Yes there are still a lot of good, caring people in the world. People think that we should watch and listen to the news and world events to see what is going on in the world. But if one follows the news too closely, one is apt to think that the world is full of nasty politicians and thugs such as Putin. I try to limit the bad news from the media.
See why I say that what you look for is often what you find. There are people who think that the world is full to crooks and terrible people. So they tune into FOX and other right wing media to have their views confirmed.
But go out and meet ordinary people and you find that most of them are good, nice people.
On the topic of Mozart. He is without question my favorite composer (although it is hard to pick just one). One of my best memories is of going to a performance of The Marriage of Figaro when I was in my early twenties. I grew up in a rural area of the South and had never been to an opera. But it was amazing. I went back for each performance and it went on for about a week. Mozart wrote fantastic tunes and the singers and orchestra were great.
It appears that the republic is more or less safe for two more years.
So have a nice day and a nice life. Best wishes to all.
“ thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity . . . of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness.” ~Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
As if listening A M's works, the words above readied me for this fall day where outside clumps of snow soak up the cold rain and I watched the 6:30m school bus go down our little road to escort waking kids to warm schools and a sunny afternoon (for an EST pre-sunset hour). I'm tuning in U-TUBE, now for Amadeus s violin.
I like to look and listen to things on Youtube. It is amazing that Hillary Hahn and many other musicians can play these long pieces without looking at music. One of my favorites is Itzahk Perlman playing Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major. It is about 45 minutes long and he playes it beautifully.
Aubrey, Hillary is a genius! She has skills few have and can hold in memory many thousands of notes without looking at a score. So can many brilliant pianists and other musical artists. The good thing is that they share them. Joshua Bell is another who walks the streets of NYC playing concerto passages for passersby. It's quite hard not to listen.
I feel better about my day, starting it with your wonderful writing. Look for the good, appreciate the wonder and always listen to soul stirring music. “Rhonda Rainbow” made me laugh out loud. Thank you for all the magic you spin with words.
Tom Rush, your #1 pick for autumnal songs, deserves to be on this autumnal list with his threnody-like timpanies reflecting the falling leaves of the season. However, one must give credit where it is due. The inimitable author of this classic is your #2 entry, Joni Mitchell. Thank you for this list. Autumn, with its predominant theme of dying, seems to lend itself as well to the creative impulse as Spring, with its underlying theme of rebirth.
I like polite people too. People who are considerate, respectful and kind. People who smile sincerely regardless if their 2004 Taurus let them down on the turnpike. People who are gracious even when their ungracious in-laws are spending the weekend. People who take pride in their work even if they hate it because they know a good job brings return customers and job security for them.
Regardless of what side of the isle you are on, if you are polite, kind, respectful, considerate, gracious, take pride in your work and smile sincerely towards me, you will always get the same in return from me. If you are anything but those things, I will wish nothing but the ravages of jock itch, athletes foot and eczema for all eternity on you.
There is no reason to not be polite. I hope that usher received many rewards for his fine work.
Nothing like bad entertainment to organize ones thoughts. Being passively and privately rude is acceptable.
Oh do please tell us which Mozart concerto you heard. I don't live near enough to NYC to hear it in person. I'm sure it will brighten our day. Appreciate your acknowledging the kindness of the usher—and sharing his photograph. I hope someone shows him your thoughtful column. It just might brighten his whole week.
It's always nice to encounter someone who treats everyone kindly and respectfully.
Mozart has been my favorite composer since my clarinet teacher in high school gave me a piece of his music to practice. I have several hundred recordings and my husband probably has almost as many.
One of my favorite memories relating to Mozart is a quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg in an AARP magazine saying that her favorite opera was either "Don Giovanni" or "Le Nozze di Figaro", whichever she had seen most recently. They are two of my favorites, too, so I felt a connection to her when I read that. She sat two rows behind me and my husband at Glimmerglass one summer several years ago and I was thrilled to walk out right behind her. She was a tiny woman - I am only 5'4" and felt huge next to her. I miss her presence among the Supremes every day, especially when I see the face of the disgusting creature who nominated her replacement. Lately I have been changing the channel whenever that face appears.
