Auto Show Pt II

As Greg and I wandered back to the south end of the vast Bartle Hall Exhibition Center, we again mused on the state of the auto market. A couple of years ago, we both remarked at what a winning line up Saturn had, the Aura on the top of my list for a new car. But 2 short years later, Saturn is gone and dead after only 20 years.

Thus I looked with a jaundiced eye towards the Lincoln and Mercury part of the Ford Motor Company empire. Lincoln has almost always been a distant second to Cadillac in the luxo wars. A big boost in sales in the 80's when Cadillac produced junk after junk (V8-6-4, diesels, Allante, Cimmaron, etc.) kept Lincoln alive. But the 90s and aughts have been less kind. Staying with the regal and fabulous Town Car too long, Lincoln's image suffered. I kind of wonder how long they will be around; Mercury especially as the rumors of its demise have bee around for several years now.

The new MKS and MKZ sedans and MKT (don't they know that was a railroad, better known as the Katy??) and MKX crossover/SUVs are worlds away from the Town Car (still available at a wow! 46K, every penny must be profit) but somehow just seem to miss the mark. Many auto wags felt that the better buy was the new Taurus for 10K less. The MKS, with its new, more aggressive grille, was better inside than the Taurus and felt less claustrophobic, but looked a bit cheap compared to the (gasp) Hyundai Genesis.

The Mercury line up was nothing more than regrilled Fords. I can only imagine how long they will be around. Mercury does not get a version of the Taurus so it makes do with Milan (Fusion), Marriner (Escape), Mountaineer (Explorer) and the long-in-the-tooth Grand Marquis.

GM had the whole southeast side, with Chevrolet and Buick taking up the lion's share. Cadillac was in the middle with GMC trucks; missing of course was Pontiac after 84 years.

GM frankly had little new and terribly exciting this year. Lots of Camaro models in every conceivable bright color, sleek Corvettes and big, brawny trucks were the highlights. The well received Malibu was totally unchanged but is selling well, it is still quite new and competitive. They need to keep watch of the Ford Fusion and the Kia and Hyundai onslaught, in my opinion, or they will be caught napping. Absent from this show were two cars that could reinvent Chevrolet as a marque, the new Cruise and the electric Volt. The Cruise with an emission friendly and powerful 1.4 litre 4 is a big bold step above the Cobalt which in itself was a big step above the Cavalier. Looking like a bold, mini-Malibu, it should do well against the more swoopy and funky Ford Fiesta in the small car field. The Volt is a game changer, pure and simple. Finally, just maybe, we will see a viable, practical and conventional electric car.

GM's surprise is a resurgent Buick, for which my 1990 Buick, the faithful Dunbar, rejoices. The snazzy Lacrosse, more elegant (side portholes even) Lucerne and SUV Enclave have garnered rave reviews. Soon to be joined by the new, entry level (26K) Regal, Buick's line up looked strong. The luxo Lucerne had better looking, more luxurious fittings inside than the more expensive Lincoln MKS, in my opinion. The bold, slightly retro grill (recalling the big, toothy 1950's) looked fun and bold without being grotesque like the Lincoln. The Lucerne Super ( I love that Buick is keeping a modicum of its historic names like Super and Regal) with a Cadillac Northstar V8 is to die for, portholes and all. Buick is going to be successful in the upper ranks, making well equipped luxo cars at a reasonable price.

Greg and I ignored the trucks. Despite being a farm boy, Greg is not a truck fan and of course neither am I. It does bear a mention that trucks are today more "Cowboy Cadillacs" than ever before.

Speaking of Caddies, the 2011 Cadillac line up features a newly redesigned and less angular CRX crossover that is an improvement on the trucky former model. The front is bigger and bolder (as is the trend) but more powerful and refined in every way. Should be a leader in the crowded luxo-crossoever field. The full line up of Caddies is minus the Corvette based XLR sport coupe but included a new CRX sport wagon, one of the few station wagons available nowadays. Tiger Woods can replace his broken Escalade with a greener Escalade hybrid at a cool 73K. The CTS family, starting at 35K and going up to 62 with the powerful, 556 hp CTS-V is making Cadillac a viable Standard of the World again.

One of the sadder moments of the show was the once wonderful Chrysler-Dodge display. Nothing new, just warmed over almost pathetic, cheap looking sedans. The once mighty Chrysler 300C is looking dated and unchanged (as it is), but still the leader in the new high-pockets, small green house look. Greg looked over a new PT Cruiser, little changed from his 2001 model. Chrysler needs something new.. now. Jeep too. Only the Camaro baiting, niche market Challenger had any interest going. We'll see if the crazy alliance with Fiat is any more successful than the American Motors dalliance with Renault.

We glanced at the Subarus, mostly funky off road type cars. At least the ugly Tribeca has been redesigned. The sedans look competent and are nicely redesigned. Maybe there is hope after all for this funky, outsider's brand.

Kia has come on strong lately and was a big surprise for me. I had a Kia rental car that was a tin can on wheels, an early model Rio. A Kia Rio will set you back little, clicking every option on an automatic transmission LX Rio (power windows and locks, cruise, heated mirrors, upgraded audio, spoiler, bluetooth and more for under 17K. Makes a Smart car look silly frankly.

Kia's motto is the power to surprise and certainly I was by the well done and stylish Kia Forte "Koup" and sedan. A top of the line, red, 2.4L auto transmission Forte Koup with leather, heated seats, and sunroof was a blip over 21K. My surprise was the stylish EX Forte sedan in a fabulous Dark Cherry exterior and leather trimmed "coffee" interior with sunroof and auto trans for less than 20K. Again a Smart looks dumb in my opinion.

With thoughts of margaritas and wonderful Mexican treats at Teocali, we ended our review of the new cars of 2010.

My summary:

Car I'd want if money was no object: Maserati Quattroporte. Runner up Jaguar XJ

Sport Car: Maserati Coupe

Sport Car I could afford: Kia Forte Koup

Luxo Cruiser: Hyundai Genesis or Buick Lucerne (a toss up here)

Mid Priced Car: Chevy Malibu

Car I could actually, maybe afford if I tried: Kia Forte

Auto Show

Greg and I always try to attend the Greater Kansas City Auto show each March and this year was no exception. Both of us are pretty committed car nuts, so this is 2 hours of pure pleasure for us. Looking forward to the treat of some fine Mexican food and margaritas afterward was an added incentive.

Unless you have been in the bush or hiding under the proverbial rock, everyone is aware that this has been a rocky year for auto makers. GM and Chrysler Bankruptcy and reorganization, brand names and models disappearing and then Toyota's recent downfall from grace.

Entering the vast Bartle Hall exhibition center, Ford greeted us as usual. They must have paid someone off to always be at the very entrance of the place for all the shows I remember. Ford has been the only US Big 3 not to take bankruptcy or bailouts and frankly they seem to be the strongest right now. The Fusion is the North American Car of the Year and a worthy competitor. I have driven one and found it competent and peppy, even in a basic 4 cyl form as a rental car. The Focus emerged as one of the top buys in the crazy "Cash for Clunkers" scheme and the Ford trucks rein supreme in their class. The Edge seemed to be a very attractive cross over, and the Flex a funky alternative to the really big SUVs. The 2011 Edge, however, looked clunky with the big honking nose, a step back to me.

The new Taurus has been getting a lot of press and was one of my fantasy buys if money suddenly rained upon me. But sitting in it and seeing it up close, I felt the high green house with massive doors and a chopped bustle made the car look stubby and blocky. The interior felt claustrophobic with the small windows. Visibility was nil. So the Taurus is off my list. The upcoming Fiesta will be a winner.

I am not a big Toyota fan, even though I had a Rav4 10 years ago as the last brand new car I ever bought. Their troubles were evident as the display area was not humming with lookers. As we walked by commenting on how the Rav4 has gotten so big and expensive a fellow yelled "bonsai!!", referring to the kamikaze-like acceleration problems of late. Well built, popular as hell, they will survive for sure, but like vanilla ice cream, they do not inspire much excitement.

Similarly we brushed pass the Hondas, noting the new Accord Crosstour was kind of ugly as was the redesigned, fussy CR-V. The Fit is popular and has tons of room for a small SUV or whatever it is.

We spent a lot of time in the Hyundai display. Greg is the proud owner of a new 2010 Tucson, which he has barely driven as he does not want to get it all dirty! Hyundai used to make tin can cars that were laughed at. Not any more. The Sonata sedan is slick, comfortable, very well equipped and a fabulous value. The big Genesis is even slicker and more stylish, especially in coupe form. With a 4.6 V8 under 40K, it is a steal. The small Accent and Elantra are quite well equipped for under 20K. But frankly, the Genesis would be my new fantasy luxo car, replacing the Taurus.

