REVIEW POTPOURRI: Johannes Brahms

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Johannes Brahms

Brahms Symphony 1 – Hermann Scherchen conducting the Vienna State Opera Orchestra; Classaphonic-CL-68. 12 inch lp, recorded mid to late 50s.

Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms was already sketching a First Symphony in 1853 as his friend Robert Schumann was praising the then young composer as the great new hope in music who would provide “yet more wondrous glimpses into the mysteries of the world of the spirit.” The sketches eventually grew into the magnificent First Piano Concerto in 1857.

Another 19 years elapsed when Brahms presented his First Symphony in its 1876 World Premiere in a rural town in Germany where several friends were eagerly awaiting its performance.

The Symphony met with resounding success and has been performed and recorded countless times since then, being still a favorite with audiences. Having already admitted in earlier columns that Brahms has been my favorite composer for decades, I am certainly biased in finding things to enjoy in this recording, as with batches of other Brahms 1sts in my collection, whether good, bad or indifferent.

Hermann Scherchen conducted a performance that was uniquely captivating for its foreboding grandeur in the opening movement, its sweet sentiment in the second movement, the dancing, slightly melancholy delicacy in the 3rd movement and the jubilation in the concluding 4th movement. Scherchen also speeded up tempos even more quickly than Leonard Bernstein and Eugen Jochum on their justly acclaimed recordings towards the end of the 4th Finale- he could be perverse with tempos and phrasing- but this recording ended up being such a pleasure that I have played it at least 4 times since yesterday.

John Josselyn

John Josselyn

The adventurous English aristocrat John Josselyn (1608-1675) traveled to New England twice, 1638 and 1663, and his massively detailed An Account of Two Voyages to New-England provided ground breaking research on animals, plants and native American life.

An example – he wrote interestingly about the homes in tribal villages, as conveyed in the following sentence:

“Their houses which they call Wigwams, are built with Poles pitched into the ground of a round form for most part, sometimes square, they bind down the tops of their poles, leaving a hole for smoke to go out at, the rest they cover with the bark of trees, and line the inside of their Wigwams with mats made of rushes painted with several colors, one good post they set up in the middle that reaches to the hole in the top, with a staff across before it at a convenient height, they knock in a pin on which they hang their Kettle, beneath that they set up a broad stone for a back which keepeth the post from burning; round by the walls they spread their mats and skins where the men sleep whilst the women dress their victuals, they have commonly two doors, one opening to the South, the other to the North, and according as the wind sits, they close up one door with bark and hang a Dears skin or the like before the other.”

Josselyn also told tall tales about seeing pre-historic creatures such as sea lions and serpents and spotting a mermaid or two. In addition, he portrayed the harsh deadly New England landscape and climate as heaven on earth.

There is an anecdote where he started chewing a wasp’s nest, thinking it was a pineapple. His face became so swollen and disfigured that his friends recognized him only by his clothes.

Josselyn’s second visit in 1663 lasted several years until he eventually returned to England where he first wrote New-England Rareties Discovered in 1672 and An Account two years later.

In 1675 John Josselyn died at the age of 67, fulfilling a French proverb he lived by – “Travail where thou canst, but dye where thou oughtest, that is, in thine own Countrey.”

D.L. Miller

A few years ago, I wrote about the 99 cent Somerset/Stereo Fidelity LPs created by the Pennsylvania businessman D.L. Miller back in 1957. In addition to the classical recording sessions he brokered with such orchestras as the London and Hamburg Philharmonics, Miller created an immense and very profitable catalog of LPs by the 101 Strings which were inevitably transferred to cassettes and CDs. Three particular titles- With Love from London, Symphony for Lovers and Gypsy Campfires – were part of my parents otherwise small record collection.

Nelson Riddle conducted the 101 Strings in one of their finest recordings, one I’ve played numerous times.

Miller sold the label to an English businessman who changed its name to Alshire. A cassette release, The Best of 101 Strings (Alshire, ALSC-5373), features a dozen rhythmically pulsating arrangements of such pop staples as Moon River, I Left My Heart In San Francisco, The Way We Were, Lara’s Theme from Doctor Zhivago, etc.

