Some Things I have Noted

Some things I have noted:

1) Expect your favorite cocktail or bottle of wine to go up up up in price soon. No, there are no new taxes on liquor, no shortage of grapes and no major increase in production cost. Attribute it to a new university study. Researchers at California Institute of Technology and Stanford University have found a direct correlation between the pleasure of tasting and the wine's advertised price. The higher priced the wine, the better they thought it tasted. That was even true when the test subjects were given the exact same wine but told one sample was $10/bottle and the next one was $90/bottle.

Now really, this was nothing new. Restaurants have known this forever. Just compare the price of a bottle of wine at a store and what you pay for the privilege of ceremony and service.

Some die-hards will dispute this notion. My friend Bruce for example swears his gallon size box wine is better than any chardonnay he has ever had.

2) A couple of weeks ago, a blog called MissouriPulse controlled by Repub power monger John Hancock went off line for a while. According to FiredUP Missouri (see link to the side of the blog page, after a few days a message appeared saying the site was being updated.

It seems MissouriPulse is back online now but...and here is the big but... the site has been altered to change some remarks made on the site about Scott Eckersley, a former state lawyer who was fired for whistle blowing Boy-Gov's deleting of email and violation of records retention laws. FiredUp covers it well, so look at their site for the full details.

Do, however, look at Mr. Hancock's entry of 10/28. He missed something.

Do these people have any shame??? Or brains?

3) In the basement of our house in Decatur sits a vintage 1949-50 Crosley Shelvador refrigerator. Round topped, non-frost free freezer, it was however state of the art in its day. It still works, daily. Never been out of service it seems since it was first plugged in almost 60 years ago. Keeps everything nice and cold. The only thing broken is the handle. Has been as long as I can remember, a screwdriver was inserted in the holes and you pull on the end of the screwdriver to open the latch. Not too far from the Crosley sits a working 1950's vintage Filter Queen vacuum. Testimony to the fact things are not built as they used to be.

I mention that because I am ready to trash my 6 month old GE cordless phone that refuses, even with a new battery, to keep a charge for more than 10 minutes, thus limiting my phone calls, and an unknown brand desk lamp whose switch is gone after about a year.

Both likely made in China and not by Crosley.

Kansas City Symphony: Alberich Saved, plus Janácek and Beethoven

This place is packed! Thus exclaimed my friend Barb as we tried to meet at intermission during Saturday's Kansas City Symphony concert. Indeed I had not seen such crowds at the Symphony since Yo Yo Ma last season. The draw? A triple bill of Janácek, Christopher Rouse and Beethoven. Colin Currie was featured solo in the Rouse "Der gerettete Alberich", Fantasy for Percussion and Orchestra. "Taras Bulba" by Janácek and Beethoven's 7th Symphony rounded out this energetic program. Music Director Michael Stern conducted.

"Taras Bulba" received a warm and detailed performance, highlighting Janácek's often transparent scoring of his large forces. Highlights were an especially elegant opening English horn solo and several excellent string and wind solos. All in all, Stern led with authority and imagination yet allowing the orchestra to faithfully convey the drama of the tale.

Percussion concerti can really sound much the same, especially if the concerto is written for a battery of unpitched percussion. Kalevi Aho's wonderful 11th Symphony, featuring a quartet of percussionists, blends the percussion into the whole fabric of the work as does Ellen Taafe Zwillich's "Rituals" which the KCS performed last year. Some percussion showcases such as Chen Yi's "Concerto For Percussion" solves the problem by using non traditional instruments and mallets to maintain interest and contrast. Christopher Rouse (who was in attendance this weekend) approached this problem by giving the percussion soloist a persona. Thus the inventive and dare I say "fun" Rouse Concerto-Fantasy "Alberich Saved" (sometimes translated "Alberich Unleashed") musically fantasizes on the great unanswered Wagnerian question: what happened to the malevolent dwarf Alberich after The Gotterdammerung?

