Above: Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s suite “Sheherazade” conducted by John Wilson and played by the Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra. They’re all exemplary; that girl is fantastic. YT video here.
I first heard this art song by Samuel Barber in high school voice class when I was 15, sung by a young baritone who eventually made it back from Vietnam in one piece in ’72.
Sure on this shining night
Of starmade shadows round,
Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground.
The late year lies down the north.
All is healed, all is health.
High summer holds the earth.
Hearts all whole.
Sure on this shining night
I weep for wonder
Wandering far alone
Of shadows on the stars.
~James Agee
And here’s Dudamel in Vienna playing everyone’s favorite Barber piece, which my beloved John is going to conduct on 04 August 2024 at the Royal Albert…
- “The Story So Far, with Conductor John Wilson”
- “The Story So Far; Or, Conductor John Wilson—His Limits”
- “Cantara Christopher Gives Her Beloved Conductor John Wilson Crib Notes on Todd Field’s Screen Masterpiece, Tár: Love, Teshuvah, and Filipinos Will Save Classical Music (PDF)”
FULL DRESS // A gifted mesmerist—a sinister composer—a naive young conductor from the north…inspired by an episode from the life of Rachmaninoff // DOWNLOAD FREE BOOK POSTER
"I'll Be Dead Before You Break My Heart" 