User talk:Gerda Arendt

2024 talk · 2024 introduction: Anniversary of Bach's chorale cantatas · music · recent deaths · good articles · did you know?
my 2024 cards · other 2024 cards
archives: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · blushing
my story today:

The melody of the Christian hymn
"Ik sta voor U in leegte en gemis"
(I stand before You in emptiness and loss)
is written without bar lines,
reflecting the singer's insecurity and questions.

listen

7 September 2019

(from User:Gerda Arendt/Stories)

music

1 September · service Marienkirche, Aulhausen Ich möcht' mit einem Zirkus ziehn Meine Hoffnung und meine Freude Zeige uns den Weg Friedensnetz

29 August · RMF Rheingau Musik Festival Kurhaus, Wiesbaden Beethoven: Violin Concerto Brahms: Symphony No. 4 Christian Tetzlaff, violin Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich Paavo Järvi

2 September 2023 · RMF Rheingau Musik Festival Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 Gewandhausorchester Herbert Blomstedt

2024

I made two cards for the transition from 2023 to 2024:

Bach composed
Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht,
BWV 134a,
as a congratulatory cantata
for the court of Köthen,
first performed
on New Year's Day 1719.

14 July 2010

Lobpreiset all zu dieser Zeit

A German theologian wrote
"Vertraut den neuen Wegen"
(Trust the new ways)
to the melody of
Lob Gott getrost mit Singen
(Praise God confidently with singing)
to be sung at a wedding in Eisenach
shortly before the fall of the Wall.

7 April 2021

A little child, a little lamb, on a backdrop of war and death: hoping for more peace in 2024! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:38, 31 December 2023 (UTC)

These were my "stories" on 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2023. If you want to follow a daily sentence throughout the year, use {{User Gerda Arendt/Top}}, and for the calendar pictures and the music of the year, see User:Gerda Arendt/Images 2024. Let's stay inspired and connected. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:18, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

2024 · the anniversary of Bach's chorale cantatas

September songs

Mein Gott, wie schön ist deine Welt Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud Mögen sich die Wege vor deinen Füßen ebnen Der Mond ist aufgegangen Viens, Esprit Créateur Ave maris stella my song of defiance

2024 is the anniversary of the Achtliederbuch, the first Lutheran hymnal of 500 years ago, and - possibly related - Bach's cycle of Chorale cantatas 300 years ago. His works and the chorales on which they are based will be a focus for 2024. Ongoing are locations that played a role in my life, recent deaths, music heard and sung, composers, gardens. Watch my user page for articles, done in collaboration. Compare 2023 for the amazing number of users who began and expanded articles. Thanks also to reviewers, and I do plan to review more and write less, and in writing, focus more on quality than the little daily article.

2024 talk begins at #Have a happy New Year, Gerda!, 2024 calender pics and musical events begin here, and the 2024 diary of my own pictures of places, songs, food, flowers ... will come here, - just watch those lists if you are interested.

My talk goes like this: on top there's the "story" related to the day. Below are three boxes, often one for people remembered and two for musical experiences, performing or listening. In these boxes, topics related to the top story and topics featured on the Main page appear bold. Right here you see the image of the month with songs of the month, typically related to meetings with friends who gave them to me. I archive from time. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:35, 1 January 2024 (UTC) - updated order --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:57, 10 April 2024 (UTC)

Have a happy New Year, Gerda!

Belated seasons greetings; great contribution

Belated Christmas greetings and happy new year. I have not sent my usual greetings this season. Coordinator work, preparing a talk for January 2 and real life have me quite busy. I just took better notice of User:Gerda Arendt/Stories. As always, this is another great contribution to the project by you. Donner60 (talk) 22:29, 30 December 2023 (UTC)

Thank you, Donner60, and all the best for 2024! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:42, 31 December 2023 (UTC)

Happy New Year!

Dear Gerda, I apologize for not replying to your thoughtful messages. December is usually a busy month for me; this one has been even more so, much of it because of my own doing! But I wanted to let you know that I did read them and that it means very much to me that you took the trouble to think of me, despite my occasional irascibility. (Within me the patrimony of my hot-blooded Italian forebears are ever in conflict with the expressive austerity of my Basque ancestors!) Thank you for everything that you do on here. My sincerest wishes to you for good health and much joy in 2024! :) —CurryTime7-24 (talk) 21:43, 31 December 2023 (UTC)

Thank you for your personal expression, and have a good curry time in 2024 - brief, off to the village fireworks to come. I just finished my pics of 2023, and it was a good harvest, in the end of many Christmas trees, angels, high water and a flaming sky. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:38, 31 December 2023 (UTC)

Have a wonderful New Year, Gerda!

	A year filled with music and song, food and friends, hiking and nature!
	Hi Gerda Arendt, Best wishes that the new year brings peace, prosperity, health and happiness. Thank you for everything you do for the Wikipedia community, your article improvements, and bringing people together here. Image: New Year's Eve Foxfires at the Changing Tree Oji, Utagawa Hiroshige, woodcut, 1857 Netherzone (talk) 00:13, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

Netherzone, thank you for a lovely start in the new year, - see my "response" (written before I went to bed).

Happy New Year!

	Happy New Year!
	Happy New Year from Martha and I! Appalachian Spring was one of many articles you helped me with this year, and I am beyond grateful for the support and time you've given me in my first full year as an editor. Here's to a new year of composers, compositions, and singers! MyCatIsAChonk (talk) (not me) (also not me) (still no) 00:43, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for the personal greeting, and it's all my pleasure, MyCatIsAChonk. Igor and I. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:02, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

Have a good year in 2024

Make the music and keep up the good work! Cheers, · · · Peter Southwood ^(talk): 15:04, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, Peter, for coming over! Same to you! - I try. What do you think of my question here? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:16, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Happy New Year and Thank You!

Hi Gerda, Just to wish you a Happy New Year and to say that I'm retiring from Wikipedia after a good innings. Thank you for your encouragement and cheerfulness! I will still be contactable via my talk page and have said I'm happy to answer questions there too. Bless you Bermicourt (talk) 18:50, 5 January 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, sad to see you go, but do what's best for you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:50, 5 January 2024 (UTC)

I'm considering contributing to German Wikipedia instead, but conscious I'm not a native speaker so will need to up my game! Maybe I'll see you there! :) Bermicourt (talk) 17:15, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

Fine, - ping me when you create something to be reviewed. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:36, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Original Barnstar
	I bestow this award to you, Gerda, for being an untiring teacher. Along with creating so many new music articles that the world can enjoy, you also share with me (and others) interesting anecdotes about the music and your life. I really appreciate the learnings from the messages you leave, and as a token of my thanks, this barnstar is for you. Rosiestep (talk) 20:41, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, Rosie, that's very original and touching! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:42, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Catalogue of Works of Carl Friedrich Abel

On 5 January 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Catalogue of Works of Carl Friedrich Abel, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the new Catalogue of Works of Carl Friedrich Abel, listing 420 compositions, was introduced at a festival celebrating Abel's tercentenary in Köthen? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Catalogue of Works of Carl Friedrich Abel. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Catalogue of Works of Carl Friedrich Abel).

Z1720 (talk) 00:03, 5 January 2024 (UTC)

Wonderful to see this on the main page after the wait! MyCatIsAChonk (talk) (not me) (also not me) (still no) 17:15, 5 January 2024 (UTC)

About time. Article begun in May, meant to appear with the Abel Fest in June. Then we missed his birthday on 22 December. I wanted it with the image, for various reasons,

The new
Catalogue of Works of Carl Friedrich Abel,
listing 420 compositions,
was introduced
at a festival
celebrating Abel's tercentenary
in Köthen.

5 January 2024

but this is better than nothing. - What do you think of the nom for Anna Nekhames? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:31, 5 January 2024 (UTC)

1. Catalogue of Works of Carl Friedrich Abel 5 Jan
2. Ryland Davies 9 Jan
3. Kihwan Sim 12 Jan
4. Wie liegt die Stadt so wüst 15 Jan
5. Thomas Fritzsch 16 Jan
6. St. Joseph, Wedding 20 Jan
7. Vivi Vassileva 21 Jan
8. St. Martin, Oestrich 25 Jan
9. Shalom chaverim 25 Jan
10. Anna Nekhames 26 Jan
11. Stephen Gould (tenor) 7 Feb
12. Tamara Milashkina 20 Feb
13. Caspar Richter 3 Mar
14. Cecelia Hall 23 Mar
15. Kelsey Lauritano 26 Mar
16. Florian Ludwig 26 Mar
17. Karsten Januschke 29 Mar
18. Tilmann Köhler 5 Apr
19. Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine 30 Apr
20. Magdalena Hinterdobler 10 May
21. Liviu Holender 22 May
22. St. Trinitatis, Wolfenbüttel 26 May
23. Samuel Kummer 30 May
24. Peter Demetz 5 Jun
25. Daniela Kerck 25 Jun
26. Zwei Gesänge, Op. 1 (Schoenberg) 1 Jul
27. Gerhard Klingenberg 23 Jul
28. Sarah Gibson 8 Aug
29. Leonhard Kaiser 16 Aug
30. Oedipus 26 Aug
31. Jerzy Artysz 28 Aug

ITN recognition for Hermann Baumann (musician)

On 5 January 2024, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Hermann Baumann (musician), which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. PFHLai (talk) 01:00, 5 January 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, PFHLai, for the first of the year. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:31, 5 January 2024 (UTC)

For more detail see Wikipedia:WikiProject Quality Article Improvement/Recent deaths --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:30, 18 January 2024 (UTC)

