User talk:Gerda Arendt/2026

2026 talk

my story today

Bach's
Magnificat in E-flat major, BWV 243a,
was performed for his first Christmas as
Thomaskantor in Leipzig,
but its initial performance
may have been earlier on 2 July 1723
at a Marian feast there.
watch
25 December 2014
(from User:Gerda Arendt/Stories)

welcome

story · music · places
Je vous salue Marie Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen Le Laudi Freuet euch der schönen Erde Viel Glück und viel Segen What the World Needs Now Is Love For the beauty of the earth O du fröhliche The Times They Are a-Changin' Such, wer da will, ein ander Ziel Ave Maria Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud

We moved from 2025 to 2026, with new calendar pictures and new music. The topic is to prepare peace, in small steps. You can follow my daily stories, {{User Gerda Arendt/Top}}, often with an image and something to listen to: let's stay inspired and connected.

Ongoing efforts regard improving articles of people who recently diedrecent deaths, music heard and sung, and their makers. Watch my user page for articles any given day, done in collaboration. Compare 2025 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.

2026 calender pics and musical events begin here, and the 2025 diary of my own pictures of places, songs, food, flowers is here (Hazel in bloom near Leine, Döhren.jpg|2026]] to come), - 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 or more boxes, often one for people remembered and others 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 friends who gave them to me, listed on their birthdays or when meeting them. I archive this talk from time to time. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:42, 5 January 2026 (UTC)

music today

in memoriam Liber scriptus Mignon Dunn Günter Lenz · Remy, Ury, Klaus, Mike Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and Alakzi, Khazar, RexxS and others who have just given up

28 June · service St. Martin, Idstein Gott liebt diese Welt Nun jauchzt dem Herren, alle Welt Befiehl du deine Wege O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig Eine große Stadt ersteht · 30 + 31 May Denis Bédard: Organ Concerto Dan Forrest: Jubilate Deo Gabriel Dessauer, organ Cora Theobald, soprano Larissa Botos, alto Idsteiner Kantorei Chor St. Martin Martinis Nassauische Kammerphilharmonie Franz Fink and Carsten Koch, cond. · 2 May · Festkonzert 90th birthday of Franz Josef Hamm Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 Toccata und Fuge in D, BWV 565 Pergolesi: Salve Regina in c Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51 Handel: Eternal Source of Light Divine

25 June · RMF Rheingau Musik Festival Kurhaus, Wiesbaden Tavener: Song for Athene Steven Sametz: Not an End of Loving Gabrieli: Omnes gentes plaudite manibus Machaut: Gloria Toby Twining: Hee-oo-oom-ha There is a Balm in Gilead Wade in the Water Stephen Foster: Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair Shenandoah Charlie Smalls: Home Gibbons: Oh Clap Your Hands Bobby McFerrin: Psalm 23 Pärt: The Deer's Cry Paul Simon: The Sound of Silence April in Paris John Kander: I Get a Kick Out of New York Scarborough Fair Lowry: Shall We Gather at the River? Schubert: Der Lindenbaum Voces8 Chanticleer

A barnstar for you!

	The Original Barnstar
	Congrats on your first GA review over at the review of North Christian Church! It's really appreciated given the backlog over there at the moment, and the review itself is exceptionally high quality for a first review! IAWW (talk) 21:49, 8 December 2025 (UTC)

Thank you, I like to hear that! It helped that I was fascinated by the subject. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:56, 8 December 2025 (UTC)

Season's Greetings

more in the archive

Thank you for all your kind messages on my talk page throughout the year and for helping me enhance my knowledge of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach (to some extent). Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Keep contributing as you do. Cheers. MSincccc (talk) 19:02, 17 December 2025 (UTC)

Thank you, for your thoughtful message and your constructive reviewing! Unser Mund sei voll Lachens ;) - My little DYK Christmas gift still needs an approval, a song that a beloved family member liked. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:11, 17 December 2025 (UTC)

Happy Holidays

Peace is a state of balance and understanding in yourself and between others, where respect is gained by the acceptance of differences, tolerance persists, conflicts are resolved through dialog, peoples rights are respected and their voices are heard, and everyone is at their highest point of serenity without social tension. Happy Holidays to you and yours. Buster Seven Talk (UTC) 02:17, 18 December 2025 (UTC)

Thank you for the reminder. I'll give it an anchor, to quote in discussions ;) - I should perhaps make a list of DYK sentences I made which refer to peace, and perhaps make it the topic for 2026 ... (so far I thought about dedication and interesting stories). - Peaceful Holidays to you and yours! My song this year is funny, - look above. We'll sing the song of the angels (thank you for the illustration, and I'll add mine) on Christmas Eve, this year from Bach's Magnificat, one of three works by Bach for five voices, and "et in terra pax" (peace on earth) is especially expressive, listen. I should expand the section. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:06, 18 December 2025 (UTC)

24 December

in dulci jubilo

"Es hat sich halt eröffnet",
a traditional 18th-century Christmas carol
from Tyrol and Swabia,
imagines many angel boys and girls tumbling down and rolling over
from the gate of Heaven that opened.
watch
24 December 2025

Enjoy! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 23:13, 23 December 2025 (UTC)

25 December

in dulci jubilo

On 25 December 1725,
J. S. Bach led the first performance
of the Christmas cantata
Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110,
making laughter audible in singing.
watch

The 2015 DYK said: ... that in his Christmas cantata Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110, Bach embedded voices in the overture of his fourth orchestral suite and achieved a "marvellous rendition of laughter-in-music"? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:02, 25 December 2025 (UTC)

Comments in the FAC are welcome! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:02, 25 December 2025 (UTC)

A fox for you!

Congratulations Gerda on the successful FAC of Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110! Your dedication and artistry truly shine through—well done!

el.ziade (talkallam) 20:19, 30 December 2025 (UTC)

Thank you, Elias! It would not have happened without you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:34, 30 December 2025 (UTC)

Season's greetings!

As a big classical music person, I know that if I ever need to know something about one of Bach’s cantatas, there’s a good chance it’s a Gerda Arendt GA. Thanks for the work you do with content and at GAN (including, recently, your first review!—unsurprisingly, you did terrifically) and for honouring those we have lost at RD. And of course, thank you for your daily stories, wonderful music, and lovely pictures that you leave on my and others’ talk pages. Have an incredible holiday season and see you in 2026!

GoldRomean (talk) 19:05, 26 December 2025 (UTC)

Thank you very much for such an uplifting personal message! The season has been good so far, see singing above, - pictures to follow, but I'm too celebrating ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:03, 26 December 2025 (UTC)

Women in Red - January 2026

Sports (year-long initiative) | Alphabet run - countries starting with A Continuing: #1day1woman ( year-long initiative) | Women who died in 2025

--Rosiestep (talk) 23:31, 26 December 2025 (UTC) via MassMessaging

Happy new year from Bishonen and Bishzilla!

• Comment: I recommend reading Edmontosaurus mummy AMNH 5060. Edmontosaurus mummy SMF R 4036 is currently a Featured Article Candidate open for discussion. Grimes2 13:02, 30 December 2025 (UTC)

Thank you, Bishs! Look what happened, below and below! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:32, 30 December 2025 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Justus Zeyen

On 30 December 2025, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Justus Zeyen, 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 20:44, 30 December 2025 (UTC)

Thank you, Spencer, just in time. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:38, 30 December 2025 (UTC)

happy new year

J. S. Bach led
the first performance of
Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16,
his church cantata for New Year's Day
to a libretto by Georg Christian Lehms
on 1 January 1726.
listen
1 January 2026

Begin with a thankful Bach cantata, including prayer for peace, and other great music. To collaboration and peace, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:13, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

Happy New Year and a barnstar for you!

		The Special Barnstar
		Happy New Year, Gerda Arendt! I have lost count of how many years now it has been that I have written this message on your user talk page, but here I am again in 2025. In the past year, other editors thanked you 1538 times using the thanks tool on the English Wikipedia. This made you the #2 most thanked Wikipedian in 2025. As you once told me, giving is better than receiving, and in 2025, you were also the #1 most thankful Wikipedian with 3132 uses of the thanks tool. As I said last year: congratulations and, well, thank you for all that you do for Wikipedia. Here's to 2026! Mz7 (talk) 05:13, 31 December 2025 (UTC)

Thank you so much, Mz7, - in words (which I still believe is the better way to thank)! I was curious and I found 2020. No. 1 is new, and that being in "thankful" is wanted! I'll move this into next year ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:03, 31 December 2025 (UTC)

Have a Great 2026 Gerda

Do feel free to reuse. This picture is as tenacious as you (see it tomorrow) and it mirrors the happiness you share with so many. Thank you. - Roger aka Victuallers (talk) 10:23, 31 December 2025 (UTC)

Thank you, Roger! I share my story which also changes each day, and in 2026 will share music, changing often. Today, look at music. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:30, 31 December 2025 (UTC)

Happy New Year!

	Happy New Year
	Happy New Year! May 2026 be your best year yet! BD2412 T 00:55, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

Thank you, that's a great idea. Listen! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:16, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

Happy New Year, Gerda Arendt!

Happy New Year!

Gerda Arendt,
Have a prosperous, productive and enjoyable New Year, and thanks for your contributions to Wikipedia.
sjones23 (talk - contributions) 20:47, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

Thank you, and also to you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:49, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

friends' songs
Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud Herr, unser Herr, wie bist du zugegen O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig For the beauty of the earth ... und eine neue Welt Je vous salue Marie Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen Le Laudi Freuet euch der schönen Erde Viel Glück und viel Segen What the World Needs Now Is Love O du fröhliche

ITN recognition for Gary Graffman

On 2 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Gary Graffman, 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. Schwede66 00:37, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

1. Gary Graffman - Schwede66 - 2 Jan

Promotion of Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110

Congratulations, Gerda Arendt! The article you nominated, Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110, has been promoted to featured status, recognizing it as one of the best articles on Wikipedia. The nomination discussion has been archived.

This is a rare accomplishment and you should be proud. If you would like, you may nominate it to appear on the Main page as Today's featured article. Keep up the great work! Cheers, Ian Rose (talk) via FACBot (talk) 11:06, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

Congrats dear Gerda--Symposiarch (talk) 11:07, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

Congratulation. Grimes2 17:09, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

1. Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110 - Ian Rose - 2 Jan

January 2026

Thank you for your contributions to Wikipedia. Regarding your recent edits to Seymour Lipkin when you modified the page, you introduced unknown parameters. Just because you specify |some_param=some_variable does not always mean that variable will display. The |some_param= must be defined in the template. You can look at the documentation for the template you are using but it is also helpful to use the preview button before you save your edit; this helps you find any errors you have made and ensure that the values you have added are displaying correctly. Below the edit box is a Show preview button. Pressing this will show you what the page will look like without actually saving it. It is strongly recommended that you use this before saving. Note I have likely fixed the error by now so check the history of the page to see how it was fixed. If you have any questions, contact the help desk for assistance. Thank you. Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 19:30, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

Your edit summary in the revert said "unexplained", but that's not right: I explained that {{infobox person}} is better suitable for classical pianists, see Gary Graffman and others. You said "content removal", - please tell me which content was removed, and to which "error" you refer to? - Happy new year! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:41, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

It was a wrong parameter in infobox. occupation is correct instead of occupations. I fixed that. Grimes2 19:50, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

Thank you. Graffman is linked on 94 pages, - I hope I won't meet many more of the kind. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:03, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

The error was on article Seymour Lipkin. Grimes2 20:12, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

Please go back and preview your edit... Special:Permalink/1330819192 You will see a big red preview warning that says Preview warning: Page using Template:Infobox person with unknown parameter "occupations". When you change the infobox type, as you did in your edit here, you need to preview it and make sure that all the parameters match up. They did not. You made this mistake multiple times.

As for the unexplained content removal, why was this persons Genre and their Instruments removed from the infobox? Your edit summary said ibox person better for classical people. That does not explain why you would remove their genre and the instruments they play from the infobox. Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 20:58, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

I made the change multiple times, but not until today did I notice that infobox person requires "occupation" (singular) only, while the other seems to tolerate both singular and plural. Sorry about that, always learning. Please explain why you think it would be helpful to mention that a pianist plays the piano? - Please excuse that - with four recent deaths articles waiting for improvements, and 94 articles to check, I didn't preview every time for a change I made multiple times, - back to the beginning. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:07, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

Let's start over. Let me be clear, if I had a nickel for every time I have broken a page by not previewing... I could retire and edit wikipedia fulltime! My initial message, which is a templated message that I custom wrote, was intended as a friendly "hey you made a boo-boo here, try not to do it again". Far from a big deal!

As for the data in the infobox, far from a hill I want to die on. I guess I just disagree that {{Infobox person}} is a better infobox than {{Infobox musical artist}} for a person who is a musician. But more to the point, your edit summary (IMHO) did not adequately explain why you were removing that information from the Infobox.