* * * * * *

I highly recommend the recently streamed film Conclave, which depicts the secret proceedings at Vatican City as the Cardinals are choosing a new Pope. Ralph Fiennes heads a superb cast as the chief moderator of the proceedings.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: A Virtual Second Opinion Can Be A First-Rate Option

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Mike Pressler worried he would lose the active lifestyle he enjoys with his wife, Kathy, when he was told he needed an ostomy bag. A virtual second opinion would make all the difference.

(NAPSI) – A little research led to a big relief for one 70-year-old and his family—and it could help you or someone you care about as well.

One Man’s Story

His physicians told Mike Pressler he needed major surgery to remove an advanced recurrent polyp – a procedure that would leave him with an ostomy bag and threaten his active lifestyle.

As a gym-going, golf-playing 70-year-old retired school administrator who walks regularly and enjoys traveling with his wife, Kathy, Pressler was terrified.

“I was researching hard, trying to figure out any way I could get out of this,” he said.

The Problem

The polyp was non-cancerous, but the cauterization from a previous polyp removal was creating issues.

An Answer

He remembered a friend’s positive experience at Cleveland Clinic, which Pressler noted as having a “stellar reputation.” That led him to seek a virtual second opinion, which he learned he could obtain without leaving his home, through The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic.

Pressler signed up online and was impressed by the virtual second opinion program. They pulled, collected and compiled his medical records on his behalf, saving him time and effort. Soon after, the care team matched Pressler with Dr. David Liska, Chair of the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, who then consulted with Dr. I. Emre Gorgun, a top robotic surgery specialist. Dr. Gorgun was confident he could remove the polyp without Pressler needing an ostomy.

Within just 10 days of starting the second opinion process, Pressler was scheduled for a new, less invasive procedure. That’s a common occurrence with this program, where 67% of virtual second opinions recommend a diagnosis or treatment plan change.

Before the surgery, there was one potential hiccup. Radiology at Cleveland Clinic reviewed his existing MRI and CAT scan, and they were concerned there might be cancer after all, which prompted a sigmoidoscopy and biopsy to make sure.

“Dr. Liska calls me and says, ‘We’ve got to take a time out here.’ Now I’m kind of bummed again,” Pressler said.

The biopsy would prove to be a temporary roadblock and came back as non-cancerous. The surgery proceeded as planned and Pressler is back to working out, playing golf and traveling with his wife.

“The whole experience was totally positive from start to finish,” Pressler said. “From the intake nurse to the doctors and people behind the desks on the first floor. They are all exceptional in my experience.”

Why Get A Virtual Second Opinion

Sixty-seven percent of virtual second opinions recommend a diagnosis or treatment plan change. You may benefit from a second opinion if you:

• Have been diagnosed with a serious or rare health condition (a diagnosis is required for a second opinion).
• Have a condition that is not improving or is getting worse despite treatment.
• Have been told a health condition is not treatable.
• Are considering a treatment that involves significant risks, such as surgery.
• Need guidance choosing from multiple treatment options.
• Want confirmation about a diagnosis or treatment.

How It Works

Step 1: Registration and Live Intake with a Nurse Care Manager. They’ll take it from there and get you on your path to peace of mind.

Step 2: Records Collection and Expedited Matching. The Clinic does all the work of collecting your medical records, then matches you with a Cleveland Clinic Specialist in just a few days.

Step 3: Expert Second Opinion. Following an optional virtual visit with the Cleveland Clinic physician, your second opinion will be delivered via a written report.

Pressler urges other patients to visit The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic at www.clinicbyclevelandclinic.com/lp/vso/ and tap into Cleveland Clinic’s specialized expertise. Those who use promo code 2NDLOOK15 can get a discount on their virtual second opinion.

QUINN MINUTE: My frog drawing

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by Rix Quinn

In my long and unproductive life, I’ve encountered several disgusting things…and I’ve stepped in a few of them.

But few gave me more displeasure than dissecting a frog. This was a school requirement, and I dreaded it for weeks.

