Monthly Archives: January 2018

Tone Poem Tuesday

The words of a truly great President seem apropos tonight, as a truly execrable President takes the stage. Here is Aaron Copland’s A Lincoln Portrait.

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Something for Thursday (Robert Burns edition)

Today is the birthday of Robert Burns, the great national poet of Scotland, whose verse flows in the very heart of that fine and noble land. In that honor, here is one of the finest Scottish singers of our day, … Continue reading

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From the Books: Ursula K. Le Guin on Tolkien

Author Ursula K. Le Guin has died. Calling Le Guin an “author” is true, but it doesn’t do her justice, and that’s coming from one who has not read nearly enough of her work. Not even close. Le Guin was … Continue reading

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Tone Poem Tuesday

It’s always worth remembering that classical music isn’t just about dusty old works by composers long dead. British composer Eric Whitacre is still very much alive, and he is actually only a little less than two years older than me. … Continue reading

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Symphony Saturday

At last, the kinda-sorta weekly feature returns! I’ve been listening to this symphony a lot of late. I find it a very compelling work, with a wealth of Romantic melody, vigorous orchestration, and quite a bit of pleasing energy. It’s … Continue reading

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Something for Thursday

A sad note from earlier in the week was the passing of Dolores O’Riordan, singer for the band The Cranberries. I don’t know their music very well, but you couldn’t be alive in the 1990s and not hear it at … Continue reading

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Tone Poem Tuesday

I heard this frankly amazing piece the other day on the radio, and I promptly listened to it three more times as soon as I got home from driving about. The work is the Russian Overture by Sergei Prokofiev, and … Continue reading

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Greta Thyssen

Roger notified me of the passing recently of actress Greta Thyssen at the age of 90. I confess that I had no idea at all who she was, but thankfully, Roger provided context. In addition to her film career she … Continue reading

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Bad Joke Friday

A Star Wars one! Heh!

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Something for Thursday

Wow. Edward Scissorhands is twenty-seven years old. That’s meaningful to me because back in February 1991, there was an oboe player in my college band that I suddenly realized was pretty cute. She let slip in conversation that she wanted … Continue reading

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