The Fredösphere

Last night's performance of Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony was exhilarating.  I think I'd like to end every day by listening to a live performance of it -- although practical considerations may prevent me.  Quite by accident, I sat next to Chris Grapentine, a local baritone who has sung as a soloist and in a touring quartet, and also pastors a church and tunes pianos on the side.  I have met him a couple of times in the past, but it was nice to be able to talk with him more at length during the intermission.  I also enjoyed one fan who sat in the third row (the rest of the crowd started around row six).  At the end of the Shostakovich concerto that started the program, he gave the soloist a standing ovation even before the soloist herself stood up.  From the embarrassed grins of the orchestra members, it seemed clear he was shouting admiring words they could hear.  I think I see a restraining order in his future.

What might have been.  Through the arbitrary forces of history, pianos and harpsichords flourished, but this instrument died off.  (Via Instapundit.)

It's not the movie I remember seeing.  Mark another step forward in the art of dishonest movie trailers (like this one for The Shining).  My friend Victor recommends you watch Brokeback to the Future.  (It's safe.)