Watch out!

The next "system?" ala China?

Will we have a Chinese Gustavo?

And you thought

I thought Bernard Holland was the devil incarnate for reviewing...but get this story about Maxim magazine reviewing the Black Crowes - without hearing the album! Really they published a review without listening to it.
Wow.

Food Folks and Fun

It's been a relaxing stay at The Inn on Columbia in Ithaca. I've had time to think, smile and relax - much needed for me, at least every now and then.

The food has been delightful, from Simeon's on the Commons to my favorite ZaZa's Cucina.

And it's been nice to hang out with an old dear friend, Jann.

Birth opera

How cool is this? (via Scott)
All the rage is to check the Met Opera to see what was played on your birthday. Mine:
Metropolitan Opera House
April 11, 1970
Matinee Broadcast
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
Figaro..................Cesare Siepi
Susanna.................Teresa Stratas
Count Almaviva..........Tom Krause
Countess Almaviva.......Teresa Zylis-Gara
Cherubino...............Rosalind Elias
Dr. Bartolo.............Paul Plishka
Marcellina..............Nedda Casei
Don Basilio.............Paul Franke
Antonio.................Lorenzo Alvary
Barbarina...............Gail Robinson
Don Curzio..............Gabor Carelli
Peasant.................Cecelia Entner
Peasant.................Judit Schichtanz
Conductor...............Josef Krips

We hope

That Prof. Heebie McJeebie is alright!
Fire at the Hotel Cadillac

Perhaps he is preparing an original instruments version of Charles Ives' The Gong on the Hook & Ladder?

Before the recital

Kirsten on stage at the Summerlin Performing Arts Center Theater warming up.

After the recital

Lots of fans met Kirsten and had their cds signed!

Viva Lions Vegas

After Sunday brunch, I saw a little bit of Pennsylvania in Las Vegas, with Penn State grad Wynn, and his JOEPA Ford Mustang! We Are? Penn State!

Sensational

Sara and John hit it off swimmingly.

And another

John and Maggie smile for the camera. What a awesome hostess!

Even more friends

John and Cheryl take a moment to strike a pose.

More friends

Ginger and John hanging out.

Friends

Pausing between laughs and drinks for a photo, Bob and Karen.

Trio

In the kitchen with Bob and Karen

Viva

A good time was had by all and all were had by the good time this weekend in Las Vegas!
The spread (seen left) included cigars, scotch and mondo snacks...and good friends, both old and new: Sara and Cheryl (below right) hearing a good story after the party moved from the kitchen.

Of Valentines...

I had a lovely Thursday...finishing up the Roses campaign at work, talking with friends on my way to NYC, hearing Trio Solisti (pictured right), eating at Ollie's and seeing my dear friend Satomi.
Other friends spent Valentine's Day in other ways: quoting Berg; quoting more Berg/opera; and I got an email from one friend who's computer hi-jinx resulted in blasting him with Elgar. Yikes!
This weekend I'm in Las Vegas to hear a harp recital by Kirsten Agresta and see friends.

For Valentine's Day

From my poet peasant namesake, John Clare:

Love Lives Beyond The Tomb

Love lives beyond
The tomb, the earth, which fades like dew-
I love the fond,
The faithful, and the true.
Love lies in sleep,
The happiness of healthy dreams,
Eve's dews may weep,
But love delightful seems.
'Tis seen in flowers,
And in the even's pearly dew
On earth's green hours,
And in the heaven's eternal blue.
'Tis heard in spring
When light and sunbeams, warm and kind,
On angels wing
Bring love and music to the wind.
And where is voice
So young, so beautiful, so sweet
As nature's choice,
Where spring and lovers meet?
Love lies beyond
The tomb, the earth, the flowers, and dew.
I love the fond,
The faithful, young, and true.

Turn it around

Leonard Slatkin will hopefully help turn Detroit's image around, as news of this is announced...at least we know the new American music quotient will rise!

R.I.P.

So I guess it's not just classical music dying anymore?!

"I think that the time when music could change the world is past," the 62-year-old musician told a news conference on Friday. Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young, in Berlin to promote his concert movie 'CSNY Déjà vu,' says the goal of the film 'was to stimulate debate among people.'

O'Connor stormin'

Mark O'Connor played the most captivating solo violin recital in the Forum in Harrisburg this afternoon.
Breathtaking playing culminating with his six solo Caprices, written to blend styles while he was a studio player in Nashville, ended the first half of the Wednesday Music Club benefit. Duties as Secretary/Treasurer of NABET/CWA Local 213 forced me to leave at intermission, but I'll see him later this month in NYC with his Hot Swing Trio.
Also stunning this afternoon was the weather, which at times blinded the road with snow squalls, and at other times appeared to have sunshine with snow flurries.