Skip James (1902-1969), “Devil Got My Woman,” 1931
Sometimes I think this song defines the limits of what is humanly possible. Sometimes I think it exceeds them.
—Michael Robbins, Equipment for Living: On Poetry and Pop Music (2017)
more
Anna Thorvaldsdottir (1977-), In the Light of Air (2013/2014); International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), live, New York, 2014
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
Suppose that, for the rest of your listening life, you had two options. One: You could only listen to things you’d never heard before. Two: You could never listen to anything new. Which would you choose?
more
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Clarinet Quintet in A major; Hagen Quartet with Sabine Meyer (clarinet), live
1st movt.
***
2nd movt.
***
3rd movt.
***
4th movt.
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
Mozart was a kind of idol to me—this rapturous singing . . . that’s always on the edge of sadness and melancholy and disappointment and heartbreak, but always ready for an outburst of the most delicious music.
—Saul Bellow (1915-2005)
(Taking a break—back in a while.)
two takes
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Sonata No. 13 in B-flat major
Friedrich Gulda (1930-2000), live
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Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989), live
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
Whenever life begins to crush me, I know I can rely on Bandol, garlic, and Mozart.
—Jim Harrison (1937-2016), A Really Big Lunch (2017)
more
Anna Clyne (1980-), Within Her Arms (2008-2009)
Metropolis Ensemble (Andrew Cyr, cond.), live, New York, 2010
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langiappe
musical thoughts
Never underestimate the power of music: the right sounds, heard at the right time, can change your life.
not the same old stuff
Dana Jessen (bassoon), Points Against Fields (Sam Pluta), live, Chicago, 2016
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
So many sounds, made by so many people, we’ll never hear, no matter how much we listen.
*****
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Ill.
Marion Williams (1927-1994), “I’m Going to Live the Life I Sing About in My Song” (T.A. Dorsey), live, France, 1969
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
Is any art more intimate?
*****
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
more
Kris Davis & Craig Taborn, live, Washington, D.C., 10/3/16
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
Musicians wrestle everywhere –
—Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), #229 (Franklin)
tonight in Chicago
They’ll be playing, together, at Constellation.
Kris Davis & Craig Taborn, “Fox Fire” (Duopoly), 2016
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
Is not all music, even the most niggardly, beautiful to the person who loves the very being and existence of music?
—Robert Walser (1878-1956), “The Walk” (translated from German by Christopher Middleton and Susan Bernofsky)
sounds of Chicago
DJ Mike Dunn, live, Chicago (Gramaphone Records), 2015
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lagniappe
musical thoughts
Yeah, everybody’s got a bomb
We could all die any day,
But before I’ll let that happen
I’ll dance my life away.—Prince, “1999”
