Himadri Chatterjee
@hairygit.bsky.social
Retired operational research analyst. Loves Shakespeare, Verdi, Sherlock Holmes stories.
Pinned
This book is on a subject very close to my heart, and I can only hope my love of these plays come through. As well as my thoughts on them, of course.
You may order it from contubernalesbooks.com/essays-on-ibsen , or from amzn.eu/d/bX9nj2t . (Or from www.amazon.com/Essays-Ibsen... if in US.)
You may order it from contubernalesbooks.com/essays-on-ibsen , or from amzn.eu/d/bX9nj2t . (Or from www.amazon.com/Essays-Ibsen... if in US.)
Spotted in church jumble sale.
Sadly, I no longer have a turntable, & I do miss walking out of a record shop with something like this under my arm. You feel you'd actually bought something. Streaming just isn't the same!
As Wordsworth put it, there hath past away a glory from this earth.
Sadly, I no longer have a turntable, & I do miss walking out of a record shop with something like this under my arm. You feel you'd actually bought something. Streaming just isn't the same!
As Wordsworth put it, there hath past away a glory from this earth.
May 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Spotted in church jumble sale.
Sadly, I no longer have a turntable, & I do miss walking out of a record shop with something like this under my arm. You feel you'd actually bought something. Streaming just isn't the same!
As Wordsworth put it, there hath past away a glory from this earth.
Sadly, I no longer have a turntable, & I do miss walking out of a record shop with something like this under my arm. You feel you'd actually bought something. Streaming just isn't the same!
As Wordsworth put it, there hath past away a glory from this earth.
I find myself matching Scotch malt whiskies to recordings. Karajan with the Berlin Philharmonic goes well with a smooth, rich, full-bodied Macallan. You'd need a Lagavulin for a Klemperer recording, though! 😀
April 4, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I find myself matching Scotch malt whiskies to recordings. Karajan with the Berlin Philharmonic goes well with a smooth, rich, full-bodied Macallan. You'd need a Lagavulin for a Klemperer recording, though! 😀
Haydn composed some 40 or so string quartets of such consistently high quality, it’s impossible to pick out favourites. But this morning, I’ve decided which is the best. It’s Op 50 No 4 in F# minor.
It just is, so there.
open.spotify.com/track/5h5obK...
It just is, so there.
open.spotify.com/track/5h5obK...
Quartet No. 4 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 50: I. Allegro spiritoso
Joseph Haydn, Quatuor Zaïde · Joseph Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 50 · Song · 2015
open.spotify.com
March 29, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Haydn composed some 40 or so string quartets of such consistently high quality, it’s impossible to pick out favourites. But this morning, I’ve decided which is the best. It’s Op 50 No 4 in F# minor.
It just is, so there.
open.spotify.com/track/5h5obK...
It just is, so there.
open.spotify.com/track/5h5obK...
Listening to Porgy & Bess, & wondering why it isn't better known as an opera. Sure, everyone knows the individual numbers, but it's so much more than just a string of hits.
March 26, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Listening to Porgy & Bess, & wondering why it isn't better known as an opera. Sure, everyone knows the individual numbers, but it's so much more than just a string of hits.
Everyone is celebrating today the date of birth of Johann Sebastian Bach. But, as I understand it, Bach’s birthday is 21st March only in the old style, but on 31st March in the Gregorian calendar. So let’s give it ten more days, and we could then celebrate Bach & Haydn together.
March 21, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Everyone is celebrating today the date of birth of Johann Sebastian Bach. But, as I understand it, Bach’s birthday is 21st March only in the old style, but on 31st March in the Gregorian calendar. So let’s give it ten more days, and we could then celebrate Bach & Haydn together.
Calling Classical Music Bluesky: What’s your opinion of Haydn’s 7 Last Words from the Cross?
David Hurwitz reckons the original orchestral version is the one to listen to, & is dismissive of the version for string quartet. But it’s this string quartet version that touches me more deeply. Opinions?
David Hurwitz reckons the original orchestral version is the one to listen to, & is dismissive of the version for string quartet. But it’s this string quartet version that touches me more deeply. Opinions?
March 12, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Calling Classical Music Bluesky: What’s your opinion of Haydn’s 7 Last Words from the Cross?
