It was just one weekend, but it proved to me that everything that we do has music at the heart of it, one way or another. Here are four highlights………
The weekend started off on a sad note. My little kitten, 14 years old and the last of the original 4-footers that came together from our marriage, took her last journey to the vet. She had kidney failure which had come on during the week. The kids were broken up but it was important for them to be there. Why do I bring this up? Her name – 21st Century Schizoid Cat. For those of you not up on your King Crimson might I recommend that classic album Larks Tongues in Aspic from 1973.
Saturday continues with visiting a friend who is in town. Outside of my immediate neighbors and the various ancillary people to our business (shiatsu people, chiropractors, dry cleaners, etc.) all the people I know are musicians. I am reminded of the point in his biography where Daniel Barenboim mentions that he was several years old before he figured out that there were people on the planet who did not play piano. Our kids aren’t going to be quite that bad but…….. The buddy to visit is one Jon Kimura Parker, one of the best pianists around today. He was in town working with the SPCO and I had to physically drag him away from the piano so that he could get some food. He’s overworked and frantic (good luck with that solo version of Rite of Spring, Jackie!) so he needed a little down time.
Sunday morning – our eldest does his Book I recital for Suzuki violin. Now, we all know that the Suzuki people take themselves a little too seriously. The funny thing is that Mr. Suzuki himself didn’t seem to! He was all about the experience and joy of learning music. Be that as it may, said “recital” is here at the house, and the audience are the aforementioned neighbors and ancillary friends. We didn’t invite most of our musician friends since it was held at 11:30 am. Way too early for those folk.
Sunday evening – Super Bowl! Time to watch commercials for the one and only time all year. Except this year the commercials are especially bad. Very few are even interesting. Except this one. My wife and I are agape at the story and laughing out loud. This one commercial makes up for the whole game.
Music music everywhere.
Sorry to hear about your cat. My wife and I had the same experience with our 15 year-old dog, a Sheltie. The boys were upset too, since they knew her their whole life, and, she was there before they came along. It’s part of growing up for them, and seeing dear friends pass to us at our age.
Hi to Jackie! He’s great–and lots of fun–solo Rite of Spring? I have one by Vladimir Leyetchkiss-he asked me to learn it–when, is the question.
Gee, I thought it was me, but those Super Bowl commercials were as you say–bad. Our NY Giants did well, and the Patriots played splendidly–it’s always exciting to see teams play so well, neck in neck.