Category: Music

Tidy Tidbits

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MUSICAL TREAT

Chanticleer (Singers.com)

When we lived in San Francisco, we were fans of and Chanticleer subscribers.  We heard them perform in large and small venues and felt as if we got to know some of the singers a bit.  This men’s acapella choir tours around the U.S. and has even sung abroad.  It was delightful to hear them locally in their Christmas concert at the Sarasota Opera House.  None of the guys were familiar to us, but it was a wonderful evening of medieval songs, traditional English carols, and even a few popular tunes.  For a taste of their exquisite harmonies, here’s a link to a 2021 rendition of “I Wonder as I Wander.”

VIEWING

The Chief Penguin and I finished watching The Crown last week which, despite the opinion of critics, we thought was well presented.  And yes, we know it isn’t a documentary and the filmmaker has taken creative liberties with some scenes.  In the later episodes Charles, now king, is portrayed quite positively, while Imelda Staunton is a convincing Queen Elizabeth.  

Extraordinary Attorney Woo  (Netflix)

Attorney Woo in court (Study Breaks Magazine)

Thanks to my sister Sal, I am enjoying this legal series.  It’s a South Korean series about a high-functioning autistic young woman who is a newly hired lawyer at a prestigious firm.   Although she struggles with everyday tasks like walking through a revolving door, she has a superb memory and is a creative thinker.  Her portrayal is sensitively done, and one sees her colleagues gradually accepting her oddities and her abilities.   The cases and clients are challenging ones for the firm, and Woo’s insights are often key to a successful resolution.  

There are 16 episodes, each an hour long, and I’ve now watched three of them.  As a side note, I read that several years ago, the state of Florida hired its first autistic lawyer, also a woman.   

BOOK NOTE–MARGOT

I subscribe to BookBrowse, an online newsletter highlighting new publications.  There are reviews, author interviews, and suggested titles for book groups. Some content is free to anyone. As a subscriber, I have the occasional opportunity to request an ARC (Advance Reading Copy) with the understanding that I will either share my impression of the book in a short review or participate in an online discussion of the book by formulating and posting a series of questions.  I much prefer to do a brief review.  

I just finished reading and posting a review of a novel to be published in Jan. 2023. It’s entitled Margot by Wendell Steavenson.  I had mixed feelings about it as you will see if you read my First Impressions on the BookBrowse website at:  https://www.bookbrowse.com/reader_reviews/details/index.cfm/ref/rr50935

Holiday cheer in Winter Park, FL

Note: Header poinsettia photo and snowman ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)

Maine Potpourri: Books & Music

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This week’s post features two novels I recently read. One is definitely summertime fare, an absorbing love story set in and near Philadelphia. The other is yet another World War II related historical novel, but from a slightly different perspective than the recent rash of female spy novels. I found that the momentum built the farther I got into it. Character development was a bit slow and with not as much depth as the author’s earlier novel, perhaps because a few more of these characters were real people.

And on a different note, the Chief Penguin and I went to a concert of Irish music performed by the female ensemble, Cherish the Ladies.

AMISH AND BIG CITY WORLDS COLLIDE

Between You & Me by Susan Wiggs

I’ve long been a fan of Susan Wiggs’ novels.  Some are historical novels such as her early Chicago Fire Trilogy; others are contemporary.  All deal with relationships, both romantic and familial.  Not her most recent book, but one I’d missed is Between You and Me.  Set in the greater Philadelphia area, it brings into focus the contrast in cultural milieus between a rich medical student destined to become a pediatric surgeon and an Amish farmer who is raising his orphaned niece and nephew in that faith community.  

Reese Powell is following the career track her successful physician parents have mapped out for her when she encounters Caleb Stoltz whose nephew Jonah has suffered a farming machinery accident.  Jonah loses his arm and has a long road to recovery and adjustment.  Despite their different and clashing worlds, Reese and Caleb are attracted to one another.  Yet each is bound by pledges they made to their families.  I found this an absorbing and fast-paced story that drew me in immediately.  

SAVING WWII REFUGEES

The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton

Author Clayton (en.wikipedia.org)

Several years ago, I read and enjoyed Meg Clayton’s earlier novel, The Last Train to London, also set during the Second World War.  This new one is built around German artist refugees and activists involved in secretly guiding them out of occupied France across the mountains into Spain or Portugal.  A dangerous business.  

The main character, heiress Nanee, is based on the real Mary Jane Gold from Chicago.  Nanee has a passion for adventure and joins the resistance delivering messages to refugees in hiding and spiriting others across the border.  She buys an old chateau on the outskirts of Paris to house herself and colleagues, including the real American journalist Varian Fry.  Photographer Edouard Moss, wanted by the Nazis, is reluctant to leave since he has been separated from his little girl.  The novel is a story of Nanee and Edouard’s love and the amazing bravery and courage of those who endured.

It moves slowly as the character of Edouard is introduced and then gains momentum as the resistance team becomes involved in a rescue mission from a French labor camp.  A sobering portrait of a time fraught with danger. 

IRISH MUSIC

The group with Joanie Madden in front (boothbayoperahouse.com)

It’s just a month since we returned home from Ireland and so, going to a concert of Irish music was both appropriate and appealing.  The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor presents a full season of musical events beginning in May and ending in December.  Their offerings range from folk music to jazz to Broadway tunes to blues and swing bands.  Several years ago, we attended a jazz concert in this historic hall.