UNKNOWNPARAMS is kinda my pet project, so I'm constantly monitoring those with a custom module on my userpage. The unknown param is what brought me to the page.

Sorry if my initial message came across the wrong way. "always learning", aren't we all?! Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 21:26, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

yes, we should keep learning - my edit summary is as templated as your message, short (and most often understood) for a stance that project opera has in its recommendations --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:37, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

in case that's too hard to find: "If an infobox is used for opera singer and other opera-related biographies, Infobox person is preferable to Infobox musical artist which was designed for non-classical musicians." --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:39, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Stanislaus Kennedy

On 3 January 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Stanislaus Kennedy, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the social work of Sister Stan was praised by two presidents of Ireland? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Stanislaus Kennedy. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Stanislaus Kennedy).

♠PMC♠ (talk) 00:02, 3 January 2026 (UTC)

The credit said: "Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to nominate it". Do you find interesting that two presidents praised her without being told for what? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:13, 3 January 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Armand Avril

On 4 January 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Armand Avril, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Armand Avril travelled in 1960 for a year in Africa, where he was inspired to assemble "bottle caps, clothespins, glue, nails and empty tin cans"? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Armand Avril. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Armand Avril), 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 nominate it.

♠PMC♠ (talk) 00:03, 4 January 2026 (UTC)

Happy New Year, Gerda Arendt!

Happy New Year!

Gerda Arendt,
Have a prosperous, productive and enjoyable New Year, and thanks for your contributions to Wikipedia.
sjones23 (talk - contributions) 20:47, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

Thank you, and also to you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:49, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Gary Graffman

On 2 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Gary Graffman, 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. Schwede66 00:37, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

Promotion of Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110

Congratulations, Gerda Arendt! The article you nominated, Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110, has been promoted to featured status, recognizing it as one of the best articles on Wikipedia. The nomination discussion has been archived.

This is a rare accomplishment and you should be proud. If you would like, you may nominate it to appear on the Main page as Today's featured article. Keep up the great work! Cheers, Ian Rose (talk) via FACBot (talk) 11:06, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

Congrats dear Gerda--Symposiarch (talk) 11:07, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

Congratulation. Grimes2 17:09, 2 January 2026 (UTC)

1. Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110 - Ian Rose - 2 Jan

DYK for Stanislaus Kennedy

On 3 January 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Stanislaus Kennedy, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the social work of Sister Stan was praised by two presidents of Ireland? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Stanislaus Kennedy. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Stanislaus Kennedy).

♠PMC♠ (talk) 00:02, 3 January 2026 (UTC)

The credit said: "Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to nominate it". Do you find interesting that two presidents praised her without being told for what? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:13, 3 January 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Rudi Spring

On 5 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Rudi Spring, 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 22:45, 5 January 2026 (UTC)

1. Gary Graffman - Schwede66 - 2 Jan (from 2025)
2. Rudi Spring - Stephen - 5 Jan
3. Ruth Wagner - Stephen - 5 Jan
4. Andrew Carter - PFHLai - 9 Jan
5. Rolf Riehm - Spencer - 9 Jan
6. Jonathan Powell (musician) - Spencer - 10 Jan
7. John Wallace - Bagumba - 16 Jan
8. Isaiah Jackson - Spencer - 18 Jan
9. Miroslava Pešíková - Schwede66 - 18 Jan
10. Francis Buchholz - Spencer 28 Jan
11. Richie Beirach' - robertsky - 4 Feb

ITN recognition for Ruth Wagner

On 5 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Ruth Wagner, 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 22:47, 5 January 2026 (UTC)

Hero Palli

As you have familiarity with opera, I thought the article on Hero Palli might interest you, which I came across during WP:NPP. -- Rosiestep (talk) 14:35, 7 January 2026 (UTC)

Yes, - I looked a bit, and will look further tomorrow. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:15, 7 January 2026 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for January 9

An automated process has detected that when you recently edited Jonathan Powell (musician), you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Alexander Goldenweiser.

(Opt-out instructions.) --DPL bot (talk) 07:54, 9 January 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Andrew Carter (composer)

On 9 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Andrew Carter (composer), 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) 09:20, 9 January 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Rolf Riehm

On 9 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Rolf Riehm, 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 20:11, 9 January 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Cello Concerto (Honegger)

On 10 January 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Cello Concerto (Honegger), which you recently nominated. The fact was ... that Arthur Honegger's only cello concerto was premiered by its dedicatee and the Boston Symphony Orchestra? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Cello Concerto (Honegger). You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Cello Concerto (Honegger)), 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 nominate it.

—Ganesha811 (talk) 00:04, 10 January 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Jonathan Powell (musician)

On 10 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Jonathan Powell (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. Spencer^T•C 04:58, 10 January 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Zwei Gefühle

On 11 January 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Zwei Gefühle, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Helmut Lachenmann's composition ... zwei Gefühle ... was based on a text about fear and desire by Leonardo da Vinci? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Zwei Gefühle. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Zwei Gefühle), 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 nominate it.

 — Chris Woodrich (talk) 00:02, 11 January 2026 (UTC)

Re: Influencer

After seeing this, I went ahead and made some small elbow macaroni, which I was surprised to find is an American invention and has no Italian name. Viriditas (talk) 00:33, 11 January 2026 (UTC)

List of pasta says it is called gomiti or chifferi, but there is no indication it arose in Italy. Should I assume that it did? Viriditas (talk) 00:37, 11 January 2026 (UTC)

Good article reassessment for St. Martin, Idstein

St. Martin, Idstein has been nominated for a good article reassessment. If you are interested in the discussion, please participate by adding your comments to the reassessment page. If concerns are not addressed during the review period, the good article status may be removed from the article. Z1720 (talk) 02:51, 15 January 2026 (UTC)

I looked and found the paragraphs about the music performed in church services not cited. What can we do? Same problem as at Bach's time: there was no press coverage of his cantatas except the one that he performed when he assumed the post (and it only said it was good, without details). There has been no press coverage for musical groups doing church work in Idstein, not even for the choir jubilee. It still happened, there are images. What do you think about splitting the details of church music in a separate article, like splitting the recordings off BWV 1? - Happy Wikipedia jubilee! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:25, 15 January 2026 (UTC)

Spinning out information is fine if the spun-out article is notable on its own per GNG. In addition to news sources, articles can use books and academic journals from reputable (ie not self-published) publishers. If no secondary sources covered particular information, I do not think it needs to be in the article as it might be too much detail: if its important to mention, then a source should mention it that can be cited. Z1720 (talk) 17:13, 15 January 2026 (UTC)

Music for today

My story today remembers a DYK 10 years ago, which remembers a great conductor, also director of a conservatory with a long tradition. - I was part of the event the DYK mentioned. We sang Bach's cantata Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, BWV 56, and Mozart's Requiem at the Lutherkirche Wiesbaden (and in three other concerts in the region). When the conservatory was founded, Clara Schumann was a piano teacher. Let's keep expanding free knowledge. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:12, 15 January 2026 (UTC)

Did you know ...

• ... that director Frank Stähle revived the choir and orchestra of Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium and conducted them in Mozart's Requiem for the centenary of the Lutherkirche?

11 January · service St. Martin, Idstein Stern über Bethlehem Seht ihr unsern Stern dort stehen Es ist ein Ros entsprungen Fest soll mein Taufbund immer stehn Heilig, heilig, dreimal heilig Zu Bethlehem geboren Wir kommen daher aus dem Morgenland O du fröhliche · 2023 Mozart: Requiem

in memoriam Mozart: de morte transire ad vitam Jonathan Powell Frank Stähle Ritva Auvinen John Wallace · Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and Alakzi, Khazar, RexxS and others who have just given up

7 August 2025 · RMF Rheingau Musik Festival Eberbach Abbey Bach: Mass in B minor Tenebrae Kammerorchester Basel Nigel Short, cond.

Bots

It may be have been an oversight on your part, but to avoid further messages from User:DPL bot, just click Preferences → Gadgets → Display links to disambiguation pages in orange. If you follow the orange link, and copy/paste the exact intended article title into the WL brackets you just created, the bot will never bother you again.

I'm afraid I am not a huge fan of Mozart's Requiem, so much of it is not Wolfie's work, especially the embarrassing trombone solo. His Symphony No. 34 on the other hand, is absolutely scintillating. Best, MinorProphet (talk) 20:54, 15 January 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for the "preferences" but I find the bot helpful ;) - further down on memory lane. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:06, 15 January 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for John Wallace (trumpeter)

On 16 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article John Wallace (trumpeter), 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. —Bagumba (talk) 22:15, 16 January 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Isaiah Jackson (conductor)

On 18 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Isaiah Jackson (conductor), 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 04:28, 18 January 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Miroslava Pešíková

On 18 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Miroslava Pešíková, 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. Schwede66 22:18, 18 January 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Carmen Moreno (singer)

On 21 January 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Carmen Moreno (singer), which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Carmen Moreno was a vocalist with a Polish jazz group in 1951, and performed with her granddaughter Anna Serafińska in 2010 (pictured)? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Carmen Moreno (singer). You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Carmen Moreno (singer)), 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 nominate it.

 — Chris Woodrich (talk) 00:02, 21 January 2026 (UTC)

January again

Dear Gerda, as it is coming round to my annual self-indulgence-Fest over being Awesome, I thought I'd save you the trouble of mentioning it, and at the same time take the opportunity to reply to your New Year greeting with one of my own. Sorry it's so late, I am in a deluge of dental appointments for which I have to make a 50-mile round trip in my "characterful" old Astra. But you may imagine me as a severe old would-be Quaker who has decided not to be an observer of times and seasons, or at least who uses that as an excuse for his laziness. I have just recovered my old CDs of Borciani and Pegreffi reinventing Die Kunst der Fuge into something that sounds like late Beethoven, which has been locked away in storage since 2018, and am much enjoying it. That work, and the two Ricercars from the Musical Offering, contain a special sort of Peace if one doesn't bang them out too horribly! It's all in the light touch, dear, as Noel Coward possibly remarked. "Nur wo Recht und Weisheit halten / können Ruh' und Friede walten, / und was Länder glücklich macht." Somebody tell the leaders of the "free" and un-free world, if you can tell which is which, please... Prayers and good wishes to you for 2026 - Eebahgum (talk) 13:32, 21 January 2026 (UTC)

Thank you and never too late for some wisdom! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:36, 21 January 2026 (UTC)

Works by women composers

In February, Women in Red is hosting an event on Works by women in opera, theatre and music. Perhaps you could suggest a number of compositions which deserve to be covered or point to other sources.--Ipigott (talk) 14:49, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for the pointer, but nothing particularly coming to my mind. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:34, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

No rush on this. But it would be good to have suggestions on one or two important classical works by women composers. Take your time.--Ipigott (talk) 16:32, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

The first coming to mind would be Sofia Gubaidulina. I'll check her list of works. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:38, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

I looked closer and took Johannes-Ostern and Quatre instants on my personal to-do-list, the former by Sofia Gubaidulina, the other by Kaija Saariaho. All works listed by these two probably deserve an article, which are many without (vs. a few with) for the former, and only few (of few without) for the other. The existing articles can serve as models, such as Johannes-Passion and Sept Papillons. These are two women composers who came to the RMF (#Portraits of living composers), so I know their music a bit. There are loads of works by women I don't know who probably deserve coverage. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:55, 29 January 2026 (UTC)

Your remembrance is greatly appreciated

Dear Gerda, returning after a three-day break from the internet, I just saw your kind posting on my 20th WikiBirthday. I am most grateful for your words and I thank you with all my heart. —Roman Spinner (talk • contribs) 23:48, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

Dear Roman, it's lovely to wake up to a message from your great heart! --

Good article reassessment for St John Passion structure

St John Passion structure has been nominated for a good article reassessment. If you are interested in the discussion, please participate by adding your comments to the reassessment page. If concerns are not addressed during the review period, the good article status may be removed from the article. Z1720 (talk) 04:28, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

Z1720, as I told you I'm on vacation and will work on it - or St. John Passion - during Lent, adding: after Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, BWV 43. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:09, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

You may want to post in the GAR so that other editors know that you plan to work on it. Z1720 (talk) 15:23, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

Which other editor would be interested in an article I created for the sole reason of having an article about the piece with an infobox, and without OR? Perhaps the editor who added long unsourced tables for the versions besides the first? - I'll check if the primary article can be improved now, that the OR is gone. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:28, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

Posting there will also let editors know that someone is planning to work on it and that the GAR should not be closed. Also, sometimes random editors will volunteer to work on an article when it's posted at GAR. Z1720 (talk) 16:11, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

So you think ;) - I can't post that I'll work on it as long as I don't know if I'll work on it or on the St John Passion. I have no time to investigate but know that both articles need work. I don't know which one is further away from GA. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:16, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Francis Buchholz

On 29 January 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Francis Buchholz, 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 09:25, 29 January 2026 (UTC)

Bundestag archives

I'm aware that this isn't really your thing, but do you happen to know anyone who could help me with my request at WT:GERMANY? I need to find a document listing the 144 members of the Volkskammer that joined the Bundestag automatically on 3 October 1990. I hate to ask the classical music editor about 20th century politics but as the only German I know on Wikipedia I was wondering if you could help. Thanks very much, Chorchapu (talk | edits) 16:29, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

I think 1) that Kusma might know more, 2) that your approach to contact WT:Germany is good, 3) that our article Volkskammer suggests that it happened that way but without a source, 4) that I think for the purpose of a simple DYK statement the Bundestag source should work fine, 5) that if your reviewer doesn't accept that, you might be better off suggesting a different hook. Greetings from vacation, --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:44, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

Thank you very much for this help. Chorchapu (talk | edits) 00:01, 31 January 2026 (UTC)

Women in Red February 2026

Alphabet run: countries starting with B | Black Women | Works by women: theatre, opera, music #1day1woman ( year-long initiative) | Sports (year-long initiative)

--Lajmmoore (talk 22:47, 31 January 2026 (UTC) via MassMessaging

DYK for Jubilant Sykes

On 3 February 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Jubilant Sykes, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the baritone Jubilant Sykes, active in spirituals, gospel and funk, recorded the role of the Celebrant in Leonard Bernstein's Grammy-nominated Mass? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Jubilant Sykes. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Jubilant Sykes), 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 nominate it.

