what’s new
Why not immerse yourself in something beautiful?
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904), String Quartet No. 12 in F major (“American,” 1893); Lincoln String Quartet (featuring members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Qing Hou and Lei Hou, violins; Lawrence Neuman, viola; Kenneth Olsen, cello), live, Chicago, 8/16/20
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Chicago
can’t wait
Tonight he’s conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, John Adams’ Scheherazade.2, and this.
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971), The Rite of Spring (1913); Los Angeles Philharmonic (Esa-Pekka Salonen [1958-], cond.), live, Los Angeles
the other night
Clarity.
Power.
Spaciousness.
Immediacy.
There is nothing in this world—nothing at all, not even remotely—like hearing a great orchestra live, as I was reminded Thursday night as I sat in Chicago’s Symphony Center (across the street from the Art Institute) with my son Alex, listening to this played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, along with Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 1 and Piano Concerto No. 1 (with pianist Radu Lupu).
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 (Eroica)
Philadelphia Orchestra with Riccardo Muti (cond.), live, c. late 1980s
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NBC Orchestra with Arturo Toscanini (cond.), recording, 1939
music clip of the day 