David Hurwitz reckons the original orchestral version is the one to listen to, & is dismissive of the version for string quartet. But it’s this string quartet version that touches me more deeply. Opinions?
David Hurwitz reckons the original orchestral version is the one to listen to, & is dismissive of the version for string quartet. But it’s this string quartet version that touches me more deeply. Opinions?
Since it's Ravel's 150th today, I'm going to plug again Alicia de Larrocha's recordings of the piano concertos.
Either recording. They're both magical.
Either recording. They're both magical.
March 7, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Since it's Ravel's 150th today, I'm going to plug again Alicia de Larrocha's recordings of the piano concertos.
Either recording. They're both magical.
Either recording. They're both magical.
Saturday night is turning into Opera Night. Last week it was Strauss’ Salomé, & tonight, since my wife wasn’t around, I put on a bit of Wagner: Tristan und Isolde. Oh boy! - that one really does your head in! (How’s that for a bit of insight & analysis, then?)
It’s going to be a bubbly Rossini next.
It’s going to be a bubbly Rossini next.
February 16, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Saturday night is turning into Opera Night. Last week it was Strauss’ Salomé, & tonight, since my wife wasn’t around, I put on a bit of Wagner: Tristan und Isolde. Oh boy! - that one really does your head in! (How’s that for a bit of insight & analysis, then?)
It’s going to be a bubbly Rossini next.
It’s going to be a bubbly Rossini next.
When you've been overdosing on Richard Strauss, you need something to clean your ears out a bit. And these recordings are like old friends.
February 10, 2025 at 10:24 PM
When you've been overdosing on Richard Strauss, you need something to clean your ears out a bit. And these recordings are like old friends.
Got tickets for Verdi Requiem at Royal Festival Hall in March, to be conducted by Riccardo Muti. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard this live more than I have any other piece of music: by my count, this will be my 6th. My first was over 40 years ago, with James Loughran conducting the Hallé.
February 4, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Got tickets for Verdi Requiem at Royal Festival Hall in March, to be conducted by Riccardo Muti. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard this live more than I have any other piece of music: by my count, this will be my 6th. My first was over 40 years ago, with James Loughran conducting the Hallé.
I miss the old Yellow Pages. Especially the bit that used to say “Boring - see Civil Engineers”.
January 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I miss the old Yellow Pages. Especially the bit that used to say “Boring - see Civil Engineers”.
So what have we all been listening to on #MozartDay?
January 27, 2025 at 7:20 PM
So what have we all been listening to on #MozartDay?
Born on this day, in 1756 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
If I had to name a favourite composer, it’s Mozart. Not a very original choice, I know, but there you go.
Mozart - Piano Quintet K.452 - Lupu R ,winds D.Kammerakademie - Oct.12th... youtu.be/x6lTDQ9Ih2U?si… via @YouTube
If I had to name a favourite composer, it’s Mozart. Not a very original choice, I know, but there you go.
Mozart - Piano Quintet K.452 - Lupu R ,winds D.Kammerakademie - Oct.12th... youtu.be/x6lTDQ9Ih2U?si… via @YouTube
Mozart - Piano Quintet K.452 - Lupu R ,winds D.Kammerakademie - Oct.12th,1996 - Milano (rec.LC)
YouTube video by Luca Chierici
https://youtu.be/x6lTDQ9Ih2U?si…
January 27, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Born on this day, in 1756 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
If I had to name a favourite composer, it’s Mozart. Not a very original choice, I know, but there you go.
Mozart - Piano Quintet K.452 - Lupu R ,winds D.Kammerakademie - Oct.12th... youtu.be/x6lTDQ9Ih2U?si… via @YouTube
If I had to name a favourite composer, it’s Mozart. Not a very original choice, I know, but there you go.
Mozart - Piano Quintet K.452 - Lupu R ,winds D.Kammerakademie - Oct.12th... youtu.be/x6lTDQ9Ih2U?si… via @YouTube
It’s Burns Night tonight, so let’s have “The Belles of Mauchline”, sung here by Jean Redpath.
youtube.com/watch?v=HbQ8...
youtube.com/watch?v=HbQ8...
youtube.com
January 25, 2025 at 12:29 PM
It’s Burns Night tonight, so let’s have “The Belles of Mauchline”, sung here by Jean Redpath.
youtube.com/watch?v=HbQ8...
youtube.com/watch?v=HbQ8...
