Skip to main content

CrossPost with Facebook, PortoPianoFestschrift

Image
By

[in an attempt to create something nice for my Facebook page -- where I rarely post anything -- I submitted the following]

 Porto is a city of culture, something that I appreciate particularly during the recent PortoPianoFest, twelve days of piano concerts in various locations around the city and suburbs.  I managed to attend six of the twenty or so recitals; all were refreshing to hear such displays of musicianship unaided by electronics.  Mea Culpa: a Scriabin sonata was so powerful, I wrote a comment accusing the Festival of amplifying the sound; they very politely responded that they would never amplify a solo piano!  

It is also encouraging to see young musicians performing so well.  The programs were predominantly well-known classical pieces – several of which I know and/or have played – plus a number of newer and varied selections to expand our horizons.  The outdoor concert in the Crystal Palace Gardens was such a delightful setting on a summer evening, and the closing recital was in the stunning Moorish Hall of the Palacio da Bolsa.








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fleeing Trump, Americans go to Portugal

By
  Fleeing Trump, Americans go into exile in Portugal. “I'm afraid to go back” Not only minorities feel threatened by the Trump administration. Three couples, a mother and an academic tell us why they chose to live in Portugal. Some say: the American dream is over.      The above is today's headline article in our favorite trusted newspaper in Portugal, O Publico .  It's a centrist newspaper, owned by a big supermarket corporation.  Let's combine this with the recent news that Portugal's Air Force is now shifting away from its planned purchase of F-35 jets.  Even though Trump has not even mentioned Portugal in his various diatribes against former allies, Portugal and the rest of Europe are reeling from the attacks.  We hope it has the ironic effect of freeing Europe from American dominance and improving the chances for centrist leadership (against Trump-like parties that have been gaining prominence).  The original text follows: Em fuga de Tru...
Post a Comment
Read more

EUA: tanto estrago em tão pouco tempo

By
 As part of my effort to learn about Portugal, both the country and the language, I'm subscribing to the centrist newspaper, O Publico .  There are plenty of newspapers: conservative tabloids, and socialist and communist-sponsored daily papers; I find O Publico to be most sober, with consistently interesting columnists and opinion pieces, in addition to some local (Porto) news, with just enough sporting news to keep me chatting with the taxi driver.   Today's opinion piece sums up, I think, European pundits' view of the U.S. government.  As the title puts it: so much damage in so little time.  I shudder at the rank incompetence and corrupt behavior, demonstrating a cynical attitude toward public service, showing indeed that the cruelty is the point. What scandal, what damage will be the tipping point to collapse this government?   And what will it take to recover from the damage?  Who will be able to trust the US government again, ever?   Only ni...
Post a Comment
Read more

Health System commentary, Portugal

By
 I just returned from the dentist, and the pharmacy.  The young dentist diagnosed my toothache as an infection, for which she prescribed some amoxicillin, as well as ibuprofen for the inflammation.  She took several spot x-rays and used several tests to ensure the diagnosis -- i.e. no other teeth involved.  She told me the goodnews/badnews: no other teeth are involved; it's likely a deeply-buried infection of an old root canal, which will likely recur in a few...and thus will likely mean eventual replacement of the tooth.  However, antibiotics should stave off the infection for the time being, and we hope the time will be long.   This commentary is more about the cost and procedures in Portugal -- the dental clinic, perfectly shiny new clean modern, charged me 33euros total.  Self-pay.   Further, the dentist keyed in the prescription completely online, attached to my unique Portugal SNS health-number (separate from my NIF tax number and my NISS so...
Post a Comment
Read more