On down were the big boys, the high priced makes from Aristocrat Motors. These are the ones people drool over but of course can not buy. Most are roped off to keep us mere mortals away. The Mercedes Benzes were out in force. The line up is being redesigned and frankly they look more like Hyundai models each time. With maintenance costs high, I would not have one of the damn things. The slick supercar SL and SLRs were fabulous to look at and fabulous in cost at 100K and up. They were certainly the most photographed.

Maserati had its coupe and Quattroporte at a cool 150K. They look aggressive and slick, with interiors of fine leather, wood and polished metal. I wouldn't turn one down if given to me!

Smart cars have made quite a splash in the US market in the last few years. Small, tiny actually, 2 seaters with very advanced construction, these 4 wheel carts have become quite a status symbol with the upper income brackets looking for something to stand out in the crowd. I certainly see more of them in the high rent areas than I do anywhere else. Frankly you can get a more substantial and better equipped Kia, Hyundai, Focus or Cobalt for the same money. But then you would not stand out in the crowd.

The newly revitalized Jaguars are certainly better built, more powerful and oh so sleek. But higher in price than ever before, thus they have cast off that poor man's supercar reputation and gone right into the heart of BMW, Benz and Porsche. I'd take an XJ in red with those creamy dove gray seats, thank you.

Little time was spent among the Land Rover and Porsche lines, only to gawk at the new 4 door Panamerica, Porsche's first 4-door offering. I'd still take the XJ. Volkswagen had their whole line up, but we just talked about the problems two of our Volkswagen owner friends are having, the poorly designed rear door of the new big CC sedan that catches your shirt or coat and all the silly names of the cars like Routan, Tiguan, Passat and Touareg.

We reached the half way point by now, turning around and heading south. Ahead of us were GM, Kia, Chrysler-Dodge, Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki and Lincoln-Mercury. We suddenly noted the show was a bit smaller this year, and for good reason. Rest in Peace Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer and SAAB, all of which were either missing or discontinued. BMW and Nissan, still very much alive, did not send cars to the show for some reason.

Tomorrow: A Kia surprise and a Buick renaissance.

From Our Local Rag I

From our local rag's on line edition this AM:

Kansas City police found a young child walking a dog alone early this morning. The child was found near East Eighth Street and Woodland Avenue. The child has been reunited with his family, a dispatcher said. Further information was not available.

This is sad in so many ways, pointing to the further decline in our world:

1) Why is this news?

2) What happened to our society that a kid can not walk his/her dog in the morning?

Well for one thing, our newspaper is gasping like a flounder out of water. The level of "journalism" has dropped noticeably in the last few years. With falling readership and falling revenue from advertising, something common to all newspapers. many of the Star's professional journalists have been laid off or left in disgust. I would assume that in this case someone had to put something up in a space and this was the best they could do. Honestly, I would expect (and even find myself bemused by) this type of headline in the "Bugtussle Weekly Wigwam and Shopping News", but not in a major metropolitan area paper. As one wag put it in the comments section, "..story makes about as much sense as fat guy found eating cupcakes outside of 7-11."

Second, it shows how our neighborhoods have declined from once bustling centers to burnt out, drug and thug infested nightmares. In reality, it is probably not safe for anyone to walk their dog at anytime in this area, or in many areas of Kansas City. Probably at one time he/she could walk the family pooch around without fear. But today, it would only make sense with a pack of pit bulls in armor with an arsenal or guns at the ready. I hesitate to walk HM around my spot unless I have looked around first to see if there are hoodies around. In the neighborhood in question, a combo of light industry, open fields, housing projects and abandoned buildings, the likelihood of danger lurking around the corner or in the door of the old building is real. I guess the news that the kid is back home safe is at least worth a few points.

I don't see it getting better. As the right continues its assault on the poor and middle class, the cities will empty, the tax base slide, services and infrastructure weaken... we will be a Detroit in just a few years, no one will want to live here. And then a newspaper article about a kid walking his dog anywhere in KC will be news.

I've Lost That Buy'n Feeling

In my road warrior travel days, the sight of a shopping mall made me quiver with joy. Instead of sitting in front of a TV watching nonsense, I could wander the night away, up and down the shiny tiled halls of the Great Temple of Materialism.

For the few months I lived in suburban Chicago, the malls were my salvation. Instead of sitting in traffic for an hour or so getting back to my squalid little hole, I would stop at the local mall and wait until traffic was clear. If it was going to take me two hours to get home, it might as well be an hour and a half shopping and one half hour driving instead of sitting the whole time on the "express" highway. I especially enjoyed it when I was out by Woodfield Mall, a huge expanse of stores under one roof and then of course the new additions along side. After dinner at a sushi place I found, I would wander the mall, out from the cold and drear of a Chicago winter, darting in and out of all the stores. Inevitably some new item caught my eye and would attach itself to me. Maybe a new tie, shirt or belt, maybe some designer undies (accessorizing is important), perhaps a new CD, or most special, a new piece of Calphalon cookware or a new set of glassware would end up in a sack in my back seat.

Not any more.

What gives?? Maturity, more sense, less room, less money? Is that the reason shopping no longer appeals to me? Probably all the above. I am not destitute, but I make less than I used to yet I get by quite nicely. I certainly have much less room than I used to have so the argument I have with myself "where would I put it?" takes on added weight. The need to show off and keep up with the Joneses has dimmed. Thus this new philosophy of frugalness, practicality and reason has replaced the one revolving around getting it takes care of wanting it.

One of the few things I ever learned from my father was "buy the best you can afford, take good care of it and it will last". That is why he rarely bought new cars, houses, clothes or much of anything else. And I agree. It is wiser to buy a good item once than a poorly made one 4-5 times. That is why our 60 year old Crosley refrigerator works, as well as the 50's vintage appliances in the kitchen and the expensive wood floors in the house still look new.

Thus it went last night as I wandered around a mall, the Oak Park in Overland Park, KS to be precise, for a bit. I have it in my mind that my good winter coat needs replacing and that perhaps at the end of the season I could find a bargain. Macy's had a nice one, but it was only 50% off instead of the 60% of the others. I almost bought one on line, but a last minute hesitation before clicking "buy" made me rethink if it was really what I needed. And it wasn't on hind sight. Dillard's at the mall had even less than Macy's and I did not see the need to visit Penny's or Nordstroms. A glance by the housewares at Macy's had no effect on me. Not even the Calphalon... where would I put it? I have pots and pans that I do not use and certainly had enough to make a gourmet dinner for 20 a couple weeks ago. Shirts... plenty. Ties... don't wear them anymore, undies..plenty, belt...have a brown one and a black one plus the alligator one I got in Nicaragua.. all good.

I think it took me longer to get to the mall and back than I spent inside it. Driving back I reflected on my poor old coat. A stylish back Liz Claiborne leather car coat, she cost me a good penny when I bought her in 2002. And yes, it was one of those "look what came home with me" buys. But like my dad taught me, I bought a good one and took care of it. Just recently though, I have noted the ravages of time and two buttons have came off. Sewing on a shirt button is easy, getting a heavy duty coat button back on leather is a bit of a different story. But I am resigned now to clean her up, take the buttons to someone who can fix it and wear it for another year or so, or until something catches my eye.. 75% off in my size.

Spiritual Journey IV

It had been a while, one day short of 70 days to be exact, since I had been to church. As I mentioned in my last post, I had sensed that the animosity and divisions still existed that I was so wanting to escape. However, a reunion in an informal setting with some of the people with whom I had worshiped and a sudden severing of contact with someone I had supported led me to decide I should see if things had changed.

So with Greg and Bruce out of town, I went and had my own revelation.

Can one be sitting at a church service and suddenly realize it is all just a bunch of hooey?

Does anyone really believe all this? Do they listen? Do they care? Why do the ones who do believe all this feel compelled to force it on others, even to the point of killing? Do they really think their God and Jesus are Republicans? And have they ever read the Bible to see how it rails against hypocrisy more than it does being a lesbian? What happened to "love everyone", compassion for the poor and sick?

I listened to a fine talk about courage from a very wise and learned man. He was compelled to base his talk on biblical texts and he did, but loose enough that they were secondary to the message. It could have been a talk at a Rotary Club or a historical society for that matter.

The music was ok, I had heard it all before. Yes, there were some folks glad to see me, and vice versa. Some there didn't notice I was there, and vice versa. Those who I consider friends are also those I would (and have) befriend even outside a church setting. But is it all really just a social occasion? Aren't we there to learn and change? That I did not see there, or in Christian religion in general.

So I left not feeling compelled to return regularly. It was nice, but certainly not reborn and reinvigorated; I did not feel the energy and sense of exploration I once found.

That, I fear, is no longer a part of my church experience. And it left me on a Sunday morning. How ironic.