What Shakespeare did for me last weekend, thanks to the Bard!
Back here in MN, many of us live in a land a little like Woebegon. Our neighborhoods aren't quite like yours, but winter is now upon us, with light snow and cold temps and all. In a puristic way, many of us are now shoveling and snow-blowing withthe back-draft putting flakes or snow-clumps on our face.
It's truly an awaking, much like the joyfilled notes of Mozarts music. it readies us all for the coming winter and deeper, longer notes that once played, soon will be frozen. Amadeus gently guided us over to the depths of his pupil Beethoven, whereupon we hear a another incredible piano and more violins joined by more violas and basses.
Yes, It's heavier melody, but if we listen carefully, the greater depth and beauty of Beethoven's music will be implanted there. Shakespeare, The Bard, told us all this reminderl:
Many thanks for your quick reply. I look forward to hearing it. Nothing beats hearing it in person, but if there is a particular favorite recording or artist you or your musician wife would recommend, I'll look for it.
Garrison is correct about the elegiac nature of Fall; it certain turns one's mind to THE END. It surprises me that it's many folks' (my wife's, for example) favourite season. Maybe explains those piercing glances she sends my way each Fall.
And he's right about golf tournaments - best viewed by folks recovering from concussions.
No, No, No! Junior Baker, I'd be willing to bet that you don't live in "Autumn Leaves" country! As a former New Yorker, my husband's employment brought us to Sunny Southern California. I found myself in Beverly Hills one Octoberish day. I drove down a boulevard lined with brown-leaved Sycamores. I had to pull over the car and sob my heart out!
For Northeasterners, Fall is the "Prima Donna" of the seasons! Even the evergreens, which seldom change from their dark green jackets (unless a hurricane runs through and strips them) , add their exclamation marks to the brilliant tapestries of gold, scarlet, tangerine and even the white branches of the birches.
It 's just amazing ! You can see things that look like landslides of pure gold, spreading out downhill on the mountainsides! Sometimes, one "tree" (over a hundred acres worth, thousands of shoots! ) can nearly crash in at the toe with another "single (genetically, that is, and also connected underground) tree." A mere creek, running through the valley, might be all that separates them.!
Now I'm "back home" - I can look out my window and enjoy autumn. Our village gardeners plant a variety of street-side trees to tantalize our eyes. Our "Leaf-peeping" trips along back country roads can lead to us wishing that the sun would never set on all that glory! And as for "elegies" - we've figured out that with the way the earth tilts on its axis, less daylight is inevitable for us who live north or south of the "Tropics". For us, it's more of an admonition to "Enjoy Life As It Comes!"
Thanks Garrision for those nice comments.
Yes there are still a lot of good, caring people in the world. People think that we should watch and listen to the news and world events to see what is going on in the world. But if one follows the news too closely, one is apt to think that the world is full of nasty politicians and thugs such as Putin. I try to limit the bad news from the media.
See why I say that what you look for is often what you find. There are people who think that the world is full to crooks and terrible people. So they tune into FOX and other right wing media to have their views confirmed.
But go out and meet ordinary people and you find that most of them are good, nice people.
On the topic of Mozart. He is without question my favorite composer (although it is hard to pick just one). One of my best memories is of going to a performance of The Marriage of Figaro when I was in my early twenties. I grew up in a rural area of the South and had never been to an opera. But it was amazing. I went back for each performance and it went on for about a week. Mozart wrote fantastic tunes and the singers and orchestra were great.
It appears that the republic is more or less safe for two more years.
So have a nice day and a nice life. Best wishes to all.
“ thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity . . . of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness.” ~Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
There's a quote worth our keeping. Amen! Prepare now....
