Chopin anniversary observance

Classical music programmers love to build off anniversary dates - this year is the 200th anniversary of Chopin's birth, so ASU is one of many places doing a concert series.



That's good news for Patricia and me; we have much enjoyed running down to Katzen Hall. Last night was the third installment, probably the one we enjoyed most.

Things we liked:

1. The short pre-concert lecture is very interesting. Even if I can't remember what the lecturer told us to listen for when the music is actually being played.

2. Baruch Meir performed delightfully.

3. And gave a small talk right after intermission where he named two teachers who had helped him with Chopin and described how each took a different approach (one constantly teaching Chopin's music as poetry and words; the other constantly speaking of it as singing). Then he played the opening passage from one of the works two different ways (one for each teacher's approach).

This is fun stuff. As is late dinner at La Bocca, which was quite excellent on each of our three visits.

The video is Arthur Rubenstein's rendition of Chopin's Berceuse - a simple lullaby that we hadn't heard previously.

Spur Cross 2010

We reprised our hike from last February - went to the Spur Cross conservation area and did the Elephant Mountain loop trail. Delightful weather, upper 60s and sunny. About seven miles, a fair amount of climbing, we spent about three and a half hours.

Top photo is from a pass at the high point of the trail; click to enlarge and you can see some Indian ruins atop the ridge.

Second photo is from the same area but looking more to the south.

Third photo is a stand of saguaros a bit farther down the trail.

Last two photos are when we forded Cave Creek at the end of the hike. Heavy recent rain had flooded out the usual passage, so we had to do some rock hopping. It was very pretty, just ahead of sunset.

Went to a restaurant in Cave Creek after - enjoyed the company but the food was very average.

This area is well worth repeat visits.