Spiritual Journey III

I know I am naive, but I have never understood why things have to change. Like Facebook layouts, trash haulers, and churches, changes are never really for the better. Just get to a good point that works, and stick with it.

Yeah I know, change is inevitable.

The church I attended in Kansas City, Trinity United Methodist, was a beacon of light and a bold, brash "screw you church establishment" institution for the majority of the time I attended. Standing firmly in the harsh wind of the Methodist hierarchy that said gays and lesbians were not compatible with Christian teaching, TUMC welcomed all who entered. Many churches say that, however there is usually a "but" attached to the welcome. Not so at TUMC. It was thrilling to worship with fellow gays, people of diverse backgrounds, perfect people and dreadful sinners alike. There was a sort of magic when we all came together. People dropped pretense and pitched in.

One Sunday was to be a high church day. We purchased new choir robes and they were to be dedicated with song and praise. As I arrived (by the way, the place was so special I drove 50 miles round trip to attend) fire trucks and police littered the street. A fire had heavily damaged a large apartment building near by. The refugees congregated at TUMC. It was a cool day and the people had on what they could escape with. So we cooked. Refrigerators were raided, errands ran and we made a vat of chili. Some got out games and played with the kids, some of us manned the phones taking calls from worried family members. We never did have a service that day; but in so many ways, it was the best one we ever had.

As people moved around, personalities clashed, pastors came and went, TUMC began to decline. It was not one person, or one thing, but a combination of events, people and weariness that comes in fighting a losing battle. The Methodist church makes it quite difficult for a gay friendly church to operate. Threats of trials and sanctions hover over any ordained personnel that dares to think otherwise.

Finally, in 2008, the last straw broke and I severed my relationship with TUMC and the United Methodist Church in general. I was sad, I missed my friends, the routine of the Methodist liturgy, hymnal and service. But I was tired of being a second, or even no-class citizen. A new pastor was clear that the hierarchy wanted to "straighten out" the place. Two years later, I am still embroiled in a mess created by the church; but a recent letter from the bishop of the UMC effectively told me to fuck off.

In the last months of my attendance at TUMC if Greg was out of town (thus I would not get scolded for not being at church), I would sneak off and go to another church where some TUMC refugees had landed. The church was led by an openly gay pastor... and it was ok with everyone. Great music, nice people, a denomination, the United Church of Christ, that was more liberal than I. We even served wine at church functions and hosted a drag show that was called "Wake the Fuck up, America!"

There was a heaven on earth.

But, just for a while. Sadly another example of heaven's transient nature here on this mortal orb. Some of the same things that killed TUMC were also happening there. I am not sure exactly what transpired, both sides still harbor resentment. Suffice to say I stayed away.

My last church service was on December 20th, when we performed the annual Christmas cantata. As I put away my robe and heard the negative chattering about the former pastor, I decided I had enough. Stealthily, I took my name tag off my robe and put it in my pocket. They had no use for it. It was a symbol of my departure.

Few noticed.

I have not missed going to church on Sunday, but I do miss the interaction with people, one of the few times I see people these days without vodka being involved.

Reading a response to a Facebook post, put a seed in my mind. Actually, watered a kernel that had been there before. To paraphrase, "You know, I have never known a Buddhist to cause trouble or grief".

Hummmmm....

Spiritual Journey II

As a married dad, I felt it important for my kids to have a foundation in a church. My childhood was not exactly centered around the church, but I fell into the convention that exposure to church would instill the all important values of service, respect and humility.

Wrong.

It was ok at first, the small Methodist church in Jefferson City. The pastor happened to be a neighbor in the church owned parsonage so we had an easy welcome. Met some nice people, the kids met some good kids and all was well. A change of pastor brought in a fellow who was a good friend for many years until our paths separated, as happens in this mobile world.

But a nasty and public divorce shattered everything. I suddenly was the evil fag (no one ever called me that to my face, but I know it was said) who was to be avoided. People left because I was still a member and was allowed to participate in the church services. Awkward were the moments when my ex and I had to be together at a church function. I frequently sat alone. But it was my church and I would not budge. I didn't until I finally left town, moving to Kansas City for work.

This was my wake up call that "church" was not what I always thought it was. Where was the "love your neighbor", all the kum ba ya we were told was the plan? I quickly learned to be a part of the church and the family and all that meant conforming to the church hierarchy's view, not what I had read in the Bible. In the Methodist church, their man-made rule book "The Book of Discipline" supplanted the Bible as the guide for living and church views on the world. According to them, Jesus only loved me if I quit being gay and was a nice, conservative, family man. Who cared if most of them drank, beat their kids, cheated, hated. That was not as bad as being gay.... yuk.

Revelation: church is hypocrisy.

It continues to this day, no matter what denomination. The Methodist church continues to spread their hate for gay and lesbians, putting pastors on trial for showing their love. Making rules to squash the expression of support for gays and lesbians, right up there with the Catholics.

Moving to KC, changed things a lot for a long time. Through luck and a friend I had made here, I found a church, a Methodist one at that, where the congregation had taken a stand to say all were welcome, even sinful, nasty, family hating, fags like me. I went a couple times and joined on my 3-4th visit. I stayed for over 12 years, some of the best church time in my life. We worshiped, we worked, we celebrated, mourned, ate, drank, partied and prayed. Gays and lesbians, old and young, rich, poor, transient... it mattered not.

Revelation: church did not have to be hypocritical.

But, as with all things, decay set in.

(to be continued)

Kansas City Symphony: Pahud Premiere Lombardi Flute Concerto

Saturday weather was "miserable" (see my continuing rant about that in previous post) but not so in the Lyric Theatre where the Kansas City Symphony under the direction of Music Director Michael Stern presented a diverse concert of works ranging from Beethoven, Rossini and Tchaikovsky to a new work by Italian Luca Lombardi, a Flute Concerto for Emmanuel Pahud.

The concert opened with the sprightly and high spirited overture to "La Scala di Seta" (The Silken Ladder). The fine KCS winds contributed their usual colorful commentary with special note to the fiendish and important oboe and flute solos. Stern whipped up a fine Rossini crescendo to bring this short but highly amusing curtain raiser to a rousing close.

Beethoven's Symphony # 8 is often seen as an odd man out in his cannon. Sandwiched between the grandly dancing and rhythmic 7 th and the monumental 9th, the shortish 8th harks back to the early 1st and 2nd and even back to Haydn; it even has a minuet for god's sake. Stern and the orchestra gave this most carefree and light hearted of Beethoven's symphonies a brisk and incisive performance. The ensemble was quite together and technically excellent, only a couple of exposed brass bobbles to mar the surface. Stern took care to balance the orchestra so that all the inner voices and counter melodies could be heard in this breezy but still substantial masterpiece.

The second half began with the world premiere of a new Flute Concerto by Luca Lombardi written for and premiered by Swiss flute virtuoso Emanuel Pahud.

Lombardi is a new name for me, and a search of online record outlets show little or nothing of his output is available in the US. Born in Rome in 1945, Lombardi studied mostly with the deans of German new music in the 60's and 70's, Stockhausen, Kagel, Pousseur, B. A. Zimmermann, and Rzewski. He has written over 160 works including 2 symphonies and much chamber music.

The concerto, in 3 untitled movements, is based on a recurring 3 note theme, recalling the opening flourish of Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man. From there the flute and orchestra construct and de-construct this motive, stretching it, tossing it from solo to orchestra and from group to group. Tonally lyrical passages are interrupted by clangorous outbursts from the orchestra. The final section pits a dreamy flute solo in the middle range over slowly shifting strings, soon to be interrupted by the 3 note theme leading into the second movement. This movement continues the slower mode with long, melismatic, almost oriental passages for the flute. The breathy quality of the flute is celebrated in the last half of the second movement with contributions from rustling leaves and wind machine from the percussion. The 3 note theme is quietly passed around from flute to harp and celesta borne on a frosty wind.

The 3rd movement is musically wonderful, but problematic in execution. Suddenly the flute comes alive and assumes an unknown persona. The soloist turns to face the orchestra and in mock anger verily spits high raspberries at the orchestra, concertmaster and the conductor. As the orchestra comes in, the soloist looks about in confusion; at one point Pahud walks over to the conductor and glances at his score and shakes his head. For a while the quiet middle music theme returns, Pahud coaxing some highly strange sounds from his gold flute; frequently perfectly imitating a violin pizzicato. The solo becomes more angular and agitated, the 3 note theme is tossed around until a major chord right out of Hollywood puts an end to the chattering. What is the flute's response? He holds on to a low, shallow note and blows the final flourish right at the conductor.