My biology teacher, however, seemed to enjoy watching us approach a big vat of formaldehyde, grab a pair of tongs, and fish out a long-deceased amphibian from the stinky liquid.

After this, we chose a partner, then sat next to each other at a lab table. For the dissection, we would share a frog.

Following instructions on a large display in our textbook, we laid the frog on its back, and noticed this was not this frog’s first autopsy. The chest was already open, so we did our best to locate important organs by moving them around with a number two pencil.

We noticed the position of the heart, lungs, and other disgusting stuff. Each of us attempted to sketch what we saw on a blank sheet of paper.

We noted that some of the frog’s front fingers were missing. Probably the result of a frog-to-frog competition.

We handed in our sketches. Mine looked a little like a goat.…but not much.

The teacher gave my artwork an F-minus. I complained to her that nobody deserved below an F.

She told me that this one was so bad, it needed special recognition.

Were you born between 1946-1964? Would you like to know more about the generation called Baby Boomers? You can order Rix’s book on that generation today. Just go to this link.

MAINE-LY GARDENING: Annuals, biennials, perennials, oh my!

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Marigolds

by Jude Hsiang

Terms for plants used by growers and botanists can be confusing. If a plant is labeled “annual” we might think that it will return every year like an annual canoe race. But annual plants live for only one growing season. They grow from seed, flower, form new seeds, then die. Those new seeds will germinate and become next year’s plants if they are lucky enough to drop into a place with the right conditions and the weather is favorable.

Peony

Here in Central Maine, the little plants we buy at garden centers and other shops, whether flowers like marigolds, or vegetables like tomatoes, will be killed by the first heavy frost. But they often grow well enough through the warmer months to develop seeds.

Many gardeners collect and save seeds of annuals by keeping them dry and cool to sow for the following year. (Note: seeds from hybrid plants are often not like the parent plant.) With space to start the new seeds in the right conditions you can save money that would have been spent on buying seeds year after year. The right conditions vary for different plants. Some may require a period of very cold temperature called stratification. Some very tiny seeds must be placed on top of the planting mix as they will only germinate with light and warmth. Researching the needs of any seeds, from annual flowers to cactus to trees, will reward you with the satisfaction of seeing the baby plants grow under your watchful gaze.

A garden designer friend tells of seeing T-shirts saying, “Friends don’t let friends buy annuals.” She disagrees, because even though annuals like begonias and petunias only live for one season, they are especially useful to fill in spots between other plants that will eventually grow quite large. You can experiment with color by trying different annuals to see if their color will fit in with the long-range garden plan.

Biennial plants like foxgloves and hollyhocks live for two years but only produce roots, stems, and leaves in their first season. They die down to the ground then reappear the following spring when they produce their flowers and seeds.

After this display, biennials die, but often self-seed in the garden. Many of these seeds need a cold spell and will go on to enhance the garden for many years through their succeeding generations.

Perennial plants often become the mainstays of flower gardens. They are more expensive to purchase because they take several years to grow from tiny seedlings to a size that assures the gardener that they are large and healthy enough to transplant into the garden. Peonies, hostas, and irises are a few of the many perennial plants that will live for years, even decades. Eventually, they can become so large that they crowd other plants. That’s a bonus because you can divide them into several smaller clumps to plant in another part of the garden or share them with friends. When adding perennials to your garden learn how to divide them and whether it’s done in spring or fall depending on the species.

Members of garden clubs and other groups often share plants from their home gardens through plant swaps or fundraising sales. Look for these events in May and June for a great way to find beautiful new plants for your garden at lower cost while supporting a favorite cause.

© Judith Chute Hsiang
Jude Hsiang Is a retired Extension Master Gardener instructor and member of the China Community Garden.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Maria Duenas

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Maria Duenas

Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole – violinist Maria Duenas with Mihhail Gerts conducting the Estonian National Orchestra, 2019 concert video on YouTube.

