Character Battle 12: My stupid immune system edition.

So, as anyone who's been playing this contest has seen, things have not been going according to plan. For starters, we should be in Round 2 by now, but because I spent all last weekend in the hospital as a result of the abscess I've developed and have so lovingly talked about on here and on Facebook, we've been delayed. Needless to say, it was a miserable experience. I can't even think about hospital food without wanting to retch. Regardless, my wife was me throughout the ordeal, which made it just bearable. Plus the visit by the therapy dog, a lovely golden retriever, helped.

However, this means we've got a bit of catch-up to do, since I'd like to get this contest over and done with before August 7, because that's when the NY Renaissance Faire starts, and it'll mean I'll be out of town every weekend.

This Tuesday, we'll finally get to the end of Round 1, and also the halfway point of the contest. We'll take a break Tuesday and Wednesday, and then go right into Round 2--with 4 battles. There will be a couple of days during the contest's second half where I throw 4 battles at you to vote on so I can get this in the books before NYRF kicks off.

Barring any more sudden interruptions, this contest is now scheduled to end August 5, where I'll record the final podcast.

But in the meantime, halftime is approaching, and now I ask if any of you would like to record with me. I'm recording the halftime podcast this Tuesday night, starting around 8 PM ET. You'll need Skype--if anyone would like to record, let me know before we start.

And that's where we are.

Mozart...but without the creepy laugh from "Amadeus."

A quick update on my health:

On the mend from the abscess; it's slowly shrinking, and still draining. Still taking antibiotics. Hoping this clears up completely soon--RenFaire is coming.

Now, then. Last night, April, Ryan, and I went to Tanglewood for a night of classical music, for once. For $9, we got to see two concerts. It started off with a short Prelude Concert in Seiji Ozawa Hall, in which we got some nice chamber music:

1) Mozart: Trio in E-flat for clarinet, viola, and piano, K. 498, "Kegelstatt"
a) Andante
b) Menuetto; Trio
c) Rondeaux: Allegretto

2) Loeffler: "Rapsodies" for baritone, clarinet, viola, and piano
a) L'Etang
b) La Cornemuse
c) La Villanelle du Diable

3) Schumann: "Fairy Tales," Opus 132 for clarinet, viola, and piano
a) Lebhaft, nicht zu schnell (Lively, not too fast)
b) Lebhaft und sehr markirt (Lively and very strongly marked)
c) Ruhiges Tempo, mit zarten Ausdruck (Calm tempo, with tender expression)
d) Lebhaft, ser markirt (Lively, very strongly marked)

It was a nice concert, but I noticed something missing there. The page turner for the pianist did not receive a credit in the program, which I think is unfair. Page turners are important, too!

After the short concert, we headed back to our spot on the lawn back at the Shed, chatted and ate before the main concert started, in which we found out that Ryan is more of a classical music nerd than previously thought, but that he also enjoys Shakespeare. With that, he'll be sure to come to more Tanglewood performances with us. Another concert of great music then began:

1) Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
a) Psalm 38, verses 13 & 14
b) Psalm 39, verses 2, 3, & 4
c) Psalm 150

2) Mozart: Requiem in D minor, K. 626
a) Requiem
b) Dies irae
c) Tuba mirum
d) Rex tremendae
e) Recordare
f) Confutatis
g) Lacrimosa
h) Domine Jesu
i) Hostias
j) Sanctus
k) Benedictus
l) Agnus Dei
m) Lux aeterna

In nice contrast, the grounds were not as packed as it had been for James Taylor or A Prairie Home Companion; it meant we got out quicker. Still, though, I did see some rude pricks begin to pack up and leave as the Requiem was heading into its final movements--why bother even coming to a concert if you're just gonna leave before it's over, just so you don't wish to get caught in traffic? What assholes. Regardless, it was nice to hear the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus; they did a wonderful job with the Requiem, respecting and noticing the differing dynamic levels of the work.

Also interesting of note was looking at the soloists; the soprano was dressed up a bit lavishly, looked all dolled up, hair and all...and the alto next to her did not look quite as spectacular or flashy--plain by comparison, really. Pretentious sopranos. ;) However, all sounded beautiful.

Our next trip to Tanglewood is actually this Wednesday, when Wyatt & Jess come up and we catch a performance of Beowulf, read in Old English and accompanied with a harp. Bring on the mead!