Joy

I’m a subscriber and Constant Listener to WQXR. They’re not really on Bluesky, so I can’t be in contact with them the way I was when we were all on Twitter. But I start and end my day with them. Jeff Spurgeon – irritatingly robust, a very morning person (which I am not). Elliott Forest – a calm presence in the afternoons, and I can focus on work and enjoy the music. Terrance McKnight – the voice of early evening into nighttime – when I drive home, I’m so relaxed and attentive to the road, because he is guiding me. And Annie Bergen, Lauren Rico (she writes romance novels!), and Paul Cavalconte.

I’ve been listening for years – since WQXR was owned by the New York Times, and have been a sustaining member (for whatever I could afford) since WQXR went public.

I’m also a subscriber at the New York Philharmonic – my parents were a huge influence on my love of classical music. I mean, yeah, I like a good groove – I’m a huge Kendrick fan, even if I have to look up the references – that man is a goddamn genius, and his tour with SZA is pretty amazing.. And I have always loved Public Enemy (they have a new release out!). Tom Petty, Britney Spears, even Murray Head (who played both Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and The American in Chess). In other words, I like all music, all the time, even as its rendition is problematic and open for further interpretation. I love Miles Davis, Coltrane, Billie, Sarah Vaughan. I love Benny Moré , Edith Piaf, and Caetano Veloso.

But I always devolve back to classical music. It doesn’t have to be Bach or Debussey or Mozart – I love modern interpreters like Milos, and the Kanneh-Masons. Who are frequently playing Bach or Debussey or Mozart – but also obviously Bernstein and Copeland and wow! Karl Jenkins. Never sleep on Karl Jenkins. Ludavico Einaudi. Julia Wolfe.

So yeah, my parents. My mom was a pianist, and a cellist – a deeply talented one. And she sang alto in many choirs. My father played guitar, and also sang. My brother played trumpet and guitar; my sister was a gifted vocalist. I played both classical and jazz piano, and sang in a lot of choirs (also as an alto). And my kids were both talented musicians.

Beethoven’s Ninth was my dad’s favorite piece of music. He’d put it on and air-conduct (he really loved Bernstein’s version), and crank it up when the voices came in. It is a truly amazing piece of music – I never tire of it. I made it the exit walk of my wedding – as a tribute to Dad, but also because weddings should be joyful.

Maybe a few times a year, in church as I was growing up, Dad would put the chorale on the hymnal rotation. I think just because he liked to sing it and hear it. The organist was always willing to play it enthusiastically – and properly, holding that weird whole-note where you’d think we’d keep skipping on by.

My point is that I was listening to WQXR tonight – as I always do. When I log off/get home from work, and start my reading and writing routine, this station is always on. When Beethoven’s Ninth came on, I found myself air-conducting, same as my dad did all those years ago.

Same as my dad did all those years ago.