Category Archives: Music

The Most Beautiful Music in the World: Mahler s5m2

Posted on 26 March 2021 by Mark R. Kelly

It’s a passage of just over a minute, beginning at 17:50 of this Claudio Abbado performance of Mahler’s 5th symphony, and about four minutes into the second movement. It’s as if the world stops, ponders, and reflects. Then re-emerges, confidant. … Continue reading →

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Today’s Classic Song/Video: In the Air Tonight

Posted on 29 September 2017 by Mark R. Kelly

“I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes…” “I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life … I can feel it in the air tonight” Memorably used in the … Continue reading →

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Links and Comments: Radiohead; Originalism; Principia; Trump brain rot; Homeschooling; Art v Religion

Posted on 7 March 2017 by Mark R. Kelly

Catching up on links saved over the past week or so. Vox: Radiohead and sadness: a data analysis. Fascinating. \\\ Vox: Judicial originalism as myth It’s always struck me that Judicial originalism — the idea that nothing can be inferred … Continue reading →

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George Michael

Posted on 31 December 2016 by Mark R. Kelly

I did a Facebook post about my favorite George Michael songs — typically for me, the introspective ballads. My favorite George Michael song– Mother’s Pride. It’s only about the song; I’ve never seen the video until just now. “And all … Continue reading →

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You Will Love This One

Posted on 5 August 2016 by Mark R. Kelly

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a favorite song. These are times that come Only once in your life Or twice if you’re lucky

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Never Be the Same Again

Posted on 8 June 2016 by Mark R. Kelly

Best song from the elusive Darren Hayes album WE ARE SMUG…, released online back in 2009, but not available on CD until last year, and which I finally caught up with via Amazon last month. I am not generally a … Continue reading →

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On Seeing The Nutcracker ballet

Posted on 20 December 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

As I mentioned on Facebook yesterday, we saw a production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet at the San Francisco Ballet (click link for a 1-minute video sample), on Saturday 12/19, and had the good luck to snag first row seats, with … Continue reading →

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Philip Glass: Naqoyqatsi: Religion

Posted on 25 October 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

Best, most thrilling track from the 2002 score by Philip Glass of Godfrey Reggio’s film Naqoyqatsi, with cello by Yo-Yo Ma. Keep listening. It really kicks in around 5:00 — the contrast between those rising arpeggios, rhythmically erratic — one … Continue reading →

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Lewis Thomas, Late Night Thoughts on Listening to Mahler’s Ninth Symphony

Posted on 2 July 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

This was the third collection, published in 1983, of Lewis Thomas’s elegant, mostly short, essays, following The Lives of a Cell (which I blogged about last week) and The Medusa and the Snail. I read (or reread, I’m not sure) … Continue reading →

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Once Again: Turn Away

Posted on 17 February 2015 by Mark R. Kelly

Via AZ Lyrics, the last verse [updated per comment below] Turn, turn away From the weight of your own words It’s magic for the devil And betray the lack of change Once you have spoken Turn away [Update 18feb15: listening … Continue reading →

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