Hi-Yo Silver, Away!

Quote of the day:
“Somehow life doesn’t always pay off to those who are most insistent.”
--Max Lerner

Quote of the day no. 2:
"For now, books are still the best way of taking great art and its consolations along with us on the bus."
--Francine Prose

When I was growing up, my parents had an album of overtures, including Rossini’s "William Tell." I listened to it a lot. And I was very dutiful--I listened to the whole thing, not just the Lone Ranger part at the end. Aren’t you proud of me?

Classical-music aficionados tend to look down on this piece as being a tad ridiculous. I confess it’s been years since I’ve listened to it.

In fact, it is fun, enjoyable and vivid music, as I just rediscovered. I listened to a $3 used record I just bought of Rossini overtures played by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Herbert von Karajan. It was so much fun that I had to get out a couple of other versions and listen to them, too.

But Karajan was the best. The playing is impeccable and precise. The brass section is literally incredible. It’s as if they’re getting inside the spirit of the story. This is a great orchestra. I don’t think I’m the first person to say that.