1. Hermann Baumann (musician) - PFHLai (talk) 01:00, 5 January 2024 (UTC)
2. Chris Karrer - Stephen 22:18, 9 January 2024 (UTC)
3. Tamara Milashkina - PFHLai (talk) 23:36, 17 January 2024 (UTC)
4. Romuald Twardowski - Stephen 01:41, 20 January 2024 (UTC)
5. Ewa Podleś - Stephen 00:05, 24 January 2024 (UTC)
6. Gerd Uecker - Stephen 10:28, 26 January 2024 (UTC)
7. Oskar Negt - Stephen 22:41, 7 February 2024 (UTC)
8. Helga Paris - Stephen 22:41, 12 February 2024 (UTC)
9. Seiji Ozawa - Spencer^T•C 05:47, 12 February 2024 (UTC)
10. Alfred Grosser - Ingenuity (talk • contribs) 00:43, 11 February 2024 (UTC)
11. Ladislav Burlas - Stephen 00:00, 19 February 2024 (UTC)
12. Rudolf Jansen - PFHLai (talk) 19:06, 19 February 2024 (UTC)
13. Johanna von Koczian - PFHLai (talk) 20:04, 17 February 2024 (UTC)
14. Ira von Fürstenberg - Stephen 23:31, 24 February 2024 (UTC)
15. Gabriela Grillo - Stephen 08:00, 2 March 2024 (UTC)
16. Françoise Garner - PFHLai (talk) 12:33, 13 March 2024 (UTC)
17. Guy Touvron - PFHLai (talk) 23:59, 15 March 2024 (UTC)
18. Aribert Reimann - Stephen 21:20, 19 March 2024 (UTC)
19. Maurizio Pollini - – robertsky (talk) 02:28, 28 March 2024 (UTC)
20. Peter Eötvös - Tone 10:42, 30 March 2024 (UTC)
21. Günther Leib - PFHLai (talk) 21:26, 28 March 2024 (UTC)
22. Judith Hemmendinger - Stephen 23:47, 31 March 2024 (UTC)
23. Hans Joachim Meyer - Stephen 01:56, 5 April 2024 (UTC)
24. Notker Wolf - PFHLai (talk) 17:28, 8 April 2024 (UTC)
25. Gerhard Lohfink - Stephen 23:14, 9 April 2024 (UTC)
26. Kalevi Kiviniemi - Stephen 23:31, 9 April 2024 (UTC)
27. Michael Boder - PFHLai (talk) 16:02, 13 April 2024 (UTC)
28. Dieter Rexroth - PFHLai (talk) 23:30, 15 April 2024 (UTC)
29. Joe Viera - Amakuru (talk) 11:20, 15 April 2024 (UTC) (14 Apr)
30. Lorenzo Palomo - Stephen 01:24, 18 April 2024 (UTC)
31. Andrew Davis - Spencer^T•C 19:28, 22 April 2024 (UTC)
32. Samuel Kummer - – robertsky (talk) 07:22, 28 April 2024 (UTC)
33. Peter Demetz - Spencer^T•C 21:32, 6 May 2024 (UTC)
34. Gerhard Müller - PFHLai (talk) 09:55, 15 May 2024 (UTC)
35. Willi Brokmeier - Ad Orientem (talk) 19:17, 25 May 2024 (UTC)
36. Rolf-Ernst Breuer - Schwede66 07:08, 29 May 2024 (UTC)
37. Hugues Gall - PFHLai (talk) 12:14, 2 June 2024 (UTC)
38. Alexander Lang - Schwede66 20:16, 5 June 2024 (UTC)
39. Jürgen Moltmann - Schwede66 10:03, 10 June 2024 (UTC)
40. Éric Tappy - Stephen 23:47, 18 June 2024 (UTC)
41. Gerhard Klingenberg - Stephen 01:27, 23 June 2024 (UTC)
42. Jodie Devos - PFHLai (talk) 21:02, 23 June 2024 (UTC)
43. Margarita Voites - Spencer^T•C 23:57, 28 June 2024 (UTC)
44. Lothar Gall - Spencer^T•C 23:57, 28 June 2024 (UTC)
45. Lando Bartolini - Stephen 22:45, 3 July 2024 (UTC)
46. Martti Wallén - PFHLai (talk) 13:22, 6 July 2024 (UTC)
47. Liana Isakadze - Spencer^T•C 02:54, 11 July 2024 (UTC)
48. Marina Kondratyeva - PFHLai (talk) 11:25, 15 July 2024 (UTC)
49. Ruth Hesse - Stephen 01:58, 18 July 2024 (UTC)
50. Thomas Hoepker - DanCherek (talk) 22:32, 18 July 2024 (UTC)
51. Sarah Gibson - Stephen 01:07, 22 July 2024 (UTC)
52. April Cantelo - Stephen 23:45, 22 July 2024 (UTC)
53. Elena Mauti Nunziata - Spencer^T•C 17:19, 25 July 2024 (UTC)
54. Jerzy Artysz - PFHLai (talk) 12:52, 28 July 2024 (UTC)
55. Eugene Sârbu - PFHLai (talk) 22:31, 29 July 2024 (UTC)
56. Wolfgang Rihm - PFHLai (talk) 12:37, 30 July 2024 (UTC)
57. Jürgen Ahrend - PFHLai (talk) 21:48, 6 August 2024 (UTC)
58. Antônio Meneses - PFHLai (talk) 23:10, 6 August 2024 (UTC)
59. Miguel Ángel Gómez Martínez - Stephen 22:34, 11 August 2024 (UTC)
60. Celestina Casapietra - Stephen 04:27, 15 August 2024 (UTC)
61. Kasper König - Schwede66 18:16, 16 August 2024 (UTC)
62. Christof Nel - Spencer^T•C 07:12, 19 August 2024 (UTC)
63. Maryvonne Le Dizès - Stephen 22:41, 27 August 2024 (UTC)
64. Siegfried Lorenz (baritone) - Spencer^T•C 21:27, 31 August 2024 (UTC)
65. Alexander Goehr - – robertsky (talk) 14:24, 1 September 2024 (UTC)

Your GA nomination of Macht hoch die Tür

The article Macht hoch die Tür you nominated as a good article has passed ; see Talk:Macht hoch die Tür for comments about the article, and Talk:Macht hoch die Tür/GA1 for the nomination. Well done! If the article has never appeared on the Main Page as a "Did you know" item, and has not appeared within the last year either as "Today's featured article", or as a bold link under "In the news" or in the "On this day" prose section, you can nominate it within the next seven days to appear at DYK. Bolded names with dates listed at the bottom of the "On this day" column do not affect DYK eligibility. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of Schminnte -- Schminnte (talk) 22:24, 8 January 2024 (UTC)

1. Macht hoch die Tür - Schminnte (talk) 22:24, 8 January 2024 (UTC)
2. Stephen Gould (tenor) - MyCatIsAChonk (talk) 00:03, 18 January 2024 (UTC)
3. Ryland Davies - Utopes (talk) 19:41, 27 February 2024 (UTC)
4. Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104 - MyCatIsAChonk (talk) 11:43, 13 April 2024 (UTC)
5. Magdalena Hinterdobler - MyCatIsAChonk (talk) 21:04, 4 June 2024 (UTC)
6. Cecelia Hall (mezzo-soprano) - 750h+ (talk) 12:03, 14 June 2024 (UTC)
7. Tamara Milashkina - Viriditas (talk) 22:40, 3 July 2024 (UTC)
8. Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält, BWV 178 · 750h+ 12:50, 30 July 2024 (UTC)
9. Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101 · 750h+ (talk) 09:02, 14 August 2024 (UTC)
10. Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78 · 750h+ (talk) 06:42, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

Notice

There is currently a discussion at Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Incidents regarding an issue with which you may have been involved. Thank you. Narutolovehinata5 (talk · contributions) 23:45, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

• Gerda, perhaps if you started out every hook with "Did you know ... that Narutolovehinata5 is very important ... and also [insert hook here]. --Floquenbeam (talk) 00:10, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
	For all the wonderful things you do for the encyclopedia, especially for spreading friendship, and for bringing music to the main page with your DYK work there. Thank you for being you! Netherzone (talk) 01:00, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

Seconding @Netherzone here. I didn't see the post in time to oppose vehemently. But I love what you bring to all areas, especially talk pages since that's where I frequently see you @Gerda Arendt. Thanks for always sharing your passions with us. Star Mississippi 17:59, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

I offer you my deepest apologies Gerda

Hello Gerda. I would just want you to know that I am very sorry for the ANI discussion I started earlier. I had been having some real-life stress lately and it felt like it may have affected my feelings on-wiki. I'm very sorry for the attitude I have shown you over the past few weeks. I very much appreciate your efforts on Wikipedia and your dedication to the project even if we disagree on many things, and I just want to let you know that despite everything that has happened you are still an editor I admire and respect. You are a net positive to DYK and while we may disagree on views, what we can agree on is that your articles are very informative and a net good to the project. Again, I am sorry for what I have done. Rest assured that regardless of our differences I support your efforts on Wikipedia to improve our coverage on classical music and Germany. Narutolovehinata5 (talk · contributions) 02:46, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

I woke up thinking Joy to the world. I tried to bring joy, it's turned into trivia, and I'm accused of bad faith. Travelling now, no time to even look. Before looking, I can't tell if I can accept apologies, which may may be tomorrow. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:52, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

Narutolovehinata5, still today, I'm on a train, the train has a connection (all things that can't be taken for granted): apologies for attitude accepted, but I hope that it really will change, because I felt it becoming a danger to diversity of information and freedom of speech. For those unfamiliar with the situation: we escalated over the hook for Kihwan Sim, which was replaced in prep against my protest. That hook should not run, it's a triviality said about a living person who deserves merit for specific achievements. - I looked at the thread and found some gems of support there that I will place in my "blushing" cabinet, - thank you, all! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:19, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

This is not an indictment of Naruto but like others on the AN/I thread I have found that Wikipedia seems to have become more hostile. I suppose one could surmise at least somewhat that it is born out of necessity. We appear to live at a time where I feel my thoughts on life and the way I wish to live life are going the way of faeries and dragons. Nobody cares, love is fleeting, and civility and affording basic human respect are more centered on your position in relation to mine rather than the fact you are a fellow human being. The cruelty is not AN/I or Naruto's position. The cruelty is everything that has led up to it. People are becoming less nice and we are told it is normal, discussions less civil but we are told to accept it. Where is the empathy?

Gerda, you are a blessing and so precious, my friend. I said it after we first met and I maintain that yours is one the brightest lights I have been so fortunate to meet here. Keep singing, keep shining, keep being you. --ARoseWolf 13:52, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

For a sunbeam on these winter afternoons

		The DYK Barnstar
		My small thanks for the large amount of work you do here, Rjjiii (talk) 09:02, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Shalom chaverim

On 25 January 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Shalom chaverim, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that "Shalom chaverim" ('Peace, friends'), a Hebrew traditional folk song, has been sung at events commemorating the Holocaust and victims of anti-Semitic violence? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Shalom chaverim. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Shalom chaverim).

