Bob K

Seeing it next week. Not familiar with this new production. But, Don Giovanni is great, no matter what. I'll just close my eyes.

The moon over York Harbor, Maine, last night. Not sure if that's a waxing gibbous or waning gibbous. Anyhow, paging Caspar David Friedrich.

Great album. She did two versions. I've got the one sung in German.

#lockupthishomelessfelon

#FreeDC

Just finished Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" - for the second time. Last read it in high school, 60+/- years ago. I barely remembered a thing. So it was almost like reading it for the first time.
Gregory Peck, in the film version, was/is Atticus Finch, at least for me.

Saw his Moby Dick recently at The Met. It had its moments. I think I just need to hear these new operas more often - give them time to sink in - make their mark, as it were - or, maybe not.

I'm not sure how long wild turkeys live. Or if there is a family of them down there. But there has been a wild turkey (or turkeys) in Battery Park since when I worked down there, 15+ years ago.

Now you need to visit Tobacco Road. 😜

Yes. I've got that Sony box of the Goberman / Vienna Star Op Orch of all his Haydn. They sound very good. The Odyssey LPs sucked.

I've got most of Beecham's stereo recordings for HMV / EMI, either as American Angel LPs, or as EMI CD reissues, including Scheherazade of which you speak, a recording, BTW, which Dave Hurwitz trashed.

Thanks. I'm glad too.

The old Nonesuch LPs are readily available at eBay. some are even still sealed, brand new.

Thanks for that. 🙏

I like Leslie Jones here in the Haydn symphonies, too. Sadly they've gone totally missing. I've been buying the old Nonesuch LPs at eBay.

I'm waiting, too. But I'm not holding my breath.

Didn't know such things existed. Seen a few short videos of dismal quality on YouTube of his rehearsals. Seemed like a nice guy - not one of those annoying tyrants, like Toscanini, Szell, Klemperer.

Spinning: Haydn, 99-104, Beecham/RPO, great recordings from the late '50s - "Big Band" Haydn if you will, that still sound great today - very "unHIP", just the way I like my "classical"/baroque music played, thank you very much. Only caveat, very few of the repeats are taken, except in the minuets.

So very true. People at the bottom still keep believing the propaganda - including a rising tide lifts all boats, tax breaks for the rich will trickle down to the less well off, etc, etc. As George Carlin said, it's called the American dream, because you've got to be asleep to believe it.

Not just Jews. There are lots of 'Muricans, including me, who are looking to get passports in other countries - Canada, Germany, Ireland, Iceland, etc. If you can prove your ancestors were born there, or you've still got living relatives there, you've maybe got a leg up.

Yeah, anywhere outside 'Murica is, generally, better. Sad to say, Toronto has slipped precipitously in the last 10 years or so. Ditto, right here. I go to Boston frequently. Service - Red & Green lines - used to be pretty good. But since the pandemic MBTA service has gone down the drain.

Yeah it sucks on days like these. If it's any consolation, keep in mind that, as bad as it might seem, NY has the best rail/bus public transit system, offering the most reliable, frequent service anywhere in 'Murica. That doesn't say much for the rest of 'Murica - Chicago, Boston, Philly, SF, LA...

Haha. You should live in Queens and depend on the E, F, M, N, R, 7 as your lifeline.
Yeah, the service can be $hitty, especially late evenings. (Try getting back to Forest Hills from Carnegie Hall or The Met around 11.) But, most of the time, it works acceptably well.

Great stuff. I especially like the Buddhist Prayer.

For @davidcavlovic.bsky.social . I figured this might be right down your street. There is the CD. But you can stream her stuff at Bandcamp, YouTube, and other platforms too.

Sorry to hear of your two losses. Yes, life can deliver a one-two punch sometimes. And - yes - live one day at a time - for sure. At 75, and in pretty good health, I'm just happy to be here - try to make every day count - find joy & pleasure in the little things.

Here in NYC - lovely day for a subway ride.

Good for you - being able to turn off your angst. It is an enviable talent. Despite years of yoga and meditation I can't seem to turn off the "money mind". We are suffering here in 'Murica - big time. I hope I can make it through another 3 1/2 years of this depressing $hitshow.

Spinning, World Premiere recording, 1960, of selected works of Lili Boulanger (1893-1918), dead of TB at just 24.
Got at eBay. For once the seller didn't lie: the outer, inner sleeves, enclosed notes/texts, and most importantly the LP, are all MINT! An original pressing, too, original label. Nice.