Monthly Archives: April 2012

Music for Social Transformation

“It’s so bland,” said one student. “It’s so predictable,” said another. “It just so…yecch…nice!” said yet another, his lip curling in disdain. And indeed much of it is bland, predictable, nice-y nice. Saccharine, even. But it is the music of … Continue reading

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Terminal Schlock

I don’t know what came over me. Weekender’s ennui, perhaps. Deer-in-the-headlights syndrome. Atrophy of the critical organs. I don’t know. But for whatever reason I did something bad. I watched a movie on television. I watched a movie on television. … Continue reading

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It’s Not Dead Yet

Audio pundits have a bad habit of jumping to conclusions. Seeing that digital downloads have increased by X percent, and sales of physical CDs have decreased by Y percent, some commentators have concluded that the compact disc will go out … Continue reading

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Record Store Day

In the light of the picture-perfect springtime weather today in San Francisco, I could think of no better way to observe Record Store Day than by going for a goodly stroll that just happened to terminate at one of the … Continue reading

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Anton and I

It was an accident. I didn't mean to, really I didn't. As the evidence of my transgression was made manifest, my parents were puzzled and concerned, yet gentle. They were on my side and I knew they were, but I … Continue reading

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Uma, John, and Windows 7 Home Premium

My whorish lust for things computational has cooled over time. Nowadays I’m far more interested in the dandy goodies I can create using computers, rather than exploring the beasts just for their own sake. I consider this to be a … Continue reading

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An Empty Field, Littered with Cracked Ivory

I stopped identifying as a pianist years ago. I play only the occasional recital, and with ever-increasing reluctance. It's been a quarter century since I willingly attended a piano recital. Solo piano ranks lower than even opera on my list … Continue reading

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Farewell to Oz

It was as much a cultural talisman for Baby Boomers as were tail fins and Ed Sullivan. Once a year like clockwork CBS broadcast The Wizard of Oz, usually introduced by some faded kid-friendly actor, always with a few bits … Continue reading

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Record Collector Playthings and Trivia

Given my penchant for collecting San Francisco Symphony recordings, I have made the acquaintance of quite a few antiquarian record dealers. They're a great bunch of folks, gracious, reliable, and wonderfully dedicated to the preservation of old records. It's a … Continue reading

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Performers and Peeves

On the whole I'm a happy camper in a concert hall. I have never altogether lost the sense of wonder that accompanies hearing a massed symphony orchestra play live; all those people, all that musical expertise, all happening right here … Continue reading

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