—Ganesha811 (talk) 00:03, 25 January 2024 (UTC)

~ ToBeFree (talk) 20:52, 25 January 2024 (UTC)

27 January

Birthday of Mozart and our conductor:

20 January · service St. Martin, Idstein Zu dir, o Gott, erheben wir Psalm 25 Alle Menschen höret auf dies neue Lied Gelobet sei der Herr · 1 September 2019 Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine

in memoriam Mozart: Lacrymosa Ewa Podleś Gerd Uecker Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and those who have just given up

26 November 2023 · concert St. Martin, Idstein Pärt: Fratres Pärt: Da pacem Domine Mozart: Requiem

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:20, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Stephen Gould (tenor)

On 7 February 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Stephen Gould (tenor), which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Stephen Gould performed three roles at the 2022 Bayreuth Festival: Tannhäuser, Siegfried and Tristan, earning him nicknames such as "Iron Man"? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Stephen Gould (tenor). You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Stephen Gould (tenor)).

—Ganesha811 (talk) 02:08, 7 February 2024 (UTC)

Finally, good to see him at DYK! MyCatIsAChonk (talk) (not me) (also not me) (still no) 11:53, 7 February 2024 (UTC)

yes, thank you for noticing --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:58, 7 February 2024 (UTC)

BWV 22

Every time I visit your pages I end up having to learn about a lovely new cantata! Thank you so much for all your work. It's BWV 22 right now – what a gorgeous thing, despite the tragic lack of trumpets.

I have a personally busy time coming up with Bach and some other guy called Handel and some other other guy called Telemann. Should be fun.

Cheers!! DBaK (talk) 19:56, 11 February 2024 (UTC)

Cheers back, listening right now to an opera by the Handel guy (Poro) which Telemann presented as Cleofida in Hamburg in 1732 adding marches he must have enjoyed writing. German recitatives. Never heard. Delightful. - You don't have to come to my page as long you have "story" in a box by me ;) - Our Bach endeavour will be three cantatas!!! 5 May, - come over, plenty of trumpets in BWV 11 ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:23, 11 February 2024 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Seiji Ozawa

On 12 February 2024, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Seiji Ozawa, which you updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Spencer^T•C 05:47, 12 February 2024 (UTC)

12 years

Dear Gerda, thanks for your greeting, which I warmly reciprocate. I have stepped back from wp for the past few months, partly because of pressures at home (caring for supercentenarian mother). But you rightly diagnose the local cause of inactivity and I will strive to take your precious advice to heart. Thanks for noticing, and very best wishes for 2024. So sorry about Seiji Ozawa. Eebahgum (talk) 14:04, 12 February 2024 (UTC)

Thank you! - I thank Ozawa personally two (mostly) unforgettable matinees in Tanglewood (where children under 5 were not welcome for the concerts, but the dress rehearsals), of Haydn's Die Schöpfung, choir all in white and singing from memory, "Und eine neue Welt" (And a new world) of unearthly lightness, and a Mozart piano concerto with Mitsuko Uchida (forgot which, forgot rest of the program) when all the birds under the roof of the Shed began chirping when the piano entered, and remember how she smiled. - I thank Christoph Eschenbach for a great Verdi Requiem at the same place, and could do so in person after a concert of Bruckner's Sixths, saying that I liked it very much (and it had been 12 years earlier), and he smiled and said "Ich auch". --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:19, 12 February 2024 (UTC)

Uchida held us breathless at Snape Maltings a few years ago with a solo concert of the three final Beethoven sonatas. It seems somehow improper to comment on such a comprehensively personal and dynamically brilliant exposition, but we certainly felt the warmth of the pedalling building the whole conception. It was terrific Beethoven! Your mention of the chirping birds reminds me of an open air evening concert in the Forum in Rome back in 1977 - it was Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, and every time the horns came in, all the wild cats that live in the Forum responded by yowling together in a loud chorus after a moment's delay. Whether they liked it or not I don't know, but it touched something in their souls, for the effect came back a couple of times as if it had been written into Sonata Form. Happy cats! Eebahgum (talk) 01:27, 13 February 2024 (UTC)

Precious anniversary

Dear Gerda, it's such a pleasure to hear from you -- a most welcome antidote to the ambitions, rivalries, and animosities ubiquitous at Wikipedia as elsewhere in this human-inhabited world. Nihil novi (talk) 07:13, 17 February 2024 (UTC)

Such a nice thing to read when waking up! If you want to hear from me monthly, join WP:QAI, and if you want to hear from me daily use {{User Gerda Arendt/Top}} (which is easier). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:52, 17 February 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Tamara Milashkina

On 20 February 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Tamara Milashkina, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the Soviet soprano Tamara Milashkina performed alongside her husband Vladimir Atlantov at New York's Metropolitan Opera in 1975? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Tamara Milashkina. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Tamara Milashkina), and the hook may be added to the statistics page.

—Ganesha811 (talk) 00:02, 20 February 2024 (UTC)

My story was different, mentioning the Music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky:

Tamara Milashkina,
the first Soviet Russian soprano trained at La Scala,
portrayed Russian characters
with emotion and authenticity
touring with the Bolshoi Theatre
as Tchaikovsky's Tatyana at the Vienna State Opera
and as Lisa at the Metropolitan Opera.

18 January 2024

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:17, 20 February 2024 (UTC)

Listen to my next subject singing Tchaikovsky. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:38, 20 February 2024 (UTC)

Moving Grimes2 (talk) 16:20, 20 February 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for this treat! (How is it that you know what I like?) Viriditas (talk) 19:10, 20 February 2024 (UTC)

You like what I like. Thank you for coming over. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:51, 21 February 2024 (UTC)

Thankyou for the Tchaikowsky "Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt" (Nyet, tolko tot menya). You were lucky to hear such a performance live. I like the old Melodiya version by Sergei Lemeshev (his alluring measure and sweetness) but of course quite a different affair to your singer's noble account. Why is it (language aside) that Tchaikowsky's setting never really feels like Goethe? Is it Russian pessimism colliding with echt German Welt-angst? Do the Russian lyrics really render the same words? In the English versions, "None but the desolate" beats "None but the lonely heart", but both are entirely inadequate: you don't get that resonance of the desolate individual such as you also have in "Wer nie sein Brot mit Thränen aß..."Eebahgum (talk) 13:02, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

(I saw her on stage but with completely different music, and as Suzuki, Cherubino and Paolo.) I can't tell for the Russian, but know that some German words and probably concepts have no true expression in English, and "Sehnsucht" is one of them. Music, however, is much more internationally understood. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:31, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

These came in response to my message:

story · music · places

The image, taken on a cemetery last year after the funeral of a distant but dear family member, commemorates today, with thanks for their achievements, four subjects mentioned on the Main page and Vami_IV, a friend here. Listen to music by Tchaikovsky (an article where one of the four is pictured), sung by today's subject (whose performance on stage I enjoyed two days ago).

Yesterday I learned that a friend suddenly died; we both belonged to a group that traveled once a year for decades, and I remember her vivid talk last summer, same voice and sparkle as when we met. Her song for me was Take the "A" Train, sung by Ella Fitzgerald. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:38, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

The image pictures hope. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:38, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

Seele, vergiß sie nicht --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:41, 23 February 2024 (UTC)

Today is her birthday. Once we went to St. Stephan together, after meeting for good food. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:07, 27 February 2024 (UTC)

Thank you

Thank you for all the work you do on Wikipedia, from ITN to all your contributions to various topics such as churches, women, and German articles. It is hard workers like you that help to improve the project, and are an inspiration to many who want to also continually improve the project as well. Cheers, atque supra! Fakescientist8000 17:36, 21 February 2024 (UTC)

It is a pleasure to expand knowledge, and double so when recognized, - thank you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:27, 21 February 2024 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

		The Special Barnstar
		For all the preciousness you bring into this world. Chaotıċ Enby (talk · contribs) 21:46, 21 February 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, blushing, - I try, look above. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:40, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

29 February 2024

is a rare birthday:

Gioachino Rossini
(born 29 February 1792)
scored the last of his "sins of old age",
the Petite messe solennelle,
for twelve singers, two pianos, and harmonium.
listen
When Heather Phillips
made her European debut
in Rossini's Bianca e Falliero,
her nuanced coloraturas served
to portray Bianca's development.

-- Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:02, 29 February 2024 (UTC)

new section

please continue to leave messages at my talk page where you are always welcome. I may not respond every time but I do follow the links. Your messages are uplifting and encouraging. You are PRECIOUS to me. --ARoseWolf 18:32, 29 February 2024 (UTC)

I love that, thank you for the unexpected visit: I thought you were gone for weeks --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:37, 29 February 2024 (UTC)

I can never tell. I may be able to log in for days in a row and then be away for weeks. I was off for a week and came back for several days and was gone again for several more recently. I will have to take a couple of weeks in March at the very least. --ARoseWolf 18:49, 29 February 2024 (UTC)

March flowers

March songs

The flowers photographed last year on the island of Madeira became a symbol for missing Vami_IV. They are connected to another stay on the island. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:41, 1 April 2024 (UTC)

Easter

Any ideas for Easter hooks? Lightburst (talk) 23:20, 28 March 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for asking. No, sorry, not this year. I have four nominations for people who recently died, two are open, - that kept me busy. What I wanted was Bach's St John Passion for OTD tomorrow, first performed on Good Friday 1724, but I was reverted claiming that OTD can't go by feast but only by date, so it would have to be 7 April. Impossible. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 23:27, 28 March 2024 (UTC)

Good Friday

... that on Good Friday 2020,
Benedikt Kristjánsson
sang all roles in a chamber arrangement of
Bach's St John Passion,
composed for Good Friday 1724,
broadcast live from the composer's burial place.

look and listen · look forward

22 May 2020

I remember listening to the performance live, early in the lockdown, the festival cancelled when it had be scheduled to be performed ... He has it in #2 in his media, preceded by Tristis est anima mea. - He will sing Bach with us in May, Ascension Oratorio. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:18, 29 March 2024 (UTC)

I listen now on radio to the St John Passion from the Berliner Philharmonie, with the RIAS Kammerchor, Evangelist beginning, - teaser, broadcast. - I uploaded the images from 17 March, beginning with a "bloody" morning sky and ending with a procession of a figure of Jesus carrying the Cross, with a wind band and drums. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:22, 29 March 2024 (UTC)

Easter Sunday

For Easter 1724,
his first as Thomaskantor in Leipzig,
Johann Sebastian Bach revived
Christ lag in Todes Banden,
(Christ lay in death's bonds)
BWV 4,
a chorale cantata
he had composed in his twenties,
using in all seven movements
the words and tune
of Luther's 1524 Easter chorale.