HurricaneZeta^C 00:03, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Mozartiana

As you know, I nominated Mozart for GA status. It failed, but hopefully I at least inspired Opus33 and others to make improvements. (Opus33 has reminded me that I should read Charles Rosen, which I fully intend to do. I picked up Steven Isserlis's The Bach Cello Suites: A Companion.) Look forward to hearing your music stories this month.

Under Legacy, someone removed the works inspired by Mozart. That was a mistake. Bach, a Good Article, mentions several works inspired by him. To illustrate Mozart's legacy, it would be fitting to mention works inspired by him, such as Tchaikovsky's Mozartiana. Charlie Faust (talk) 01:13, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Happy Birthday to Felix Mendelssohn, born on this day in 1809. (Still hoping to hear your February music stories.)

Reading Schonberg's The Lives of the Great Composers. Schumann, reviewing Chopin's Variations on "Là ci darem la mano", wrote "Hats off, gentlemen, a genius." That later composers wrote variations on Mozart illustrates his genius. It merits mention on Mozart's page Charlie Faust (talk) 00:23, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Richie Beirach

On 4 February 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Richie Beirach, 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) 03:36, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

Your nomination of Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42 has passed

Your good article nomination of the article Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42 has passed; congratulations! See the review page for more information. 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 GoldRomean -- GoldRomean (talk) 18:07, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

1. Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42 - GoldRomean - 11 Feb

ITN recognition for Tamás Vásáry

On 11 February 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Tamás Vásáry, 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 22:37, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

in memoriam Seele, vergiß sie nicht Tamás Vásáry Bernhard Waldenfels Miroslava Pešíková Ritva Auvinen · Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and others who have just given up

25 January · mass Iglesia de El Salvador, Santa Cruz de La Palma Cantemos al Señor un canto nuevo Paz, Señor, en el <cielo y la Tierra Hay que encender la lámpara Que sea mi vida la sal Hasta los confines de la Tierra

3 December 2025 · concert Philharmonie de Paris Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 Anders Hillborg: Hell Mountain Bizet: Symphony Mitsuko Uchida, piano Orchestre de Paris Klaus Mäkelä, cond.

My story today, reflected in my music (which also hints at vacation), - enjoy! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:57, 12 February 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Uns ist ein Kind geboren (Telemann)

On 16 February 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Uns ist ein Kind geboren (Telemann), which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that in his 1720 Christmas cantata, Georg Philipp Telemann used folk music, a rarity in his church music? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Uns ist ein Kind geboren (Telemann). You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Uns ist ein Kind geboren (Telemann)), 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 nominate it.

HurricaneZeta^C 12:02, 16 February 2026 (UTC)

How nice, a late Christmas present, and guess what, there will be another one for April Fool's. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:17, 16 February 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Helmuth Rilling

On 16 February 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Helmuth Rilling, 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. PFHLai (talk) 18:12, 16 February 2026 (UTC)

He was one of the conductors I experienced listening in a concert, with talk, forgot what it was. My day today: look! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:27, 16 February 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Lambert Hamel

On 22 February 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Lambert Hamel, 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 14:28, 22 February 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Thomas Johannes Mayer

On 23 February 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Thomas Johannes Mayer, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Thomas Johannes Mayer went from performing jazz, rock, and punk, to portraying operatic characters such as Wotan and Wozzeck? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Thomas Johannes Mayer. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Thomas Johannes Mayer), 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 nominate it.

—TechnoSquirrel69 (sigh) 12:02, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Marie Engle

On 24 February 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Marie Engle, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Marie Engle (pictured) was one of the earliest operatic singers to be recorded on rare Bettini cylinders? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Marie Engle. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Marie Engle), 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 nominate it.

Launchballer 00:02, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for José van Dam

On 24 February 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article José van Dam, 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 02:44, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

Music on MP

		The Music Barnstar
		Four in one on Main Page. Well done! 7&6=thirteen (☎) 20:22, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

.

Thank you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:27, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

Eine schöne Leistung 7&6=thirteen (☎) 20:30, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

Danke! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:33, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

Easter Oratorio scheduled for TFA

This is to let you know that Easter Oratorio has been scheduled as today's featured article for 5 April, 2026. Please check that the article needs no amendments. Feel free to amend the draft blurb, which can be found at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/April 2026, or to make comments on other matters concerning the scheduling of this article at Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/April 2026. Please keep an eye on that page, as notifications of copy edits to or queries about the draft blurb may be posted there. I also suggest that you watchlist Wikipedia:Main Page/Errors from two days before it appears on the Main Page. Thanks, and congratulations on your work! Z1720 (talk) 21:00, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

Thank you! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:05, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

Women in Red - March 2026

March 1-31: Artists & Activists | Artworks by women | Alphabet run: countries starting with C Continuing (year-long initiatives): #1day1woman | Sports

--Rosiestep (talk) 09:28, 25 February 2026 (UTC) via MassMessaging

Re. FAC mentorship

Thank you for your previous messages on my talk page — I’ve appreciated them. I’m currently tied up with school examinations, so I won’t be taking on anything heavy for the moment. However, I’m very keen to work with an FAC mentor. I noticed your name at WP:FAM and wondered whether you might be available to assist me. The article concerned is Fashion of Catherine, Princess of Wales. Cheers. MSincccc (talk) 15:55, 27 February 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for asking, MSincccc, and although I have nothing particular to offer regarding the topic, I can assist you in the process, time permitting. The article is short, so manageable ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:21, 27 February 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for your response. You can send any suggestions you have at User:MSincccc/sandbox3. MSincccc (talk) 04:24, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Ritva Auvinen

On 28 February 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Ritva Auvinen, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that opera singer Ritva Auvinen (pictured) also worked as a gymnastics and swimming teacher? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Ritva Auvinen. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Ritva Auvinen).

 — Chris Woodrich (talk) 12:02, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

Interesting?? I don't think so. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:06, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

Mozarteum

Gerda, I don't how familiar you are with Salzburg. I wonder if you can help me to clarify the use of the name Mozarteum in Wikipedia? I started translating the article de:Mozarteum (Gebäude) into English, but feel there need to be some changes to other articles, too.

Currently, English Wikipedia has the following pages:

• Mozarteum, which redirects to Mozarteum University Salzburg. This is similar to German WP's de:Mozarteum, except the page itself is about Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, not a redirect.
• Mozarteum University Salzburg, which says it "is one of three affiliated but separate…entities under the "Mozarteum" name in Salzburg municipality; the International Mozarteum Foundation and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg are the other two." de:Mozarteum does not say this, but does mention the de:Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum, without context.
• International Mozarteum Foundation (German equivalent is de:Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum)
• Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg (German equivalent is de:Mozarteumorchester Salzburg

In German WP, there is also de:Neues Mozarteum, which describes the main university building, and has no English equivalent.

Additionally, there exists the German WP article de:Mozarteum (Gebäude), which I am translating. This says the Mozarteum is the name for the Foundation's building complex, and that the name is inscribed in gold above the entrance portal. It also says that the Mozarteum University Salzburg is also called the Mozarteum, and so the building is sometimes referred to as the Mozarteum Building or the Old Mozarteum or the Mozarteum on Schwarzstraße.

This is all highly confusing. I am thinking of changing the English Mozarteum redirect page into a disambiguation page, saying something like:

The term Mozarteum can refer to several different institutions and buildings in Salzburg:

• Mozarteum University Salzburg
• New Mozartium, the main building of the University
• International Mozarteum Foundation
• Mozarteum (building) (my new page), which houses the Foundation. It is sometimes referred to as the Old Mozarteum or the Mozarteum on Schwarzstraße
• Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg

Also, Mozarteum University Salzburg says the "larger of the two halls [in the Foundation's building] is itself known as the "Mozarteum" and is world-renowned; its proper name is simply 'Großer Saal'." This is unsourced, not mentioned anywhere else, and I suspect is incorrect.

If you can't help, please don't waste your time on this. Just writing this has helped me to organise my thoughts! I'm not messing with the German WP pages. Many thanks, in advance. Masato.harada (talk) 11:56, 1 March 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for asking. I agree with a disambiguation, but would prefer Mozarteum (disambiguation). I know of many pages saying someone studied at the Mozarteum (and that was most often before the University label), and would not like to send them all to a dab page, nor having to pipe them. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:30, 1 March 2026 (UTC)

Good point. Thanks. Masato.harada (talk) 17:40, 1 March 2026 (UTC)

please help me understand your reversion of my edits

I have found several instances where you reverted my edits - one in a Jose van Dam article (recent death), another labelled Hogwood - and I don't understand why your reversions were made. My main problem is that, as a continually inexperienced editor/contributor, I don't know enough about the process of reverting an edit to be able to follow up and find out 'why' a reversion was made. The best I can come up with regarding your reversion of my addition of wikilinks for Bizet and Messiaen in the article on Jose van Dam is the phrase, 'per project opera'. Even after reading about Wiki's Project Opera, I don't have any idea what this means. Another mystery is a comment on your Talk page titled, "Hogwood" in which you ask for more information about my edit (?). I know very well who Christopher Hogwood was - I worked with him when he conducted a concert in my city in the early 1980s - but I don't remember contributing any edits to any page concerning him; furthermore, I can't find any reference to the reason you made the comment on your talk page dated 22 February 2025 Bottom line: I don't know how to follow up when you (or anyone) reverts edits that I don't think should be reverted, because I can't find your reasons for doing the revert. Please help me understand. Seauton (talk) 21:04, 1 March 2026 (UTC)

I'll reply on your talk, Seauton, in a nutshell: I am sorry, - when I have little time, I don't check if the user I revert is experienced, but treat them as experienced. However, an experienced editor would not add a talk page message at the top of a talk page, and would include more precisely which revert when, by a socalled diff. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:12, 1 March 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Roman Kofman

On 2 March 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Roman Kofman, 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 23:56, 2 March 2026 (UTC)

March 2026

Thank you for your contributions to Wikipedia. Regarding your recent edits to Roman Kofman when you modified the page, you introduced unknown parameters. Just because you specify |some_param=some_variable does not always mean that variable will display. The |some_param= must be defined in the template. You can look at the documentation for the template you are using but it is also helpful to use the preview button before you save your edit; this helps you find any errors you have made and ensure that the values you have added are displaying correctly. Below the edit box is a Show preview button. Pressing this will show you what the page will look like without actually saving it. It is strongly recommended that you use this before saving. Note I have likely fixed the error by now so check the history of the page to see how it was fixed. If you have any questions, contact the help desk for assistance. Thank you. Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 05:45, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

Nothing about that edit was a bot. This is pretty clearly (and easily verifiably) not a bot account... Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 05:53, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

(ec) "Can you perhaps train your bot to change organizations to organisations when I forget, User:Zackmann08?" I wanted to say so here but first fix the article. I made a typo. Your bot removed the parameter altogether and placed the above message here. There's room for improvement, for both. Yes, I made a typo, and yes, I was too absent-minded to preview a minor edit, - I apologise/apologize. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:00, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

Please read my comment above. Nothing about my edit was performed by a bot. My account is not a bot account, something that is easily verifiable. Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 06:04, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

I will say that had I realized you had 400,000+ edits, I would not have templated you, but instead left a simple reminder message. Apologies for that. Zackmann (^{Talk to me}/_{What I been doing}) 06:06, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

I don't know where to put what I typed before we had an edit conflict. I put it below.

