And One
Instead of just one hit wonders of classical music, I think I'm going add an "and one" element. If Elgar's one hit wonder is Pomp and Circumstance, his "and one" would be the Introduction and Allegro for Strings or perhaps …
Shush
The kids and I did the Balboa Park thing yesterday. We haven't explored a lot of the park together so it was delightful to share the park and to see their reactions. They were very impressed with several of the …
Free Balboa Park Concert
Bridgepoint Education is working on that old public image. The San Diego based education company was a hot topic for national news when it came under fire from the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee. A nice benefit we …
Symphonic Vedder
Eddie Vedder was the subject of the opening soliloquy at yoga class on Wednesday. Josh Vincent, the instructor, had been to the concert the previous night and claimed he was still buzzing from it -- in an emotional/spiritual manner not …
Stars and Stripes on Roids
I wasn't familiar with the Horowitz transcription of the Stars and Stripes Forever until New Orleans Opera Director, Todd Simmons, put it up on Facebook. It is a fireworks display of virtuosic, finger numbing, piano playing. I fully expected the …
America the Beautiful
Before we wrap ourselves in the flag, aka: drink beers, get a sunburn, and watch fireworks, I'd like to share a few verses. While reading the second and third verses of "America the Beautiful," I found myself moved by the …
Everyone Gets a Little
While complaining about Mozart and his treatment of tenors, I mentioned that Verdi may be the composer who wrote the most great music for each voice type. It could be that Verdi wrote 28 operas and there's bound to be …
Fine, I'll do it Your Way
I did manage to stop whining and sing it the way Mozart wrote it on Saturday evening. The concert of highlights from Don Giovanni was an amazing value. The room was intimate and paneled with wood. The voices were big …
Mozart Lazy?
I've been rehearsing for a small concert of selections from Mozart's Don Giovanni. That's pronounced Joh-van-nee, not Geo-van-nee. Please, let's be a tad bit refined. I'm singing three pieces as the tenor Don Ottavio. In learning some of the sung …
Farewell Florence
I love the story of Gianni Schicchi as presented by Puccini. Throughout the show, Schicchi keeps singing this creepy tune to warn the family of what will happen it they're discovered altering the will. "Farewell, Florence, I wave farewell with …
Oh my Beloved Papa
Photo on left: Gianni Schicchi poster At the beginning of Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, the Donati family has a problem. Buoso, the wealthy pater-familias has died. The bulk of the inheritance is a house in Florence, the mills in Signa, and …
Insanely Beautiful
If I'm listening to the Grieg Piano Concerto, it means I'm also listening to the Schumann. The two almost always go together on recordings. They're both in A minor, and they both have a similar feel even though Schumann wrote …
Bringing Sexy Back
It's occurred to me that I have neglected to write about sex and classical music for months now. I've said that if one wants to learn how to kiss, listen to Bruckner's 8th Symphony 3rd movement. Furthermore, this isn't sex …
On the Beach at Night Alone
I hate to return to A Sea Symphony so soon but it came up in a way I wasn't expecting. I received a text from a friend who explained her day and the two personal catastrophes it contained. I sent …
Classical Dicks
Having now admitted to being something of a dick, I think it is only right to spotlight some classical dicks now and then. I must explain that nice guys write boring, if not downright crappy, music--or more accurately, no music …
Being a Dick
I'm going to take a risk next week and attend a concert put on by some local singers. Why is it a risk? I was invited via Facebook, so I started perusing the other folks invited. I knew a few …
Peter and the Wolf
I was trying to think of a good way to introduce some newbies to the instruments of the orchestra and there was Peter and the Wolf. The different characters of the story are introduced by the narrator along with the …
Gottermarathon
The San Diego Rock 'n' Roll marathon went off today. I had forgotten about it until I went for a run last night at East Mission Bay and stumbled upon the finish area. I lamely explained to the security guard, …
What's Missing?
With opera season over, I've moved my running schedule back to evenings and have been enjoying the sunsets at Mission Beach, Torrey Pines, and Sunset Cliffs. Since I don't prefer to wear earphones while running, sometimes I'll get myself pumped …
Manipulative Whore
Springtime and first loves are nice, but what about Delilah? Delilah, what a manipulative,nagging, opportunistic, whore. However, Samson was a jerk. These two needed a reality show. They could have been the original celebrity couple. Sam-lah. After Samson falls in …