’s always a woman, Footprints in the sand, Make you feel my love, Both sides now and Up on the roof; show tunes and songs from films including A little fall of rain from Les Misérables, Wishing you were somehow here again from Phantom, Lift the wings from Riverdance, Gabriellas Sång, the theme from Schindler’s List and Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar; and of course the Abba classics including When all is said and done, One man, one woman and Slipping through my fingers. I’ve also really enjoyed playing some folky/traditional songs – with or without accordion! – including Ae fond kiss, She moves through the fair, and Caledonia and some Latin songs including Tico Tico, Perfidia and Sway. I think if I had to choose, my favourites would probably be The way you look tonight, Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission, Fields of gold and the beautifully simple And so it goes by Billy Joel. If you have a favourite, please let me know in the comments!
As we reach the end of this year and of this project, I’d like to thank everyone who has listened to my music. There have been over 20,000 downloads of the songs over the past 12 months, and I hope that you’ve enjoyed listening to them. Have a very happy Hogmanay and very best wishes to everyone for 2011.
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Well Mark we are having such fun choosing songs in turn as we get ready for our hogmanay party tonight. What an amazing Christmas gift you have given us in this list – your talent is simply awe-inspiring, thank you so very much. So far favourites have been (Katy) Katy Perry (Diarmid) Happy New year and I still go back to my first favourite from the 365 list, which is A Nightingale in Berkeley Square – so lazy, beautiful, relaxed. I’m sure there will be more we will add to our favourites – the rest of the family will find theirs too when they come back and there arefar too many to choose from. You have inspired us -the two piano – playing ones especially. You’ve given them something to aspire to. A very Happy New Year to you and the family, and every good wish for continued success in 2011 with Radiolingua.
Wahay! Challenge completed!
Hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as your listeners have.
My favourites were Last night of the world (although you do need to rerecord with Joe on sax), all the Les Mis ones, Tonight and With one look (do you get the feeling I ike musicals?) Also love More than a woman, and Slipping through my fingers as they’re beautiful songs.
But my most favourite has to be my birthday request – I still believe – and of course i don’t mind the Peruvian miners delaying it!
Thank you for the music and here’s to much more
Lisa xx
Almost impossible to name a favorite, but if I had to….WILD MOUNTAIN THYME.
We saved the playing of this last song for our New Year’s Eve toast in Canada (five hours after yours) and celebrated 2011 with strawberries, chocolate and some bubbly and most of all, Auld Lang Syne beautifully played by you. Thanks for a wonderful year of music, Mark. Your commitment to your challenge has been a joy for us.
Frank and Johanna
Mark, you have played so many of my favourite tunes over the last year, I cannot name them all – the musicals, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Gershwin… the list goes on and the arrangements – fantastic. Thank you for introducing me to some unfamiliar ones as well. Since there will not be a new tune a day to look forward to ( we retired people lead a very dull life!!!), I think I may just go through the last year again.
Best wishes for 2011 to you, Catriona, Matthew and Euan, Helen
Well done! You have played so many tunes from such a wide range of music – Bohemiam Rhapsody to California Girls – you have your fan base covered. I am looking forward to the specials next year. Super well done, I will continue to practice Hey Jude in case the need arises.
Top Hogmanay party.
Love and Best Wishes Fiona, Andy, Angus and Aimee XXXX
Congratulations on completing your challenge, Mark. We’ve loved listening to your music and reading all the background information and will miss our song of the day. Dare we suggest a “Song of the month” . . . . or even ” Song of the week” for 2011 ????
Thank you for the music. It’s been wonderful.
Lots of love,
Mum and Dad
Mark… you’re still a legend!!! x