"Der gerettete Alberich" begins as "The Ring" ends, literally with the final bars of "Gotterdammerung" and "redemption through love motif". Slowly the soloist (in this case the phenomenal Colin Currie, it was written for Evelyn Glennie) makes his way to the percussion battery splayed across the front of the stage in 3 stations. A few raspy scrapes of a guiro represents Alberich awakening from the apocalypse, emerging from the fading rumble of the thunder. As the orchestra enters, weaving other Alberich motives from "The Ring" through the sound fabric, Currie manages to energetically and dramatically (and certainly without needless kitch) portray the devastation and anguish of Alberich's now godless world. A static string and marimba interlude follows; a stunned and speechless Alberich surveys the ruined Valhalla. But Alberich shakes off the gloom, he is now alone god and revels in his domain. As Currie takes a seat at a drum set, Alberich transforms to a god-rock star, laying down as sexy, sophisticated and driving a drum beat as any Gene Krupa, Keith Moon, or any other rock drummer could imagine. Great fun and the orchestra and audience got deep into it!

But as we know, glory is fleeting and Alberich realizes his domain is a ruined one, a mere shadow of its past glory. He descends his mock throne and takes his frustration out on everything he sees. The orchestra and soloist along with the considerable orchestra percussion section create a great driving wall of sound as Alberich descends to his own Valhalla, a few raspy scrapes of his guiro voice fade away to dark and soundless void.

I doubt few contemporary pieces (Der gerettete Alberich was written in 1997) can instantly bring a Midwestern audience to its feet as did this stunning piece. Rouse, Currie, Stern and the orchestra enjoyed and deserved the long and enthusiastic ovation. "Der gerettete Alberich" has been recorded by Evelyn Glennie in an Ondine recording with Segerstam and the Helsinki Phiharmonic, a must hear for percussion fans.

Beethoven's 7th Symphony carried the energetic theme forward, ending the full evening with a taut and elegant performance of this masterpiece of rhythm and dance.

It's the Thought That Counts

Not being critical or overtly nosy, I asked one of the denizens of Faulty Towers why there was a large cardboard box about 1/2 full of sticks between their cars. The box had sat through some rain and weather and thus was wet and sagging. As I was curious as to the contents I looked in it the day before.

"Oh!", shaking her head in amusement, "do you think the trash would take that?" Mrs. S asked. "Well, we can try."

"You know I have a rather crazy sister.... it was our Christmas present. She gathered some sticks and twigs and bark and gave it to us so we can light our fireplace", she said with a straight face. I had to believe her.

I have not checked if the trash service hauled the box away. I guess if not I can take it back to Mrs S and say:"Looks like you have to take it back to the forest where it was gathered. Do you have the receipt?"

I guess the dust cloths my sister gave me don't look as bad after all, at least she bought them.

Primarily Speaking

The fine folks in New Hampshire, possessed of one of the most stubborn streaks of any group around, confounded the pundits and gave a boost to Hillary and Mc Cain in the Primary last Tuesday. Hillary's win and Obama's strong second after a win in Iowa gives the Dems a 2 person race. With Mc Cain winning in New England and Huckabee in Iowa, the Repubs are wide open. Mitt Romney looks weaker and Guliani looks like a joke now. Mc Cain tanked in South Carolina in 2000, will he do it again? Will Obama's courting of Blacks in SC give him the edge? Will Hillary's "cry" gain her sympathy or be the kiss of death, igniting "women are too emotional and weak to govern". Tell that to Maggie Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, Helen Clark (New Zealand) or Benazir Bhutto.

What about NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg? Is he a spoiler in the making?

Damn, we haven't had so much fun in years!

Dag Nabbit and Shoot, no Cussing in Bars

Further example of what happens when Republicans become entrenched in your area: a council person in St Charles, MO (one of the "reddest" of the St Louis suburbs) wants to ban cussing in bars. Dag nabbit, and shoot all to heck, and no table dancing or drinking contests either. Both of the latter are highly unusual due to liability issues.

