My friend Buster has his "Digressions" so I will have my Retrogression, from time to time.
Seemed like a good time to "retrograde," since my wife and son went off to the victory garden this morning for an hour or so. I've got Clara Haskil performing Mozart's Cto. No. 9 with Ackermann conducting while I type. You know, Haskil is one of my very favorite artists, her technique and musicality are matched by very, very few. She was a quiet genius whose artistry spoke for itself. Whomever she collaborated with, she had the uncanny ability to make them sound much better then was their norm...amazing! Of that, I have the deepest sense of respect and admiration for the woman.
Over the last month, I have acquired some wonderful lps that I'd like to transfer. A while back I posted the Pfizer Sinequan lp of Brahms trios with Silverstein, Mayes and Depasquale. More of those Pfizer lps are on the way since I picked up, at the Goodwill Store, the whole series, more or less, at 50 cents a pop. Most of these feature Boston based musicians and ensembles. This will be a treat. Leaving that high note, I was saddened to come across a badly damaged 3 lp set from RCA of the BSO Chamber Players, released in the late 60's. Alas, the vinyl was all scratched up and, though a buck, there was little that I thought could be done with it. A shame that some people mishandle their own possessions!
Other acquisitions of late: Max Goberman conducting Gay's "A Beggar's Opera" from London on Everest, a handful of Musical Masterpiece recordings includng Swarowsky conducting the "concert version" of Don Giovanni and Dean Dixon's take on Piston's Second Symphony. Lot of work here folks, but not enough time, unless my company, which is going through a merger, decides that my services are no longer needed! Then I'll have time....
You know, over the months, I have appreciated feedback from listeners and I've enjoyed postings by such luminaries as Buster, Larry, Neal, Bill, Joe, Ray, Squirrel, Benoit....all the wonderful blogs and contributors to SymphonyShare. I am grateful for the intelligence, generosity, expertise, politeness, and strong judgment of all contributors and listeners. The Internet has its supreme moments and this is a class example. Thanks!
