by Peter Cates Khachaturian Khachaturian: Gayaneh Ballet Excerpts; Piano Concerto; and Masquerade Suite – Jiri Belohlavek conducting the Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra, in Gayaneh, and Masquerade; pianist Mirka Pokorna with Vladimir Valek conducting the Prague Symphony Orchestra in the Piano Concerto. Supraphon SU 3107-2011, recorded between 1972 and 1980, CD. Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978) composed some […]

by Peter Cates Samuel de Champlain In his fascinatingly detailed Voyages, Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635) wrote of traveling up the Penobscot River in the following entry for September 5th, 1604: “The same day we passed also near to an island about four or five leagues long. From this island to the main land on the […]

by Peter Cates The Cathedrals The Cathedrals – Masters of Gospel; Riversong 84418-2876-4, 1992 cassette. The Cathedrals is a gospel men’s quartet in the tradition of the two most well known ones from the Deep South – the Blackwood Brothers; and the Statesmen. This cassette is a generously filled anthology of 15 previously released selections- […]

by Peter Cates Maine Speaks anthology The 1987 Maine Speaks anthology contains what has elsewhere been often considered the most famous 20th century short story from our Pine Tree State – The Ledge, by Lawrence Sargent Hall (1915-1993). However, before today (February 2, 2025), I was totally unfamiliar with the story, and the writer, let […]

by Peter Cates Gustav Mahler German composer Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) suffered three major traumas the summer of 1907 – His oldest daughter Maria died from diptheria. After a brilliant few years as music director of the Vienna Court Opera, Mahler was forced out by a combination of systemic anti-Semitism and sleazy underhandedness. Finally he was […]