24 April 2011

listen

Remembering Easter 300 years ago continues: Bach revived for for his first Easter as Thomaskantor in Leipzig a masterpiece from his early career, his first chorale cantata, and how different from those to come a few weeks after this. - Per chance, I received the YouTube link today from the conductor who just uploaded it to mark the occasion. I sang with the Idsteiner Solisten several times but not in that performance. You can follow the music! - I also uploaded more images, from a tropical garden and a famous nearby church. Happy Easter! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:55, 31 March 2024 (UTC)

Easter Monday

The opening chorus of
Bach's cantata
for the Second Day of Easter,
Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen, BWV 66,
first performed in 1724
has been termed
"one of the longest and
most exhilarating of Bach's early works".

25 April 2011

listen

... and the following day, Leipzig could listen to "exhilarating" music which we performed in 2000, with great joy. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:55, 1 April 2024 (UTC)

Happy Easter!

	Easter Joy
	Happy Easter to a fine editor! May you have a kind and joyful Paschaltide! ~ Pbritti (talk) 23:19, 31 March 2024 (UTC)

Happy Easter

Thank you, and also to you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:24, 1 April 2024 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
	There is no such thing as enough praise for how much you contribute to the community on wiki. May you always go to bed smiling and may you always wake rested, for the world is better just for having you in it. — ♠ Ixtal ( T / C ) ⁂ Non nobis solum. ♠ 19:00, 9 April 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, lovely! - I confess that I hoped to see Gerhard Lohfink recognised for recent deaths, - everybody: please see if you could support that, WP:ITNN#RD: Gerhard Lohfink. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:09, 9 April 2024 (UTC)

9 April

in memoriam Notker Wolf Gerhard Lohfink Kalevi Kiviniemi Michael Boder · Rainer Jerome Kohl Brian Boulton and those who have just given up

7 April · Sunday after Easter Marienkirche, Aulhausen Ernesto Cardenal: Psalm 150 Handel: Halleluja Du wirst den Tod in uns wandeln in Licht Halleluja in gospel version

30 March · concert Casals Forum Zoltan Almashi: Maria's City Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Schumann: Symphony No. 1 Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine Dmytro Udovychenko, violin Oksana Lyniv, cond.

This was the music and memory section on 9 April: arms raised, while Marian Anderson's concert was remembered and Hildegard of Bingen's Physica reflected, - joy to the world! We see the "rock abbot" with his band, a church designed by some of the handicapped using it, and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine led by the inspiring Oksana Lyniv. Don't miss the Halleluja video ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:18, 10 April 2024 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
	You are a mitzvah! 7&6=thirteen (☎) 14:39, 10 April 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, I had to look it up, though (while I had met Dobostorte in Budapest). Listening to Marian Anderson's "Tremble" yesterday was a revelation I wanted to share. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:45, 10 April 2024 (UTC)

Your GA nomination of Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104

The article Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104 you nominated as a good article has passed ; see Talk:Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104 for comments about the article, and Talk:Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104/GA1 for the nomination. Well done! If the article is eligible to appear in the "Did you know" section of the Main Page, you can nominate it within the next seven days. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of MyCatIsAChonk -- MyCatIsAChonk (talk) 11:43, 13 April 2024 (UTC)

"Not dead, but very wet"

Dear Gerda, Thankyou for your several kind and cheerful messages over the past couple of months. In case you are wondering, I have not slipped off this mortal coil, at least not yet, but have for various reasons given myself a rest from wp. For one thing I am terribly busy with my supercentenarian Mum whose daily needs for attention are many - for another, I have a progressing series of ailments of my own, including Parkinson's, which keep me feeling fairly grotty - but, most influentially, since my last editing efforts, I have a sense of complete futility at editing here when confronted with the sort of criticisms and condescension which provoked my last long reply on my talk page. I haven't got the stomach to rise to the bait. However I am still here and still watching. Eebahgum (talk) 08:20, 19 April 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, and no, I grant every friend long silences ;) - best wishes for you and your mother! Please keep reading - I provide my daily stories thinking of people like you. I was in the performance mentioned today (with trailer), - in 2018 DYK made that possible, but 2024 is a different troupe. I carry my load of condescension (see above) but it doesn't keep me from proclaiming the miracle that music is. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:28, 19 April 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine

On 30 April 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Oksana Lyniv founded the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine in 2016 and conducted them in thirty concerts across ten music festivals in 2022? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine), and the hook may be added to the statistics page after its run on the Main Page has completed. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:02, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

May songs

O komm, du Geist der Wahrheit

DYK for Liviu Holender

On 22 May 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Liviu Holender, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that baritone Liviu Holender chose lieder by five composers whose music was banned by the Nazis—Schreker, Zemlinsky, Mahler, Korngold and Schönberg—for a recital at the Oper Frankfurt? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Liviu Holender. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Liviu Holender), and the hook may be added to the statistics page after its run on the Main Page has completed. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

RoySmith (talk) 00:03, 22 May 2024 (UTC)

Another singer at DYK, and an excellent one at that! I find the subject of the hook interesting, even if it did require an extensive fight. The anti-opera DYK reviewers are quick to the draw... MyCatIsAChonk (talk) (not me) (also not me) (still no) 01:05, 22 May 2024 (UTC)

Thank you! In the end, we have a hook with five composers! The opera by a composer banned by the Nazis appeared with his partner on stage who will sing her songs on 28 May. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:47, 22 May 2024 (UTC)

Baritone
Liviu Holender
chose lieder by five composers
whose music was banned by the Nazis
—Schreker, Zemlinsky,
Mahler, Korngold and Schönberg—
for a recital at the Oper Frankfurt.
watch one

Verdi: Messa da Requiem 22 May 1874

22 May 2024

This was the story. I am happy that all six composers mentioned, even the unlinked Verdi, received views around 1k or higher. I believe that it is a myth that our audience isn't interested in such things. Thanks to Mary Mark Ockerbloom who bravely approved the hook.

As it happens, today's story is about singing in defiance ;) - look and listen! - Ten years ago, I worded the hook that appeared OTD, and I quoted from the hymn - together with a pointer to Kafka - already in my response to the 2013 arbitration decision, in the same mood of singing in defiance. I still stand and sing. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:57, 23 May 2024 (UTC)

1 June

story · music · places

Today's TFA is Ludwigsburg Palace, written by Vami_IV. I miss lines such as (from the FAC)

I gave the lead a can of spinach and it seems to have bulked up pretty good. ... –♠Vami_IV†♠ 18:17, 3 November 2018 (UTC)

The Ludwigsburg Festival begins there today, and looking for a sample, I found the opening concert of 2022, for peace, Oksana Lyniv from Ukraine conducting Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23, with pianist Iddo Bar-Shai from Israel, and Mahler's Fifth Symphony. Better than words. Roses of missing. Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:59, 1 June 2024 (UTC)

Your GA nomination of Magdalena Hinterdobler

The article Magdalena Hinterdobler you nominated as a good article has passed ; see Talk:Magdalena Hinterdobler for comments about the article, and Talk:Magdalena Hinterdobler/GA1 for the nomination. Well done! If the article is eligible to appear in the "Did you know" section of the Main Page, you can nominate it within the next seven days. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of MyCatIsAChonk -- MyCatIsAChonk (talk) 21:04, 4 June 2024 (UTC)

What a day…

You're truly a gem, wow! The warmth and generosity you bring to Wikipedia oozes through every interaction I see you're involved, even though we haven't spoken directly. Your encouraging words to others are a beacon that guides and inspires me in this project. Your presence here is a lifeline, truly. Keep shining your light – it's making a difference. Warmest regards, Vanderwaalforces (talk) 20:11, 18 June 2024 (UTC)

blushing - thank you, nice to meet you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:14, 18 June 2024 (UTC)

Same here! Vanderwaalforces (talk) 20:35, 18 June 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Zwei Gesänge, Op. 1 (Schoenberg)

On 1 July 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Zwei Gesänge, Op. 1 (Schoenberg), which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the first public performance of the two songs of Arnold Schoenberg's Zwei Gesänge, Op. 1 , was met with hostile audience reactions? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Zwei Gesänge, Op. 1 (Schoenberg). You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Zwei Gesänge, Op. 1 (Schoenberg)).

RoySmith (talk) 00:03, 1 July 2024 (UTC)

The hook was changed to mention at least the title. It's still without any hint at the character of work. Read, listen find out. Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:14, 1 July 2024 (UTC)

July

story · music · places

2 July, Visitation, was the 300th anniversary of Bach's chorale cantata on a Gregorian chant (a contradiction in terms but he made it work), Meine Seel erhebt den Herren, BWV 10.

3 July is the birthday of Leoš Janáček, and I'm happy I had a meaningful DYK in 2021. It's also the birthday of Franz Kafka, and I uploaded pics from his family's album seen in Berlin. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:09, 3 July 2024 (UTC)

(copied from the talk of the user who brought Janáček to GA.)

