Category Archives: Personal ruminations & essays

A tale of the stub, or Pollyanna Interrupted

Posted on January 20, 2021 by barczablog

As I was choosing my wardrobe for a trip to my mom’s place for lunch, I opted as usual to try to look a bit nicer for her, pulling out a pair of dress-pants that I realized haven’t been touched … Continue reading →

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Zappa

Posted on January 13, 2021 by barczablog

2020 ended with a pair of Z’s that could just as easily be seen as the start of 2021. After Fareed Zakaria’s book, it’s Zappa, a documentary released late in 2020. Where Fareed is analyzing historical trends with an eye … Continue reading →

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Fareed Zakaria’s Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World

Posted on January 11, 2021 by barczablog

The title grabs you, doesn’t it? Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World portends something well-informed, if not brilliant. As 2021 begins I wonder what’s to come, and wish i could turn to someone knowledgeable to tell me what’s to come. … Continue reading →

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Wohin: where do we go from here? now what?

Posted on December 31, 2020 by barczablog

As we come to the end of 2020, we may wonder. Where do we go from here? Now what? It’s in that spirit that I invoke a Schubert song, “Wohin” from his cycle Die Schöne Müllerin. First there was a … Continue reading →

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Schirmer Serenade: a cure for Sam’s insomnia

Posted on December 27, 2020 by barczablog

Last night Sam the dog went to bed but didn’t close her eyes. It’s disturbing. As you may have read in other recent posts, she’s sick. The liver isn’t working right, an incurable malady whether you’re a human or a … Continue reading →

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Messiah / Complex

Posted on December 20, 2020 by barczablog

There’s nothing simple about Messiah/Complex, a new film that’s currently available for streaming from the Against the Grain Theatre website until January 7th. Complex? It’s an adaptation of Handel’s popular oratorio, a co-production of Against the Grain Theatre and Against … Continue reading →

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Mad Pupparazzo

Posted on December 15, 2020 by barczablog

I follow her around with my phone, taking pictures not so much a paparazzo as a pupparazzo. Samantha (SAM for short) seems to like the attention. The pictures? It’s simply that she’s irresistible. I want to capture those beautiful moments. … Continue reading →

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Masterful Rituaels film-concert from collectif9

Posted on December 8, 2020 by barczablog

After seeing a preview, I recommend Rituaels, a new film-concert from collectif9 especially to anyone who is missing live performance, wanting the experience of live music in their home setting, and especially to any artists intrigued by the challenges and … Continue reading →

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Rapt and unwrapped

Posted on December 6, 2020 by barczablog

There are days when I’m sure the powers that be are trying to tell me something. Anything can be an omen, but some creatures are especially portentous. I didn’t take Sam the dog outside right away, when I got home … Continue reading →

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Beethoven 250: ethnic music

Posted on December 2, 2020 by barczablog

This blog expands on something I proposed November 20th when I talked about Beethoven’s multiple incarnations. Everyone has dimensions or facets to their personality. I hope that’s not a radical idea. There are things we proudly show off, other things … Continue reading →

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