Timothy Weir
@tgweir.bsky.social
Retired. Writer and community contributor in Evansville Ind. Music, art, travel, positivity.
Carole King turns 84 today. Her era-defining Tapestry album launched the singer-songwriter movement. Released on February 10, 1971, it went to number one on the Billboard Album chart that June and won four Grammy Awards in 1972, including Album of the Year.
February 9, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Carole King turns 84 today. Her era-defining Tapestry album launched the singer-songwriter movement. Released on February 10, 1971, it went to number one on the Billboard Album chart that June and won four Grammy Awards in 1972, including Album of the Year.
Great to have pianist Pascal Rogé making new recordings and his Decca catalogue available again.
February 9, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Great to have pianist Pascal Rogé making new recordings and his Decca catalogue available again.
Happy Positivity Monday. Keep it simple.
February 9, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Happy Positivity Monday. Keep it simple.
“I feel that the time is soon coming when I no longer have to be ashamed and remain silent, but when I feel with pride that I am a painter.”
Today celebrating the birthday of Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907), one of the first German artists to work in the style known as Expressionism.
Today celebrating the birthday of Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907), one of the first German artists to work in the style known as Expressionism.
February 8, 2026 at 8:11 PM
“I feel that the time is soon coming when I no longer have to be ashamed and remain silent, but when I feel with pride that I am a painter.”
Today celebrating the birthday of Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907), one of the first German artists to work in the style known as Expressionism.
Today celebrating the birthday of Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907), one of the first German artists to work in the style known as Expressionism.
Happy birthday (Feb. 7th) to author Charles Dickens (1812-1870).
February 8, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Happy birthday (Feb. 7th) to author Charles Dickens (1812-1870).
“This is a treasurable new album from a pianist with much to say.”
www.prestomusic.com/classical/ar...
www.prestomusic.com/classical/ar...
Goldberg Variations from Yunchan Lim
Yunchan Lim brings an expressively muscular yet idiomatic approach in this live recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, making this new album a treasurable addition to a catalogue which includes many celebrated recordings.
www.prestomusic.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:53 PM
“This is a treasurable new album from a pianist with much to say.”
www.prestomusic.com/classical/ar...
www.prestomusic.com/classical/ar...
Happy French-Press Friyay! This is all the pressure we need at the end of the week. Enjoy a cup.
Art by Judson Picot Eneas.
Art by Judson Picot Eneas.
February 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Happy French-Press Friyay! This is all the pressure we need at the end of the week. Enjoy a cup.
Art by Judson Picot Eneas.
Art by Judson Picot Eneas.
With Valentine’s Day a week away, it’s a nice little gift.
Everyone deserves a little treat. Here you go.
A big bouquet of flowers with a tiny cat.
A big bouquet of flowers with a tiny cat.
February 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
With Valentine’s Day a week away, it’s a nice little gift.
Happy Thursday! Today is a gratitude day for me. We don't get through life without the help of good people and good fortune, so count every blessing.
February 5, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Happy Thursday! Today is a gratitude day for me. We don't get through life without the help of good people and good fortune, so count every blessing.
Reposted by Timothy Weir
the Washington Post effectively blew up its arts section today, dismissing its books, TV, music, and theater critics, features writers, and several editors. (I'm also guessing the vacant film critic position will stay that way.) Just an insane loss of talent and a huge self-inflicted wound.
February 4, 2026 at 9:46 PM
the Washington Post effectively blew up its arts section today, dismissing its books, TV, music, and theater critics, features writers, and several editors. (I'm also guessing the vacant film critic position will stay that way.) Just an insane loss of talent and a huge self-inflicted wound.
Reposted by Timothy Weir
Imogen + Beethoven - To me, pianist Imogen Cooper can do no wrong. This month, Chandos Records presents her in Beethoven's final three piano sonatas recorded last September at Snape Maltings. It is a thoughtful follow-up to her Diabelli Variations recorded there in 2018. Musical integrity.
February 5, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Imogen + Beethoven - To me, pianist Imogen Cooper can do no wrong. This month, Chandos Records presents her in Beethoven's final three piano sonatas recorded last September at Snape Maltings. It is a thoughtful follow-up to her Diabelli Variations recorded there in 2018. Musical integrity.
Beethoven 4 & 5 - I hadn't played this disc in years until I read this by critic Jens Laurson today: "This Fourth Symphony is gloriously alive, fleet but never ‘light’, and the orchestra manages perfection. Consider the splendid, famous Fifth a bonus." It was refreshing. A delight.
February 4, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Beethoven 4 & 5 - I hadn't played this disc in years until I read this by critic Jens Laurson today: "This Fourth Symphony is gloriously alive, fleet but never ‘light’, and the orchestra manages perfection. Consider the splendid, famous Fifth a bonus." It was refreshing. A delight.
With it cold, grey and snow-covered this afternoon, the day took my imagination to Finland. Let's enjoy a painting without the snow by Finnish Realist painter Albert Edelfelt (1854-1905). This is "Kaukola Ridge at Sunset, 1890, oil on canvas.