It got some chuckles and even some nervous twitters as some where not sure what was happening. But despite the theatrics, the work is a true show piece for the talents of Mr. Pahud from the fiendish runs and register leaps to the long slow melodies of the middle movement. The composer draws upon a colorful palate from the huge orchestra ,5 horns, triple winds and brass, contra-bassoon, English horn, bass clarinet, harp, celesta and a ton or two of percussion. The big ensemble never overwhelmed the flute, Pahud's silky tone always rising above the fray. The audience gave the work a heartfelt ovation. Hopefully this work will merit a recording as there is so much going on that is missed in a single hearing.

The concert concluded with the popular Tchaikovsky tone poem "Francesca da Rimini". A perfect foil for the more light hearted and playful music preceding, Stern drew a powerful performance from the orchestra, whipping them to a rousing conclusion fitting for the "turmoil of Hades".

Marc-André Hamelin in Recital

Forbes Magazine recently included Kansas City on its list of miserable cities, an exercise in coastal/warm climate elitism frankly. One of their big reasons?... we have two lousy sports teams.

Give me a break.

Hardly miserable is the classical music scene for a city this size. What other "miserable" location had a choice of seeing Marc-André Hamelin in recital or Emmanuel Pahud in concert with the KC Symphony playing the world premiere of a flute concerto written for him by Italian composer Luca Lombardi?

Miserable indeed, as one could only be at one place at a time. I chose the Hamelin on Friday, as luckily the Symphony will repeat the performance on Saturday.

As discussed on the CLassical Music Guide forum a while back, Hamelin is considered by many to be among the best pianists currently performing. His consummate skill, musicality and daring repertoire earn him highest praise. He is a "cool" performer as well, not prone to display and distracting gestures. But he is far from just a cerebral technician; as he demonstrated last night, he can infuse the simplest melody or phrase with grace and glowing beauty.

The program certainly was designed to display Hamelin's formidable talents in a variety of styles: the sublime Haydn Variations in F minor, Mozart Sonata in a, K 310, Liszt "Venezia e Napoli", Fauré "Nocturne # 6 op 63 and the reason for my attendance, Alkan "Symphonie" for solo piano, #s 4-7 of the 12 Etudes op 39.

From beginning to end, the recital was virtually flawless. The Haydn "Variations" (sometimes listed as a sonata) H 17, # 6 received an appropriately romantic performance yet with all the classical clarity intact. The coda was a masterpiece of rhapsodic emotions, the resigned, quiet ending bringing this jewel to a breathtaking ending.

The Mozart Sonata in A minor also received a reading from Hamelin that mined its emotional depths, using its linear motion and minor key to reveal the stormy drama of this sonata, so different in mood from his earlier works.

The Liszt pieces found Hamelin in his element, indeed he only recently added the Mozart to his repertoire, according to an interview published in the local paper. Indeed "Gondoliera" was nothing less than sublime tone painting, the many trills, tremolos and chromatic runs not for show but to literally paint a Venetian scene. A friend who attended the concert and is a frequent visitor to Venice told me he could not help but feel he was on a canal in the Venetian mist. The Canzone and Tarantella sang and danced, as their respective titles would indicate. The torrent of notes never seemed to be just for show in Hamelin's hands, only to communicate a scene.

The Fauré was delightfully serene and dreamy without being coying and sweet. Hamelin relished bringing out the harmonic and rhythmic touches that foreshadowed Ravel and Debussy.

Alkan. What can I say. This music was made for a pianist like Hamelin. If perhaps a little less percussive and rhythmically incisive than the classic Raymond Lewenthal recording, Hamelin commanded the rapid changes from chords to octaves, the huge leaps, cascade of notes and pounding rhythms. But along the way, he highlighted the many Chopinesque and Mozartean passages, contrasting yet also integrating them perfectly with the Lisztian fireworks.

Absolutely brilliant. As an encore, Hamelin performed one of his own compositions, a jazz tinged, impressionistic "Little Prelude".

Who cares if Kansas City has lousy sports teams? With classical music opportunities like this at our fingertips I can escape the "misery" for a while.

Tonight, KC Symphony with the Lombardi Flute Concerto, Beethoven Symphony # 8 and Tchaikovsky "Francesca di Rimini".

Spiritual Journey I

This has been brewing for a long time. No, not my coffee even though it is getting a bit old now, but this thought that something has to give in my spiritual life.

I am not a religious fanatic or all that devout a Christian, despite decades of church going. Frankly it is the decades of church going that has turned me away from being devout. I have experienced more emotional damage at church than in any other setting, with the possible exception of some horrible employment experiences.

Born a Methodist by family tradition, I went to church off and on with my family, they were sort of casual church goers. In high school I got involved in a Methodist church with friends and experienced my first church politics. A split occurred between the traditionalist and the fundies who wanted hand waving, tongue speaking nonsense. Youth pizza parties turned into holy spirit filled, holy rolling festivals. I backed off, sensing that something was amiss. A friend at that time told me I was going straight to hell as I did not live and breathe Jesus as he did. We drifted apart.

Church, Protestant Christianity at least, for me was becoming a world of condemnation and terrorism. "One Way", "The Way", "if you don't you won't" was the message. I just do not see black and white. I just don't get it. If this god and Jesus are so powerful, why is there such death and evil? Can't they let the good guys win just once? If I asked these questions, I got stares of annoyance, disbelief and pity. I was prayed for, a lot.

As I went off to college, I strayed away from church for a long time, and did not miss it. Meeting new friends, doing things for the first time, being on my own, learning and doing was enough epiphany and revelation. Maybe I was becoming too smart to just blindly follow a dogma, just maybe there are many ways. Could Jesus, god, angels, Noah and all that be just a myth like Zeus, Athena and Thor? In 1979, I did not care. I was exploring life and realizing I had been given an even more amazing gift that would bring me great joy and heartache. Even though I had gotten married, I sensed I was different. "I am married...I can't be gay", became my prayer to someone or something unseen.

More to follow.

Reflections on Mardi Gras

As I stood in my reproduction of a New Orleans patio, dressed in a sequined, beaded mask, green/gold/purple vest, multiple strands of beads hanging around my neck AND drinking my 3rd or 4th absinthe suissesse, someone asked me why I go all out for Mardi Gras.

"It is my Christmas Eve, Easter, 4th of July and birthday all rolled in to one", I replied. "I hate Halloween, all the childishness, death, spooks, morbidity... , Mardi Gras is LIFE, celebrate, colorful, dancing, gumbo, hollandaise, champagne and absinthe, not pumpkins, candy and blood-like punch". It is so much better, and at least in Kansas City a rarer event.

I got "into" Mardi Gras in St Louis, which boasts one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the country. It is usually mentioned along with Rio, Sydney and New Orleans (the King of Mardi Gras of course) as one to attend. People partied, offices closed for the Grand Parade, 75,000 people watched dogs parade in costumes and just as they are in a huge "Krewe of Barkus" parade. My neighborhood association had a Krewe with a ball and parade. Tits were flashed, beads thrown, rules suspended for a bit and life and fun were King and Queen. And who could not love a holiday with the theme laissez les bons temps rouler! (roughly, "let the good times roll")?

So upon my return to Kansas City, I began to import the traditions of Mardi Gras. A few stalwarts celebrated, but most of the city was ignorant of the festivities, reserving them for St Patrick's Day. When my old church decided to have a Mardi Gras themed party, I was thrilled. Until I discovered they had not a clue what to do. "Who is bringing the King Cake"? I asked to blank stares. "Anyone making gumbo, do have beads to throw??". Again silence. I improvised and made a king cake of sorts, made a vat of gumbo and got them their beads. The next couple years were bigger and better, I even became known as "Miss Glitter" for my beads I would wear. Announcing the event, I would stand and throw the beads at the congregation. One Sunday the Bishop of the Methodist church was attending. "You're not going to throw them while the Bishop is here...are you??" "Yes I am and I will likely throw one at him!" And I did.

After leaving the church over too much drama, I started a party of my own at the Palace. It grew. Last night I had 20 people in a re-creation of the patio at Brennan's restaurant. We drank, we ate, gumbo was there and cheese soufflé as well. Beads, masks, fun, laughter, life, friends, Rex Coelestis (me of course) came in a fabulous mask and beads delivering the colorful King Cake (I even got the baby, damn it, so I have to bring it next year too) to great acclaim.

Now Ash Wednesday, as the law prescribes, all is put away. Just the clean up, the leftovers ( I do not know how to make small amounts) to give out and the beads and finery to be put away. Even though it is getting lighter out side and the cold is giving way, Lent is upon us.

I am not as devout a follower of Lent as I am of Mardi Gras (which is of course the last time you can officially revel until Easter), but as I focus on my spirituality, I see this time as a chance to reflect on how I express and fulfill my spiritual needs. I see a great change coming; one that may displease some friends. But seeds are sometimes planted and are destined to grow and test the climate. Shall a new chapter begin? Keep watching.

