John Brown
@johnbrown1325.bsky.social
Post-Brexit Brit, now also Belgian. Pianist, singer & accordionist, occasional pretend Scotsman. Cats, music, gardening, science, birds, etc.
I’ve been singing a lovely setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by George Dyson. Only today did I find out he’s also well known for writing a manual on the use of grenades in trench warfare
George Dyson: Composer Of The Week
<p>This week, BBC Radio 3 has been showcasing the music of former Royal College of Music Director, Sir George Dyson, as its Composer Of The Week. </p>
www.rcm.ac.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I’ve been singing a lovely setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by George Dyson. Only today did I find out he’s also well known for writing a manual on the use of grenades in trench warfare
This rain is really dirty: looks like my car’s had mud spattered all over it. Sahara dust or something else?
November 14, 2025 at 8:11 PM
This rain is really dirty: looks like my car’s had mud spattered all over it. Sahara dust or something else?
I’ve driven past this memorial several times on my way to work but never stopped before. George Parramore was a member of a US bomber crew: his plane was caught by German fighters while returning to England after a bombing raid. The crew bailed out but Parramore was killed. vredesporen.be/m102/
November 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
I’ve driven past this memorial several times on my way to work but never stopped before. George Parramore was a member of a US bomber crew: his plane was caught by German fighters while returning to England after a bombing raid. The crew bailed out but Parramore was killed. vredesporen.be/m102/
Weird to see one of my son’s ex-teammates playing for Belgium against Brazil in the rugby world cup qualifiers. Really hope Belgiums win this but they have a way to go
November 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Weird to see one of my son’s ex-teammates playing for Belgium against Brazil in the rugby world cup qualifiers. Really hope Belgiums win this but they have a way to go
Reposted by John Brown
Het spectaculaire #noorderlicht van afgelopen nacht was zelfs te zien boven Brussel, ondanks de lichtvervuiling! Deze beelden zijn vastgelegd door de KMI webcam in Ukkel tussen 4u en 5u vanmorgen, 12/11. Vannacht opnieuw kansen!
November 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Het spectaculaire #noorderlicht van afgelopen nacht was zelfs te zien boven Brussel, ondanks de lichtvervuiling! Deze beelden zijn vastgelegd door de KMI webcam in Ukkel tussen 4u en 5u vanmorgen, 12/11. Vannacht opnieuw kansen!
If the sky is clear tonight there’s a good chance of seeing the aurora in N Europe. It was seen as far south as Lyon yesterday.
November 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
If the sky is clear tonight there’s a good chance of seeing the aurora in N Europe. It was seen as far south as Lyon yesterday.
I really enjoyed this. Part history, part magical realism
November 12, 2025 at 7:22 AM
I really enjoyed this. Part history, part magical realism
I started singing in a choir at my local music académie in September: tonight I played piano to accompany them and even led a part of the rehearsal. I’m hoping to be director of the academy by summer 😇
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I started singing in a choir at my local music académie in September: tonight I played piano to accompany them and even led a part of the rehearsal. I’m hoping to be director of the academy by summer 😇
Clearing out a cupboard, and found this 200-page booklet How To Find Information On the Internet dating from 2001. I expect it’s still relevant.
Lesson 1; using Altavista…
Lesson 1; using Altavista…
November 10, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Clearing out a cupboard, and found this 200-page booklet How To Find Information On the Internet dating from 2001. I expect it’s still relevant.
Lesson 1; using Altavista…
Lesson 1; using Altavista…
I didn’t know this: ‘official’ buskers on the Brussels metro have to play an audition to STIB staff in order to get a licence
Singer-songwriters, seasoned violinists and accordion players are among the pool of talented musicians taking over Brussels' metro stations.
The new soundtrack to your daily commute in Brussels
The new soundtrack to your daily commute in Brussels
www.brusselstimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:18 AM
I didn’t know this: ‘official’ buskers on the Brussels metro have to play an audition to STIB staff in order to get a licence
There’s an owl calling in my back garden and I love to hear it
November 9, 2025 at 7:46 PM
There’s an owl calling in my back garden and I love to hear it
A nice little chapel in Leuven for today’s evensong. A small section of original wall painting survives but I guess the rest of the chapel was rebuilt after WW1
November 9, 2025 at 4:51 PM
A nice little chapel in Leuven for today’s evensong. A small section of original wall painting survives but I guess the rest of the chapel was rebuilt after WW1
Watching Belgium playing an international rugby match, and its televised, unusually. They have to win to have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup, and so far they’re doing well 17-3 vs Namibia
November 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Watching Belgium playing an international rugby match, and its televised, unusually. They have to win to have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup, and so far they’re doing well 17-3 vs Namibia
It’s only taken 18 years but I’ve finally got proper lights in all rooms in my house. 18 years and a helpful Polish workman who’s smarter and handier than me
November 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM
It’s only taken 18 years but I’ve finally got proper lights in all rooms in my house. 18 years and a helpful Polish workman who’s smarter and handier than me
I love the shape of the nuthatch
November 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
I love the shape of the nuthatch
Roses in November sunshine 🌱
November 6, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Roses in November sunshine 🌱
Amazing sky in Brussels this morning (pic from a friend)
November 5, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Amazing sky in Brussels this morning (pic from a friend)
This is great (although a terrible ‘90s video)
Edson Cordeiro & Cássia Eller - A Rainha Da Noite / I Cant Get No (Satisfaction) (Clipe Official)
YouTube video by Edson Cordeiro Oficial
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 5:08 AM
This is great (although a terrible ‘90s video)
A bit percussion heavy due to where it’s recorded from, but do you recognise it?
November 2, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A bit percussion heavy due to where it’s recorded from, but do you recognise it?
A low sun lighting up the autumn colours
November 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
A low sun lighting up the autumn colours
A film you've seen more than seven times, with a gif
November 1, 2025 at 9:47 PM
A film you've seen more than seven times, with a gif
I had never considered how Bach died but it seems he was the victim of a charlatan who operated on, and blinded, hundreds of people. Handel could also have been a victim of his. An amazing character.
John Taylor (oculist) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
October 31, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I had never considered how Bach died but it seems he was the victim of a charlatan who operated on, and blinded, hundreds of people. Handel could also have been a victim of his. An amazing character.
Reposted by John Brown
The sheer size of the ballot papers in the Netherlands caused problems yesterday. One man got his hand stuck in a ballot box when he tried to push the folded sheet down. It took half an hour to free him. A woman lost her wedding ring, which was retrieved at the count.
October 30, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The sheer size of the ballot papers in the Netherlands caused problems yesterday. One man got his hand stuck in a ballot box when he tried to push the folded sheet down. It took half an hour to free him. A woman lost her wedding ring, which was retrieved at the count.