Hi Gerda . I scrolled through your page of stories and I must say ... your choice, variety and variability of topics, overall beauty and aesthetic of your contributions is so close to my heart like nothing else on Wikipedia. I'm sending you my favourite and most beautiful piece from On an Overgrown Path, it's performed by lesser known but excellent Jan Jiraský, who connects very well the lyrical expression and urgent or maybe even anxious rhythmical contradiction present in many of Janáček's works in one moment. Enjoy and ... be well. Vejvančický (talk / contribs) 08:42, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

blushing - thank you for understanding! I listened with joy! The closest I came to Janáček was singing the Glagolitic Mass in choir, understanding how his music is language-driven and so expressive. Seeing the Vixen (not cunning, not little) in Munich was also great. - I added a few images, - keep looking at story music places, - for example today's music matching the Italian tenor of the story. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:38, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

WiG Editathon Barnstar

		Women in Green Editathon June '24
		Thank you so much for contributing to Women in Green's sixth editathon, with your successful GA nominations of Cecelia Hall and Magdalena Hinterdobler. Excellent work! Best wishes --Grnrchst (talk) 11:39, 3 July 2024 (UTC)

Thank you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:49, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

Your GA nomination of Tamara Milashkina

The article Tamara Milashkina you nominated as a good article has passed ; see Talk:Tamara Milashkina for comments about the article, and Talk:Tamara Milashkina/GA1 for the nomination. Well done! If the article is eligible to appear in the "Did you know" section of the Main Page, you can nominate it within the next seven days. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of Viriditas -- Viriditas (talk) 22:40, 3 July 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for the review, Viriditas, I learned a lot! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:49, 4 July 2024 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar

As you probably sensed from watching my page, I had a slightly contentious June and July on here, but your thread helped keep me centered, cheerful, and feeling like I really belonged here throughout. I read and listen to everything you send me, so I apologize if my trouble responding comes off as disinterest—quite the contrary. Thank you very much for being a role model! Remsense诉 02:17, 30 July 2024 (UTC)

blushing: thank you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:11, 30 July 2024 (UTC)

A kitten for…

… dear fellow bach-lover! I would also like to share some insightful letters from Lenny entitled “THE MUSIC OF JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH”: https://crowd.loc.gov/campaigns/bernstein/education/2023778749/2023778749-1/. Indeed we shall work hard make sure people have equal and easy access to bach (and all great works).

Hym3242 (talk) 09:09, 30 July 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, - one cantata on the Main page right now ;) - also three people who made music, a baritone, a violinist and a composer - look around! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:14, 30 July 2024 (UTC)

Happy 15th First Edit Day!

Invitation to join the Fifteen Year Society

Dear Gerda Arendt,

I'd like to extend a cordial invitation to you to join the Fifteen Year Society, an informal group for editors who've been participating in the Wikipedia project for fifteen years or more. ​

Best regards,

— The Herald (Benison) (talk) 05:42, 2 August 2024 (UTC)¡

Thank you both, - a nice reminder of the day I remember well, when I found a friend's name as a red link and began his article, deleted within minutes ;) - I feel grown up since, and want to mark the day by a FAC for a song I love, and a GAN for a Bach cantata approaching its 300th anniversary. The Main page is graced by three musicians whose articles I improved (at least was so when the day began). If you want to celebrate with me, read their articles, or any listed on top of this page ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:16, 2 August 2024 (UTC)

Congratulation, Gerda. Grimes2 (talk) 10:51, 2 August 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, also for improving articles together! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:59, 2 August 2024 (UTC)

2 August 2024

2024: anniversary of Bach's chorale cantatas

story

• Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist

main page

• TFA Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (reviewed)
• RD Wolfgang Rihm

  Eugene Sârbu

  Jerzy Artysz

new/expand

• Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101

quality

• Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält, BWV 178
• Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227
• Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist

yesterday's program --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:10, 3 August 2024 (UTC)

... and today is the 15th anniversary of my first DYK. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:22, 22 August 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Sarah Gibson (composer)

On 8 August 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Sarah Gibson (composer), which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Sarah Gibson, who formed a piano duo with Thomas Kotcheff, composed warp & weft inspired by the art of Miriam Schapiro, to be played today by the BBC Philharmonic at The Proms? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Sarah Gibson (composer). You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Sarah Gibson (composer)), and the hook may be added to the statistics page after its run on the Main Page has completed. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Schwede66 01:51, 8 August 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for creating this article memorializing a composer and congratulations for a very speedy and timely DYK. —  AjaxSmack  17:49, 8 August 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, Ajax, it feels good to be understood. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:43, 8 August 2024 (UTC)

Sarah Gibson,
who formed the piano duo
Hocket with Thomas Kotcheff,
composed warp & weft for large orchestra,
inspired by the art of Miriam Schapiro
and scheduled for the BBC Proms.

watch 2022 interview and performance

22 July + 8 August 2024

Your GA nomination of Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101

The article Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101 you nominated as a good article has passed ; see Talk:Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101 for comments about the article, and Talk:Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101/GA1 for the nomination. Well done! If the article is eligible to appear in the "Did you know" section of the Main Page, you can nominate it within the next seven days. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of 750h+ -- 750h+ (talk) 09:02, 14 August 2024 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

The Editor's Barnstar

You are a dedicated Wikipedia editor who has made significant contributions to the platform. Your passion for quality content and attention to detail have left a lasting impact. You actively participate in discussions, striving for consensus and maintaining a respectful tone. Beyond your editing prowess, you also have an artistic side—you enjoy capturing the beauty of nature through photography. Your work exemplifies both your analytical mindset and creative spirit. 🌿📸 UnKnownrNone (talk) 07:51, 16 August 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, blushing again! You have an amazing way to look and phrase, thank you for that also! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:55, 16 August 2024 (UTC)

Your words light up my day! Thank you for the sweet compliment. Blushing right back at you! UnKnownrNone (talk) 08:03, 16 August 2024 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Christof Nel

On 19 August 2024, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Christof Nel, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Spencer^T•C 07:12, 19 August 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Oedipus (opera)

On 26 August 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Oedipus (opera), which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Wolfgang Rihm said of the music of his 1987 opera Oedipus: "Sound is a weapon here – or a scalpel?" The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Oedipus (opera). You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Oedipus (opera)), and the hook may be added to the statistics page after its run on the Main Page has completed. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Z1720 (talk) 00:03, 26 August 2024 (UTC)

September 2024 at Women in Red

Women in Red | September 2024, Volume 10, Issue 9, Numbers 293, 294, 311, 316, 317 New: Women writers & their works | Geofocus: Islands A - H Continuing: #1day1woman | Education (year-long initiative) | Translation contest 2024 (Jul, Aug, Sep)

--Rosiestep (talk) 18:59, 26 August 2024 (UTC) via MassMessaging

ITN recognition for Maryvonne Le Dizès

On 27 August 2024, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Maryvonne Le Dizès, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Stephen 22:41, 27 August 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Jerzy Artysz

On 28 August 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Jerzy Artysz, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Jerzy Artysz was given a gala concert on his 70th birthday by the Chopin University of Music? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Jerzy Artysz. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how.

BorgQueen (talk) 00:03, 28 August 2024 (UTC)

It's another DYK (and again about a person who recently died) that I find not doing justice to the merits of the person. Old man received an honour from a music university. Fine, but no word about for what. Read my story, on top. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:17, 28 August 2024 (UTC)

Personal DYK

Your DYK's are interesting. Its a pity, that they are sometimes rejected for the main page. These DYK could be placed alternatively on your stories page or on your user page.

Gerda's DYK

... that Tilman Michael was appointed chorus master of the Metropolitan Opera from the 2024/25 season, after ten years at the Oper Frankfurt? Source: [1]

Grimes2 (talk) 12:51, 31 August 2024 (UTC)

Thank you! I won't accept that rejection easily. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:04, 31 August 2024 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Siegfried Lorenz (baritone)

On 31 August 2024, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Siegfried Lorenz (baritone), which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Spencer^T•C 21:27, 31 August 2024 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Alexander Goehr

On 1 September 2024, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Alexander Goehr, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. – robertsky (talk) 14:24, 1 September 2024 (UTC)

story · music · places

It's nice that he gets exposure - after having worked on the article for days - without me calling for attention ;) - Thanks to Aza24 for professional additions (and trimming)! - Today is also the (liturgical) day of remembering Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78 (for which I had no time because of the other) but also the Vespro della Beata Vergine, dedicated by Monteverdi to the Pope 1 September. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:01, 1 September 2024 (UTC)

Hi Gerda, could you hold off an a GAN until I get a chance to expand the music section? Also, it looks like the template wasn't processed on the talk page anyways. Aza24 (talk) 21:51, 2 September 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for planning to do more! Normally it takes months until a GA gets reviewed, - will that be long enough? I guess with an expanded music section, we might even go for FA (but shouldn't bother a GA reviewer with too much detail). - Goehr is still on the Main page, so whatever bits you would add today have a chance to be seen by more people. Raising interest was the key motivation for the nomination ;) (I made a typo but fixed it, as explained. I can hold it off tomorrow if you think that is better.) - He deserves more attention. Compared to others, it was low when he died, got higher with the obits, but was (4k+) moderate yesterday. Tomorrow will be Bruckner's 200 birthday, followed by Schoenberg's 150th on 13 September. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:18, 3 September 2024 (UTC)

Isobel Baillie

Isobel Baillie sang mainly in English oratorio, and is almost forgotten. This recording amply demonstrates why she was one of the 16 singers for whom Vaughan Williams wrote the Serenade to Music. Her control of vibrato and trill was extraordinary. Narky Blert (talk) 17:43, 1 September 2024 (UTC)

1866 version of Bruckner's Mass in E minor

When looking in my archive, I have In the meantime found a recording of a second live-performance of the 1866 version of the Mass in E minor by Hans-Christoph Rademann on 13 August 2014 in the Kloster Eberbach during the Chornacht "Das Licht gegeben" at the Rheingau Musik Festival of 2014. I have sent a copy of this recording to John Berky, so that he can save it in the Bruckner Archive. --Réginald alias Meneerke bloem (To reply) 13:18, 2 September 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, Reginald, - I missed that concert (but look forward to his Third Symphony on Saturday, same place). I'm determined to use that piece in my stories for his birthday, now more than before. I sang all three masses but this was the first I met, and remained the strongest impression. - Heard an interesting concert on radio yesterday, Os justi and Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen?, by Tenebrae. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:25, 2 September 2024 (UTC)

DYK for Maxim Berezovsky

On 4 September 2024, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Maxim Berezovsky, which you recently nominated. The fact was ... that after composer Maxim Berezovsky's death, Catherine the Great secretly ordered that the papers in his rooms be burned? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Maxim Berezovsky. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Maxim Berezovsky), and the hook may be added to the statistics page after its run on the Main Page has completed. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

BorgQueen (talk) 00:02, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

September 2024

You have been blocked from editing for a period of 72 hours for canvassing support for Wikipedia:In the news/Candidates/August 2024#(Posted) RD: Maryvonne Le Dizès. Once the block has expired, you are welcome to make useful contributions.

