Pure Evil
Dimitri Shostakovich wrote this (2nd movement, Symphony #10) as a musical portrait of Stalin, who had harrassed him directly and indirectly throughout his career. This is pure malevolence, published after Stalin was safely dead. While Uncle Joe was alive, DS was mostly confined to putting out government approved, “socalist realist” garbage, while keeping much of his “real” work private. Occasionally he could put one over on the Soviets and follow the letter of their requirements while mocking them. One cool thing is that in the finale of this same symphony, he has a theme based on his initials, DSCH, vie for dominance against the Stalin theme from this movement. DSCH wins. Artistic revenge at its finest. “He who laughs last, laughs longest.”
The conductor seems a little too into his hair, and I’m not sure why he appears to be grinning during this grim business. But you’ve gotta give him credit, his musicians are playing the hell out of this. He made his reputation whipping these young Venezuelans into a respectable unit. He’s since gone on to greener pastures in LA.
And Now, A Timely Tip
Because I don’t feel especially creative today.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have better tasting coffee right in your own home or office? Well one of the most important steps you can take to get a better cup of coffee is to regularly clean your coffee maker every 40-80 brews. Here are the steps to follow to clean your manual or digital coffee maker so you can brew that next pot of delicious, hot coffee!
Where’s Wide World Of Sports When You Need Them
Those crazy Russians. I wonder how much vodka had to be consumed to create the sport of professional slapping. Nothing works the politburo into a tizzy like 2 shirtless dudes slapping the shit out of each other. Fast forward to about the 2:30 mark for the action…