Category Archives: classical music

Golden Oldies

Have you read the book “Jane Eyre?” It’s one of my all-time favorites. I think I read it for the first time in junior high school, and even now I go back to it every few years. I do it because it’s a great story, and because I get something new out of it everyContinue reading “Golden Oldies”

4/23/17: Rain and Sun and Led Zeppelin IV

Up here in the Northeast, April can feel like November. But not as bad. The difference is what’s coming next. Flowers are already out now, and the trees are blooming. Springtime and sunshine and all that happy stuff are on their way, and nothing can stop it. No even a gloomy cold thundercloud day. WeContinue reading “4/23/17: Rain and Sun and Led Zeppelin IV”

10/24/16: Monday Funday Dance Party!

I sometimes work as a dance class accompanist, and have spent a certain amount of time hanging around ballerinas. First of all, I want to point out how much respect I have gained for dancers through this job. Dance requires the strength and coordination of an athlete, extraordinary self-control, and dedication to the craft. IfContinue reading “10/24/16: Monday Funday Dance Party!”

Brahms Festival 2016

I adore Brahms, and if I had the cash I’d be on a plane out to Detroit right now! Thanks to Rich Brown of Good Music Speaks for turning us on to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s ongoing celebration of Brahm’s life & works. They’re doing all four symphonies, a Berio arrangement of Brahm’s Sonata forContinue reading “Brahms Festival 2016”

October 30, 2015

I don’t usually listen to Franz Liszt (liszten?), but the other day I went ahead and decided what the heck. There’s just something about piano music of this era, around the mid-nineteenth century. People like Liszt and Chopin were taking piano to entirely new realms. Tonalities began to blur, Debussy would soon be exploring AsianContinue reading “October 30, 2015”

August 8, 2015

Mornings are tough, no matter what. I only work part-time, and I don’t have to be there until 10:00 AM. But I still have to get up at 7:15 so I have enough time to painfully peel my eyes open with coffee and scandalous news stories. For almost seven years, I had a job thatContinue reading “August 8, 2015”

July 28, 2015

This was playing in the drugstore today. Back when I was learning to play guitar, “House at Pooh Corner” was one of the first songs I learned. This is Loggins and Messina, but the song was originally done by the Nitty Gritty Dirt band back in 1970. It was okay to be earnest and sincereContinue reading “July 28, 2015”