If you think there are good reasons for being unblocked, please review Wikipedia's guide to appealing blocks, then add the following text to the bottom of your talk page: {{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}}.  ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 22:49, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

Sending out dozens of requests for support at RD is as blatant as canvassing comes. I have already warned you for this behavior. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 22:52, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

Love you Gerda come back soon and be happy. If Wikipedia's bureaucracy is a pickle for you then there is editorial and social support. I appreciate how you support others and make good edits. Bluerasberry (talk) 23:13, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

The stakes are so low for RDs that using a word like "Canvassing" is frankly bizarre. Gerda's edits look like a genuine attempt to get more eyes on a conversation with few participants, and one where timing is especially important. And why did you wait a week to block? Maybe start a conversation and offer guidance rather than immediately resorting to retaliatory behavior. Not a productive block, and certainly not helping build an encyclopedia. Aza24 (talk) 23:22, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

The rules apply to everyone, Aza24. TheBritinator (talk) 23:32, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

Hi there @TheBritinator, I am certainly aware of the obvious, but I appreciate your enthusiasm. As Amakuru explains below, RDs are not really contentious, an article is either ready or it isn't. The one in question was certainly ready, but needed more people to take a look at it. If the subject's death isn't recent enough, there is a chance they cannot be featured at all, should enough attention to the nomination not be given. This is a rather simple matter where words like "canvassing" are an extreme reaction. I would think that "the rules" do not permiss overreactions from admins. Aza24 (talk) 00:08, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

See law of the instrument. Lots of admins fall victim to it. Viriditas (talk) 02:48, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Gerda, I am sorry you are blocked. I am away on vacation and I will see you next month. Viriditas (talk) 23:37, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

@ScottishFinnishRadish: while I'll admit I'm a wikifriend of Gerda, and maybe I'm biased, I think this is a terrible block. Recent death nominations at ITN/C aren't like regular discussions where you "support" or "oppose" and there is debate, such that bringing in a friendly face would benefit you. If the quality is met then RDs are automatically posted. If a nomination has gone unnoticed for almost a week and is in danger of dropping off, it's standard practice to ask around for some pairs of eyes to check it and get it over the line. Numerous editors did exactly that, it was posted, and there's no evidence that anyone skimped on the quality review. I don't even know where this has come from, is there some back story I don't know about? I strongly suggest that you reconsider.  — Amakuru (talk) 23:46, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

As I noted above, I have already issued a warning for canvassing, so that's the back story. Mass messages specifically calling for support are a clear violation of WP:APPNOTE. There are appropriate ways to request eyes on a discussion, and this was far outside the acceptable bounds. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 23:52, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

Appalling block as others have already eloquently expressed. Take care, Gerda, hope you get to enjoy more hikes, flowers, and food. DanCherek (talk) 01:48, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I concur with the detailed comments above about the nature of contributions to WP:ITN/C/recent deaths and about the administrative reaction to Gerda's high crime <sarcasm>– which the blocking administrator so clearly identified as harming Wikipedia</sarcasm>. -- Michael Bednarek (talk) 02:35, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I would like to see this block undone. Blocks really should be reserved for times where someone is harming the encyclopedia, and I do not see how that is the case here. Canvassing on a deletion discussion - okay, I suppose, but even then only after more than one warning and perhaps a discussion or two, but on a notice of a recent death? Please be gentle with the block button, unless you're dealing with vandals, trolls, sockpuppets, and other nuisances, in which case reach for it without delay. My unsolicited opinion as a 19-year admin. Antandrus (talk) 03:17, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

@ScottishFinnishRadish: You may want to take a look at this section on my talk page (which followed this one), where Gerda and I discussed the canvassing she was treading into with the way she phrased her messages. This was after her last round of talk page messages linking to an ITN nomination — I don't think this issue has come up since — and I have faith that Gerda will adjust her conversational style to avoid running afoul of the canvassing issue again. As such, I'd suggest reconsidering your block as its effects are likely to be more punitive than preventative in this case. —TechnoSquirrel69 (sigh) 03:42, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I think this is a bad block, per Antandrus. I hope that SFR reconsiders it. —Ingenuity (t • c) 04:07, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

• Oppose. How else is an editor supposed to inform others whom they know to be concerned? WP:APPNOTE specifically allows for posting "On the user talk pages of concerned editors." Really is an unjustified block considering what APPNOTE actually says. There is no evidence showing that any of the editors who were messaged were not somehow involved or had no reason to be concerned. The only real reason given for this block was that many messages were sent. If sending too many messages without any other context being thought about is all it takes to get blocked around here, then God help us all. Besides, the common-sense reason for the rule to exist in the first place is to deter disruption. Getting more eyes on that gives more of a chance to improve the situation, not disrupt it. Think more and do better people. Please and thank you. Huggums^{537_voted! (sign🖋️|📞talk)} 05:39, 5 September 2024 (UTC)
  • @Huggums537: I for one was not involved or concerned one bit. More below. Graham87 (talk) 07:35, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

    Fair enough. However, my read of the guidance suggests that the disruption caused by such an action should be more towards [your personal experience] as an editor than it is towards [altering outcome of] the discussion if that is the excuse being used to block her and I'm not really getting any sense at all that you are complaining about being disrupted only you are saying that you weren't involved which brings me back to my point about the common sense reason why these rules exist - to prevent disruption. Please think people. Think. Please and thank you. Huggums^{537_voted! (sign🖋️|📞talk)} 09:46, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

    I mean for crying out loud if we are blocking people for that, then we might as well start blocking whoever is responsible for leaving mass notices on watch pages across Wikipedia about RFA's because I frequently have no involvement whatsoever with the candidate whose support is being asked of me by the nominators who have proposed said request, but much like Graham87 I'm not complaining that there has been any disruption to me, merely noting that I'm not involved with the candidate and don't feel comfortable participating in the RFA. Thank you. Huggums^{537_voted! (sign🖋️|📞talk)} 19:24, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

    • @Huggums537: Per the RFA header, those notices were implemented by consensus in 2015, a little before your time here. Graham87 (talk) 03:45, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

• waking up to this: thank you all who replied, - I noticed that a blocked user can not even use the thank-you button ;)

Yes, I have been warned:

by Graham87:

Help? My story today is about a woman, nominated for RD but needing support as I write this. A composer died whose article is long and mostly unreferenced. And some articles open for review, always. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:59, 27 August 2024 (UTC)

@Gerda Arendt: Sorry, that feels too much like canvassing to me (particularly since you've asked several people). I wouldn't feel comfortable parachuting myself in to a process I hardly take part in, anyway. Graham87 (talk) 10:42, 27 August 2024 (UTC)

When I see a woman in danger to be neglected among the recent deaths (as Márta Kurtág was, and I felt guilty), I ask everybody in sight ;) - Referencing Goehr is a heavy task that I can't shoulder alone, and every little bit would help. I just remembered him ... --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:53, 27 August 2024 (UTC)

by TechnoSquirrel69:

Help? My story today is about a woman, nominated for RD but needing support as I write this. A composer died whose article is long and mostly unreferenced, which will keep me busy, - sorry about no more responses in the FAC. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:45, 27 August 2024 (UTC)

No worries about the FAC, Gerda; it's all on your own time. However, as I've mentioned before, directly asking for support in open consensus-forming discussions is not appropriate and difficult to interpret as anything other than canvassing. I will have to refrain from commenting on the ITN nomination as a result. —TechnoSquirrel69 (sigh) 05:03, 28 August 2024 (UTC)

I see it a bit differently: I rarely ask for help, but had to go out, with the decision if another woman would be overlooked pending. (It happened before, Márta Kurtág, and I didn't want that to happen again.) WP:ITNN is not the typical "consensus" discussions, but support and oppose follow strict factual rules: enough coverage and enough referencing. In many cases one support was enough (which was there when I asked) for familiar admins but they all seemed to have the day off, and those unfamiliar would want to be safe and see a few more, like three. - I hope it will not happen again that I get in emergency mode. But if would "needs attention" be neutral enough? - She "made it" just before I went to bed. Goehr work still needed is detailed on the article talk. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:21, 28 August 2024 (UTC)

ScottishFinnishRadish, do you understand that I did not request support for me and my point of view, but that I just factually informed that the subject needed support? Do you understand that support on WP:ITNN means saying "the article meets the defined criteria"? Do you understand that I wanted help for the Goehr case much more than for the violinist?