Mardi Gras 2010

HAPPY

MARDI GRAS 2010

LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER!!

Let it Snow

I had to memorialize a very rare occurance as noted on the above map from weather.com. Every state in the continental US, even Florida, Alabama, Arizona and Louisiana, reported snow cover this past Saturday 2/13/10. Only Hawaii, which does get a bit of snow cover on the highest peaks occasionally, did not report snow on the ground.

This does not prove, or disprove global warming, as the politically charged nuts are arguing, it is just a rare phenomenon that this weather junkie just had to publicize.

We woke up to a bit of snow at the Palace today, a burst of flakes over night has blanketed the gray ground. HM snorted a bit of fresh fallen snow and quickly concluded her morning walkabout. So even though the map above shows us clear and Tallahassee in snow, I am sure the conditions are now reversed and all is back well with the world....for now.

Kansas City Symphony: Sibelius and Petrouchka

I am sure substituting at the last minute for a symphony concert can be a daunting task for even the most seasoned of conductors. But on second thought, perhaps for an assistant conductor of a major orchestra it is second nature, always in the wings, prepared to step in. Filling in for Pietari Inkinen, the Finnish born young Music Director of the New Zealand Symphony, was the equally youthful Andrew Grams, formerly an Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra under Welser-Möst. Grams led the Kansas City Symphony in an impressive Petrouchka, one of the most exciting and polished performances of the season.

The first half of the program, two masterpieces from Jan Sibelius, "Finlandia" and the Violin Concerto in d, could have benefited from the Finnish sensibilities of Inkinen. Grams' Finlandia was powerful, but a bit choppy and not always together. Disappointingly the incredible center section, so familiar as a hymn tune and the "Finlandia Hymni", the de-facto Finnish national anthem, just didn't sing. Grams whipped the orchestra into a rousing conclusion, much more together and balanced than the beginning.

Just as I had not heard of Grams, I was equally unfamiliar with Karen Gomyo, the soloist for the Sibelius Violin Concerto. Japanese born, but raised in Canada, Gomyo is certainly a talent to explore. She was pretty much in total control of this subtly difficult concerto, only a few ragged upper register runs marred an excellent, passionate performance, clearly better than the Barnabas Keleman performance of a couple seasons ago (and we get to hear Hilary Hahn do the concerto next season). Grams occasionally let the large orchestra obscure the violin, such as in that odd chromatic-oriental passage in the finale. Overall Gomyo's tone and performance from her 1714 Stradivarius was as silkily shimmering black-cherry as her fabulous gown, easily the best of the season!

But the evening belonged to Stravinsky's popular Petrouchka. Using the 1947 version of the complete ballet, the orchestra relished the colorful orchestration and shifting meters. As usual the winds, so important in Stravinsky, were excellent, the contrabassoon even getting a few laughs for its flatulent contributions. The brass were equally fine and well controlled, the trumpets perfectly "brassy" and brash as Stravinsky wanted. The strings were in perfect tune and sounding larger than their number. Everything clicked, from finely judged tempi (the Sibelius selections were on the leisurely side), sharp entrances, deft but important contributions from the piano and percussion, organic flow and fine balance.

Grams' and Gomyo's debuts here were quite auspicious; I look forward to following both these young artists.

Glorious!

The name Florence Foster Jenkins still has the ability to ignite a discussion more than 65 years after her death. Was she serious? Did she really think she could sing? Or was she just an elaborate joke?

Born in Pennsylvania in 1868, Florence took music lessons as a child, but apparently did not seem worthy enough for her father to pay for them further. Thus she eloped with a Doctor to Philadelphia and eventually on to New York, worming her way in to society by using her family money to start and fund ladies' music societies plus give the occasional, also self funded and promoted, recital.

From her recorded legacy, it is obvious she had little musical ability, especially in the basics of pitch and diction. Maybe it was an early manifestation of "camp", but for some reason she became quite popular. If she heard laughter or a bad review, she tossed it off as professional jealousy from less talented individuals. Florence died in 1944, one month after a self funded but highly successful sold out Carnegie Hall recital.

English playwright Peter Quilter has captured some scenes from Foster's last years in New York leading up to the Carnegie Hall recital in his successful comedy "Glorious!" now playing at KC's best theatre venue, the American Heartland Theatre.

Although blessed with a strong cast, the play rambles with some silly, almost slapstick side episodes which frankly get in the way of a good story. The recurring entrance and funeral of Florence's friend Dorothy's dead poodle is simply distracting and inane. Marilyn Lynch as Dorothy, who shares Florence's delusion that she is great, has some great lines and scenes, but this is not one of them. The nasty Mexican maid "Maria" is another side distraction that provides some comedy, but certainly adds nothing to the overall story. Maria's gutter slang Spanish is frequently lost to those who do not understand the language, such as when she yells "screw you" at Florence in a distinctively South American way, or calls Florence's pianist a "mariposa", Mexican slang for a "fag".

The main characters carry the show. Debra Bluford, as Florence, has a great presence, a strong voice (?) and the flexibility to camp it up just enough to make us think Florence is just a joke, but just as passionately can portray Florence as a serious character. Jonas Cohen is remarkable as Florence's last accompanist Cosme McMoon (the story and mystery of the real Cosme McMoon is worthy of a story itself). Cosme is obviously talented, closeted gay (providing many a joke, some also lost on the audience such as when he is asked if he is a "friend of Dorothy too", referring to the character of Dorothy but also invoking the old code phrase for "are you gay" common in the 40's-60's) and needing money and an outlet for his art. Florence pays well so he relents, falling in to her world and ultimately coming to love and admire Florence for her.... talent, as it were. Brilliant actor Bruce Roach (who did the slimiest, most evil Iago in "Othello" a few seasons ago), portrayed Florence's long time "friend" StClair Bayfield, but his sardonic comments frankly just sounded absurd, doing little to establish his role.

But the singing (?) was of a type rarely heard in theatre; it must be difficult to really sing that bad. Bluford looked positively absurd in the costumes, as well she should.. so did Florence. Cosme's final reflections changed the whole mood of the show, causing us to leave wondering a-new; was Florence Foster Jenkins a joke or a woman with balls doing things her way and living her dream as few of us ever do.

Cosme was not laughing.

American Heartland Theatre through 2/21

Grace and Power:747-8 First Flight

41 years ago, the world became much smaller when the first Boeing 747-100 took off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington on Feb 9, 1969. Just a day before the 41st anniversary, the latest iteration of the Queen of the Skies took off, ensuring that this great airplane will be flying 50 years after its debut.

Emerging from defeat, when Boeing lost the competition to build a large freighter for the USAF (the winner was Lockheed's C-5 Galaxy, but as the cliche goes, Lockheed won the battle and Boeing won the war), the 747 more than revolutionized air travel, it redefined it. More people could fly farther and in more comfort than ever before. Non stop was just not New York to London or Paris, or London to Cairo, but now non-stops New York to Tel Aviv, London to Tokyo or Sydney to Los Angeles, routes only dreamed about with the 707 or DC 8, planes 1/2 the size of the 747.

Over the years, the 747 grew in size, power and range, with the -400 series accounting for 695 of the over 1,500 built. The early 100, 200 and 300 series were quickly replaced with the newer twins, Boeing 767, 777 and Airbus 300, 310 and 330 series. Only the Airbus A340 challenged the Queen with four engines. Just in the last two years, the Airbus A380 double decker has surpassed the 747 as the biggest airliner in the skies.

As the twins and even the new Boeing 787 cut into the 747's market, the old girl found a new life as a freighter. It would probably be safe to say as many as or even more 747's fly as freighters than passenger airliners. Less glamorous, for sure, but still gracing the skies 41 years after the first one flew.

With the new 747-8 series, the Queen has been modernized, made more efficient, quieter and just a bit bigger. Most of the orders for the new model have been for freighters, and indeed today's first flight was of the freight version. Even as a work horse, she is still one of the most graceful machines ever. Like a big Duesenberg auto, the size does not hinder her graceful, elegant motions. IF anything, it makes her even more remarkable.

She is flying as I write, circling near her base of Everett, Washington, making history, continuing the lineage and still inspiring awe at her size, grace and power.

Coupl'a Things XXXI

1) Leave it to the BBC to have a thoughtful, non screaming, and well reasoned piece on why Americans seem to have a love affair with politicians who do not have their interests in mind.

Why do People Vote Against Their Own Interests?

It reminds me of a story by George Mc Govern who lost the US Senate seat from South Dakota in 1980. He was campaigning, so the story goes, outside a grocery store. A lady came up to him and said she was not going to vote for him any longer as he voted to "give our canal away". That of course was the Panama Canal which is in a sovereign country of course. He noted later that she paid for her food with food stamps, a program he rescued and expanded despite Republican attempts to stop it. He knew he was doomed.