As if listening A M's works, the words above readied me for this fall day where outside clumps of snow soak up the cold rain and I watched the 6:30m school bus go down our little road to escort waking kids to warm schools and a sunny afternoon (for an EST pre-sunset hour). I'm tuning in U-TUBE, now for Amadeus s violin.
The good news is that we find many such lovely violin concertos of his there. Find one played by Hillary Hahn:
Hilary Hahn - Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 (New Cadenzas)https://www.youtube.com › and listen to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywA_BsFvYxY
It's transcendent.
I like to look and listen to things on Youtube. It is amazing that Hillary Hahn and many other musicians can play these long pieces without looking at music. One of my favorites is Itzahk Perlman playing Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major. It is about 45 minutes long and he playes it beautifully.
With kindest regards.
Aubrey, Hillary is a genius! She has skills few have and can hold in memory many thousands of notes without looking at a score. So can many brilliant pianists and other musical artists. The good thing is that they share them. Joshua Bell is another who walks the streets of NYC playing concerto passages for passersby. It's quite hard not to listen.
I feel better about my day, starting it with your wonderful writing. Look for the good, appreciate the wonder and always listen to soul stirring music. “Rhonda Rainbow” made me laugh out loud. Thank you for all the magic you spin with words.
An autumn playlist (apologies to Wolfgang):
1. Urge for Going - Tom Rush
2. The Circle Game - Joni Mitchell
3. Try to Remember - Jerry Orbach
4. Autumn - Barbra Streisand
5. Four Strong Winds - Ian & Silvia
6. Girl from the North Country - Robert Zimmerman
7. It Ain't Over Yet - Rodney Crowell
8. The Four Seasons - Antonio Vivaldi
9. Who Knows Where the Time Goes - Sandy Denny
10. America - Paul Simon
Feel free to add.
You didn't fool ALL of us with that Zimmerman remark...
“You can call me Zimmy…”
Tom Rush, your #1 pick for autumnal songs, deserves to be on this autumnal list with his threnody-like timpanies reflecting the falling leaves of the season. However, one must give credit where it is due. The inimitable author of this classic is your #2 entry, Joni Mitchell. Thank you for this list. Autumn, with its predominant theme of dying, seems to lend itself as well to the creative impulse as Spring, with its underlying theme of rebirth.
Mr. Keillor,
I like polite people too. People who are considerate, respectful and kind. People who smile sincerely regardless if their 2004 Taurus let them down on the turnpike. People who are gracious even when their ungracious in-laws are spending the weekend. People who take pride in their work even if they hate it because they know a good job brings return customers and job security for them.
Regardless of what side of the isle you are on, if you are polite, kind, respectful, considerate, gracious, take pride in your work and smile sincerely towards me, you will always get the same in return from me. If you are anything but those things, I will wish nothing but the ravages of jock itch, athletes foot and eczema for all eternity on you.
There is no reason to not be polite. I hope that usher received many rewards for his fine work.
Nothing like bad entertainment to organize ones thoughts. Being passively and privately rude is acceptable.
TK
Oh do please tell us which Mozart concerto you heard. I don't live near enough to NYC to hear it in person. I'm sure it will brighten our day. Appreciate your acknowledging the kindness of the usher—and sharing his photograph. I hope someone shows him your thoughtful column. It just might brighten his whole week.
It was his violin concerto No. 1, written when he was 17.
The usher, the parking lot attendant, the grocery checke,these are the ordinary Mozarts of our days
A gift I did not realize until I read your column today, that my wife also loves Mozart. We hardly ever disagree what to listen to on the radio.
As Churchill said; “much of the world’s work is done by people who didn’t feel very well when they got up in the morning.” Or something like that.
It's always nice to encounter someone who treats everyone kindly and respectfully.
Mozart has been my favorite composer since my clarinet teacher in high school gave me a piece of his music to practice. I have several hundred recordings and my husband probably has almost as many.
