Saturday, April 20, 2019

Friday, April 19, 2019

Cholesterol Control: Statins vs. Plant Sterols

Cholesterol Control: Statins vs. Plant Sterols

Plant Sterols and Stanols for Helping High Cholesterol

Plant Sterols and Stanols for Helping High Cholesterol

Hearing loss not just the bane of rock musicians; Royal Opera House loses appeal over loss of viola player's hearing - BBC News

Royal Opera House loses appeal over viola player's hearing - BBC News

On 1 September 2012, Mr Goldscheider was seated directly in front of the brass section of the orchestra for a rehearsal of Wagner's thunderous opera Die Walkure in the famous orchestra pit of the opera house, in Covent Garden.

The bell of a trumpet was immediately behind his right ear during the rehearsal and noise levels reached 132 decibels - roughly equivalent to that of a jet engine.

His hearing was irreversibly damaged. Mr Goldscheider, from Bedfordshire, now has to wear ear defenders to carry out everyday household tasks such as preparing food.....

Classical music and Christianity | John Borstlap

Classical music and Christianity | John Borstlap

What the government wants you to know --- and not know

The Mueller Report:  855 redactions

Monday, April 15, 2019

Encounter with Notre Dame

Nearly 50 years ago, I heard the organist of Notre Dame, Paris, Pierre Cochereau, in concert at the Ohio State University.  It was Wed-Apr-12-1972.   Now, as this icon of Western Christendom and a birthplace of the Western classical music tradition burns, many hearts are sinking a bit, mine included.

Here was the program from M. Cochereau:

Perotin le Grand Pedal point en triple
Raquet Fantaisie
Dacquin Noel sur lees flutes
Calviere Pieces breves
Vierne Sym. No 2 for grand organ, excerpts
Saint-Martin Offertoire sur two noels
Cochereau Improvisations on two themes

One of the themes was "Carmen Ohio," the alma mater of our great university.  His improvisation was remarkable.

I well recall this was a cold, rainy night.  Only a few devotees turned out to find seats in the cavernous Mershon Auditorium.  We went backstage afterwards.  Monsieur Cochereau was most gracious to meet his public.

Sadly, this great artist suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed on 12 years later, just 59.  His art lives on, and ones feels certain, even today as the flames rage, that his ancient, venerable Notre Dame will be rebuilt and live on, too.