But of course, this right minded, "for the children and decency and God and Constitution" Republican wants to make a political issue over nothing. Grandstanding to win votes and higher office and being a perfect sop to the church goers who likely are the bar's biggest customers (and cussers for that matter). Who cares if it is in violation of the 1st amendment? The Constitution, like the Bible, can be used to justify almost anything. Who cares if it makes the place the laughing stock of the nation? Being "right" to your loyal constituents is more important.

To show how magnanimous the nice city council man is, read his comment taken from a TV interview:

"I actually think there are things that people wish I was doing that I'm not going to do like shutting down the bars and stuff and that would be being the fun police."

Go back to school and learn how to form a sentence, dumbass. Whoops! Thankfully I am no where near St Charles, or I would be in trouble!

Still Haunted

It is STILL haunting me, that damn number 13. I do not think there has been a day since this past Summer that I have not failed to note a digital clock reading 13 minutes after the hour. I just happened to glance up at my computer screen and it was 8:13AM. Since I awoke at about 6AM, it was the third opportunity of the day to see it, and I took advantage of it. ARRRRRRGH.

I am not alone in this, in response to an earlier post on this, (Haunted) I received two responses from people with similar phenomena. Coincidence? Maybe, as "nuahcerpel" suggested, instead of modeling Devil's Tower from mashed potatoes, as in "Close Encounters", we are receiving a signal from something more powerful than us.

If the aliens, the end of the world, George Bush being proclaimed ruler for life, or other awful events are near, please come quickly. I am getting tired of this.

Virtue of Doing Nothing

It is Sunday 5:30PM.. I have nowhere I have to go...nothing I have to do. No chores I have to do, no anxiety, no deadline, nothing. Well, there is a barking Pug telling me it is supper time for her.. There, that is taken care of, one Pug happily chowing down.

I could do something, but I don't want to. I am officially vegetating. A nice long swim this eve is in order....turn on the steam room to soak some warmth....

Hopefully no one will bother me. If my sister calls, I am not answering.... If you call I am not answering either.

Do All of Us a Favor

Someone, please put this little You-Know-What out of her (and our) misery....

Thank you.

Britney Spears Goes Nuts

Iowa in The Spot Light

Thankfully, tonight will see the end of the relentless campaigning in the poor state of Iowa. I can imagine Iowans are weary of all the media, hoopla and intrusions by Barak, Hillary, Mitt, John, Mike, Rudy, et al. Tonight, good Iowans, mostly the same ones who did so last time, will meet and decide who gets the delegates to next year's Presidential nominating convention.

I guess in this case it is good to be first, Iowa sure gets a lot of attention, but is it really worth all the fuss? I heard that most candidates spend $200 per eligible voter in Iowa, far more than anyplace else. Money wasted? Something like 5% of eligible voters come out to the caucuses. Most find out it is a drawn out affair, lasting 2 hours and not all that exciting. It is not like going to the poll and casting a vote in 10 minutes. This keeps the participants down to a few diehards and party regulars. The novices, it has been reported, find the process tedious and tend to stay away. Younger "gotta have it now" types just don't make the effort.

With the White House wide open, this year's caucus is even more hyped. The winner comes away broke but with momentum. Frequently that propels them into the nomination. Just as frequently it does not. 2004 boosted John Kerry who went on to win the nomination and then to be robbed of a win by another Bush coup. It spelled the end of Howard Dean and some other minor candidates. With Bush as President, the Republican caucuses were non events.

Could we get a surprise tonight? Will Iowans go for John Edwards as kind of an anti-Hillary, anti-Obama? Will the fundies propel Mike Huckabee forward? What about Rudy?

To me, anyone, that is besides Huckabee and Romney would be better than the blathering idiot Emperor we are saddled with now. I do not see much of a surprise tonight, I can imagine Huckabee will be a hit with the conservatives that tend to get out on these things. I suspect Obama will win the Democrats with Edwards surprising Hillary.

Who do I support? Not telling. Besides, I don't live in Iowa.

HNY

Happy New Year!!!!!! From Don and Puggles!

A Baker's Dozen of the Best Recordings 2007

A poster at www.classicalmusicguide.com forums challenged us to come up with our 13 best recordings for 2007. Not necessarily newly issued this year, but also recordings that were new to us in 2007. Here is my list of the recordings I found to be the best of 2007.

