Day 119: Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow…

HaydnCD119I listened to this CD three times today, as background while I graded papers and watched through the window at Panera as more record snow and freezing temperatures made our lives hell.

All three times I noted the same passages as being standouts.

And I didn’t know I was doing that.

I was just listening along when something would jump out at me. So I reached for my pen and paper to write down which track it was and – surprise! – it was the same track each time.

That tells me (a) I’m stuck in a rut and only like what I really, really like, and/or (b) once I hear something, it remains indelibly etched in my brain, and/or (c) these objectively are standout performances.

The tracks are: Continue reading

Day 118: Andy Griffith, Larry, Coffee, and Home

HaydnCD118Another change of venue this morning: my home.

As an episode of The Andy Griffith Show plays in the background (because there’s always background noise when I’m at Panera), Larry (our cat) reposes on the floor near me, and a cup of fresh-brewed Morning Blend coffee sits strategically positioned less than an arm’s length away on the table beside me, I listen to today’s selection of Haydn’s Baryton Trios, to wit:

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 46 in A

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 47 in G

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 48 in D (my #2 favorite today)

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 49 in G (my #1 favorite today)

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 50 in D

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 51 in A

Haydn Baryton Trio No. 52 in D

LarryFloorIt’s still dark outside. And chilly inside. (Maybe that’s why Larry is curled into a tight ball.)

But the coffee is good.

The smell from the Bob Evans sausages grilling on the stove (I’m making breakfast for my still-sleep better half) is enticing.

The music is surprisingly compelling.

And I am motivated today (for various reasons) to write my ass off.

Life is good.

Maybe I’m onto something.

These baryton trios aren’t dramatically different from the ones to which I’ve been listening all along. Yet, somehow, today, they Continue reading