“By the dawn of the 19th Century, the disease had killed 1 in 7 of all people that had ever lived, more than any other illness.” Anyone who’s a Bronte or Keats or Chopin fan hasn’t forgotten. But it’s true … Continue reading →
First let’s look at the transcript of the speech (sorry it’s a link to CNN, but they’re the ones providing it right now, so they’re definitely good for something). And here’s the way the leftist press (the Guardian, in this … Continue reading →
I recently wrote about ballet dancer Violette Verdy, who died on February 8. At the time I wrote that post, I had not seen the following videos. In my post I mentioned Verdy’s astounding and unique musicality; I think these … Continue reading →
Last night I got the urge to see a clip of the ballet “Dances at a Gathering,” which is on the short list of my favorite ballets of all time. It was choreographed by the musical theater and dance genius … Continue reading →
I suppose I’ll bite the bullet and watch tonight’s Republican debate, which looks to have some verbal fireworks and a huge listening audience. I may even live-blog it, if I can stomach it. Those of you who read this blog … Continue reading →
Violette Verdy is now in her early 80s, but in her heyday as a soloist with the New York City Ballet I saw her dance many times and loved her performances, particularly in the role she created as the girl … Continue reading →
Three years ago I took the test on the “Political Compass” site. This was the result back then, which seemed to place me correctly on the scale: I just took the test again. And although I certainly didn’t remember my … Continue reading →
I happen to love these two works of music by Czech composer Leos Janácek, from his piano cycle of thirteen pre-WWI pieces called “On an Overgrown Path.” I love that evocative title. They fit the somber mood of the present … Continue reading →
[NOTE: In response to some queries on this thread, I went back to look at an interview I gave four and a half years ago, towards the beginning of my blogging career. On reading it, I decided it might just … Continue reading →
I’m currently reading I, Maya Plisetskaya, the autobiography of the wonderful Russian dancer about whom I wrote this tribute. She was known for vivacity, smoldering sensuality, and her powerful yet graceful jump, the latter of which she describes as follows: … Continue reading →
A while back, as I listened (or tried to listen) to the President’s State of the Union address, it struck me once again that I’m just not very good at listening to speeches. Unless it’s Winston Churchill, I much prefer … Continue reading →