Beethoven's a gateway drug

12/13

A marine. PTSD. And cancer. Wanders in to the Purisima celebration. Starts telling people to go back to their own country. Says he’s a real white American. Gets in Arcadia’s face. Hugo and I track him down in the Chapel. He’s got to go.

And Sean is there struggling with his electric wheel chair. And we’re keeping a close eye on another character. RL needs a break. Later he’s disappointed. He promised me, RL says, we shook. Military men keep their word. Even when drunk.

As for me, I finish my night with I’ll be your baby tonight, with Pat on guitar.

12/14

The Spectrum Symphony

Bitter cold. But the Spectrum Symphony Orchestra heats up the night with Respighi’s Botticelli Triptych, including Spring,

Spring

Adoration of the Magi

Adoration of the Magi

and the Birth of Venus.

Birth of Venus

Then the New York premiere of Biedenbauer’s Schism. And then the glorious, relentless, Beethoven’s 7^th. David Grunberg has a look of joy as he leads the orchestra and Cara is enjoying it like a rock concert. Which it kind of is. Beethoven’s a gateway drug, she says, next thing you know, you’ve got a Jones for  classical music.

David, Cara and Stephen

Musicians hang around, talking. Several go back to Jens Nygaard’s Jupiter Symphony. His Beckstein still gracing our sanctuary. Several have ideas for their  own concerts.

Beethoven still echoing as we lock up.

Bob and David