(ec) I apologize once more. The templating leaves an impersonal bot-like impression, and I misunderstood your message below it, once conditioned that way. I shouldn't edit before coffee ;) - Same question about possibly improving the reaction to a typo of one letter because of U.S./UK difference in language?

(after ec) You improved one thing already now, thank you. - How about a simple reminder message for all, and a huge template about almost nothing only in case they don't get it? Or just reminder in the edit summary when "fixing" the template? How about fixing the spelling mistake instead of removing the parameter? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:17, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

A barnstar for you.

		The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
		For all the kind messages you post on mine and other users’ talk pages. MSincccc (talk) 09:28, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

A barnstar for you?? Wow!

		The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
		From what i've seen of you on Wikipedia, it is good articles, pleasant messages, and treating deceased Wikipedians with respect. I feel like out of any person i've seen on this site whilst getting used to it as a new user, you stuck out to me as the most deserving of it. Thanks for your service on Wikipedia! FrostbornSage (talk) 22:32, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

Imagine how surprised i was to see the exact same barnstar above my message on the same day i was going to award it! Congrats on the double barnstar!! FrostbornSage (talk) 22:32, 3 March 2026 (UTC)

Thank you, both, great to wake up to! Welcome to the site, FrostbornSage, you are the user with the highest ratio of giving barnstars per edits ;) - very kind!! Now go and make your first edit to an article without fear. We all make mistakes. - I haven't given a single barnstar in my career here, but Precious. It begins with "Thank you for quality articles ...". Today, I could use help with the article of Käthe Menzel-Jordan. My friend Storye book supplied an image! The references need to be checked, and matched with the facts, and perhaps new references found. My friend Grimes2 is great in all that. I'll go now and hightlight Aribert Reimann who would have been 90 today. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:07, 4 March 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for the response, it has definitely intrigued me to start working on some actual pages to contribute more to this site!

I wanted to ask, how did you check my edits to barnstar ratio and how do you know it’s the highest?! That’s really cool if true!!! FrostbornSage (talk) 13:39, 4 March 2026 (UTC)

I saw that you edited on two days (when I wrote that, - today is the third), giving five barnstars (when I wrote that, you added two). I may be wrong, but it looks extreme ;) - I received a barnstar on my second day, for resilience, but never gave one, finding the design too spiky ;) - I'd not be surprised if most editors didn't see a barnstar until here for much longer, let alone give one. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:56, 4 March 2026 (UTC)

Good point, although the same does not apply for me!

Ironically, the reason i made my account is because i was bored one time scrolling through random wikipedia pages and user pages until i saw a user being awarded a barnstar. The idea of Wikipedia having it's own community inspired me so much that I made an account, hoping to award users too!

I'd say it's been going pretty well so far, the idea of me potentially holding a website record is very cool, i'll keep it up!

Have a great day! FrostbornSage (talk) 17:20, 4 March 2026 (UTC)

March music

{{User QAIbox | image = Blackthorn with peacock butterfly, Niederauroff.jpg | image_upright = 1.3 | bold = story · music · places

| normal =

Aribert Reimann's 90th birthday, with a hook mentioning his 80ths, the opera played by Oper Frankfurt after he died, see video, and I was there. - Ruta de los Volcanes is among the latest places, 3 February that was, up to unknown heights. - Note to self and all interested, - I'm too tired to spread more good news. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:33, 4 March 2026 (UTC)

Gerda, you could use a kind of mms for your dispatches. Just call it a newsletter. People who opt-in would receive them automatically on their page. Since you often structure your dispatches in a way that encourages participation and article improvement, this would meet the rules for this kind of thing. You could call it Die Stimme, Der Funke or maybe Der Schubs. Just brainstorming. The advantage is that you would only have to edit one page and the service would distribute it to everyone without you having to do it manually. You will first want to setup a page like User:Gerda Arendt/Die Stimme/Mailing list. Then you could just write the message once over at User:Gerda Arendt/Die Stimme/Newsletter. It would make your life easier. Viriditas (talk) 00:22, 6 March 2026 (UTC)

It's an interesting idea, thank you. I like person-to person talk, though. Will think about it. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 03:58, 6 March 2026 (UTC)

You could do both. A weekly or monthly digest summarizing everything (with updates and outcomes) and your usual daily kaffeeklatsch. Viriditas (talk) 06:09, 6 March 2026 (UTC)

I am happy to have two women on the main page for IWD: Ruth Wagner and Käthe Menzel-Jordan. On vacation. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:13, 8 March 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Miroslava Pešíková

On 6 March 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Miroslava Pešíková, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Miroslava Pešíková was a ballerina at the National Theatre in Prague for 28 years in 47 roles? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Miroslava Pešíková. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Miroslava Pešíková).

HurricaneZeta^C 12:02, 6 March 2026 (UTC)

Only counting, no roles, no drama, no emotions? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:48, 6 March 2026 (UTC)

Stechardin

You know, that the picture is not M.D.St.! Hübner-GCL (talk) 17:52, 6 March 2026 (UTC)

It doesn't matter too much, and says "likeness". It provides an idea of the era, instead of having to explain. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:58, 6 March 2026 (UTC)

The image is relevant to the opera, shown during the premiere. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:15, 6 March 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Käthe Menzel-Jordan

On 7 March 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Käthe Menzel-Jordan, 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 15:53, 7 March 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Ruth Wagner

On 8 March 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Ruth Wagner, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Ruth Wagner, the minister of culture in Hesse from 1999 to 2003, was nicknamed Mother Courage of Hesse? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Ruth Wagner. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Ruth Wagner), 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 nominate it.

HurricaneZeta^C 00:02, 8 March 2026 (UTC)

Re. Precious

I came across WP:Precious in 2024, but have still been trying to understand the criteria for it being given to a user.

I look forward to your response, and hopefully one day I will be part of the cohort. MSincccc (talk) 07:20, 8 March 2026 (UTC)

in memoriam Verdi: Libera me, Domine Gustav Gunsenheimer Käthe Menzel-Jordan Bernhard Waldenfels · Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and others who have just given up

8 March · service Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa, Paphos Nothing can trouble Rock of ages, cleft for me I heard the voice of Jesus say God forgave my sin in Jesus' name

28 October 2025 · opera La Scala Verdi: Rigoletto Galeano Salas (Count) Amartuvshin Enkhbat Rigoletto) Francesca Pia Vitale (Gilda) Gianluca Buratto (Sparafucil) Martina Belli (Maddalena) Mario Martone, dir. Marco Armiliato, cond.

A Mediterranean day, - Verdi's Rigoletto premiered on 11 March 1851. I'll change now to remember Gunsenheimer's Die Versuchung Jesu. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:23, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Gustav Gunsenheimer

On 11 March 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Gustav Gunsenheimer, 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. Schwede66 20:43, 11 March 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Bernhard Waldenfels

On 14 March 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Bernhard Waldenfels, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Bernhard Waldenfels discussed "black holes of everyday life" in a book subtitled Challenges of Phenomenology? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Bernhard Waldenfels. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Bernhard Waldenfels), 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 nominate it.

HurricaneZeta^C 00:02, 14 March 2026 (UTC)

Your nomination of Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein, BWV 128 has passed

Your good article nomination of the article Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein, BWV 128 has passed; congratulations! See the review page for more information. 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. Please also consider reviewing somebody else's nomination to help keep the backlog down. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of Kyle Peake -- Kyle Peake (talk) 10:01, 14 March 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Amor vien dal destino

On 14 March 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Amor vien dal destino, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Agostino Steffani missed the 1709 premiere of his opera Amor vien dal destino because he was in Rome mediating between the pope and the emperor? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Amor vien dal destino. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Amor vien dal destino), 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 nominate it.

HurricaneZeta^C 12:02, 14 March 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Hermann Kulke

On 15 March 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Hermann Kulke, 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 23:25, 15 March 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson

On 15 March 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson, which you nominated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Stephen 23:37, 15 March 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Bernard Rands

On 16 March 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Bernard Rands, 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.  — Amakuru (talk) 18:25, 16 March 2026 (UTC)

Tōru Takemitsu at FAR

I have nominated Tōru Takemitsu for a featured article review here. Please join the discussion on whether this article meets the featured article criteria, or help improve the article. Articles are typically reviewed for two weeks. If substantial concerns are not addressed during the review period, the article will be moved to the Featured Article Removal Candidates list for a further period, where editors may declare "Keep" or "Delist" in regard to the article's featured status (see review instructions). Z1720 (talk) 01:28, 17 March 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Nun ruhen alle Wälder

On 18 March 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Nun ruhen alle Wälder, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that "Now all the woods are sleeping" is an 1865 Catherine Winkworth translation of a 1647 evening song once mocked as foolish by Frederick the Great? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Nun ruhen alle Wälder. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Nun ruhen alle Wälder), 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 nominate it.

HurricaneZeta^C 00:04, 18 March 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Quatre instants

On 19 March 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Quatre instants, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Kaija Saariaho's Quatre instants have been described as "a quasi-operatic monologue" in "erotic, extreme territory"? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Quatre instants. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Quatre instants), 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 nominate it.

HurricaneZeta^C 00:03, 19 March 2026 (UTC)

Thank you, HurricaneZeta. My story - featuring a fine video with interviews, that I highly recommend (of the soprano having to step in the day after her wedding, so singing the concert in her wedding dress, and of the composer) has a bit of the context that you "trimmed" away, leaving the hook without even telling what the topic is. I believe that "songs" would have been minimum, the name of the (other) soprano whose voice inspired the composition would have been highly desirable, especially in March = women's month, and that these works by a Finnish composer were texted by a Lebanese writer in French would have added interest, which now rests entirely on eroticism. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:21, 19 March 2026 (UTC)

Hi, @Narutolovehinata5 was the one that trimmed it here. I think both versions are fine, especially since the lack of additional context would allow readers to click through to learn more, though you could ask the admins at WP:ERRORS. HurricaneZeta^C 18:08, 19 March 2026 (UTC)

You are right. I was in a rush looking, and then had no more time all day. It's not an error, which I would have been told at WP:ERRORS. It just leaves a great woman composer in an eroticism corner and no more, no music, not even mentioning that it is music. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:42, 19 March 2026 (UTC)

We just a similar discussion with Viriditas recently, and his advice stands here. You need to find a balance between what you want and what readers are looking for. The hook fact is basically the same anyway, it's not healthy nor productive to focus on specific words or phrasings, the important thing is how to present the information. Oftentimes, on DYK, less is more, and packing in too much details will drive away readers, not bring them in. Narutolovehinata5 (talk · contributions) 00:11, 20 March 2026 (UTC)

She's a musician (or vocalist), and she's German, so focusing on specific words or phrasings is very important to her. I can understand that. When I used to play and record music, I would get in the same mindset, sometimes focusing on a musical phrase for days at a time. When I experimented with electronic music, the obsession got much worse, losing myself in a particular sound, whose depth is ultimately bottomless, like a black hole. Within the space of a single note there is a symphony of sound, there is in fact, all sounds contained in one vibration. And even the silence itself is a form of music, the space between the notes. You can lose yourself in that kind of hyperfocus. The trick, as you say, is to find the balance, and that's hard if you've never known it. Viriditas (talk) 00:29, 20 March 2026 (UTC)

The real lesson here is that, oftentimes, the actual exact phrasings or wordings are less important than the main hook fact. What matters is that the hook fact is understandable, catchy, and hooky. It doesn't matter if the exact preferred words or phrasings are not used, as long as the hook gives the same point. Two hooks about the same hook fact: one clunky and long, the other straight to the point, would be received differently by readers. Ideally, we should go for the latter and not the former. Narutolovehinata5 (talk · contributions) 01:10, 20 March 2026 (UTC)

Thank you both for sharing ideas. I will not learn to speak about a topic without saying what it is, and thus missing to address those interested in that topic. To leave open that it's songs (not drama, not instrumental music ...) will miss readers who would be interested in songs, and will miss saying from the start that it's about intimacy.. Not to mention the singer whose voice inspired this (and the opera to come, for the same singer) misses a highly interesting fact about collaboration and inspiration, and all that's left is a tickle with eroticism, meant to be the spice in a dish, not the main (or only) ingredient. Ideally, for a complex topic we should inform about its broad cultural context. My view was supported by Chris who approved the hook, and HurricaneZeta who promoted, and Viriditas. Have you (all) seen what the composer had to say in the video? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:50, 20 March 2026 (UTC)

21 March

story · music · places

Here's a butterfly, on the first day of spring where I live, and Bach's birthday. My story today is about one of his unique composition which I sang in concert the day before my grandfather died. At the time, it was believed that it was written for a funeral. Scholars are less sure of that now, and being not too sure of whatever is perhaps a good approach. The music helped me, anyway. I quoted from it (and you can read that excerpt and listen to it) in response to arbitration restrictions, caused by ideas such as trying to add accessibility to Bach's article on his birthday in 2013: "Trotz - Trotz - Trotz ... ich steh hier und singe" (defiance ... I stand here and sing). -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:44, 21 March 2026 (UTC)

In the context: User talk:S Marshall#Infobox criteria. My story on Annunciation day has been the same for four years: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:02, 25 March 2026 (UTC)

14 March · service St. Martin, Idstein Mein ganzes Herz erhebet dich Mein Hirt ist Gott der Herr Mir nach, spricht Christus, unser Held Christe, du Lamm Gottes Herr, ob den Himmeln thronst du hoch · 29 September 2013 Bach: Mass in B minor

7 August 2025 · RMF Eberbach Abbey Bach: Mass in B minor Tenebrae Kammerorchester Basel Nigel Short, cond.

11 June · sing concert St. Lamberti, Hildesheim Bach: Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227 Erhard Egidi, cond.

