What's a Cadenza?!

This is the Google Maps photo of where I’m supposed to drive for a symphony concert tonight. 

Heard Ravel’s La valse for the first time last night. 

One line from the program notes stood out to me: “La valse contains every element of a Strauss waltz except its gaiety.”

So it’s a twisted waltz. That worked for me. Made me think of zombies— it’s the music you’d play if someone you loved came back to life, but was slightly wrong. It’s sinister, it’s macabre, it’s hauntingly pretty. 

It’s Secret Service Day!

Occasionally we have a concert on a Friday morning, which manages to completely slip my mind until I see my coworkers running around in suits and earpieces.