Maria Duenas

Spanish violinist Maria Duenas, now 22, has already landed a recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon and won several first prizes at violin competitions around the world since the age of 17. She has cited her favorite violinists, Jascha Heifetz, Yehudi Menuhin and David Oistrakh, as the inspiration for developing her own style expressing concern about too many other violinists sounding too much alike, a sentiment I agree with.

Some time ago, I viewed a YouTube of her performing Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto and found it engaging enough to sit through the entire performance yet not particularly moving.

Still, for some mysterious reason, I got curious enough to view this performance of the Symphonie Espagnole by French composer Edouard Lalo (1823-1892) as this very captivating showpiece has grown on me more and more in recent years. (When Tchaikovsky got access to the manuscript in 1878 and played through it on the piano, he was inspired enough to compose his own Violin Concerto.).

Again and most unfortunately Duenas’s playing of this piece did not leave me wanting more. She phrased the notes and bars nicely enough (She omitted movements three and four of a five movement piece; the jump from the jubilant opening two movements to the jubilant Finale without the contrasting calm lyricism of three and four was jarring) and conveyed endearing stage presence but the overall interpretation didn’t take fire.

A plus here, however, was watching the focused musicians who gave their all, unlike so many players in more well known orchestras who seem to be merely going through the motions in the umpteenth performance of a given piece. The Estonian National Orchestra is another example of the excitement and commitment to be seen among the symphony orchestras now gaining fame in the post Iron Curtain eastern Europe, others being the Radio Orchestras of Bucharest, Ljubljana, Bratislava etc.

As for Miss Duenas, I feel that, because of her expressed commitment to developing her own style, she may remain a violinist worth watching.

My favorite recordings of the Lalo Symphonie Espagnole are the two collaborations of Isaac Stern with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra on Columbia Masterworks LPs from 1955 and 1965 and presumably available also on YouTube. Stern is not otherwise among my top five or even ten favorite violinists but he really had this music thoroughly nailed down while Ormandy was always a masterful accompanist in Concertos.

Both of the above LPs also contain eloquent performances of the Bruch Violin Concerto.

Kansas City Confidential

John Payne

A most entertaining 1952 Film Noir classic, imbued with 1950s time warp atmosphere, intelligence, lack of predictability and fascinating character development is Kansas City Confi­dential starring John Payne as the protagonist and Jack Elam and Lee Van Cleef as two armored truck robbers. All three actors did superb work in their roles and conveyed formidable presence.

Casino Dance Orchestra

Casino Dance Orchestra – Wonderful One; Good-Night. Perfect 14117, ten-inch 78, recorded circa 1923-24.

The Casino Dance Orchestra was a pseudonym for several dance orchestras making records during the 1920s. Whoever the musicians on this shellac were, they were very gifted ones.

The two selections – the particularly exquisite Wonderful One composed by the well-known dance band leader Paul Whiteman and his chief arranger Ferde Grofe, most renowned for his own Grand Canyon Suite; and the throwaway yet charming Good-Night on side two – were given performances in which the saxophones, trombones and muted trumpets blended beautifully while the banjo and piano provided pulsating rhythms.

One of the best discs to be heard from the dime store Perfect label.

FOR YOUR HEALTH – Looking Out For Your Lungs: The Importance of Lung Cancer Screening

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A simple cancer screening could save your life – and your lungs may thank you for it.

(NAPSI)—Early detection is essential when it comes to lung cancer, and early diagnosis can save lives.

The Problem

According to the American Lung Association—the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research—lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, yet only 16% of people at high risk have been screened.

A Solution

Fortunately, annual low-dose CT scans can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20 percent; emphasizing the need to ensure that eligible high-risk individuals, such as former and current smokers, are aware of their risk and feel empowered to talk to their doctor.

High-risk individuals include:

• Aged 50-80
• Smoked in the last 15 years
• Have a 20 “pack year” history (1 pack a day for 20 years, 2 packs for 10 years, or any combination of years and packs that equals 20).

