Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, listening to the music of Mr. Alexander Von Zemlinsky. I’ve written about his operas, most of which are enjoyable, but I decided to listen to some purely orchestral music and so I listened to Die Seejungfrau (The Mermaid) and the Sinfonietta – both works are really gorgeous. Zemlinsky taught Korngold and some of this is out of that sound world. Then I went back and listened to a CD I’d already heard – his Lyric Symphony, and that, too, is excellent. So, now I need to hear his two symphonies. I also listened to the seventh symphony of Joachim Raff. I only know of Raff because Bernard Herrmann was a fan and recorded his fifth symphony on Unicorn, which, of course, I bought on LP and enjoyed. If Herrmann loved the music of Raff, that was good enough for the likes of me. And yet, I never sought out any other music by him. I figured that this recording would be up to the usual high standards of the label, CPO – that was an assumption I shouldn’t have made. In fact, I was completely baffled by the muddiness of the sound, the less than stellar playing of the orchestra (winds occasionally a bit under pitch) – but I soon investigated, and it turns out the copyright of the CD release is 2004 but the recording is from 1992 and therefore was not produced by CPO. They obviously were handed this and decided to issue it. I liked the music itself, but this CD will not do – but I found out there’s a box set of all eleven of his symphonies, so perhaps I’ll give that a whirl. And now playing are various orchestral things of Franz Lehar – delightful music that just sparkles and bubbles forth like a Bubble-Up. Does anyone remember Bubble-Up? What the HELL ever happened to Bubble-Up? I used to drink the diet version often and then suddenly it was no more. Well, bowl me over with a knitting needle – they still make it, and they still sell it. No diet, though. You can get it on Amazon. How about that? Where was I? Oh, yes, music listening. It’s been a rather enjoyable evening of listening whilst doing stuff that needed doing because when stuff needs doing you better damn well do it. I never had time to watch anything and I’m not sure what I would have watched anyway.
Yesterday was a crazy old day. I was up at ten, answered e-mails, and then got ready to go to storage. I got about a third of the way there before I realized that I’d neglected to put the key in my pocket. It was sooooo infuriating. I came back home but was so disgusted that I couldn’t bring myself to drive out there, so that will happen today. So, I finished the choosing of the songs and cast another person for the Kritzerland anniversary show. Then I went and picked up some packages and the errant and truant envelope from Vitello’s. Then I moseyed on over to Vitello’s for my lunch meeting. That turned into a two-hour thing, and it was fun. What may or may not come of the topics discussed is anyone’s guess and anyone isn’t talking, which is fairly typical of anyone. I’m curious about this Bubble-Up that they sell but have no time for calories like that. Maybe one of you dear readers can check it out.
After the lunch, I went directly to the Studio City branch of my bank to deposit the Vitello’s check, only to find that once again they’re closing early – I just don’t get it and I never will. So, I used the ATM for the deposit. Then I came directly home indirectly, since they have so screwed up Ventura Boulevard at Coldwater Canyon, where they tore down one of the most iconic things in the entire Valley – the Sportsman’s Lodge (only the hotel part remains but that was the least interesting thing – and are building an ugly monstrosity. So, I had to go a different route because if you get stuck in that you’re there for ten minutes.
Once home, I had some telephonic conversations, was happy to see that a lot of CDs were being shipped (still lots to go), I answered e-mails, I got everything ready for the new CDs announcement, which will happen at some point today, and then I began my listening adventure, which continues with more effervescent music from Mr. Lehar. Oh, and since I’d only had a fairly small Caesar salad with some chicken, I did a quick Gelson’s run and got a half a quesadilla with hatch chilis and chicken and cheese, plus a tiny amount of their spicy Thai pasta. I was shocked at how tasty the quesadilla was and so I’ll be having that again, as it’s pretty calorie friendly. I also had a couple of English muffins.
Today, I’ll be up by ten again, I’ll go out to storage, not forgetting the key this time, get my copies of the new releases, then come right back home. I’ll start to figure out the show order for the Group Rep cabaret, I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, I’ll eat (perhaps more of that quesadilla thing), and I’ll do whatever needs doing, then I can watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, I have a lunch meeting at three and then a short meeting at the Group Rep regarding the sound needs for the cabaret. Something’s going on on Friday, but I can’t remember what it is. And I have no idea what the weekend holds.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up by ten, go to storage with the damn key, come back home, figure out the show order for the show, hopefully pick up packages, eat, do whatever needs doing, and then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall ponder the fact that Bubble-Up is still with us.