So a stupid electorate, reared on 60 second, feel good sound bites, continues to run a great nation into the ground.

2) Speaking of politics, a person wrote in to the KC Star recently and proposed that since the politicians were now free to solicit corporate sponsorships, they should take a cue from sports figures (the writer used NASCAR drivers, one of the best examples) and wear their corporate sponsor logos on their jackets. Makes perfect sense to me.

3) Since I have dredged up the specter and sleeze of American politics, I think I will go drink now and try to forget that Sarah Palin is out there plotting something.

And maybe fantasize Obama grows some balls.

Welcome Home N700TS L-1011

It was a just few months and a couple hours late, but the last (or almost the last) airworthy Lockheed L-1011-100 has landed at Kansas City Downtown Charles B. Wheeler Airport on her last flight. So many airplanes' last flights are to the desert and then a slow rot to the scrap heap. But N700TS C/N 1066 was lucky. Originally to be refurbished and then flown as an airliner, the cost of keeping an elderly plane flying, especially with little technical support available, was too costly. The Airline History Museum was able to buy her for little and add her to the museum along with the current L1049 Super G Connie, a DC 3 and a Martin 404. Problems with the plane's ownership and registration kept her grounded in Roswell, NM almost permanently. But that was resolved and the FAA granted a ferry permit.

Hundreds of people gathered on both sides of the airport, first at around the original arrival time of 1:30 and then for the new one at 3:20.

Unfortunately for me, she landed from the north and thus I did not get to see her actually land. An advertised flyby was not performed either, probably for traffic or safety reasons. I did catch some shots of her roll out on landing. She was big for sure, dwarfing the private aircraft that inhabit the downtown airport. Soon she will be an attraction and education center for the museum. I am sure some more and better pics will be here: Airline History Museum

But meanwhile, here she is; thanks for your years of service and for a lucky break. You look better here than you would as a bunch of beer cans!

Roll out after landing


Finishing her roll out:


Turning to park:


Almost home:

Bloody Mary on a Stick

I have not shared a recipe in ages, so here is a simple one for those winter parties and Mardi Gras events:

Bloody Mary on a Stick

1-2 boxes grape tomatoes
1 stalk celery
2-3 cups ice cold Absolut Peppar vodka (or steep 3-4 hot red chili peppers in cheaper vodka for 1 week)

Assemble 1 tomato and slice of celery on a cocktail stick. Marinate in the cold vodka. Serve in a big bowl with the vodka. Provide a dish of sea salt in which to dip the hors d’oeuvre.

What was that phrase from a movie??? "What this country needs is more meat on a stick"?? Well, I think we need more cocktails on a stick!

Welcome Desmond

Welcome to Desmond! HM's new nephew. Proud parents are Daniel and Stephanie Clark of Lincoln, NE. Desmond is a native of La Cygne, KS and was adopted on Tuesday, arriving at his new home that PM.

First pics from home:




Getting settled in:



Desmond is a Yorkie-poo in case anyone wondered. HM has already given him the title of Viscount Desmond. As he gets older, HM is likely to bestow more Royal Titles on her first nephew!

Kansas City Symphony: Shaham Plays Barber and Prokofiev

The good size audience at the KC Symphony concert on Saturday got their money's worth with a full concert featuring works written in the 1920s and 1930's. Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite opened, followed by the sumptous Barber Violin Concerto. The second half featured works from the Soviet era of Russia, Prokofiev's Violin Concerto # 2 and the Shostakovich Symphony # 1. Gil Shaham was soloist for the two concerti, Music Director Michael Stern was on the podium.

Shaham demonstrated his consummate art in these two showy yet just as often lyrical concerti. Shaham has technique a-plenty, but used to communicate not merely to demonstrate. The Barber's long, lyrical 2nd movement was particularly satisfying, both Stern and Shaham taking care to explore the differences between the more substantive 1st and 2nd movements while not making the short finale seem out of place. While some performances blow through this movement, Stern and Shaham slowed a bit from usual and milked the sharper dissonances and rhythmic complexities to form a satisfying conclusion.

The Prokofiev 2nd, while written about the same time as the Barber, is a bit of a different animal. Shaham and Stern carefully articulated the angles and curves of this restless concerto. Especially effective was the dreamily slow second movement, Shaham floated his firm tone gracefully and nostalgically over the simple "walking" accompaniment of the orchestra. Gone from both concerti were the orchestra's tentativeness and lack of ensemble that plagued the Pulcinella.

Yes, sadly, the opening Pulcinella was a disappointment. After a bumptious start, the ensemble never seemed to jell and the important Concertante string quintet lacked presence. I missed all the sharp, dry rhythms and wit of the piece; the whole thing seemed slack. The audience chuckled appreciatively at trombone Roger Oyster who stole the show with his (a bit too) raucous solo in the "Vivo' movement.

Totally successful was a powerful and taught performance of Shostakovich's Symphony # 1, one of the most impressive "#1's" in all music. Shostakovich abandoned the solidly classic style of this symphony with the propagandistic 2nd and 3rd and the wild, rambling 4th, but recalled his successful 1st in his masterpiece 5th Symphony of 1936. Stern realized the connection and did not play the 1st as a youthful, neo-classical romp but a solidly mature, darkly tinged masterpiece, full of gravitas yet emphasizing the mocking irony that marks the best of Shostakovich.

The concert marked the announcement of the upcoming season's fare. Some highlights:

Sibelius Violin Concerto with Hilary Hahn, Verdi Quattro Pezzi Sacri, Berlioz Harold in Italy, Martinu Symphony # 4 (yay!), Penderecki Viola Concerto with Roberto Diaz, Jonathan Biss in Brahms 1st Piano Concerto, Stephan Jackiw in Bruch's Scottish Fantasy and new works by Jonathan Leshnoff, Adam Schoenberg, Osvaldo Golijov and Avner Dorman.

Lincoln Was Correct

Poor Abraham Lincoln, he must be revolving in his grave. With the Supreme Court's right wingers giving corporations unlimited power to buy elections, those with out connections to big oil, insurance or banks will find it tough to compete with the slick ads plastered everywhere. Thus Lincoln's stirring words at Gettysburg now ring hollow. "Government of the people, by the people and for the people", has perished from at least this part of earth.

Also read what Lincoln (who was a Republican mind you, but nothing like those today) had to say about corporations:

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me, and causes me to tremble for the safety of our country. Corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people, until wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the republic is destroyed."

Prophetic.

Vive La France!

God Bless the French, they have few, if any, hang ups over sex. Can you imagine the nut case right wing Religo-Nazis in the US allowing this???

Not only that, it gets the point across.

Thanks a Lot

AS the US continues to spiral into terminal stupidity, the state of Massachusetts replaced an icon with a moron.

We can expect more of the same.

King Quote

To celebrate Martin Luther King Day, many Facebook users posted quotes from Dr. King as their daily status. One caught my eye:

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death."

I hereby submit that the USA is completely, totally and undeniably dead.

New Age

William H. Auden called the late 40s and 50s "The Age of Anxiety", fitting actually.

The current era: "The Age of Hypocrisy".

Kansas City Symphony: Labadie Conducts Mozart and Schubert

Music with a nod to the "classic era" comprised the program of this weekend's concerts of the Kansas City Symphony. Fitting since the guest conductor, Bernard Labadie, has made a name for himself as one of the premiere interpreters of baroque and classical music through the Canadian ensembles he founded, "Les Violons du Roy" and La Chapelle de Québec, in Montréal. For his debut performance with the Kansas City Symphony, Labadie chose some well known and charming gems from the classical era, Schubert's sunny Symphony # 5 in Bb, and from the pen of Mozart the Chaconne from "Idomeneo", Piano Concerto # 18 in Bb K 456 and the Symphony # 39 in Eb. Italian pianist Benedetto Lupo was soloist in the concerto.

Using a reduced but totally modern orchestra, Labadie created a tight but lyrical ensemble from the players. This particularly benefited the lightly scored Schubert which overall was a crisp, perfectly paced performance that also spotlighted the ever present lyricism. Labadie also allowed the bits of drama and tension their turn, always keeping them in the flow of the music, never putting them in garish light. The minuetto was poised and genteel while showing the way towards the more developed scherzi Schubert and others were to add to the symphony's order. As one would expect from a classical specialist, a clean, witty and elegant performance.

Benedetto Lupo joined the orchestra and Labadie for an equally elegant and dramatic Mozart Piano Concerto # 18. As befitting an elegant and refined performance, Lupo was refreshingly free of excessive mannerisms and showy gestures, letting the piano embroider the fabric of the piece with long, clearly defined yet elaborate lines. The orchestra, with some wonderful work from the small wind forces (pairs of oboes and bassoons, 1 flute and 2 horns), underpinned the subtle drama of the shifting tonality where sometimes a single change of a note created a whole new feeling. Lupo milked the long lines of the expressive Andante central movement, with the orchestra softly yet firmly underpinning the melodies. From my point, it looked like Lupo took the conductor by surprise in the attacca to the final Rondo. If so, the distraction did not hinder the soloist and orchestra in their romp through the sparkling finale. As in the Schubert, another elegant, intelligently paced performance.