One of my favorite memories relating to Mozart is a quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg in an AARP magazine saying that her favorite opera was either "Don Giovanni" or "Le Nozze di Figaro", whichever she had seen most recently. They are two of my favorites, too, so I felt a connection to her when I read that. She sat two rows behind me and my husband at Glimmerglass one summer several years ago and I was thrilled to walk out right behind her. She was a tiny woman - I am only 5'4" and felt huge next to her. I miss her presence among the Supremes every day, especially when I see the face of the disgusting creature who nominated her replacement. Lately I have been changing the channel whenever that face appears.
What Shakespeare did for me last weekend, thanks to the Bard!
Back here in MN, many of us live in a land a little like Woebegon. Our neighborhoods aren't quite like yours, but winter is now upon us, with light snow and cold temps and all. In a puristic way, many of us are now shoveling and snow-blowing withthe back-draft putting flakes or snow-clumps on our face.
It's truly an awaking, much like the joyfilled notes of Mozarts music. it readies us all for the coming winter and deeper, longer notes that once played, soon will be frozen. Amadeus gently guided us over to the depths of his pupil Beethoven, whereupon we hear a another incredible piano and more violins joined by more violas and basses.
Yes, It's heavier melody, but if we listen carefully, the greater depth and beauty of Beethoven's music will be implanted there. Shakespeare, The Bard, told us all this reminderl:
"At Christmas, I no more
desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May's
new fangled mirth
But like of each thing
that in season grows"
-King Lear
Many thanks for your quick reply. I look forward to hearing it. Nothing beats hearing it in person, but if there is a particular favorite recording or artist you or your musician wife would recommend, I'll look for it.
Garrison is correct about the elegiac nature of Fall; it certain turns one's mind to THE END. It surprises me that it's many folks' (my wife's, for example) favourite season. Maybe explains those piercing glances she sends my way each Fall.
And he's right about golf tournaments - best viewed by folks recovering from concussions.
No, No, No! Junior Baker, I'd be willing to bet that you don't live in "Autumn Leaves" country! As a former New Yorker, my husband's employment brought us to Sunny Southern California. I found myself in Beverly Hills one Octoberish day. I drove down a boulevard lined with brown-leaved Sycamores. I had to pull over the car and sob my heart out!
For Northeasterners, Fall is the "Prima Donna" of the seasons! Even the evergreens, which seldom change from their dark green jackets (unless a hurricane runs through and strips them) , add their exclamation marks to the brilliant tapestries of gold, scarlet, tangerine and even the white branches of the birches.
After "Fall-less" seasons for a couple of decades, I had a job and earned enough to begin autumnal hegiras to Utah. There you'll finds a phenomena that most of us Easterners aren't aware of. Quaking Aspen trees https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/pano-one-worlds-largest-organisms-dying-0970579/#:~:text=Sweeping%20across%20107%20acres%20of,from%20a%20single%20root%20system.
It 's just amazing ! You can see things that look like landslides of pure gold, spreading out downhill on the mountainsides! Sometimes, one "tree" (over a hundred acres worth, thousands of shoots! ) can nearly crash in at the toe with another "single (genetically, that is, and also connected underground) tree." A mere creek, running through the valley, might be all that separates them.!
Now I'm "back home" - I can look out my window and enjoy autumn. Our village gardeners plant a variety of street-side trees to tantalize our eyes. Our "Leaf-peeping" trips along back country roads can lead to us wishing that the sun would never set on all that glory! And as for "elegies" - we've figured out that with the way the earth tilts on its axis, less daylight is inevitable for us who live north or south of the "Tropics". For us, it's more of an admonition to "Enjoy Life As It Comes!"
So, Leopoldstadt.
Looks like I'll be waiting for the film to stream.
So is it Mister Stoppard's/Sir Thomas's new play we should think twice about attending?