December 5, 2020 --

LPR recently, and belatedly, got a cable tv hook-up, that has made it possible to listen to music -- good music -- by means of his computer.   To enhance the music, LPR went to B & H, on Ninth Avenue, for headphones -- and for advice.  (See, in the current LPR photo gallery, images of the computer area and camera department at B&H.

First, though, this is to thank, publicly, Federico, a very knowledgeable specialist  in the B&H camera department for giving LPR counsel on transferring images on his memory card to his computer, for emailing to LPR's extraordinarily gifted webmaster Terri Fassio. 

Federico gave generously of his time to give LPR the ABCs of image transfers from (Canon camera to Mac) computer and LPR has a good idea that it is a specialist like Federico to which B&H can, in large measure, attribute its popularity.

Once LPR got home and plugged his headphones into the computer, he realized at once that he made a good choice getting the headphones. 

The sound is exhilarating, especially these days of the Covid-19 reported comeback.

By means of YouTube, LPR has been experiencing glorious music from Europe as well as from the United States.

Listen, for example to the 1812 Overture played by orchestra's in the Netherlands, Germany, the U.S. and realize the unifying nature of music around the world.  Consider this comment to Capriccio Espagnol played by the Berlin Philharmonic, under the baton of Zubin Mehta -- behold the essence of globalization: a German orchestra, playing apiece by a Russian composer (Rimsky-Korsakov), with a Spanish theme under the baton of an Indian conductor.

LPR viewed the best Violetta in La Traviata he has ever seen -- and that includes the wonderful Anna Moffo -- when he clicked on the opera with Ermonela Jaho as the tragic heroine. LPR wholeheartedly recommends that its visitors watch this video of Verdi great opera.  Not only is Ms. Jaho a marvelous soprano, she is a marvelous actor -- and beautiful as well!

And see, also, the incredible Julia Fischer, who is an extraordinary pianist AND violinist.  And age makes no difference in virtuosity  See Fazil Say playing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and Maurizio Pollini, playing Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto ("Emperor") under the baton of his son Danile Pollini.  

A logical conclusion:  we cannot permit fear of Covid-19 to suppress our need of the restorative nature of good music.

LPR presents this link to the Va Pensiero chorus from Verdi's Nabucco.  LPR thinks it should be the national anthem, not only of Italy, of course, or, for that matter, Israel, but for every nation on the planet.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT LINK

Can you look and listen without tears emerging?

LPR enjoys Puccini, but Va Pensiero should explain why LPR loves Verdi.

Never heard Gershwin played like this - and just see Fazil Say's rendition of Summertime.

If he performed on a nationwide hookup, all divisiveness would melt away.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT LINK