BALTIC MATTERS
ISAAC STANLEY-BECKER DESCRIBES “THE NEXT FRONT,” The Atlantic, November 2026: “The Baltics,” he writes, “are getting ready for a Russian attack.” Here are tidbits gleaned from The Atlantic article, together … Continue reading
“SEX AND THE MUSIC LIBRARIAN” PART 2
YESTERDAY, NICK SLONIMSKY BEGAN SHARING A PRESENTATION he offered to the Music Librarian Association. Today in Part 2, we continue enjoying his erudition and offbeat humor. A Wife’s Identical Twin … Continue reading
“SEX AND THE MUSIC LIBRARIAN” PART 1
HOW COULD I IGNORE A PRESENTATION WITH THIS TITLE—especially by no less than my pal Nick Slonimsky? See “Nick Slonimsky,” September 8, 2013, and also “The Waltz—Its Father, Its King, … Continue reading
LET’S REMIND OUR ADDLED PRESIDENT—AND HIS SUPPORTERS
FULL DISCLOSURE: I TOO AM OVER EIGHTY. And while I still recall the opening Prologue to Canterbury Tales (“Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote/The droghte of March hath perced … Continue reading
THE WALTZ— ITS FATHER, ITS KING, AND DON’T FORGET MATILDA PART 2
MUSICOLOGIST NICK SLONIMSKY BEGAN ALL THIS with his entertaining writings abut 3/4 time and its composers. Here in Part 2, we focus on dissing, both musical and familial. And, as … Continue reading
THE WALTZ—ITS FATHER, ITS KING, AND DON’T FORGET MATILDA PART 1
MY MUSICAL AUTHORITY OF DELIGHT, NICK SLONIMSKY, GETS US STARTED by defining the waltz as “the most famous ballroom dance in 3/4 time, generated in Austria toward the end of … Continue reading
MINUTESTEAKS—70 YEARS HENCE
MY MEMORY WAS JOGGED BY LAUREN BAIR’S ARTICLE “The Underrated Steak I Make When Dinner Has To Be Ready in 10 Minutes,” Simply Recipes, August 25, 2026. Her description of … Continue reading
OPERA’S RAZOR EDGES
I ENJOY QUOTING SIR PETER USTINOV: “Opera rides the razor edge of absurdity.” The October 2026 issue of Opera With Opera News offers interesting extremes of scenery and notable examples … Continue reading
GEORGE HANGER: 4TH (AND LAST) BARON OF COLERAINE, MILITARY BLUNDERER, EARLY FEMINIST (??)
THE SLEEZE MEDIA THESE DAYS ARE REPLETE WITH GOINGS-ON (or non-goings-in) of English Royals (or non-Royals). Leafing again through Brewer’s Rogues, Villains & Eccentrics, I came upon George Hanger, 4th … Continue reading
2026 IG NOBEL AWARDS—WITH A NEW HOME
I KNOW YOU’VE BEEN WAITING, AND JENNIFER OUELLETTE ANNOUNCES THE 2026 IG NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS, ars TECHNICA, September 3, 2026. She observes, “It’s that time of year again, when we … Continue reading