I value your opinion on:

Hi, the article is finished: Frieda Kwast-Hodapp Okay, I mean the text. Sure, it needs tidying up, and a few references are still missing, but could you take a look and see if anything's missing? PaulasBunt (talk) 12:50, 25 March 2026 (UTC)

That's great! I'll look after two other articles I care about. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:54, 25 March 2026 (UTC)

I took a first look - it's impressive! - and made some changes. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:56, 25 March 2026 (UTC)

Thanks :) The revision is finished, and I'll post it tomorrow. That was very exciting, but much more than I expected... You know, the garden is calling ;) I'm a winter writer, and honestly, I love these "girls" but... well... I'm a "winter writer". Thanks!! :) PaulasBunt (talk) 20:39, 27 March 2026 (UTC)

Congratulations! Your winter-writing brought a beautiful flower to life! Let's ask Graham how the sandbox content can be moved into the present article Frieda Kwast-Hodapp preserving the edit histories of both? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:04, 27 March 2026 (UTC)

It should be moved by cut-and-paste with an edit summary something like ""moved from [[User:PaulasBunt/Frieda Kwast-Hodapp]]". It can't be history-merged because there are parallel versions in both pages (i.e. both pages were being actively edited from 13 to 16 March). Graham87 (talk) 01:29, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

It's what I thought, I just wasn't sure. I'll edit it again after the cut-and-paste. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:52, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

@Gerda Arendt + @Graham87: Many thanks for the information, I'll do it that way then. I have another question: Should I leave the sandbox [[User:PaulasBunt/Frieda Kwast-Hodapp]] permanently active or ask for it to be deleted in a few weeks? PaulasBunt (talk) 06:35, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

Asking Graham once more: I think if you have a link to it (as suggested), it should be made a redirect to the article, to have the history available. If there's a diff of the last version before the cut-and-paste, it can be deleted. Right? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:45, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

@PaulasBunt: Just leave it as a permanent redirect to the article and don't ask for it to be deleted ... it'll be fine like that. You could also mention the work by Gerda (with a link to her username) in the edit summary. Graham87 (talk) 08:33, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

I will, thank you! And thanking Gerda is a matter of honor; without her, this article wouldn't exist... she gave me the push I needed :) PaulasBunt (talk) 08:59, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

Thank you! Let's make it a GA article together, perhaps even featured some day. It can go to DYK per the expansion already, - will you? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:33, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

I've already prepared DYK and will do it this afternoon. Hmmm, GA... I think the language, or rather the "flow," needs to be more consistent throughout the entire article... sometimes there are too many details (perhaps)... we'll see. Let´s work on it, after DYK :). PaulasBunt (talk) 10:24, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

Good. I'll look after nominating Hamm to DYK and Kluge to RD, - no idea yet if that will happen today. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:55, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

I have a question. On DYK it says: "Number of QPQs required: 1. Nominator has 5 past nominations". Hmmm, I withdrew one and thought only 4 would count. What should I do now... or did I mess up Frieda's DYK? PaulasBunt (talk) 12:14, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

I don't know without research. You could be generous and give them one, or ask on WT:DYK? I guess the withdrawn one was somehow counted. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:16, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

I have to do a DYK review. It is okay. PaulasBunt (talk) 12:26, 28 March 2026 (UTC)

Your nomination of Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, BWV 43 has passed

Your good article nomination of the article Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, BWV 43 has passed; congratulations! See the review page for more information. 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. Please also consider reviewing somebody else's nomination to help keep the backlog down. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of Kyle Peake -- Kyle Peake (talk) 17:33, 29 March 2026 (UTC)

Women in Red – April 2026

New: Countries starting with D, E and F | Women's Works: Written works | Cascading Women Continuing (year-long initiatives): #1day1woman | Sports

--Chocmilk03 (talk) 20:14, 29 March 2026 (UTC) via MassMessaging

FA mentor

Hi Gerda. I have been wanting to bring "Leave It All to Me" to FA level for a while, but have failed. I was suggested to look for an FA mentor and I was wondering if you could mentor me so I could be able to pass the article? Shoot for the Stars (talk) 22:01, 30 March 2026 (UTC)

I just nominated a FAC ;) - ok, let's try, I'll look after sleep (past midnight here). You will remember that I am unfamiliar with the topic, which also has advantages. Consider peer review, check pics for licenses and alternate texts, and consider reviewing the FACs of others, to get into the field, - that much I can say without looking. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:10, 30 March 2026 (UTC)

On second thought, could you actually help me with Cups (song) instead? This track is way more nostalgic for me as I was a child then and would love to see it at FA level. Shoot for the Stars (talk) 04:30, 31 March 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Alexander Kluge

On 31 March 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Alexander Kluge, 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 20:54, 31 March 2026 (UTC)

Please provide a title for your discussion topic.

By clicking "Add topic", you agree to our Terms of Use and agree to irrevocably release your text under the CC BY-SA 4.0 License and GFDL. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license. T^{fess up?}_{or down?} 04:55, 1 April 2026 (UTC)

Arbitration Case opened

You recently offered a statement in a request for arbitration. The Arbitration Committee has accepted that request for arbitration and an arbitration case has been opened at Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/SchroCat. Evidence that you wish the arbitrators to consider should be added to the evidence subpage, at Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/SchroCat/Evidence. Please add your evidence by April 15, 2026 at 23:59 UTC, which is when the evidence phase closes. You can also contribute to the case workshop subpage, Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/SchroCat/Workshop. For a guide to the arbitration process, see Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee/Party Guide/Introduction. For the Arbitration Committee, DatGuy^Talk_Contribs 10:36, 1 April 2026 (UTC)

In my statement, I suggested to deal with it per motion. Sigh. Wish this was April Fools. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:44, 1 April 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Es hat sich halt eröffnet

On 1 April 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Es hat sich halt eröffnet, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Karl Marx made an arrangement of a Christmas carol? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Es hat sich halt eröffnet. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Es hat sich halt eröffnet).

		Hook update
		Your hook reached 9,505 views (792.1 per hour), making it one of the most viewed hooks of April 2026 – nice work!

GalliumBot (talk • contribs) (he/it) 03:34, 2 April 2026 (UTC)

HurricaneZeta^C 12:03, 1 April 2026 (UTC)

This is supposed to be funny. I'm curious what our readers will think. Read the article, it's a song with humour ;) Merry Christmas! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:51, 1 April 2026 (UTC)

I forgot to congratulate you on this. Viriditas (talk) 03:35, 1 June 2026 (UTC)

On what? - Missing my annual little Christmas present to the world when I was sure it was particularly cute and funny? Nothing that makes me proud. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:43, 2 June 2026 (UTC)

Angels unawares

Hi Gerda, it's been along time since we last spoke. In early June I am going to the first UK performance (and I think the second overall after the recent one in the Sistine Chapel) of James Macmillan's new Oratorio Angels unawares. I was wondering about writing an article on it, although that would be moving a long way out of my normal area of expertise. It may be that I would be jumping the gun here, although there is a fair amount written already. What do you think? Mikenorton (talk) 21:38, 2 April 2026 (UTC)

Go ahead, I'll watch Angels Unawares (oratorio) with curiosity! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:58, 2 April 2026 (UTC)

Transfermarkt

Please don't include citations or external links to Transfermarkt. Since much of it's content is user-edited, it is not a reliable source. See WP:WPFLINKSNO. As an external link, it runs afoul of point 1 of WP:ELNO. It is not a unique resource. For any notable footballer, there will always be more reliable alternatives available. Thank you. Sir Sputnik (talk) 22:48, 2 April 2026 (UTC)

Miscellaneous thoughts: St. John's Passion, Bach

Hello Gerda,

Thought I would share that one of my friends invited me yesterday to sit down for two hours and follow along to Bach's St. John's Passion. And what a colossal work it is - it was so good that I was overwhelmed for the next couple of hours after having finished listening to it! Because of this, I doubt that I will ever come back to listening to this work; however, I will acknowledge that it is a great work.

(In general, I have noticed that I do not do well with long works/shows/movies, and St. John's Passion is no exception; they have to be smaller works--preferably under 30 minutes--in order for me to fully enjoy and maybe even relisten/rewatch!) T^{fess up?}_{or down?} 06:49, 3 April 2026 (UTC)

Thank you. I was impressed last year, and our conductor who never did it (but St Matthew twice), is thinking about it. Haven't sung it since my youth. Every time I see "heaven-keys" - like yesterday - I think of it. There is nothing comparable to Es ist vollbracht. (Perhaps listen to that short work from time to time.) Will make it my topic today, - you changed my mind. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:52, 3 April 2026 (UTC)

A carol service article of my own

I have a hook from Together at Christmas carol service on the main page today (even though many would say it has the elements of a concert as well). Happy reading since it was through you that I came across so many of the carols featured on English Wikipedia. MSincccc (talk) 14:54, 3 April 2026 (UTC)

Three Studies

Thanks for the various reverts on strange edits while it was on main page today. I was under pressure at work and couldn't watch, but edits like Bacon are just random and silly as hell. Any tks, and hope our friend Martin is well; he is much missed :) Ceoil (talk) 22:00, 3 April 2026 (UTC)

Yes to all terms. The strange edits came from a brandnew editor, - I explained on their talk. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:22, 3 April 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Ingrid Schmithüsen

On 5 April 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Ingrid Schmithüsen, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that soprano Ingrid Schmithüsen performed a repertoire of more than 4000 art songs in a recital series that she founded in Cologne? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Ingrid Schmithüsen. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Ingrid Schmithüsen), 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 nominate it.

 — Amakuru (talk) 00:03, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

Elements of Style

I'm reading Charles Rosen's The Classical Style. It's a good one, as I don't need to tell you.

Haydn does not have a Good Article (yet). His major works should be listed in the lead: Op. 33, the "Oxford" Symphony, The Creation. They are not (yet).

Look forward to hearing some April music... Charlie Faust (talk) 02:50, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

Yes to all. Here you go with April music on Easter Sunday:

story · music · places
For the beauty of the earth Hebe deine Augen auf Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen Dona nobis pacem (round) Ave Maria The Times They Are a-Changin' Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen Sunrise, Sunset Greensleeves Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud Segne, Vater, diese Gaben

Easter Oratorio, introduced (on Easter Sunday last year, in defiance that the work made it neither to DYK nor to OTD) as about "one of three oratorios by J. S. Bach, the famous one being the Christmas Oratorio of 1734 followed by the 1738 Ascension Oratorio. The Easter Oratorio was - in a way - already composed in 1725, in a clever collaboration of Bach with Picander who would write the poetry of the St Matthew Passion. In their first project together (as far as we know), he wrote the text for a pastoral cantata that was probably performed as musical theatre for the birthday of Christian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels. For Easter 1725, all music except the recitatives was heard in the Nikolaikirche in the Easter service, now among four Biblical characters instead of shepherds, with different text probably also by Picander. - When Bach thought of oratorios in the 1730s, he could just make a new score with a new title. He must have loved the piece, making more changes in the 1740s and performing it again the year before he died. Find out why." - See also today's story and music (further up, if I don't get to your talk. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:22, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

4 April · Easter Vigil Sende aus deinen Geist Singen will ich dem Herrn Lahme: Meine Seele dürstet nach dir Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr Gesius: Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn Gelobt sei Gott im höchsten Thron Wahrer Gott, wir glauben dir Christ ist erstanden Das Grab ist leer, der Held erwacht Torelli: Fanfare Thomas Hasselbeck, trumpet 2000 Bach: Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen, BWV 66

in memoriam Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen Ingrid Schmithüsen · Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and others who have just given up

29 March · concert Casals Forum Bach: Easter cantatas Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4 Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen, BWV 66 Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß, BWV 134 Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden, BWV 6 Ensemble Amarcord Lautten Compagney Wolfgang Katschner, cond.

DYK for Rainelle Krause

On 9 April 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Rainelle Krause, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that in 2020, Rainelle Krause (pictured) sang the "Queen of the Night aria" while doing aerial silks upside down? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Rainelle Krause. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Rainelle Krause), 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 nominate it.