1) Jon Leifs: "Edda: Part 1 Creation of the World" Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Schola Cantorum Reykjavík, Hermann Baumer conductor BIS 1350

2) Leifs Three String Quartets, Yggdrasil Quartet BIS 691

Leifs' music has been my major discovery this year. "Edda" is simply stunning. The Quartets are powerful and evocative.

3) Grechaninov Passion Week op 58 Kansas City Chorale/Phoenix Bach Choir, Charles Bruffy Conductor Chandos CHSA5044

4) Gordon Chin Double Concerto & Formosa Seasons Lin Cho-Liang, Violin, Felix Fan, Cello, Kansas City Symphony, Stern Naxos 8570221

Two homegrown favorites. The Grechaninov garnered 5 Grammy nominations and the Chin introduces a fine Taiwanese composer in the KCS' first recording in years.

5) Beethoven Triple Concerto & Septet Bronfman, Shaham, Mork, Zinman Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra Arte Nova 640150

On Arte Nova, cheap as all get out and stellar soloists and performances

6) Stravinsky, Works Stravinsky/Craft et al Sony 710311

22 discs of indispensable and in most cases definitive performances at less than $40

7) Roussel Symphony # 3 & Bacchus et Ariane, Deneve, Royal Scottish Orchestra Naxos 8570245

8 ) Myaskovsky Symphony # 15 & 27 Russian Federation Academic SO, Svetlanov Alto ALC 1021

So thrilled this former Olympia series is continuing on Alto records

9) Bach Viola daGamba Sonatas, Daniel Muller-Schott Cello, Angela Hewitt, Piano Orfeo C693071A

Purists may want a harpsichord accompaniment but Hewett is superb on the piano

10) K. A. Hartmann Sinfonia Tragica & Concerto for Viola, Piano and Wind Orchestra Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Marek Janowski Conductor Capriccio 71112

11) Bruckner Symphony # 7 Chicago SO Haitink CSO Resound 90704

The Chicago SO strikes out on its own in house recording venture. This is the second issue after a Mahler 3rd from last year. Great sound and performance. The CSO brass still have it!

12) Beethoven Symphony # 1 & 6 Vanska Minnesota Orch BIS 1716

13) Tveitt Prillar & Sun God Symphony Stavenger SO, Ole Kristian Ruud , Conductor BIS 1017

Much of Geirr Tveitt's music was destroyed in a tragic fire. These powerful and engaging works survived.

It's That Time

Well, December 23rd. Holiday weekend is here. It snowed, it is cold, my sister is up to visit (and I have not killed her yet, being the spirit of the season and all), we saw the wonderful Magic of Christmas concert from the Kansas City Symphony, eating like horses.... you get the drift.

Must be Christmas, or close there of. Thus, Pato is taking a break. See you soon!

Happy Holidays!

50th Anniversaries

50 years ago today, I was awaiting my first Christmas. At 10 mos old, I was probably more interested in the boxes and lights than anything else. Across the country in Seattle, on a wet and gloomy Friday December 20, 1957, Tex Johnston Chief Test Pilot for Boeing Aircraft and his crew readied the first production Boeing 707 for its first flight.

The 707 was not the first jet powered airliner, that honor belongs to the De Havilland Comet. The 707 was however, the most successful of the first generation of jet powered airliners, revolutionizing air travel and cutting the world down to size. Europe was just a few hours away, not a day or two as in a slow propeller airliner or a week in an ocean liner. The orient was in reach, Australia opened up. Travel was no longer for the very rich. Richard Nixon wowed the Chinese in his polished 707 Air Force One, Lyndon Johnson became president in one. Over a thousand were built for both civilian and military use.

We who travel by air owe a lot to the 707 and all its sisters up to the new 787. We can see the world, visit family far away and close the gaps between the continents.

50 years later, many are still in service, mostly for military and freight. 50 years later, I am still in service too, and still fascinated by lights and the promise of a box under a tree.