To encourage lung cancer screenings, the American Lung Association and the Ad Council released new PSAs that ask: “If your lungs could talk, what would they say?” “The new PSAs are part of the ongoing Saved by the Scan campaign that first launched in 2017.
“There is hope. Lung cancer screening has played a critical role in the 44% increase in the lung cancer survival rate over the past decade,” said American Lung Association President and CEO, Harold Wimmer. “This new campaign will continue to raise critical awareness about lifesaving screening and encourage more individuals to take action.”

Over 1.3 million Americans have taken the Saved By The Scan screening eligibility quiz to determine if they are eligible for lung cancer screening. Among those eligible for lung cancer screening, 43% discussed the scan with their healthcare provider.
“By inspiring people to talk with their doctor about lung cancer screenings, we can offer hope for early detection, effective treatment and ultimately save lives,” said Heidi Arthur, chief campaign development officer for the Ad Council. “We are proud to partner with the American Lung Association and Hill Holliday using the power of creativity – and a touch of humor – to remind former smokers and other high-risk individuals of the importance of getting screened.”

Early Detection Opens Doors for Treatment Options

Lung cancer survivor Denise Lee smoked for 40 years. One day on her commute from work, she saw a Saved by the Scan campaign billboard, leading her to speak to her doctor about getting screened for lung cancer. She got scanned, and learned of her lung cancer diagnosis before she had symptoms.

“The advantage of them finding it so early is that I had a lot more treatment options. I was able to have surgery, chemotherapy, qualify for a clinical trial. One of the advantages of early detection is that the goal of treatment becomes a cure as opposed to palliative. And I had so many treatment options.”

Understanding the Low-Dose CT Scan

The scan itself is quite straight forward and not scary. A low-dose CT scan is a type of X-ray that captures multiple images as you lie on a table that smoothly slides in and out of the machine. The process is open and non-claustrophobic, taking less than 10 minutes to complete. Although any screening can be emotionally challenging, getting the scan done early provides individuals with more treatment options if needed and peace of mind.

Learn More

For additional information and to check if you qualify for a low-dose CT scan, visit SavedByTheScan.org.

QUINN MINUTE: Short history of long film strips

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by Rix Quinn

Not long ago at a class reunion, several of us got to talking about “film strips.” If you attended elementary school during the 1950s through 1970s, you may remember these visual learning tools.

Because there were so many of us, states quickly constructed schools to contain us. Educators developed scholarly “film strips” to help instructors explain complicated concepts.

Film strips were like slide shows. Each film strip had an audio record that came with it. The record was put on a record player, which sat next to the film projector. (If you do not know what a record player is, please consult a history book.)

The teacher displayed the first picture of the film strip, and then started the audio. Usually, the audio narrator had an authoritative voice, so you were convinced he knew everything.

The teacher moved from one picture to the next on the strip each time the record made a beeping sound.

A kid in our class also made random beep sounds. This made the teacher race through the pictures on the film strip, leaving us several minutes of mind-numbing audio about hibernating snakes.

Did you personally ever see a film strip? Did anybody in your class die from boredom?

My two favorite film strips were From caterpillar to butterfly and Mr. Gorilla learns to drive. (Actually, I made that last one up, because I never saw a film strip about a gorilla driver, especially one who could pass the written exam.)

Were you born between 1946-1964? Would you like to know more about the generation called Baby Boomers? You can order Rix’s book on that generation today. Just go to this link.

AARP Maine calls for nominations (2025)

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AARP Maine announces a call for nominations for its second annual Champion in Aging award, which will be presented to a nonprofit organization in Maine that has demonstrated an innovative commitment to serving older adults in the state.

Organizations nominated for the award are required to be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service with a status of 501©3, 501©4 or 501©6. Eligible organizations must have advanced an activity or initiative for at least two years that is specific to older adults (50+) and consistent with AARP’s mission: “to enhance the quality of life for all as we age.”

“AARP Maine’s annual Champion in Aging award celebrates an exceptional, local nonprofit organization that has advanced meaningful initiatives consistent with AARP’s mission which are specific to older adults in the Pine Tree State,” said Noël Bonam, AARP Maine State Director. “Through this award, we recognize innovation, inclusion and a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of older Mainers and their families.”