Dclemens1971 (talk) 00:02, 9 April 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Álvaro Cassuto

On 10 April 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Álvaro Cassuto, 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 01:01, 10 April 2026 (UTC)

Your nomination of Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16 is under review

Your good article nomination of the article Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16 is under review. See the review page for more information. This may take up to 7 days; feel free to contact the reviewer with any questions you might have. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of LunaEatsTuna -- LunaEatsTuna (talk) 23:05, 10 April 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Christian Schwarz-Schilling

On 14 April 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Christian Schwarz-Schilling, 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.  — Amakuru (talk) 20:03, 14 April 2026 (UTC)

Re:Precious anniversary

Dear Gerda Arendt, I wanted to thank you for sharing a reminder of my Precious Anniversary. I still remain grateful for you presenting me with such a thoughtful commemoration on that day. With warm regards, Anupam^Talk 01:32, 17 April 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for coming over, and for your continued support! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:16, 17 April 2026 (UTC)

Bridge images

FYI: when the Bridge article was undergoing peer reviews (four of them) one of the reviewers insisted that the images be alternated left/right. Originally I had all images on right side. I went along with the reviewer and alternated L/R. I think it looks okay with the alternating. Noleander (talk) 17:59, 17 April 2026 (UTC)

I'd not be too rigid, but the default is right (so you were right), and the exceptions left - such as a person looking right - should better not follow a header immediately. All this is not relevant for the majority of our readers who - on mobiles - see them interspersed by text. Nothing I'd fight over, - simply revert if you prefer it differently. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:04, 17 April 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Osvaldas Balakauskas

On 20 April 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Osvaldas Balakauskas, 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. Schwede66 17:20, 20 April 2026 (UTC)

"Sleepers Awake" listed at Redirects for discussion

The redirect Sleepers Awake has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Anyone, including you, is welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2026 April 22 § Sleepers Awake until a consensus is reached. —BrechtBro (talk) 20:48, 22 April 2026 (UTC)

I replied already, explaining the history, before you came here. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:52, 22 April 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden

On 24 April 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden, 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. Left guide (talk) 07:31, 24 April 2026 (UTC)

Suggestion for new opera singer page - Longlong

Hi Gerda, I recently designed a website for a good friend mine, Longlong, who is an operatic/lyric tenor and just had his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. You can find his new website here - https://longlongtenor.com/ - and a comparable Wikipedia entry for Kang Wang here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kang_Wang_(opera_singer). What is the best way to set up a page for Longlong on Wikipedia? I have drafted the content following the guidelines and can share that with you. Joachim.stroh (talk) 20:03, 24 April 2026 (UTC)

You can create Draft:Long Long and share it with us, but you will need neutral language (not "plangent high C") and independent sources, - not his website. Met is promising ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:11, 24 April 2026 (UTC)

Yes, of course. Thank you, Gerda. Joachim.stroh (talk) 20:43, 24 April 2026 (UTC)

You can copy the comparable page into the draft and adjust it to the other content, - best to save only when modified. Afterwards, I - and also others - can work on the draft, and ultimately move it to Main space with the complete history. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:50, 24 April 2026 (UTC)

I have posted the draft I created earlier for your review. If the Critical reception section is too much, we can certainly remove that part. I can ask him about a free-licensed photo as well. Joachim.stroh (talk) 21:19, 24 April 2026 (UTC)

Thank you, and the conversation can proceed on its talk. I'd not drop the whole reception section, but have some reviews again within the history, and drop all that don't point out something characteristic. Compare Jessye Norman. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:47, 24 April 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Oleg Maisenberg

On 24 April 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Oleg Maisenberg, 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. —Bagumba (talk) 23:12, 24 April 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Michael Tilson Thomas

On 28 April 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Michael Tilson Thomas, 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. Schwede66 07:40, 28 April 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Ruth Slenczynska

On 29 April 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Ruth Slenczynska, 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. Schwede66 07:09, 29 April 2026 (UTC)

A concert (or several?) on ABC Classic you might like

Hi Gerda, You might've seen this (it's been performed around the world), but I just listened online to an ABC classic program of an exquisite concert by Pygmalion themed around the Thirty Years' War featuring works by JS Bach, his ancestors and their contemporaries, including Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227 (which I know means so much to you) and Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, BWV 150. ABC Classic have also put up Pygmalion's Monteverdi's Vespers and will soon put up their performance of not Monteverdi's L'Orfeo but Rossi's Orfeo, which I'm not familiar with but I see that Pygmalion have recorded it. Graham87 (talk) 13:47, 29 April 2026 (UTC)

Thank you, sounds great! - Could you please give Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, BWV 43 an informal review, in case you don't want to do it for FAC? - Three great pianists in my music today, - feel free to polish those also. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:01, 29 April 2026 (UTC)

No worries. Done re BWV 43. Good luck. I also made a tweak to the Ruth Slenczynska page; I remember reading about her childhood ... not a happy story. Graham87 (talk) 14:57, 29 April 2026 (UTC)

Women in Red – May 2026

Countries starting with G and H | Women's scientific works | Religion and Spirituality Continuing (year-long initiatives): #1day1woman | Sports

--Chocmilk03 (talk 04:44, 30 April 2026 (UTC) via MassMessaging

ITN recognition for Jean-Bernard Pommier

On 30 April 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Jean-Bernard Pommier, 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 16:06, 30 April 2026 (UTC)

May 2026

To enforce an arbitration decision, and for canvasing arbs to close an RfC about infoboxes, you have been blocked from editing Wikipedia for a period of 1 week. You are welcome to edit once the block expires; however, please note that the repetition of similar behavior may result in a longer block or other sanctions.

If you believe this block is unjustified, please read the guide to appealing blocks (specifically this section) before appealing. Place the following on your talk page: {{unblock|reason=Please copy my appeal to the [[WP:AE|arbitration enforcement noticeboard]] or [[WP:AN|administrators' noticeboard]]. Your reason here OR place the reason below this template. ~~~~}}. If you intend to appeal on the arbitration enforcement noticeboard, I suggest you use the arbitration enforcement appeals template on your talk page so it can be copied over easily. You may also appeal directly to me (by email), before or instead of appealing on your talk page. 

Guerillero ^{Parlez Moi} 09:45, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

---

Reminder to administrators: In May 2014, ArbCom adopted the following procedure instructing administrators regarding Arbitration Enforcement blocks: "No administrator may modify a sanction placed by another administrator without: (1) the explicit prior affirmative consent of the enforcing administrator; or (2) prior affirmative agreement for the modification at (a) AE or (b) AN or (c) ARCA (see "Important notes"). Administrators modifying sanctions out of process may at the discretion of the committee be desysopped."

None of these arbs are appropriate to notify about the discussion. This is made worse by being votes 2-6, in order supporting the filer's site ban in the current arbcom case. --Guerillero ^{Parlez Moi} 09:51, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

OMG. Grimes2 09:57, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

I set out on January to achieve peace in infobox matters: they are no contentious topic, - just look. I urge you, Guerillero, to look into the RfC and see that the present active editors of project classical music don't agree with the ancient recommendation to leave composers without what is good for painters and philosophers. - I'll place my stories here for a free week. Help welcome for bringing Mimi Coertse and Peter Gülke to the main page, anybody, - they need more sourcing. - Remember: Ich steh hier und singe. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:07, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

more recent deaths needing references: Georg Baselitz and Günter Pichler --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:39, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

@Grimes2: perhaps add to Die Fliege --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:46, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Thank you, Grimes2, for nominating Mimi Coertse. More possible sources and (both de and en), (obit de). - I would have nominated Maria Radner for Wikipedia:Selected anniversaries/May 7. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:30, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

I think we can safely conclude that User:Guerillero was in fact not the right person... Enjoy your mini-wikibreak, look forward to seeing you and the content(ment) you bring, when you're back, Maculosae tegmine lyncis (talk) 10:48, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

story · music · places
Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud Je vous salue Marie Ave Maria La Partida Freuet euch der schönen Erde Mein Gott, wie schön ist deine Welt Bleibe bei uns, du Wandrer durch die Zeit Dona nobis pacem Von guten Mächten Sozusagen grundlos vergnügt Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen Ave Maria Viel Glück und viel Segen O du fröhliche Von Gott kömmt mir ein Freudenschein Segne, Vater, diese Gaben The Times They Are a-Changin' O Täler weit, o Höhen A Hard Day's Night Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten Hark! The Herald Angels Sing For the beauty of the earth Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud

Thank you, and thanks to Grimes2 for working on Coertse. You can't even click thank you when blocked ;) - "Go out, my heart, and seek delight". --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:07, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

You might perhaps remind Guerillero that I was never topic banned, only restricted to two comments, and that all restrictions were rescinded in 2015. Also: anybody may close said RfC, looking at arguments, not only count votes. Like Mozart. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:20, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

While blocked for canvassing about an infobox discussion it's not a great idea to ask people to close that discussion like an infobox RFC closed as include. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 12:32, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

I wasn't canvassing arbs to close, I wanted them to notice. I didn't ask anybody to close, - I just informed that anybody might close. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:40, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

(edit conflict:) @Dronebogus: In 2013, there was a majority of arbs for banning Andy, and I worked until one of the arbs changed his mind, not the one to whom I pleaded but Timotheus Canens. It got me into trouble, but was worth it. I tried again now, it got me into trouble, such is life. May be one or the other arb will look a bit deeper and see. As I told Floq: your voice is the (sometimes shrieking, sometimes impatient) voice of the community. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:40, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

Yeah well now there’s a full 7. It was a pleasure working with you and you don’t deserve this block at all. You always were the nicest person here. Dronebogus (talk) 13:07, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

thank you - I'm known for defiance, see the DYK on my user page, including This too shall pass ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:13, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

I'm not happy that it's all come to this, but your notifications (especially to the arbs, particularly *those* arbs, at a time like this) were absolutely not on. Even adding a link to the RFC and nothing else would have been a bad idea. It pains me greatly to say this given our very positive interactions over the years, including a great day meeting in person, but that's how I feel about the situation. Graham87 (talk) 15:15, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

I don't think we talk about the same thing, sorry. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:19, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

I have noticed that old time approaches do not always work best with a new generation of administrators. This is disappointing to see overall......but rest assured content editors understand that you're doing what's best for our readers. Moxy🍁 19:53, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

Do you mean to say you consider Guerillero, an admin since 2011, to belong to "a new generation of administrators", Moxy? Bishonen | tålk 20:21, 1 May 2026 (UTC).

I was happy all day out, a great concert coming up tomorrow for a subject's 90th birthday (which DYK seems to miss, so be it), BWV 51 and more. Arbitration was kafkaesque each time I looked. The best advice regarding arbitration came from Short Brigade Harvester Boris. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:49, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

That is a good essay. I’d sum it up as: ArbCom thinks it’s the Supreme Court of Wikipedia; it’s really just a random assortment of admins who have been given the authority to solve intractable problems with a sledgehammer. Dronebogus (talk) 18:05, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

A problem only becomes intractable when a majority of people refuse to deal with it. It seems to me that dispute resolution involves equal measure of negotiation and compromise. When one or the other side refuses to do that, you get a long running dispute. The infobox conflict is just another example. It should have never become a problem in the first place. It did, because one side or the other refused to negotiate and compromise. Viriditas (talk) 21:11, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Hey, Gerda!

(ec) I appreciate everything you do for WP and I know I'm not alone. One thing that we longtimers have in common, I believe, is the ability to just let things go and to move along to work on other things. Just let it go, take a week to rest and reset, read a book, play with your dog, do whatever you do for fun. Blocks are stupid and getting worked up fighting over blocks is stupid. Rest and reset! All the best, —tim //// Carrite (talk) 12:45, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

thank you, I upload pics to places and take new ones --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:50, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

see also: beginning of April

	Places
	biking from Trebur to Kornsand (15 Apr)
	back (15 Apr)

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:11, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

I'm so sorry to hear about this, Gerda. You have worked so many hours, for so many years, and so hard, for WP. You don't deserve a block, and your editing colleagues don't deserve to lose your assistance, not even for just a week. I look forward to seeing you back at work. Storye book (talk) 15:38, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

These pictures look very much like where I live, in Oregon on the West coast of the US. Very nice images! —tim //// Carrite (talk) 17:14, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

BWV 63

Hi Gerda,

Very sorry to see your block.

(Rapidly changing the subject...) We've been notified that a choral society for whom we regularly play is doing BWV 63 in December. I am excited and intrigued by this: great trumpet parts and in particular, four of them! This is most unusual and I wonder what was going on here? I mean, they are also in C which is less usual but not as unusual as the trumpet count! I've started (very feebly) looking into it but I wondered whether anything obvious (or indeed non-obvious) occurred to you about this?

