Cheers from a fellow person who plays the drums in the lefty setup!

As for Bartok's Orchestral Concerto, I quite enjoyed. Hard to pinpoint my favorite bits,because it's one of my favorite pieces by Bartok. Grace Roepke on the harp, Alex DiThomas on the english horn, and Kathleen Karr on the flute were standouts. There's a reason this piece has been so influential.

Yuja Wang made her debut conducting from the podium and she did a marvelous job. I would love to hear her perform this piece on the piano sometime, of course.

I've heard several orchestral arrangements of the piece and this is one of my favorites. Any time you have as many double basses (5) as you do brass (2 trumpets 3 bones), you have my attention. And the arrangement let those basses sing.

As for the performance of Lizst's Hungarian Rhapsody No 2, I must admit my bias. This is my favorite piece of classical music. I am inclined to enjoy it on any occasion, but I must say I was left not just pleased but overjoyed.

Also shout-out to Matthew Karr on the bassoon. The second movement required absolute steadiness and he provided it.

I think Ligeti did his best to torture the xylophonist but Soojin Kang refused to back down and was completely in sync with Yuja Wang. Mastery.

Started off with Ligeti's Piano Concerto. A very interesting piece, described by conductor Teddy Abrams as very mathematical. I can see that. I liked the second, fourth, and fifth movements.

I am not ashamed to admit I've listened to the whole thing at least five times through.

I have no idea how the ref missed it. He was looking right at it.

- The Wards theme from Mass Effect
- Graze the Roof from Plants vs Zombies
- Twisted Force from Baldur's Gate 3
- Vendetta Suite from Crimson Skies High Road to Revenge
- A Chance Meeting from Skyrim

And the cats

BTW, I asked for the list of 100 books, but they are working on it, so please don't flood their email address with requests. However, they seem to be happy to recommend books if you give them a topic. Their site is full of cool stuff, including signed copies by Joan Didion.

Some pictures of the work done in the Parkland Community Garden today. Repair of raised beds, weeding, fresh dirt added, repair of benches and picnic tables.