Monthly Archives: July 2012

Anchor

The trip home yesterday was nothing out of the ordinary but it seemed worse. I was bit more sensitized than usual, my nostrils twitching at the stench of urine baking on the sidewalk, my eyes averted from the phalanx of … Continue reading

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Symphonic Sibelius

Sibelius gave us seven symphonies. There's not a dud in the bunch. Each is a world unto itself, each unmistakably the work of the same composer, but each unique in its approach to the genre, to the orchestra, to music … Continue reading

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Mixed Veggies on Rice

I don't usually troll the newspapers for recipes. Once in a while something catches my eye, in this case a "healthy eating" recipe in one of our major metropolitan dailies. You know the kind of recipe I mean—it looks crisp … Continue reading

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The Other Dvořák D Minor

If you're any kind of connoisseur of things symphonic, undoubtedly you're well versed in the magisterial Dvořák Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, one of the towering landmarks of the late Romantic. If you're not, then hop to it. Nobody … Continue reading

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Herr Strauss and Signor Tenorio

I may be a busy beaver from September through May, but in the lazy summer months I have time to take on amusing and not terribly important projects. In addition to buffing up my record library and seeing to a … Continue reading

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That First Step’s a Whopper

Dipping that first toe into the audio stream can be a daunting challenge. I have a friend who has been frozen at water’s edge for some time; he’s wary, a little scared, and more than a little intimidated. It was … Continue reading

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Shuffle

Every once in a while I protest—ever more feebly, I realize—that I’m not really an audiophile. That I’m just a guy with a discriminating ear, a mitochondrial devotion to music, and enough disposable income (and the legitimate tax deduction) to … Continue reading

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Herbert Triumphans

July 16 is the anniversary of Herbert von Karajan's death. I'm of several minds where taking note of somebody's death-day is concerned. On the one hand, it's kind of creepy. On the other hand, the day of one's death is … Continue reading

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In the Beginning

Last night I was scrolling through the cable-TV onscreen guide and came across Turner Classic Movies showing a goodly selection of short flicks by Georges Meliès, all dating from around 1902 through 1906. In case you aren't familiar with Meliès: … Continue reading

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To a Feckless Youth

Dear Mr. Junge, I am writing you via this relatively public venue in the interest of honoring my part of our agreement, which was to offer you advice concerning your future career path. I warn you in advance that I … Continue reading

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