We've also got a B Minor Mass coming up soon ... what can I say, trumpets in D, just three of them ... quite a blow though! Cheers DBaK (talk) 17:39, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

BWV 63 is a rather early cantata for a different place with a different organ, I understand. I heard it last year. The B minor I also heard last year, by Tenebrae, and last performed in 2013, pictured (including trumpets) in the article. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:32, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

Lovely, thanks! DBaK (talk) 08:55, 5 May 2026 (UTC)

And you're back! Excellent!! Cheers DBaK (talk) 20:35, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Re: Ruth Slenczynska

Hello, I see you are blocked for a week. I'm sorry that happened, but maybe you'll get more things done in the next seven days that you otherwise would not; a silver lining? Anyway, I wanted to follow up on our discussion about Ruth Slenczynska. I've only had a chance to listen to one album so far, My Life in Music (Decca). Of course, she seems to prefer Chopin, but I enjoyed her take on Grieg and Debussy. I'm surprised she never played any jazz, as some of her style comes close to it. My guess is that she must have listened to it in private but didn't mention it. One thing that stands out to me is how relaxing the music is and how conducive it is to peace of mind. The next day, I felt refreshed and vitalized. Viriditas (talk) 22:07, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

I cannot believe she was 97 when she recorded this! Although, that probably explains why it sounded jazzy to me. Viriditas (talk) 22:33, 1 May 2026 (UTC)

in memoriam Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen Ruth Slenczynska Jean-Bernard Pommier · Brian Boulton Jerome Kohl and others who have just given up

26 April · service St. Martin, Idstein Das ist der Tag, den Gott gemacht Mein Hirt ist Gott der Herr Christus ist erstanden! O tönt Ist das der Leib, Herr Jesu Christ Das Grab ist leer, der Held erwacht · 6 May 2024 Bach: Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden, BWV 6

3 December 2025 · concert Philharmonie de Paris Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 Anders Hillborg: Hell Mountain Bizet: Symphony Mitsuko Uchida, piano Orchestre de Paris Klaus Mäkelä, cond.

Thank you for listening, - that's what I like best, especially when it's conducive to peace of mind. She thought that the Chopin F major Prelude should be the music when she went to heaven. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:36, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

My friend Mike used to ask strangers "What would you do if today was the last day of your life?" and after whatever reply "And why don't you do it?" --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:50, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

	Places
	dinner outside in Marienthal Rhine at Hattenheim (15 Apr)

Here's one for you

Earlier this year, they played a track on a Face the Music (British game show) rerun that I knew from The Three Stooges (video game), but I forgot to take down the name of it. It's at 2:50 in this video, any help?--Launchballer 01:40, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Sorry to butt in to your connecting with GA, but Piano Sonata No. 16 (Mozart), Maculosae tegmine lyncis (talk) 05:29, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for help! I just woke up. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:33, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Thank you both.--Launchballer 17:21, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Precious

Just reminding you that your contributions and commitment to this project are always welcome, any month, and any year. Cheers, atque supra! Fakescientist8000 21:39, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Thank you - that's welcome! - Thanks also to Barkeep49 for wording something better than I could. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:49, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Use of talk page while blocked

Gerda, please, the only thing you're supposed to use your talk page for while you're blocked is for questions about your block. We can overlook little things, like the short conversations you've been having in the four posts above this one. But this one is openly a request for proxy editing. That's rather harder to overlook, especially when the block itself is for canvassing. Please, please take tim's advice and go do something else for a while. Maybe you can upload some of those lovely photos to Commons. Just, whatever you do, don't do it here.

To everyone else: I can't know Gerda's mind, but I think you've gotten your point across, and so I hope she's feeling appreciated and supported right now. She'll be able to use her talk page however she pleases less than a week from now, so that would be a better time to come by to chat about content. Please don't lead her into a minefield. -- asilvering (talk) 22:19, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Asilvering, thanks for your concern. Don't fear: I'm not going to respond to any of the messages of advice. I'm also not going to talk about the block. In a former discussion the sentence was coined: Every editor is a human being. - When I wrote about the opera singer I was afraid she wouldn't make it to the main page, - then I saw that Grimes2 had already nominated. I should have deleted the post altogether, but it was late at night, - sorry about that. I don't care if I'm appreciated and supported, - I just don't want any user being banned, and was shocked about even the options, and more about supports. Sarcasm was not a suitable response, I see that now and am sorry about that also. Barkeep49 has expressed the concern better than I could have. - What do you mean by "Maybe you can upload some of those lovely photos to Commons." I uploaded them on commons, of course. Today's story would have been about St. Catherine's Church, Frankfurt, an article I wrote with Vami IV, a 2014 DYK, I miss him so much. I stand and sing, softly to myself now. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:02, 3 May 2026 (UTC)

I am absolutely against this interpretation of blocks of good faith editors, especially competent and established good faith editors. Anyone who edits Wikipedia knows that they take responsibility for their own edits. Even if a blocked good-faith editor did request an edit, the responsibility is ultimately on the editor that makes the edit. In the event that this is disruptive, then by all means circumscribe the blocked editor's use of their talk page. All the best: Rich Farmbrough 10:09, 3 May 2026 (UTC).

Hi Gerda, I see that you've made additional edits to the "call for collaboration" section of your talk page. This is exactly the kind of thing @Asilvering told you not to do. Please understand, I'm not saying this to be mean. I love you and (most of) what you do, and the last thing I want is to see you get hurt.

Your block is not a a plain old block by a random admin like me. It's an Arbitration Enforcement block, imposed by a sitting arb. And the warning by Asilvering was from another sitting arb. These are not the kind of people whose advice and instructions you want to ignore. They have the ability to impose additional sanctions on you which somebody like me would be powerless to reverse. I don't know if their next move would be to revoke your talk page access or if they would increase the length of your block, possibly to being indefinite Please, please, please, don't give them any excuse to go there. RoySmith (talk) 11:57, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for your compassion, Roy. Since Asilvering's post, I made one edit to the section. I added question marks to the two last items, meaning that it's not decided yet if done not not (looking more like no), and factually informed that Mimi Coertse needs a lead (in order to be considered for ITN), - she is an opera singer and a woman I admired, so I'm more interested in promoting knowledge about her than in how I am treated. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:23, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

Gerda, I know you have good intentions, but this is exactly the kind of activity that other editors are warning you against doing. This can be seen as proxy editing: asking other editors to edit on your behalf. Even just giving suggestions of what to do can be seen as violating that guideline. So saying that Coertse's article needs a lead section, even if true, can be seen as going against your block. Gerda, please, avoid doing anything similar to this again. You risk seeing your block being extended or worse, especially when not one but two ArbCom members have warned you. You can always wait for your block to expire, then add the lead yourself when that happens. Coertse's article can wait. Narutolovehinata5 (talk · contributions) 13:08, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for you good intentions but, sorry, you don't understand, which may be my fault explaining. The article would need a lead today because it's the last possible day to be admitted for ITN (7 days, as for DYK, in case you don't know). With the orange tag "lead too short" it will not be accepted, missing about 8k views over the one to four days of being mentioned on the main page. I didn't word a lead, I didn't ping anybody, expanding one sentence to a summary should be in the general interest of Wikipedia, and better sooner than later. You also didn't understand that my interest in exposing this woman is higher than my interest in my personal treatment. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:33, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

(Actually, views on 4 days were more like 17k.) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:52, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Cortese not being featured on Recent deaths would be unfortunate, but it is not the end of the world. You can always bring her article to GA status and nominate her for DYK in the future. The door to ITN is closed but not her article being featured on the Main Page. In any case, the desire to see her article be featured on ITN and doing anything to make it happen is just not something worth risking the ire of ArbCom over. The possible consequences are too harsh to justify doing this. It is difficult, I know, but in this case, it would be in everyone's best interest for you to choose your battles and let this go. Narutolovehinata5 (talk · contributions) 13:44, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

I never choose battle. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:52, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

Gerda, I noticed that you made this request regarding Maria Bengtsson (soprano). Regardless of the merits of your block, or whether or not it was fair, this is the kind of behavior that others would likely perceive as proxy editing. Your block expires in two days, the safest option here is to wait the block out, then do the edit yourself. Two days isn't a long amount of time for waiting. The more you continue doing this, the more you risk getting the ire of another admin and thus risk getting reblocked or having your block be extended. This does not mean I agree with your block, I just don't want to see you get into further trouble regardless of the merits of your case. Narutolovehinata5 (talk · contributions) 00:02, 6 May 2026 (UTC)

I never choose battle. I am not in trouble. (You could have chosen to add a reference in an article I stand behind, improving Wikipedia, no?) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 04:49, 6 May 2026 (UTC)

A year ago I would have counseled moderation, but with the benefit of clarity that comes with distance: Can I suggest, Gerda, that this is an example of why I'm slowly coming around (probably at 33% now) to the Wikipediocracy-adjacent philosophy that you do your soul a favor by leaving this place? Aside from the "blocks are the only way to handle things" personality defect evident in the original block, and the (surprising, I generally respect asilvering) silly belief that a blocked user's talk page is only for appealing a block, the belief that your latest edit to the "call for collaboration" section is dangerous is evidence that this place is getting more dysfunctional every day. Perhaps I'm not being fair to asilvering and RoySmith and NLH5; on re-reading, maybe they aren't saying what you're doing is bad, they're saying be careful because someone in a position of power might think it is bad. One solution to that is to bow down before the person in power. The other is to tell the person in power that they are full of shit. The world is pretty full right now of people taking the former approach.

Take no advice that does not match your sense of right and wrong. There are worse things than being blocked by idiots. Floquenbeam (talk) 13:52, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

I took the advice about my sense of right or wrong. I don't bow to power, - see the link above I'd repeat a second time in this thread. I mentioned Mike's questions above, and my answer was the sentence in "call for collaboration" about don't ban if there are better solutions possible. I could have requested proxy editing by email but didn't, or sent Guerillero an email but didn't: I like things open. I go by my edit notice and another bit of advice. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:49, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

Gerda: having been on the receiving end of administrative blocks, I sympathize with yours. Keep calm and carry on.

I always enjoy seeing your messages of hope and beauty. Thanks! Cheers -- Pete Tillman (talk) 18:11, 6 May 2026 (UTC)

5 May · Maifestspiele Und mit morgen könnt ihr mich Songs by Kurt Weill staged "Surabaya Johnny" "Und was bekam des Soldaten Weib?" "Ballade vom ertrunkenen Mädchen" "Die Ballade von der Höllen-Lili" "Ba'a M'nucha" (There comes peace) Katharine Mehring, vocals Michael Fernandez, dance Barrie Kosky, dir. Komische Oper Berlin production

3 May · service Komm her, freu dich mit uns Ich glaube an den Vater Taizé: Magnificat Friede soll mit euch sein Choir of sisters from Uganda

2 May · Festkonzert St. Martin, Idstein 90th birthday of Franz Josef Hamm Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 Toccata und Fuge in D, BWV 565 Pergolesi: Salve Regina in c Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51 Handel: Eternal Source of Light Divine Theresa Klose, soprano Rupprecht Drees, trumpet Capella della bella chiesa Franz Fink, cond.

Mimi Coertse

I'm very sorry to hear about your block. I was reading through your talk page and noticed that you were hoping for the article Mimi Coertse to have a better lede written. So, to let it be put on ITN I have written a lede. Hopefully it can be posted, and I look forward to when you are allowed back on the project. Your contributions and cheer are always appreciated. Chorchapu (talk | edits) 15:05, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

Your GA nominations

Hi Gerda, you might not have realised, but an editor removed your active GA nominations because you were blocked. After a brief review, they are back again. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 13:11, 7 May 2026 (UTC)

thank you again, Ritchie --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:39, 7 May 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Die Stechardin

On 8 May 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Die Stechardin, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that György Kurtág dedicated his second opera, Die Stechardin, to his wife Márta and attended its premiere a day after turning 100? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Die Stechardin. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Die Stechardin), 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 nominate it.

~~ AirshipJungleman29 (talk) 00:02, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Template:Did you know nominations/Franz Josef Hamm

Hey, I saw your ping but I'm not sure what you need from me, could you clarify? el.ziade (talkallam) 14:09, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Compare how the hook that you approved looks in prep. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:16, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Update: the nomination is back for another promoter. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:46, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Welcome back

It's good to see you back here and, yes, your messages are really appreciated (even if I didn't get the Easter ones this time). I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Best, MSincccc (talk) 05:42, 9 May 2026 (UTC)

Thank you! My signature tune of story-music-places, with the flowers of the month, goes out to seek contact, often as a token of thanks, regularly to the writer(s) of the TFA. The surest way of receiving it is to join WP:QAI (and edit). Warning: it's the "cabal of the outcasts". Some of its founders have been blocked and banned. One of it's members, Andy, was threatened to be banned over infobox disputes. Today's funny story - a 2013 DYK - is about Peter Planyawsky. An arbitrator made his vote - the majority to ban - citing an edit on this article, in which my friend just moved an infobox from the bottom to the normal position, and none of his colleagues interfered. That ruined my respect for arbitration, - it helped to have worked on Kafka. The arbitrator became a friend over the years, btw. - I canvass to look at peace talks and participate, to go for compromise, and to get the banned unbanned, both. Help wanted and welcome. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:58, 9 May 2026 (UTC)

Your nomination of Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16 has passed

Your good article nomination of the article Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16 has passed; congratulations! See the review page for more information. 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. Please also consider reviewing somebody else's nomination to help keep the backlog down. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of LunaEatsTuna -- LunaEatsTuna (talk) 13:23, 12 May 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Günter Jena

On 12 May 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Günter Jena, 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 16:22, 12 May 2026 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Surreal Barnstar
	Wow! What a find... Thank you. 2x2x2x2x2 (talk) 20:51, 14 May 2026 (UTC)

thank you - what did you find? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:51, 14 May 2026 (UTC)

DYK for Walter Neuhäusser

On 16 May 2026, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Walter Neuhäusser, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that architect Walter Neuhäusser designed several shell structures, including a cemetery hall in Schupbach (pictured)? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Walter Neuhäusser. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Walter Neuhäusser), 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 nominate it.