The second half was devoted to Mozart. The Chaconne from Idomeneo served as an interesting and dramatic opener. Closing the concert, the Symphony #39 in Eb is a member of the final quartet masterpieces of Mozart's symphonic cannon. Somewhat overshadowed, in my opinion, by the power of the last two (40 and 41) and the popular and colorful 38th "Prague", the 39th is by all means one of Mozart's most sublime utterances. If it lacks the gravitas and drama of the last two, it certainly makes up for it in charm and graceful, soaring melodies. Again, Labadie chose an intelligent, middle of the road tempo, allowing the music to soar, the subtle drama and mood shifts to shine, but never lagging or fussy.

Normally, a concert of early Schubert and Mozart would merit a yawn or even a pass from me, but with a master of the style in charge, the concert was a delight from first to last note.

I Got the Don't Feel Good, Vapo-Rub, Sarah Palin on TV, Blogging Blues

For the last week, I have felt like... well shit, frankly. The annual cold/bronchitis attack has occurred, although a bit later than normal. I do manage to get out a bit, but that entails a quick return home and an immediate hop in bed. Not conducive to blogging, doing laundry or other routines. My GOD!, even my bed was unmade for 2 days... a world record. But I have managed to keep the TV off; it has not been on this year. And with that ass Sarah Palin now on FUX News, there is even less incentive to turn it on and perhaps accidentally see her silly face or hear her spout lies and nonsense,. That, sadly, is what goes for "news" these dark days.

To add further insult to illness, I found Vick's Vapo-Rub does not smell like it used to. In fact there is no scent at all. Maybe I got a defective jar, but the shit is useless if it doesn't permeate your room with that camphor aroma that reminds me of my mom taking care of me when I was a boy.

And for those looking for my comments on the KC Symphony performance last week, I was really sick then and missed the whole thing. I would not have heard a note anyway, my coughing, hacking and sneezing would have had me evicted post haste!

Anyhoo... I am being lazy, albeit on the mend, and decided that today I would share an incredible blog entry from my friend Megan. She and her mom are on a journey to sample churches big and small all over the KC area. We all used to go to a nice, small church but that has been destroyed by fighting, jealousy and power. Megan and Amy infiltrated one of the more notorious mega-churches in KC and came away with a disturbing report on why the US is so fucked up. People flock by the thousands to hear crap that makes them feel good and superior, gives simple answers to complex questions and entertains them for a while with Hollywood slick productions. No wonder FUX News, Tea Parties, hypocrisy and lying are so popular.

Megan, you and your mom are brave souls! Thanks (in advance) for letting me link your blog!

10 Churches

Do Right

Pessimism reins in the world today, sorry to say. Our political system here in the US has degenerated into childish partisan fighting. Character assassination and hypocrisy rule, compromise and concern for the future is laughed at. The rest of the world has its own issues, ignoring the growing radicalization of Islam, the coming collapse of democracy in Latin America with courtesy of Chavez and Ortega, churches and religious organizations are resuming the role they had in the Middle Ages, a corrupt and cruel arbiter of strict morality.

But yet, on a day we mourn the death at 100 of Miep Gies, one of the Dutch couple that hid Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis in an Amsterdam apartment attic during World War II and also saved Anne's diary for posterity, there are some folks that quietly and relentlessly do some good in our world. But they never make the headlines, those are reserved for the haters, the powerful, the hypocrites and noisy.

Thus, a little headline news for these folks today:

1) In a cold, dark storm drain in a school yard in Las Vegas hides a terrified stray Pug, keeping himself just tantalizingly out of reach of his desperate would-be rescuers the dedicated volunteers of Southern Nevada Pug Rescue. They have been on a 24hr vigil for several days now, trying to coax the little black pug pup out of the drain. They will not rest until there is success.

2) My neighbor Mrs Ford, who does not have to work, but leaves in the bitter cold, often the first one out in the streets in our neighborhood, to open the day shelter for homeless people here in KC. She tells me that so often she would love to stay in bed, knowing it is cold and snowy, but then she remembers those who have no bed, or roof, or food and thus she treks out again.

3) The Federal investigators who relentlessly perused and finally brought Cathedral Rock Corporation, one of the most corrupt and abusive nursing home providers to a modicum of justice. Sadly, the big wigs who have all the connections escaped prison, but at least the years of fraud, abuse and corruption were exposed for all to see. It took way to long for it to happen, but the investigators got their facts in line, double and triple checked them and made them admit they were frauds.

There are many more I am sure, but they make such boring news for the screamers on TV and radio. They are more concerned about calling names and fabricating lies to advance their ratings.

Thanks to those mentioned above who do try to make this mess a little brighter.

Coupl'a Things XXX

1) Making headlines across the country is a nut case woman from KCMO who trashed the McDonald's up the street from me because she didn't like her hamburger. Hello honey, it is Micky D's... you are not supposed to really like it, just fill your fat gut with it. Anyway, she got ugly, threw a mop bucket of water across the counter and punched out the 3 computer screens on the counter. It was caught on tape, but of course the "no snitch" policy of urban trash (no matter what color or race mind you) means no one has seen or heard a thing.

A friend of mine was robbed at gun point at the very same location a few weeks ago while renting a movie at one of their movie kiosks. No happy meals at that joint!

2)Speaking of movie kiosks, many of which have sprung up everywhere, these usually red boxes have made a huge dent in the movie rental store business. The local Hollywood video closed as did many across the nation causing great consternation among customers and employees. There used to be 3 Blockbuster videos near by, but I think only one is still around. I haven't rented a movie in years (none were worth it) but from the looks of things, I will order off the net and avoid a long drive or getting shot.

3) We are supposed to get some more snow and cold starting this PM. A new bag of icemelt, shovel at ready and a new down coat and I am prepared. What is annoying me is all the whiners going on about the cold and their persistent threat to go to Florida. I never left anything in Florida and frankly some of the whiners can just go and leave me be. Take Ms Micky D basher with you too.

Really, the snow is not that bad. You bundle up, you slow down, you plan ahead (I think that is the main thing, these whiners are used to going somewhere at a moment's notice and hate to be delayed or inconvenienced)and you be careful. Not that big of a deal.

4) I have been using Google Chrome internet browser lately. I used it earlier for a bit and found it plain and too spartan. But with some improvements and tweaks, it is really quite nice. Faster than Firefox and less prone to freezing up. More features work with Chrome than Firefox. I have both and switch back and forth, but if you are up for a change, give it a whirl.

5) Finally HAPPY TWELFTH NIGHT! The end of Christmas and the start of MARDI GRAS!

New Look

Yes, Puggingham Palace has a new look for the new year. Thought it was time to spruce it up a bit, but still a work in progress so stay tuned.

Someone asked me if I was still thinking of shutting down the blog. I have trouble with decisions (ask anyone who ever goes out to dinner with me) and thus I have not decided yet. I go back and forth (yes I am a Pisces through and through), sometimes wishing I would just shut it down and forget about it, then suddenly have a burst of energy to yap on about something.

Won't promise anything, but when I decide, you'll be the first to know.

What I am Listening to Today: Avner Dorman Concerti

I would surmise that the number of mandolin and piccolo concerti written in the last century or two can be counted on one hand. Both instruments have limits in sound quality, dynamics and range that present a challenge to a composer creating a concert work. The mandolin has all but disappeared from modern compositions but the piccolo of course hangs on in orchestras and especially marching bands.

Avner Dorman seemed to relish the challenge of making dramatic and coherent showpieces for these two diverse instruments and has produced a Mandolin Concerto (2006) and a Piccolo Concerto (2001). Both these fascinating pieces were recently recorded and released on the Naxos label along with "Concerto Grosso" for 2 violins, viola, cello and harpsichord from 2003 and an early Piano Concerto in A from 1995 when the composer was barely out of his teens.

Of all the works on the disc, I have turned most frequently to the colorful, almost exotic, baroque/jazzy Mandolin Concerto. Dorman lists baroque music, jazz and contemporary rock music as influences and all can be heard in this compact 17 minute concerto. There is a baroque linearity to the piece, forward motion and line are more important than harmony, even in slower movements. Dorman finds many ways to milk the unique sound and technique of this ancient instrument, tone clusters, sharp pizzicati, frequent use of the tremolo to sustain pitches over time, which the composer states leads to a central conflict over motion and stasis. (Note here, Dorman's notes to the disc are delightfully informative and shed some real insight on his creative mind.) Like a baroque composition, the piece is breezy, full of notes but mixed with the freer use of rhythm that comes from exposure to ethnic and pop music.