February 3, 2026 at 10:17 PM
With it cold, grey and snow-covered this afternoon, the day took my imagination to Finland. Let's enjoy a painting without the snow by Finnish Realist painter Albert Edelfelt (1854-1905). This is "Kaukola Ridge at Sunset, 1890, oil on canvas.
When you've collected every album an artist has recorded over 30 years, you might be a fan. That explains why I'm looking forward to tonight's concert by jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall on her 2026 North American Tour.
February 3, 2026 at 1:57 PM
When you've collected every album an artist has recorded over 30 years, you might be a fan. That explains why I'm looking forward to tonight's concert by jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall on her 2026 North American Tour.
Kreisler-Heifetz Day is always cause for celebration. Fritz Kreisler (1875 - 1962), born on Feb. 2nd in Vienna, and Jascha Heifetz (1901 - 1987), born in Vilnius, could not have been more different as men or violinists. Warm-hearted Kreisler produced a golden tone, Heifetz technical wizardry.
February 2, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Kreisler-Heifetz Day is always cause for celebration. Fritz Kreisler (1875 - 1962), born on Feb. 2nd in Vienna, and Jascha Heifetz (1901 - 1987), born in Vilnius, could not have been more different as men or violinists. Warm-hearted Kreisler produced a golden tone, Heifetz technical wizardry.
Reposted by Timothy Weir
Sidebar in which I pick my personal top 10 recordings by both Miles and Trane as leaders, plus some bonus tracks. ums.org/2026/01/29/m...
Miles and Trane on Record: A Critic’s Favorites
University Musical Society
ums.org
January 30, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Sidebar in which I pick my personal top 10 recordings by both Miles and Trane as leaders, plus some bonus tracks. ums.org/2026/01/29/m...
Hopping around the Bunny to recognize 2026 Grammy wins by artists twice his age (31). Joni Mitchell, 82, and Yo-Yo Ma, 70, received Historical and Classical Solo awards, respectively, for the albums here - her 11th, Ma's 20th. Bad Bunny made history for the first Spanish-language Album of the Year.
February 2, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Hopping around the Bunny to recognize 2026 Grammy wins by artists twice his age (31). Joni Mitchell, 82, and Yo-Yo Ma, 70, received Historical and Classical Solo awards, respectively, for the albums here - her 11th, Ma's 20th. Bad Bunny made history for the first Spanish-language Album of the Year.
Happy Positivity Monday. Live life with love. - From "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz.
February 2, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Happy Positivity Monday. Live life with love. - From "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Cellist Steven Isserlis has given us a winning new recording, “1851” on @hyperionrecords.bsky.social. He and his esteemed duo partner Connie Shih (on a vintage Erard) play sonatas composed in that year by Moscheles and Schumann (violin sonata No. 2 transcribed by Isserlis) and other short pieces.
January 31, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Cellist Steven Isserlis has given us a winning new recording, “1851” on @hyperionrecords.bsky.social. He and his esteemed duo partner Connie Shih (on a vintage Erard) play sonatas composed in that year by Moscheles and Schumann (violin sonata No. 2 transcribed by Isserlis) and other short pieces.
Celebrating birthday 229 of Viennese composer Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828). In his short life, he left a wealth of beauty and meaning for us: songs, symphonies, sonatas and chamber music. Despite a tragic end, he loved life and conveyed that joy in his music. Some favorites.
January 31, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Celebrating birthday 229 of Viennese composer Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828). In his short life, he left a wealth of beauty and meaning for us: songs, symphonies, sonatas and chamber music. Despite a tragic end, he loved life and conveyed that joy in his music. Some favorites.
Reposted by Timothy Weir
"But we could not resist adding this short extra, because it is special. Furthermore, I doubt whether the other composers on this recording would have objected at all."—Steven Isserlis
Watch the video 🎞️ youtu.be/SFWAd63n5nE?...
Watch the video 🎞️ youtu.be/SFWAd63n5nE?...
Bach & Gounod: Méditation sur le premier prélude de piano de J S Bach - Steven Isserlis, Connie Shih
YouTube video by Hyperion Records
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 2:39 PM
"But we could not resist adding this short extra, because it is special. Furthermore, I doubt whether the other composers on this recording would have objected at all."—Steven Isserlis
Watch the video 🎞️ youtu.be/SFWAd63n5nE?...
Watch the video 🎞️ youtu.be/SFWAd63n5nE?...
Happy Friyay, friends! After the snow-storm week we've had, it's time not just to enjoy a cup of coffee, but also have a pain au chocolat while we're at it. Go ahead. You've earned it.
Art: Coffee and pain au chocolat, 2023, Julian Merrow-Smith, oil on board from his Postcard from Provence series.
Art: Coffee and pain au chocolat, 2023, Julian Merrow-Smith, oil on board from his Postcard from Provence series.
January 30, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Happy Friyay, friends! After the snow-storm week we've had, it's time not just to enjoy a cup of coffee, but also have a pain au chocolat while we're at it. Go ahead. You've earned it.
Art: Coffee and pain au chocolat, 2023, Julian Merrow-Smith, oil on board from his Postcard from Provence series.
Art: Coffee and pain au chocolat, 2023, Julian Merrow-Smith, oil on board from his Postcard from Provence series.