Dclemens1971 (talk) 01:40, 16 May 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Felicity Lott

On 20 May 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Felicity Lott, 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 03:43, 20 May 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Alexander Held

On 24 May 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Alexander Held, 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) 14:30, 24 May 2026 (UTC)

June 2026 GAN Backlog Drive

Good article nominations | June 2026 Backlog Drive
June 2026 Backlog Drive: Do you want to become more experienced in the GA process? On 1 June, a one-month backlog drive for good article nominations will begin. Barnstars will be awarded based on the number of articles reviewed. Mentors are available, and new reviewers (<6 reviews) get bonus points! Interested in taking part? You can sign up here.
Other ways to participate: Join the conversations on our talk page.
You're receiving this message because you have participated in a good article review this year or participated in the previous backlog drive.

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 21:58, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

Women in Red - June 2026

Women in Red | June 2026, Vol 12, Issue 6, Nos 358, 359, 373, 374, 375 New: LGBTQ+ women | Alphabet run: Countries starting with I, J, K and L

--Rosiestep (talk) 22:50, 25 May 2026 (UTC) via MassMessaging

Classicism

By a somewhat random path I came upon a comment on the golden bough Nachleben. I thought of you. Then your sig appeared. I hope you continue to be well and productive. I am inspired to take up German again, after fifty years. — Neonorange (talk to Phil) (he, they) 19:03, 26 May 2026 (UTC)

that's nice to hear, just go for it - Bazon Brock, 90 today, speaks of never thinking of retirement --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:31, 2 June 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Gunter Hampel

On 27 May 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Gunter Hampel, 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) 15:37, 27 May 2026 (UTC)

Felicity Lott

Hello,

I wanted to correct the date of death of Felicity Lott. Her agent Sue Spence has put some details on this offical website :https://askonasholt.com/news/dame-felicity-lott-1947-2026

And you can read it as well on :

Tim Page, «  [archive] » , sur nytimes.com, 18 mai 2026. Available free via cette reprise [archive] du Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Is it ok for you ?

All best, SandBernhard (talk) 14:42, 28 May 2026 (UTC)

ok, I don't care much, just want a decent source, and can't see NYT. Next time please go to the article talk page. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:34, 2 June 2026 (UTC)

Gerda, if you ever need a NYT article, I can provide you with a gift link. Just ask. Otherwise, I can email you PDFs. Viriditas (talk) 19:03, 2 June 2026 (UTC)

June music

story · music · places
Mögen sich die Wege Mein Gott, wie schön ist deine Welt Das Wandern ist des Müllers Lust Je vous salue Marie Bleibe bei uns, du Wandrer durch die Zeit Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud For the beauty of the earth Segne, Vater, diese Gaben Nun jauchzt dem Herren, alle Welt Ave Maria ... und eine neue Welt Take the "A" Train

If you look at our church, you see three recent pics, one on top of a concert that Franz Josef Hamm arranged for his 90th birthday (and invited everybody for free), a new one of our conductor, and at the bottom us taking standing ovations. The music, Forrest's Jubilate Deo, is quite breathtaking, and the organist (my choral conductor for decades) said we were better than what he had heard on the internet. No youtube upcoming, though, copyright ... - Today a 90th birthday that I missed to announce for OTD over the concerts, a 2012 quirky hook. I was there when he lectured on "Transcendental Constructivism". -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:38, 2 June 2026 (UTC)

Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39, is my story today: listen! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:36, 7 June 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Arnold Whittall

On 4 June 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Arnold Whittall, which you nominated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Schwede66 08:19, 4 June 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Jürgen Kesting

On 10 June 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Jürgen Kesting, 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 00:30, 10 June 2026 (UTC)

Promotion of Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, BWV 43

Congratulations, Gerda Arendt! The article you nominated, Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, BWV 43, has been promoted to featured status, recognizing it as one of the best articles on Wikipedia. The nomination discussion has been archived.

This is a rare accomplishment and you should be proud. If you would like, you may nominate it to appear on the Main Page as Today's featured article. Keep up the great work! Cheers, FrB.TG (talk) via FACBot (talk) 23:06, 10 June 2026 (UTC)

I'm proud and thank all who helped! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:05, 11 June 2026 (UTC)

Congratulations!--Thoughtfortheday (talk) 19:55, 11 June 2026 (UTC)

Mind looking

Hi Gerda, I hope you’re fine today! I have Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Ewuare/archive1 and I am seeking reviewers; I’d appreciate if you’re able to take a look. I’m grateful :) Vanderwaalforces (talk) 05:42, 15 June 2026 (UTC)

I'll look when I find time. I have one review waiting, and a FA plan of my own which will need a lot of tedious formatting work ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:45, 15 June 2026 (UTC)

Sure, please take your time :) I totally agree; sometimes formatting can be tedious especially when overhauling a poorly structured article like mine. Good luck on that! Vanderwaalforces (talk) 05:56, 15 June 2026 (UTC)

If I don't pester you, who else would :) hehe. Vanderwaalforces (talk) 17:30, 26 June 2026 (UTC)

Did you see: your's is next in line ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:14, 26 June 2026 (UTC)

Ah, thank you Gerda! I’m just seeing that now. Vanderwaalforces (talk) 20:42, 26 June 2026 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Ute Walther

On 17 June 2026, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Ute Walther, which you created and nominated. 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 06:17, 17 June 2026 (UTC)

Your nomination of Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen, BWV 13 has passed

Your good article nomination of the article Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen, BWV 13 has passed; congratulations! See the review page for more information. 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. Please also consider reviewing somebody else's nomination to help keep the backlog down. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of Jonathanischoice -- Jonathanischoice (talk) 05:24, 19 June 2026 (UTC)

Music, mostly

Hello! Thanks for your various encouragements. I do find the infobox warriors baffling.

Anyway, I just ended up making some edits to your choir, and in particular [...operate time machine...] you have already seen them, but also the reference to singing in services: Christmas and Easter are church festivals, correctly capitalised, but Konfirmation should presumably be "confirmation services" or similar. (Sorry, I don't really do religious terminology). Then the Creation: I have not actually been resident in an English-speaking country for more than 35 years, so my qualifications are lapsing; I have two scores, and I think I probably sang it in the Albert Hall in London in the 1970s. They had a series "Messiah from scratch" and so on, where if you thought you could (sight-)sing it, you just bought a singerticket, went along for the 30-minute warmup and brief tutorial, then off you went. (I think the orchestra was recruited the same way.) Anyway, I have never heard it referred to by the German, and as the article shows, the WP:commonname is The Creation. I don't want to start an argument, but the present version is an Easter egg, since it links to Die Schöpfung, which redirects to the article. So until the non-German-speaking reader gets there they do not know what it is. I could simply link to the actual article title, for example.

The business of foreign languages names for musical works is interesting - for example, as far as I know, Die Fledermaus is always known as Fledermaus in English, presumably because translating it into "Bat" tells you nothing about the opera. Like you, I sing in a local choir: this started when through my children's piano teacher I was asked if I wanted to sing Beethoven's ninth, and said yes. In Japan, singing in German is quite common, and I have now sung the 9th I think more than twenty times, always from memory. The first time everything was a bit new, and I vaguely thought I heard the word anpu, meaning without a score, but it's a very short word, and I just dismissed the idea of an amateur choir singing a choral symphony without scores as absurd. Then I found out 10 days before the performance. I now sing with a small group, recently grown to about 30, called "Chor Ecco", well, a German word, and an Italian word (from Monteverdi "Ecco, mormorar l'onde"), but that's how !English works in Japan. This year we are singing the Bach Magnificat, with German pronounced Latin - we only get one real concert a year, whereas your 2-3 seems more like the situation in England. Sorry, I shouldn't ramble.

Oddments:

User:Gerda Arendt/Images 2025 audio link to youtube is broken (gone)

Am I hallucinating, or do I remember the sign on the Autobahn to "Jdstein", with a J, from the dozen(?) times I hitched between Aachen and Basel, 1968-1981?

Imaginatorium (talk) 16:34, 20 June 2026 (UTC)

Thank you for many interesting topics, - I'll reply when I have time which may be tomorrow. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:20, 21 June 2026 (UTC)

Imaginatorium, I try now, in your order:

• I have never understood the resistance against a harmless additional feature of accessibility, for 14 years now. In the long run, I see that the wishes of the community in the matter will be fulfilled. Thank you for your support to make that happen a bit sooner!
• Die Schöpfung is the original, and using the redirect tells the reader that they arrived at the correct article. During my time on Wikipedia, more original titles have become the article titles. You could add "(The Creation)" but I don't think it's needed in an article about a choir. There are only two great oratorios by Haydn, and this one more likely to be sung by a church choir. We will have readers for whom Creation is also a term they don't know ;)
• Please help me to where you found Konfirmation (a Protestant term, - the Catholics say Firmung).
• Great to hear about your singing. "My" choirs are in my infobox on my user page, - only one left at present. We sing one concert per year, but additionally evensongs of musical weight. Idsteiner Kantorei sings 2-3 concerts per year.
• Images: the top video changes daily with the story. You probably meant 20 Jun, Fritz Koenig, and sorry, I didn't check the video this year, knowing that it worked in 2024. I replaced it it by this one for now.
• "Jdstein" - with four consonants in a row - could not be pronounced in German, - perhaps it was a style of I that you took for J. Concert tonight!! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:39, 21 June 2026 (UTC)

A query

I feel that the time has come for me to nominate Fashion of Catherine, Princess of Wales at FAC. Do you think the suggested gallery should be addressed before nomination, or should I proceed and nominate? I'd welcome your thoughts. Thanks for all your feedback so far. Best, MSincccc (talk) 08:30, 21 June 2026 (UTC)

go ahead, nominate, that is a topic you can discuss with reviewers --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:49, 21 June 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for your advice. MSincccc (talk) 10:37, 21 June 2026 (UTC)

Thank you!!!

It was such a delight to find the Precious on my Talk page this morning. My contribution pace has slowed down of late, but I am still active, and lovely people like you keep me motivated. Thank you! --Neopeius (talk) 15:49, 22 June 2026 (UTC)

Comment on story today

Nielsen's Wind Quintet is one of my favorite pieces at all. Grimes2 16:12, 22 June 2026 (UTC)

Cake

Here's a piece of cake. Grimes2 18:36, 23 June 2026 (UTC)

what I need coming from a sunset walk (forgot to sign last night) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:59, 24 June 2026 (UTC)

July 2026

Women in Red | July 2026, Vol 12, Issue 7, Nos 358, 359, 376, 377 Events: New: Crime & law | Alphabet run: Countries starting with M Continuing (year-long initiatives): #1day1woman | Sports Announcements, tips, participation... Announcements from other communities: Women in Red celebrates its 11 Year Anniversary on July 18! Eiffel women Developing Countries WikiContest Tip of the month: Working on a group of linked articles? Have you thought about creating a navigation box for the footer of those pages? Other ways to participate: Become a member. You can always opt-out of notifications. Join the conversations on our talkpage. Help us plan future events and add any general ideas on developing the project. Follow us on social media: Instagram & Pinterest

--MSGJ (talk 22:13, 28 June 2026 (UTC) via MassMessaging

A barnstar for you!

	The Tireless Contributor Barnstar
	You have a solid history of great contributions to Wikipedia. Appreciate you. — Longewal (talk) 01:44, 30 June 2026 (UTC)

thank you, but sometimes I'm tired ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:08, 30 June 2026 (UTC)

Your nomination of Alles nur nach Gottes Willen, BWV 72 has passed

Your good article nomination of the article Alles nur nach Gottes Willen, BWV 72 has passed; congratulations! See the review page for more information. 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. Please also consider reviewing somebody else's nomination to help keep the backlog down. Message delivered by ChristieBot, on behalf of MSincccc -- MSincccc (talk) 05:01, 30 June 2026 (UTC)