The award’s nomination period ends July 15, 2025. Nomination forms may be requested by sending an email to me@aarp.org. The recipient of the 2025 Champion in Aging award will be announced at AARP Maine’s annual meeting in the fall.

The winner of AARP Maine’s inaugural Champion in Aging award was Healthy Peninsula, whose mission is “to mobilize, support, and collaborate with community partners to improve the health of all residents of the Blue Hill Peninsula, Deer Isle and Stonington.”

To learn more about AARP and our work in Maine, visit www.aarp.org/me and follow us on social media @aarpmaine. For more information about volunteering with AARP Maine, click here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The importance of vernal pools in the ecosystem

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

While driving through the countryside, you may have noticed some small bodies of water that are there in the spring, but disappear as summer proceeds. These vernal pools are essential to our ecosystem.

Vernal pools provide important breeding habitat for select amphibians and insects, spiders, and crustaceans.

Vernal pools are typically small, temporary wetlands – often less than one acre. Even though vernal pools may only fill with water for a short time in spring and fall, and often dry out by mid-late summer, their ecological significance for wildlife plays a much larger role.

What draws these specialized species to breed in such temporary pools? It’s actually something the pools don’t have: fish and breeding populations of predaceous frogs like Green and Bull Frogs. Relatively isolated from streams and subject to periodic drying, vernal pools provide a breeding haven with greatly reduced predator populations for eggs as they develop into newly hatched frogs and salamanders.

Wood frogs, spotted and blue-spotted salamanders, four-toed salamanders, and fairy shrimp all experience higher rates of breeding success in vernal pools as compared with permanent waters. Other amphibians, such as “spring” peepers and American toads, also sometimes breed in vernal pools, and others use them for resting and feeding, such as gray treefrogs, green frogs, and bullfrogs, along with a myriad of reptiles, birds, and mammals – including garter snakes, great blue herons, raccoons, and even moose. That’s because vernal pools provide a rich assortment of food, including egg masses; adult breeding amphibians, larvae, and emerging young; fingernail clams and predatory diving beetles; and fresh spring vegetation emerging before frozen lakes and ponds even thaw.

In late summer, when the pool is dry or nearly dry, all this life either dies off, becomes dormant, or moves into the surrounding upland. Young wood frogs and spotted and blue-spotted salamanders leave the pool and head into the forest, where they spend most of their life. Wood frogs may move into forested wetlands for the rest of the summer and then to upland areas to overwinter under the leaf litter. Salamanders move into shrew burrows or other tunnels where they sit and wait for food to walk past while they are safely hidden from most predators. The amazing amount of life emerging from these pools each year exceeds that of all the neighboring birds and small mammals combined on a per acre basis, and thus provides an important food source for larger animals from the surrounding forest, including raccoons, coyotes, snakes, hawks, turkeys, and numerous other predators.

The same temporary nature that makes vernal pools unique breeding habitat also puts them at high risk of habitat loss and degradation, especially from development. Without water for much of the year, vernal pools can be easy to miss. They can also fall through gaps in existing state and federal wetland regulations that are better designed to protect larger, more permanent wetlands. The ‘cream of the crop’ vernal pools in Maine qualify as Significant Vernal Pools under the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA), and as such there can be no development in the pool itself and limited development around the pool, but the rules don’t protect the full suite of habitats that vernal pool wildlife use, including breeding, summering, and wintering habitats. Many others pools that harbor wildlife don’t receive any protection under the NRPA, and recent changes to federal wetland rules leaves most vernal pools without any protection.

There are many ways to help vernal pool ecosystems. Regulation is just one of them. That’s why Maine Audubon, along with the University of Maine, state and federal agencies, and others, have worked hard over the past 20 years to find multiple ways to help conserve these amazing wildlife havens.

Are you going above and beyond the minimum requirements to conserve vernal pools on your property? Contact Phil Keefe at pkeefe@maineaudubon.org for more information on earning a Stewardship Award.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Only two teams have more World Series titles than the Red Sox. Which two?