A Brazilian or Two

This is just too good, and sadly very likely true....

The Eric Volz Saga Continues

Typical of the screwed up, banana republic mentality of Nicaragua, an appeals court in Granada has overturned Eric Volz's murder conviction. Unfortunately he remains illegally detained because of the passive agressive arrogance of judge who, due to fear and stupidity, convicted him in the first place.

This past Monday the court ruled 2-1 in favor of Eric's appeal, throwing out his murder conviction and ordering his immediate release from prison. However, when his attorney went to the convicting judge, Ivette Toruno, at the appointed time, he was told that Toruno had not signed the release papers and that Toruno had left earlier and was not expected to return until today. He was probably told "manana" which in Nica time means "not now".

I was in San Juan del Sur Tuesday November 21, 2006 when the murder occurred. Eric was not mentioned as a suspect. No one had seen him around. The murder scene was chaos; I know I saw it about an hour after the body was found. Eric was framed, the court ruling a sham of justice. Now the newspapers are demanding "people's justice". I shake my head in disgust.

So Eric sits in prison, the US Embassy does nothing, the rich gringos who were his friends sit and drink and Nicaragua slowly goes back to being a cold, hostile place.

I am supposed to go back this March in what will likely be our last dental trip. Sadly, I can see it being my last trip ever. I just don't feel welcome there anymore.

Keep track of Eric's ordeal at Friends of Eric Volz

We Three Pugs

As someone who is totally owned and operated by a 25lb (give or take), 4 legged creature, more commonly known as a Pug, this little anonymous lyric sort of sums up the spirit of Pugdom. I don't know who sent it to me now, it was several years ago that it arrived in my email, but I have kept it and trot it out each Christmas to wish all who have been pugged, a Merry Christmas. (We can say Merry Christmas here in MO and not get in trouble, our dear Boy-Gov says it is ok, as is taking health care away from Children).

We Three Pugs (sung to tune of "We Three Kings")

We three Pugs of Orient are,
Snuffling low, we cannot go far.
Bellies dragging,
Tails a'wagging,
Hounding the Milk Bone jar.

Oh-oh

We love treats and we love hugs.
We love all 'cause we are pugs.
Licking, sneezing, snoring, wheezing,
Guide us to the warmest rugs.

(another) Night Before Christmas

Christmas theatre.... "A Christmas Carol", song filled stories of family and friends, the story of Jesus' birth, warm good feeling, Santa Claus, children. Formula? Usually.

Leave it to the American Heartland Theatre to come up with something engaging, a little off beat but still sticking to a crowd pleasing formula.

"(another) Night Before Christmas" now playing at the AHT (again as I always mention, a wonderful, intimate theatre that allows you to take your cocktails in with you!) through Dec 30th. The plot is simple, but timely and certainly entertaining. The two character musical involves Karol, a disillusioned, cynical social worker and a homeless man named Guy or (Clement Moore, the man who wrote "The Night Before Christmas) who breaks into her loft, takes over, makes incredible crab cakes and tries to convince her that he's Santa Claus. Karol resists but soon has to admit he sure seems like the jolly old elf. With witty dialog and a few hearty laughs along with a few well placed and well written songs, the show breezes along to its obvious and satisfying conclusion.

Karol is perfectly portrayed by Carey Van Driest and Don Forston as a convincing and always hilarious The Guy (aka Clement Moore, Santa Claus...whatever). Neither performance was of the over the top style that will sometimes mar AHT performances. Since this is another Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto collaboration (as in the whitty "Married Alive" and the best production I have seen at AHT "A Dog's Life") the music and whole pace of the production is spot on.

As I mentioned, a crowd pleaser but still a little off beat, humorous but also enlightening. And certainly better than last year's stinkeroo of a Christmas show from the AHT.

Welcome Home Shaun!

Dang! I have been busy and a bit under the weather with a cough from HELL! Thus Pato News has been a bit dry lately.

I do have to publish this great, breaking news! My friend Shaun Attwood, aka "Jon" of Jon's Jail Journal is back home in the UK, arriving there sometime this AM US time.