Frankly the piece is fun, never a dull moment here.

The Piccolo concerto is all about rock and jazz to my ear. Driving beats, forward motion, free flowing melodic figures, repetition, with a laid back "coolness" that is truly jazz inspired. This is not a swipe at the work, but it frequently took me back to the wonderful Claude Bolling Jazz Suites that were so popular in the 70's, especially the one for flute that made Jean-Pierre Rampal into a jazz sensation. One of Dorman's strengths is that he can take all these influences, cascades of notes and sounds and put them in recognizable musical forms. His recent showy Piano Concerto "Lost Souls" despite all the theatrics and conjuring of sounds and styles of past composers, had a recognizable sonata form first movement. The Piccolo concerto also wraps all the rock and jazz elements into a tight baroque concerto form. Thus instead of a muddle of sounds and styles, the concerti make complete musical sense.

The Concerto Grosso is a bit of a different animal; more weighty, a bit darker and less jazzy than the concerti. Modeled after Handel's series of Concerti Grossi, the work is still tuneful, highly approachable, frequently dramatic and a welcome addition to tradition of 20th and 21st century composers updating, as it were, older forms.

The recording ends with a breezy Bachian Piano Concerto from the composer's 20th year. Even then Dorman showed his prowess in combining baroque forms with contemporary influences, even, according to his notes, the Police and Stravinsky.

The disc Naxos 8.559620 is released January 26th, but I got to sneak a peek through the invaluable Naxos Music Library program. Worth its weight in gold, in my opinion.

As is this fine and entertaining disc.

Best Recordings of the Year 2009 edition

Traditionally, one of the year's last posts on Puggingham Palace is a "baker's dozen" list of the best recordings of the year, in my humble opinion of course. Since it is my game, I set some loose rules; the recordings are mostly new releases for the past year but can also be older recordings that I heard for the first time or dug out of my collection for the first time in a long time.

Maybe it was a slow year for recordings, poor economy and all, or maybe I have been a bit too critical, but I had difficulty getting a baker's dozen recordings for this year, so I stopped at 10. New releases did seem to be few and far between and featured more standard repertoire; recordings of which I have far too many. Nonetheless, I have compiled a list of some recordings that stood out in my mind for 2009. In no particular order:

1) Alkan, Liszt Piano works Raymond Lewenthal piano Elan Recordings 82276.

Lewenthal was destined for greatness, but a brutal attack left him physically and mentally scarred for years. Thus recordings from this early champion of Alkan and Liszt are rare. This is a release from 2003 of a legendary RCA recording long out of print. Remarkable pianism; listen to the clear, sharp staccato chords in the Alkan Etudes for example. This recording was introduced to me this year by Lance G. Hill, the host of a wonderful program on WPEL FM radio broadcast each Saturday night. More on this recording and Lance's broadcast here: Lewenthal Plays Liszt and Alkan.

2) Alfredo Cassella Symphony # 3, "Italia" West German Radio SO Cologne, Alun Francis CPO 777265

A major early 20th century symphony in its first appearance on CD. Written in 1939 on a commission from the Chicago Symphony, the symphony was initially well received but slid into oblivion along with Casella, who had the misfortune of being a Fascist sympathizer.

3) Britten's Orchestra: Sinfonia da Requiem, Passacaglia and 4 Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. Kansas City Symphony, Michael Stern Reference Recordings RR 120.

When most of the US major ensembles are no where to be seen, the Kansas City Symphony releases another fine recording. Audiophile sound, competitive performances (and the competition is very stiff) and reasonably priced for a high end recording. Grammophone and Classics Today have concurred that this is a fine release.

4) Beethoven "Triple Concerto" for Violin, Piano and Cello arranged for Piano Trio by Carl Reinecke, Trio # 5 in D op 70/1 "Ghost". Arensky Trio Antes Edition 319202

Another older recording (2005) that I was introduced to this year. I happen to love Beethoven's sunny Triple Concerto even though some find it simplistic and facile. It sounds even better in an arrangement for piano trio, bringing out the wonderful inner voices and chamber like quality. Fine performance of the "Ghost" Trio is an added bonus.

5) Shostakovich Symphony # 11 Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Vasily Petrenko. Naxos 8572082

Auspicious start to a new Shostakovich cycle. This sprawling work was long considered bottom drawer Shostakovich. But with exciting and well turned performances like this one, the power and drama shine through. Unfortunately, Petrenko's second disc, consisting of the 5th and 9th, was a disappointment.

6) Shostakovich "The Nose" St Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre Orchesta and soloists , Valery Gergiev. Mariinsky # 501.

Long overdue new recording of Shostakovich's loony masterpiece based on a story by Gogol. Who could not love a work about a run away nose that begins with a huge sneeze?

7) Yuja Wang Piano, music of Ligeti, Scriabin, Liszt and Chopin. DGG 001253402

Yuja Wang is an audience favorite here in KC with two appearances with the Symphony and a solo recital. This young pianist has all the technique of her more famous colleague Lang Lang but also delves deeper into her music. An eclectic yet electric recorded recital debut.

8) Bernstein "Mass". Baltimore SO, Alsop, Conductor Jubilant Sykes Celebrant. Naxos 8559622-23

Bernstein's Mass, written in 1971 for the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, has been controversial even before its first performance. A bit dated, embarrassingly "hip"and crawling with every musical effect from rock, jazz, 12 tone to simple hymn, the piece seemed to be a one shot deal. But this recent recording, the best of the lot other than the original Bernstein led recording, has breathed some new life into the work. Many hate it but some now feel it is Bernstein's misunderstood masterpiece. Decide for yourself.

9) Franz Berwald Symphonies. Thomas Dausgaard Danish National Radio SO. Brilliant Classics 93699 2 discs.

Berwald's 4 sunny and attractive symphonies have suffered too long; Berwald only heard one in his life time (1796-1868). The 2nd and 3rd were premiered in the early 20th century and the 4th 10 years after his death. Recordings are not plentiful either. If you like Schumann, Dvorak or Grieg then Berwald is your cup of tea. This is a 2008 release of the well received Chandos recordings at 1/2 the price.

10) Mahler Symphony # 4 Ivan Fischer Budapest Festival Orchestra, Miah Persson Soprano. Channel Classics 26109

Well recorded, full of detail and a brisk, sparkling performance. Persson's solo is sweet and innocent without being cloying. Nicely done.

OK that is 10, can't think of 3 more. So HAPPY NEW YEAR! and happy listening from us at the Palace!

Frosty Landscapes

Although those in the south, deserts and west would disagree, the recent snow in Kansas City was not a cataclysmic event. Some here think so, regarding this snow as a major event in their lives. Thus I note that we are becoming a less hardy lot, not just us aging ones, but all of us. I hear people screaming "ooooh, it is still too bad for me to get out", "you went out in this???" and canceling events left and right. I remember the Illinois blizzard of 1967 and some later snows so deep that our neighbor's yellow car was just a spot in the sea of white. I was at the University of Illinois the year (probably 1976) when it snowed so much they closed the school for the first time in 30 some years. The 30in of snow overnight in Philadelphia, which was one of the few times I did not get out, lingers in my memory as something a bit out of the ordinary. As a kid, we never had school canceled and I always seemed to make it there.

The first "snow emergency" I witnessed in Jefferson City, Mo was a joke. Three inches... "what snow??", I mused.

Sure we got some snow over Christmas, and it was a lot for this area. The biggest problem was the incompetent and totally useless (get the point??) city government which could not handle a dripping sink let alone a snow event. My street has yet to see a plow, and in my ventures out, I have only seen one on the streets. But that is a story in itself.

A couple of years ago while still driving the Queen Mary, who was not at all a happy snowmobile, I was asked how I got up a snow covered hill without getting stuck. "Well", I sort of snottily replied, "I know what the numbers 1, 2 and 3 mean on my automatic transmission selector, and I also know when and how to use them." They had not a clue what I meant. Put the gear in second or 1st, let the torque pull you up, lower gears reduce wheel spin and so you have a good chance, with decent tires and 100lbs of snow melt in the back, of getting up the hill. Dunbar's front wheel drive has proved even more effective.

I guess it is all about your experience, training and outlook about things. If you are prepared for it, snow is a nuisance not a disaster. To me snow covers the ordinarily gray and ratty city with a blanket of sparkle and glow. The quiet of the snow in the early AM is magical, the drifts creating an undulating landscape where there is usually just a flat, weedy lot. It freshens and cleans the world, and makes us more hardy and tough.

And those bitching about it, stay inside or go to your beloved Florida or wherever and leave this wonderland to me.