Late night Friday. My favourite armchair, a large armagnac, and Vladimir Ashkenazy playing Chopin's études? Yes, that'll do nicely.
January 25, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Late night Friday. My favourite armchair, a large armagnac, and Vladimir Ashkenazy playing Chopin's études? Yes, that'll do nicely.
Reposted by Himadri Chatterjee
On my morning walk today, I listened to “The Greek Interpreter” (BBC radio dramatisation) on my headphones. One of the most sinister & terrifying stories in the Sherlock Holmes canon. Victorian villainies really don’t come more villainous than this.
headphones.one
January 17, 2025 at 1:32 PM
On my morning walk today, I listened to “The Greek Interpreter” (BBC radio dramatisation) on my headphones. One of the most sinister & terrifying stories in the Sherlock Holmes canon. Victorian villainies really don’t come more villainous than this.
Ending the day with a mug of strong Assam tea, and a Brahms piano quartet. (No 2 in A major, since you ask.) And for the moment, all seems well in the world.
(Well, in this wee corner of the world, at least!)
(Well, in this wee corner of the world, at least!)
January 16, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Ending the day with a mug of strong Assam tea, and a Brahms piano quartet. (No 2 in A major, since you ask.) And for the moment, all seems well in the world.
(Well, in this wee corner of the world, at least!)
(Well, in this wee corner of the world, at least!)
Is there anything more deeply fulfilling than Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas played by a great pianist? I mean, really … is there?
January 15, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Is there anything more deeply fulfilling than Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas played by a great pianist? I mean, really … is there?
Booked a city break in Dresden in a few months’ time. And - oh, look! - the Dresden Semperoper are doing Tosca! Yay!
January 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Booked a city break in Dresden in a few months’ time. And - oh, look! - the Dresden Semperoper are doing Tosca! Yay!
New meanings for old words:
elongate: scandal involving narcissistic plutocrat
elongate: scandal involving narcissistic plutocrat
January 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
New meanings for old words:
elongate: scandal involving narcissistic plutocrat
elongate: scandal involving narcissistic plutocrat
Be yourself, they say, be yourself.
Be myself? I’d die of boredom!
Be myself? I’d die of boredom!
January 12, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Be yourself, they say, be yourself.
Be myself? I’d die of boredom!
Be myself? I’d die of boredom!
The sad day has now arrived. Saturday evening, and I preferred to make myself a cup of tea rather than pour myself a whisky.
Ah, my youth, my booze-sodden youth ... where did it go?
Ah, my youth, my booze-sodden youth ... where did it go?
January 11, 2025 at 8:49 PM
The sad day has now arrived. Saturday evening, and I preferred to make myself a cup of tea rather than pour myself a whisky.
Ah, my youth, my booze-sodden youth ... where did it go?
Ah, my youth, my booze-sodden youth ... where did it go?
And so to bed.
But first, a couple of Haydn quartets. So many to choose from …
But first, a couple of Haydn quartets. So many to choose from …
January 10, 2025 at 11:26 PM
And so to bed.
But first, a couple of Haydn quartets. So many to choose from …
But first, a couple of Haydn quartets. So many to choose from …
Within travelling distance of Egham? Come along to Egham Music Club's New Year concert: James Kirby will be playing a Schubert sonata, Beethoven's Pastoral Sonata, late pieces by Brahms & Liszt's Vallée d'Obermann. United Church of Egham, Sun Jan 19, 3pm.
See www.edmc.org.uk for details.
See www.edmc.org.uk for details.
www.edmc.org.uk
January 7, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Within travelling distance of Egham? Come along to Egham Music Club's New Year concert: James Kirby will be playing a Schubert sonata, Beethoven's Pastoral Sonata, late pieces by Brahms & Liszt's Vallée d'Obermann. United Church of Egham, Sun Jan 19, 3pm.
See www.edmc.org.uk for details.
See www.edmc.org.uk for details.