Mooozart

Ok, a quick one in between work. Just had to post this one :))

"The soothing strains of Mozart's concerto for flute and harp in D major are being played to cows on a farm in Spain to increase their milk yield.

The works of the Austrian composer are said to be having a dramatic effect on the 700 cows on Hans-Pieter Sieber's farm in Villanueva del Pardillo, near Madrid. The animals also sleep on water beds and enjoy the attentions of an animal psychologist. The Friesians are even treated to relaxing showers. And, in case they should feel the chill, the temperature never falls below 29C.

The attentions lavished on the cows appear to be paying dividends. Mr Sieber, 37, who is from Switzerland but married to a Spaniard, says each cow produces between 30 to 35 litres per day - more than the average of about 29 on other farms.

"If you give the cows comfort they are more disposed to help out," he said. "Normal milk doesn't have much taste or smell. That's why we started this method." And he said scientists from the Alcorcón Hospital in Madrid are studying the milk's potential for helping patients with digestive problems.

It is thought the milk's quality could help patients recover more quickly."

Rock stars to recreate Sgt Pepper

For the Beatles fans. Not myself.


"Oasis, The Killers and Razorlight are to cover songs from The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band to mark the album's 40th anniversary.

James Morrison, The Fratellis, Travis and the Kaiser Chiefs are among the other acts taking part in the special recording sessions for BBC Radio 2.

The engineer in charge of the original 1967 sessions will use the same equipment to record the new versions.

The results will be aired on Radio 2 on 2 June, a day after the anniversary.

The original album was released on 1 June 1967 and went on to be regarded as one of the best and most influential releases in rock history.

Last year, it came top of a Radio 2 poll to find the best number one album of all time.

'Unique event'

The modern rock bands will be recorded by audio engineer Geoff Emerick, using the one-inch four-track equipment he captured the original on 40 years ago.

Radio 2 is also celebrating its 40th birthday this year, and the programme will form part of the station's '60s Season.

Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas said: "This will be not only a unique radio event, but a very special musical moment.

"The range and quality of artists involved ensure that this will be a fitting tribute to one of the great albums of all time."

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Putin hails maestro Rostropovich

Well deserved :)

Rostropovich was rehabilitated by ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev

"The Kremlin has lavished praise on the world-famous Russian cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich, who is celebrating his 80th birthday.

President Vladimir Putin is hosting a reception for him on Tuesday.

He said the musician was not only "a brilliant cellist and gifted conductor," but also "a firm defender of human rights and freedom of spirit".

In the 1970s Rostropovich lived in exile from the then USSR. He returned in 1991, when communism had collapsed.

He had defended the dissident writer, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, from official criticism in Soviet times.

Rostropovich had to go into hospital last month. Russian media reports speculated that he was having treatment for cancer.

President Putin visited Rostropovich while he was convalescing and last month awarded him Russia's "Order of the Fatherland, First Class"."

Source