Next time - but I always hope that there will be no next time for a Recent death article in danger of not meeting the deadline - I will omit the desperate "Help?" and will use the word "attention" instead of "support". What do you think? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:04, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Having requested support in a discussion with bolded support !votes led me to believe that you were requesting support in that discussion. Neutral requests for attention, more eyes, or similar are far more compatible with WP:APPNOTE, and clarity around help with an article as opposed to help in a discussion would help a lot with people not intimately familiar with the venue. As TLC mentioned below, a note on your talk page to your watchers that you'd like help bringing an article up to a certain standard would likely do very well also. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 20:36, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Somewhat surprised and baffled by this block, which I've never seen happen before in 17 years. I also admit to being a wikifriend of Gerda. Having responded to her request for help with Maryvonne Le Dizès, I now also feel involved in this block as in some way having enabled or condoned Gerda's action. Would the outcome have been the same if no-one had responded? Gerda works very hard on RDs and this looks just like a slap in the face for her efforts. Martinevans123 (talk) 07:19, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I would honestly just not mention it at all and let the process do what it will. Your point of view about what should be highlighted on the Main Page is just one of many and it shouldn't predominate just because you've asked several dozen people for help. Now, as for the block, it seemed a touch too dramatic and sudden for me, even given the context of the warning, and my first instinct was to undo it ... but thinking about it some more I'm probably too involved both personally as a friend and as a Wikipedian. I'm glad for this message about it that you removed, because otherwise I would never have known what happened. As for the topic of what's on the Main Page, I tend to take a view Iridescent espoused somewhere (can't find the link quickly, though I've tried to look) that basically almost no-one actually reads it compared to the number of people who use it as a launching pad for Wikipedia searches ... I myself stopped reading the Main Page regularly many years ago. Graham87 (talk) 07:35, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I've finally found the comment I was looking for here (search for "Thanks, Noted" in case the newfangled timestamp-linking feature doesn't work). Graham87 (talk) 13:59, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

@Graham87: Please advise your clients interested in Iridescent's views not to search for "Thanks, Noted" at all. Please instead advise them to search for, err, "Noted, Thanks" instead :D SerialNumber54129 14:26, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

@Serial Number 54129: Lol yeah that. Graham87 (talk) 14:53, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

@Graham87, we can thank Gerda for reverting one of my famous blonde moments. That's what I get for not looking at timestamps and I can do very well to take my own advice and think people think. Please and thank you. Lol. 😁 Huggums^{537_voted! (sign🖋️|📞talk)} 10:01, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Blondes are people too, you know! Martinevans123 (talk) 14:30, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I am here to ask for mercy and a bit of leniency for Gerda, whose kindness and good faith and dedication to Wikipedia are legendary among experienced editors. Her motivation seems to have been simply to recruit help to improve an article, rather than to win some dispute. Time served, perhaps? Cullen328 (talk) 07:57, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I would certainly agree with a lifting of this block as time served. But it prompts wider questions about how editors can legitimately collaborate for WP:ITNRD. Martinevans123 (talk) 08:26, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

There's not really a need to collaborate as such for ITNRD, in terms of nominations. A RD only needs one or two supports and an admin to go through. I've had one drop off the nom page before despite receiving supports; I notified an admin of this and they put it into the template. CMD (talk) 08:47, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

In my experience, when a nomination rapidly attracts a few supports, there's no problem. But far more frequently a nomination rapidly attracts a few opposes because it's too short, or lacks sources, or is not well-written, etc. In these cases I really don't see why the nominator can't ask for help to find sources, etc. from editors who may have an interest in the RD subject and who may not otherwise be tracking the nominations page. I'd call that "editor collaboration". Martinevans123 (talk) 09:04, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

That would be collaboration in article writing, not in getting support for the nomination itself. I've never seen anyone raise issues with the ideas you mention. CMD (talk) 09:15, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I would suggest those two activities are intimately connected. Martinevans123 (talk) 10:04, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

They aren't. You can improve an article and not participate in nominations, and you can review a nomination without working on the article. Our article quality processes rely on this distinction. CMD (talk) 10:09, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Perhaps it's just me, then. I usually find that those who support a nomination will often also improve the article and those who oppose a nomination typically do nothing. Perhaps your experience is different. Martinevans123 (talk) 10:18, 5 September 2024 (UTC) p.s. I've always understood Gerda's use of the word "support" to encompass both activities. And I've never seen that as non-native speaker thing.

I should add as a wider aside that I would agree with others above that this block no longer serves a preventative purpose. CMD (talk) 09:17, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I also hope there can be some leniency here, and I recognize I say this as someone familiar with Gerda Arendt, even if not for as long as some other editors. This block just seems rather too WP:BURO when the offense was a week ago and was of limited disruption (some indeterminate amount of readers may have seen the name of a violinist that they may or may not have clicked on; oh, the horror?). Collaboration with other editors and passion for a topic are together the lifebloods of Wikipedia, and this feels rather like punishing someone for attempting and evincing each. Hydrangeans (she/her | talk | edits) 09:18, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

(Edit conflict). Having read the above discussion, it seems clear to me that Gerda has been using the word "support" when actually meaning that she wants an article supported by editing it, improving it, Wikifiying it, adding citations and so on. As she has explained, when she wrote "support", she meant "attention", and "attention" meant the improvement of articles in the approved manner, in order to make them sufficiently acceptable to be linked on the Main Page. I have seen her use the word "support" before, and it didn't make sense to me. Now it does. I understand that Gerda speaks English as a second language, and I have seen her apologise for linguistic errors in English quite a few times. So it looks to me as if this block is due to a misunderstanding on both sides. Gerda has suggested above that she should used the word "attention" as an alternative to "support", but to me that will still be potentially confusing. I suggest that if she just wants articles edited in the approved manner, that she spells that out clearly, e.g. "The article Foo (composer) needs editing for improvement to a standard which will make it fit to be linked to the Main Page. Please help? " Storye book (talk) 09:29, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I'd suggest that to Gerda that if you're looking to steer clear of this in the future, you could ask for review instead of attention or support. Asking for review generally signals that you're open to people challenging your work, helping it improve and meet standards, whereas "attention" and "support" might sound like you're just trying to move it across a finish line. Wikipedians love to correct other Wikipedians, and by extension, Wikipedians love Wikipedians who love to be corrected. Also, I would maybe ask 2–3 ITN regulars for their eyes in a situation like this, rather than 35 people who may or may not have an interest in the topic/venue. Alternatively, you have a highly watched and viewed user talk page – it feels weird to post to your own user talk sometimes, but you definitely could! theleekycauldron (talk • she/her) 09:35, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Yes, that's all sound advice, and I'd advise Gerda to follow it. But even so, this block - and its duration - was way over the top for an incident which had no ill effects whatsoever. A few people showed up to "support" the nom after Gerda's appeal, but there's no evidence any of them were anything less than thorough in their analysis. And no admin on ITN would post an RD without also satisfying themselves that it meets the quality criteria. The policy says that blocks are for preventing harm to the project they are not to be used for "punishment", yet it's clear that Gerda poses no threat whatsoever to Wikipedia, and neither did her actions last week; in fact, the block is harming the project because we're now impeding her from her usual daily work improving the project.  — Amakuru (talk) 10:28, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

This is a good advise. Gerda, you can regret your fault (review not support) and use the unblock template. In the meantime, can I do something for you? Grimes2 (talk) 10:25, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I just wanted to pop in to support this. If you commit to appropriate notifications I'd be more than happy to unblock. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 13:36, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Sorry to hear about the block hopefully you get unblocked i feel like the block was too harsh for such a minor issue it seems to be more of a punishment than preventing harm to the project and violates policy Isla🏳️‍⚧ 10:52, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

• I thought the sun was going to explode there for a few moments. Thanksfully I saw it was only a 72 hours block. It is worth pointing out the Gerda Arendt is one of the most productive and best editors on Wikipedia and this insn't even in a area where canvassing is a problem and can never be a problem in that area, by definition. It is negligible. What about the extensive canvassing in Afd, where paid editors run rampant and has a lasting deliterious and damaging effect on Wikipedia, where nothing seems to get done. Its seems a bit ridiculous to block one of our best editors. I cant understand this place. It was far too harsh a decision and shouldn't have been made unilaterally. An entremely poor administrive action. scope_creep^Talk 14:35, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

@Scope creep:, what do you mean, it shouldn't have been a unilateral decision? SerialNumber54129 14:46, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

It should have been taken at WP:ANI and discussed, where a less severe sanction could have be put in place as an interim measure. I just hope Gerda comes back. scope_creep^Talk 14:59, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Ah, I see, yeah. Mind you, I think the problem is that the first thing everyone would say is that we elect our admins to make decisions on their own. Whether we agree with them or not. I'm sure that's been said before? But put away your worries—Gerda will be back. In fact, it's only been two hours. She's been off-keyboard longer than this just doing the weekly shopping  :) SerialNumber54129 15:05, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I'm a little surprised to see this from SFR, who usually makes better decisions. Really poor block. Wait, I will attempt to separate my friendship with Gerda from my thoughts on this block ... Really poor block. Let this be a lesson to you, Gerda, Wikipedia does not want you to care about quality, it wants you to Follow The Rules. It's always puzzling to me that we give people actively harming other editors more chances than a productive editor who broke one of the lesser Rules. I guess because it is so easy to determine that the lesser Rule was broken. Viriditas's reference above to the Law of the instrument is apt. 72 hours for a first, minor block after 15 years was an unexpected twist of the knife, though. See you all in 72 hours, when Gerda's block expires. I'm certainly not going to edit until she does. Floquenbeam (talk) 15:28, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Yes. Over 15 years of enthusiastic and valuable contributions, and then this. That really does make it look much worse. I actually think this ought to be wiped off. Martinevans123 (talk) 15:40, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

• I had hoped that SFR would reverse their own block after seeing the comments here, but that has unfortunately not happened. Like many others above, I feel that this block is not in line with the blocking policy, which states that blocks are used to prevent damage or disruption to Wikipedia. Gerda's actions did not damage or disrupt Wikipedia, and were, at worst, a borderline policy violation. Gerda's comment also clarifies that they did not intend to violate the spirit of WP:CANVASS. For these reasons, and after much careful thought, I am overturning this block. Courtesy ping to @ScottishFinnishRadish: —Ingenuity (t • c) 16:16, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

  Thank you Ingenuity, it's good to see that WP:COMMONSENSE has prevailed at last. I was on the verge of taking this to WP:AARV but hopefully we can now draw a line under this. @Gerda, I think there's some useful advice above on avoiding this sort of shenanigans in the future - avoid using the words "support needed", and limit the requests to one or two people - you only really need one supporter and one admin to post, and I'm always happy to be the latter if I'm around (subject to me being satisfied the quality concerns are met of course!). Cheers  — Amakuru (talk) 16:34, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

  Gerda - you can always give me a ping if needed. Shearonink (talk) 16:52, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

  Thanks for the ping. I've been busy since my earlier message here this morning, but as I say on my user page, admins are welcome to reverse any of my standard admin actions. My judgement isn't perfect, and it's clear that a large number of editors disagree with my judgement in this case. I'll take the feedback on board and adjust my actions accordingly. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 19:32, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

It's nice to use the thank-you button again, - thanks to all for support and advice! I had a great time out with friends. I have no time for individual comments, possibly until next week: company, choir rehearsal day for Stabat Mater (Haydn) at Limburg Cathedral, RMF closing concert (Bruckner! still above, and I won't make a story for 5 Sep, better next year when he'll turn 85 - I'm an optimist.), Day of open monuments (Schloss Weilburg).