He left me this wonderful comment that could be lost in the shuffle otherwise, so it is printed here:

"Dear Don, Thanks for all of your comments and kind words over the past few years.
With love and respect,
Shaun Attwood aka Jon"

Welcome home Shaun!

Happy 99th Elliott Carter

We are, as everyone likes to quote, an aging society. People are living longer, not necessarily better, but certainly longer. I know several active people in their late 80's and 90's. A lady from my church just reached 101. She is in a nursing home, due to weakness, but she is alert and usually in good spirits. The young still sneer at the old folks, but kids, trust me, you are out numbered.

All that was a prelude to recognizing the 99th birthday of US composer Elliott Carter.

Elliott Carter was born in New York city where he met and was encouraged as a young musician by Charles Ives. As with many US composers of the 20th century, he went to Paris to study under Nadia Boulanger. He was also one of Walter Piston's many students. Carter has also taught music as well as physics and math. His music is greatly influenced by physical sound, rhythmic ratios and even categorizing musical pitches in a mathematical scheme related to set theory.

Carter's music is a tough nut to crack. Often austere and complex, it belies its complexity with a rhythmic drive that frequently borders on the whimsical. Most agree that his 5 string quartets are, along with those of Shostakovich and Bartok, among the 20th century's most important works in that medium. Actually some of his later works, such as 2002's Boston Concerto and the Cello Concerto, are easier to absorb than some of the major works from the 60's-80's such as the dry Double Concerto and the Piano Concerto.

At 99, Carter is not slowing down. In 2007 alone he wrote 3 works, including a new Horn Concerto. His first and only opera came along at the young age of 89. Not since Havergal Brian of the UK, who wrote 22 Symphonies after age 78, 9 after the age of 90 has a composer written so many important and large scale works as Carter. And there is likely more, at least one new work of Carter's is rumored for his 100th birthday next year.

I have come to his music late, after not enjoying the dry, academic works mentioned earlier. But, as Carter would likely understand, late is ok.. there is plenty of time.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Emerson, Lake and Palmer, the legendary rock trio of the '70s never left us, they simply expanded and morphed into the "Trans-Siberian Orchestra". I had the chance to catch their performance in the new Sprint Arena here in KCMO, on a very Siberian night.

The TSO blends classical music, heavy metal and a somewhat preachy Christmas theme into a 2 1/2 hour extravaganza of music, lights, fire and narration. I had heard of them before and thought they were somewhat esoteric, but judging from the packed crowd at the second of two shows, many are familiar with this energetic group and came out despite the suddenly Siberian weather.

The first 1/2 of the show is decidedly the weakest. A Christmas-themed rock opera in the style of "Jesus Christ Superstar", featuring a decidedly religious narrative about an angel who comes down on Christmas Eve to rid the Earth of loneliness and makes sure everyone is "home". Soupy, emotional ballads are woven in between the aforementioned narrative. Some of the ballads are so strongly religious that I would not have been surprised to see some of the audience waving their hands in evangelical fervor. The show came alive during their hyper energetic instrumental renditions of popular carols, which served to comment on the story.

The second half dropped most of the references to Christmas and was a tour de force of light, fire and energetic singing and playing. Everything was in the mix from "Carmina Burana", Mozart, Beethoven, to "Proud Mary" and even Vince Guaraldi's immortal "Linus and Lucy" theme from "Peanuts". There's no holding back as the blazing fire, fireworks and lights join the hyper-kinetic players (most notably a violinist that thinks the thing is a guitar, she loves to play it upside down, while running through the audience and flinging it around in the air)to mesmerize the audience.

Certainly enjoyable, a spectacle for all the senses and worth seeing once for sure.

More fun was the chance to see the new arena from the vantage point of one of the VIP suites. My friend Barb's company has one and we were treated to the show and suite. I admit I enjoyed looking down on the "little people" who had no place to hang their coats, a refrigerator full of drinks, chips and salsa and great seats with tons of leg room. If you got bored with the show, there was a TV you could watch or just sit in back and eat and drink. Ah the suite life!