Answer
New York Yankees with 27, St.Louis Cardinals, 11.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Kurt Masur

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Kurt Masur

Brahms 4 Symphonies, Tragic Overture, Academic Festival Overture, Haydn Variations, Schicksalslied; Kurt Masur, New York Philharmonic; Teldec 0630-13565-2, four cds, recorded between 1991 and 1996.

Kurt Masur

Kurt Masur (1927-2015) was forced as a teenager to fight in the German army when the Nazi government was feeling increasingly desperate on both sides after the 1944 D-Day invasion and the Battle of Stalingrad. He was one of 150 boys in his unit, of which only 27 survived.

Living in East Germany after World War II, Masur’s first important post was Music Director of the Dresden Philharmonic starting in 1957 and then in 1970 he moved upward to a crown jewel, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra which was established by composer/conductor Felix Mendelssohn in 1844 and became second only to the Berlin Philharmonic in its musical and technical excellence. Masur started building his own reputation in the United States as a uniquely outstanding interpreter of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann and Brahms via his recordings on such labels as Vanguard, Musical Heritage Society and Philips.

I first became interested in his conducting when his first set of the Brahms 4 Symphonies with the Leipzig was released on Philips during the late ‘70s, bought it in 1979 and was very impressed with his very poetic and understated approach to this music. The growling intensity of the First Symphony was toned down perhaps a bit too much but its lyrical beauties emerged; the gentle lyricism of the Second, the joyous abundance of the Third and the combination of wistful sentiment and visionary power in the Fourth contributed to a cycle that stood out against several very good sets by other conductors – Toscanini, Walter, Klemperer, Giulini, Bernstein, Ozawa, Solti, Bohm, Steinberg, Szell, Jochum etcs.

Other very good Masur records include a sublime Beethoven Violin Concerto with Salvatore Accardo and remakes of the same composer’s Eroica and 5th Symphonies from the early 1990s.

In 1989, Masur gave his public support to a huge demonstration against the East German government at a risk to his freedom. Along with his guest conducting of the Boston, Chicago, and Dallas symphonies and other American orchestras starting around 1980, he came to the favorable attention of the New York Philharmonic Board of Directors when it was searching for a replacement to Zubin Mehta and he became Music Director of the Orchestra from 1991 to 2002.

The above set of Brahms Symphony remakes is yet another outstanding example of Masur’s outstanding musicality with this composer, this time with the bracing enthusiasm of the New York Philharmonic at its best. One outstanding example is its playing of the First Symphony, a performance that roared with eloquence and excitement.

Opinions of Masur’s leadership during his 11 years ranged from admiration for his total preparation at rehearsals and giving of himself to his reputation for a bad temper. Interestingly in his interviews, Masur came across as a sweet Teddy bear in which he would frequently say how the playing of the of the Philharmonic musicians made him “So happy!”

Unfortunately, Masur and the Philharmonic Manager Deborah Borda had a falling out and his contract was not renewed, a move which left the Maestro very bitter. In compensation, he was given the lifetime title of Music Director Emeritus .

In 1972, Masur sustained serious injuries in an automobile accident on Germany’s already treacherous Autobahn where speeds of up to 120 miles an hour are routine among the motorists. His wife, the second of three women he would marry, was killed, he was several months in recovery and the circumstances of the accident were under investigation for several years.

On a happier note, his third wife who survives him was originally a soprano whom he heard singing Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. When they tied the knot, she gave up her career to attend to his domestic needs. Their son Ken David became a conductor and is now Music Director of the Milwaukee Symphony.

After leaving, Masur had positions with the London Philharmonic, Orchestra National de France and the Israel Philharmonic, with whom he recorded a magnificent set of Mendelssohn’s oratorio, Elijah. In 2012, he announced that he was retiring from conducting due to Parkinson’s disease and died from it in 2015.

Michael Rennie

The Third Man

Just started an old 1960s TV series The Third Man, starring Michael Rennie as Harry Lime on YouTube. More details in a future column. A totally different Harry Lime from the evil one Orsen Welles portrayed in the 1949 film classic based on a script by Graham Greene, Rennie’s is a detective who is honest in his investigations of crime on the domestic and international scenes.