ScottishFinnishRadish, I left three questions especially for you further up, and would appreciate you taking the time to read and reply. I like to prevent misunderstandings. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:25, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I've answered above, hopefully in a way will provide clarity all around. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 20:37, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for answering, even if not exactly my questions. As explained above, I have no time right now to respond in detail. - I'll do my morning routine including passing Precious to a user who had their first TFA yesterday. Quick question though to the suggestion to place a request for help on my talk page: wouldn't that - addressing 100+ watchers - be a worse case of "canvassing"? Do you understand that I prefer individual conversations? Do you understand that I am in many regular conversations, with official and honorary members of WP:QAI, with friends, with users whom I thank? What you call canvassing is for me telling them about problems, such as the state of the Goehr article when he died? - I was in a rush when I wrote the messages, having to go out, and not having reached any of the three admins that normally help me with RD (PFHLai, Spencer, Stephen - see list above). I had no time to add that Goehr meant 95& of the problems I faced, and also the other was time-critical which he wasn't. - Regarding the post on your talk: please think about the word "enforce". In most RfA of a past, I asked candidates what they thought about User:Gerda Arendt/User talk before you block. Later, I could usually just support per Precious. I don't remember if I even posted in yours. Quite generally, I go for talk. Illustrated below: I like to share, places and music and sometimes also problems ;) -Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:45, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

Gerda, it sounds like you're saying you didn't actually intend to ask people "Please go vote 'support' at this RD" but rather "Please support this nom by fixing what's wrong with the article so it can get through RD"? Because I'd agree one is canvassing but the other is not. At least some of the editors you approached said it felt like inappropriate canvassing, so maybe clarify what you're asking for. Asking for 'support' in any discussion, which has a specific meaning here on enwiki, probably isn't a great choice of wording. (I agree with others above that canvassing at RD is a probably pointless and mostly harmless kind of canvassing.)

And, yes, I'd agree placing a request on your own talk makes it less of a problem. You could create a post "RDs I need help with" that those who are interested could subscribe to. I do understand you prefer individual conversations, but approaching people individually on their user talk with a request for 'support' in some discussion is canvassing.

TL;DR: if you're actually trying to get people to go vote support, you should stop, and if you aren't intending that at all, revise your approach. Valereee (talk) 10:54, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for very general advice. I hope that the specific situation - woman musician in danger of missing exposure - happened once in 2019 (and I still feel guilty, - there was a thread then "If she had been a British man, she would have appeared, but now she was a Hungarian woman"), and now (Maryvonn Le Dicés, violinist of Pierre Boulez's famous ensemble, who had an article only in Russian which didn't help me at all), and hopefully will not happen again. - Being blocked was a new experience, - it left me rather cold. I planned to sit it out, but was a bit sad to miss giving Precious to a first-time TFA author which I still haven't done. I would have liked to at least update my user page, and I missed the thank-you button most of all. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:40, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

I hope a woman musician missing exposure doesn't happen again, either. But even in that specific less-than-ideal situation, canvassing is not the solution. Valereee (talk) 11:48, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

As said above, I'll be busy until later on Monday. You could answer the 3 questions I asked SFR (right below the quoted 2 who thought of canvassing and my responses, while others looked at the article and 2 supported, and another supported who had not gotten a message but reacted to "attention needed", the standard wording on the ITNN nom page. Please wait until I'll have time to respond properly. Guest coming in an hour, and I'm not ready, and that Precious is still not given ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:04, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

No hurry on response! You asked do you understand that I did not request support for me and my point of view, but that I just factually informed that the subject needed support? Do you understand that support on WP:ITNN means saying "the article meets the defined criteria"? Do you understand that I wanted help for the Goehr case much more than for the violinist?

Yes, I understand you did not intend to request support for yourself/your point of view. But if you intended to request support votes for the RD appearance of the article, it's canvassing.

Yes, I do understand that support at RD means saying the article meets the defined criteria. Which is why I said above that canvassing at RD is pointless and mostly harmless.

I have seen that you have said your primary intention was to ask for help working at Goehr, but that is definitely not what I heard you saying when you said Help? My story today is about a woman, nominated for RD but needing support as I write this. A composer died whose article is long and mostly unreferenced, which will keep me busy,. What I heard you saying was "Please go support Le Dizès at RD! I'm going to be very busy at Goehr, which is in terrible shape." Valereee (talk) 12:29, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

And this would seem to indicate that you actually were primarily intending to ask for support at RD for Le Dizes? Valereee (talk) 12:55, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

I understand that you read it this way, but please consider that you are looking at something I wrote in haste and dispair, under the pressure of the Goehr task, explained on the talk of Aza24, in case of interest, - in a nutshell: I had just made him my story on his birthday on 10 August, and noticed in which horrible state the article was (much of it unreferenced, copyvio, purple language, synthesis ...) and wished him a long life, and then he died. - Going out now, to a place where I spent time with Floq (booked last week, coincidence). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:09, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

Gerda, I do understand you were writing in haste. You asked me to answer the question of whether I understood you were asking more for Goehr than for Le Dices, and I answered that question. And several other editors interpreted the post the same way I did. Valereee (talk) 13:41, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

The logic of preventing the access of blocked editors to their User page still escapes me. I also missed the Thank-you button most of all, but then I was blocked for slightly longer than you. I wanted to suggest that blocked editors could, or indeed should in some cases, be given access to certain articles one at a time, on a probationary basis - so they could prove their editorial worth, in some practical way, before being wholly unblocked. But this seems to be be deemed technically too difficult. And in any case, why would anyone listen to an editor who was blocked... I still think your own block should be wiped out. Apologies for the soap box. Martinevans123 (talk) 11:57, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

There is no wiping out, not even for a misclick ;) - I like the wording of the unblock reason. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:04, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

soap-box? - my talk is a forum for people in need. - It was more popular yesterday than some of my DYK, and I am still quite overwhelmed by (uncanvassed) support while I slept, like yours, Martin. - That Precious still not done. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:08, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

Editors (particularly Admins, of course) can possibly imagine how it feels to be blocked, even for a few hours or days. But until one has experienced it personally, it is just purely imaginary. I'm not surprised that some blocked editors never even try to return. Martinevans123 (talk) 12:28, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

Some of us spent a week IP hard blocked, refused an unblock or IPBE because of accusations by someone who was later blocked for socking and UPE, and accused of socking. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 13:14, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for clarifying. Slightly different circumstances from those of Gerda or myself, it seems. I'd be interested to see the percentage of Admins who have been blocked and for what reasons. Perhaps the stats are easily found. Martinevans123 (talk) 13:40, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

ps: I am worried about Floq. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:10, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

There's no need to worry about Floque. He blanked his page in solidarity with you being blocked but, of course, he edits so infrequently that he probably hasn't even noticed the unblock. The irony is, of course, that no one would have noticed his lack of activity. His last few edits have been just talking to you; his last foray into article space was two months ago. Interestingly, he's not usually so quick to criticise poor admin actions: it's only recently that he attempted to defend Graham Beard's partisan threats to an otherwise innocent editor (on my talk, of all places). On reflection, if it had been any editor other than ScottishFinnishRadish he might not have got involved, but it was a tempting opportunity to put the boot into an admin who had also asked Graham Beards to read WP:INVOLVED and then explain himself. Which Graham Beards has not yet done, and, indeed, has doubled down on. But why shouldn't he when he has such enablers? *sigh*

Congrats on the unblock! SerialNumber54129 12:40, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

I am worried precisely because he's almost not here anymore. - I don't deserve congrats because I did nothing to get unblocked, - common sense does ;) - Recommended reading today: Frye Fire, by sadly missed Vami_IV. (Precious still not done.) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:51, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

RD on WP:ITNN - looking forward

In case of interest, a little history of a nomination.

• 20 Aug: news of the death of Maryvonne Le Dizès, no article in English, only one in Russian. No date of death. It didn't take long to find out that she played violin in a highly notable ensemble, ensemble intercontemporain where she even commissioned new compositions, and she taught for a long time: clearly notable. Thank goodness there were refs in English. I went ahead creating an article, but when I was ready to publish I noticed that Rigg had already done that. I merged the articles. 13 editors helped with the article.
• 24 Aug: I nominate the article for the Recent deaths, date 20 Aug (when the news came around). Nominations need to be decided within the week following that date (so by 27 Aug), it's by simple support or oppose, which look at broadness of coverage and diligence of referencing. Usually closing admins want to see three supports and no oppose, but in many cases one support is enough: when the article clearly meets the requirements.
• 25 Aug: the nom received a support.
• 27 Aug: Nothing had happened, I made her my story, in hope, and marked the nomination with "needs attention" - a standard procedure. Nothing happened. I notified the three admins who often had helped me, - no response. You know the rest.

In the future - still hoping a case like this won't come again - I will inform fewer people of a problem and rely on my talk page more, and I will avoid the word "support" and replace it by "review". I urge everybody with a little time at the end of the day to check if there are any nominations needing attention on ITNN. I encourage everybody to follow what is on quoted on the top of Precious:

"grant each other the presumption that we are acting in good faith".

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:50, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

more songs, places and food

stroll in Frankfurt (20 Aug) RMF concert Tenebrae Howells: Requiem (22 Aug) tasting menu (23 Aug)

I like sharing places and music. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:30, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

It's nice to see someone enjoying a stroll in Frankfurt. I've generally been told to avoid it as dull. CMD (talk) 10:54, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I took a Wikipedian on the stroll, and our conversation was so lively and interesting that I forgot to take more pictures ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:58, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

You had me at tasting menu! DBaK (talk) 11:36, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

The menu seems to be decadent. Grimes2 (talk) 11:54, 5 September 2024 (UTC)

I trimmed the display to three - keeping Frankfurt, Eberbach Abbey and the delicious prison food, - thank you for you comments, I felt understood. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:19, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

Welcome back!!! DBaK (talk) 10:55, 6 September 2024 (UTC)

Your GA nomination of Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78

The article Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78 you nominated as a good article has passed ; see Talk:Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78 for comments about the article, and Talk:Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78/GA1 for the nomination. Well done! If the article is eligible to appear in the "Did you know" section of the Main Page, you can nominate it within the next seven days. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of 750h+ -- 750h+ (talk) 06:42, 7 September 2024 (UTC)