This week, the offering was the Irish music ensemble, Cherish the Ladies.  This Grammy-winning group, led by an exuberant Joanie Madden on flute and whistle, has been performing together for 38 years.  On fiddle, accordion, guitar, and piano plus the whistle or flute, they performed traditional Irish tunes along with some original ones.  Interspersed in were two lively step dancers and several haunting County Clare melodies sung by Clare native, Kate Purcell.  

The music was lively and lilting and the evening great fun!  The group was supposed to be here for a Christmas program in December 2019.  Due to Covid, they got here this year instead.  The hall was packed and clearly, some in the crowd were big fans.  For a sample, here’s a YouTube link to “The Cat’s Meow Jig”, Joanie Madden’s first composition.

Note: Header photo is a Maine sunset off Southport Island ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved).

Tidy Tidbits: Music & Food

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LIVE MUSIC

Sarah Hicks (datebook.sfchronicle.com)

Last week for the first time in two years, we attended a symphony concert.  It was such a joy to hear the music in person and not be glued to a small screen!  This was the Sarasota Orchestra’s Be Mine concert, part of their Great Escapes series.  Guest conductor Sarah Hicks was a lively and informative presence on the podium, and in honor of Valentine’s Day, the musical theme was love.  We heard Gershwin’s Overture from Girl Crazy, two selections from Carmen, and Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, along with several other works.  This was a short concert, just an hour, and perfect for the pre-dinner hour.  

ENGAGING DRAMA

The Gilded Age (HBO Max)

Marian & Peggy (smithsonianmag.com)

The reviews of Julian Fellowes’ latest series have been mixed. But, I like historical drama and am especially fond of the 19th century so, I decided to subscribe to HBO Max to see The Gilded Age.  It’s set in New York City in the 1880’s and is rife with snobbery, social climbing, and meanness, coupled with large fortunes.  Newcomers, albeit wealthy ones, are not well received unless blessed by the formidable Mrs. Astor. 

Young Marian Brook comes from Pennsylvania to live with her aunts, Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook, after the death of her father.  She has no resources of her own, and in her directness and naivete, questions and challenges the ways of society.  One fascinating aspect of this series is its inclusion of educated affluent Blacks.  They are exemplified in Peggy Scott and her parents.  Peggy befriends Marian and is hired as secretary to Aunt Agnes.  

Overall, it’s a darker drama than Downton Abbey.  Denee Benton as Peggy is very well played, and it is fun to watch Christine Baranski as the acerbic, dictatorial Aunt Agnes.  There are four episodes, and it’s already been renewed for a second season. I’m hooked!

LOCAL EATERY

Pesto

I’m slightly reluctant to blog about Pesto since this neighborhood restaurant has become very popular!  We dined there twice in the past two weeks, once with visiting family, and it’s now a favorite.   There are three dining areas (the one in the back has a bar) plus tables and heaters outside.   The food is Italian, and there’s a wide variety of pasta and meat selections.  

We enjoyed the veal and chicken Milanese preparations and their veal scaloppini and have sampled the shrimp-cargot and several of the salads.  The wine list is extensive, and several beers are also available.  Prices are moderate, portions are substantial, and the food is good! 

Note: Header photos of foursome dining out from istock.com.

Tidy Tidbits: The Local Scene

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CONCERT EXPERIENCE

Frisson Ensemble

We ventured to Sarasota for a Christmas musical performance in the Sarasota Opera House last Sunday evening. We felt comfortable going since the production was following the SafeArtsSarasota protocols requiring masks and either a negative Covid test or showing your Covid vaccine card.  We thought there might be a line to get in, given the document checking, and were surprised there wasn’t one.  Also, we were disappointed that such a small crowd overall was in attendance.  Plenty of empty seats and no problem with social distancing!

The performers were instrumentalists comprising an ensemble called Frisson from New York.  Violin, viola, cello, string bass, clarinet, oboe, flute, and bassoon were all represented.  Except for the leader/conductor, these were young musicians, rising stars.  I was particularly taken with the playing of David Gallant, oboist and conductor, and Remy Taghavi on bassoon.  The pieces ranged from dances from The Nutcracker to a selection of familiar and lesser-known carols.  Unfortunately, the lack of a captive audience made for a somewhat flat event despite the talent on display.  

DINING OUT

Rosemary & Thyme

It had been a while since we last dined at Rosemary & Thyme, and we were pleased to return.  This time we opted for an inside table rather than outside, but noted that their outdoor patio was full, nicely lighted, and with heat lamps against the evening’s chill.  Elias was our enthusiastic waiter, and he took good care of us.  The guys sampled specialty cocktails while J. and I had chardonnay.  Among the four of us, we ordered Caesar salads, battered mushrooms, and fish chowder followed by fried calamari, halibut, salmon, and the fresh catch which was swordfish.  The fish entrees were on a bed of mixed vegetables and risotto.  All very tasty!  The restaurant is located on Orange Street, Sarasota, in the Rosemary District and serves breakfast and lunch.

FOOTNOTE

I commented on Huma Abedin’s memoir, Both/And in an earlier post before I had finished reading it.  It is excellent!  She is one smart, savvy woman and her account of her professional life working for Hillary Clinton is impressive and fascinating.  She provides a much warmer, richer portrait of the former First Lady and Secretary of State than has often been the case.  Abedin does not stint on sharing her own mistakes and faults either.  Raised in and practicing her Muslim faith, she somewhat naively gives husband Anthony Weiner the benefit of the doubt several times as their marriage unravels. One gains an understanding of why she was initially compelled to stay with him.  It’s a long book but a rewarding one.  I look forward to watching how the rest of Abedin’s life unfolds.  Highly recommended! (~JWFarrington)

Note: Header photo is the Sarasota Opera House (hungarytoday.hu)