When Life Gets in the Way

Sandy Beach at Sunset, Oahu, HI

I began today with the express purpose of getting this blog post done, but somehow life got in my way as it has all week.  Needless to say, I have not any planned words of wisdom to share with you, but I did manage to come up with both Music and Men before life became a major distraction in the middle of my day.  Hopefully, next week my time will not be at a platinum premium price and I can continue the  saga of My Life whence we meet again.  Until then, please enjoy the aural and visual pleasures prepared for you as you scroll down the page.

====================================================================

For your listening pleasure today we delve into Italian Baroque for a visit with Tomaso Albinoni.  String instruments and especially the violin demanded a key position in Baroque music particularly in Italy.  Like many of his contemporaries Tomaso Albinoni composed a large number of pieces for string ensemble and many concertos for the violin.

With his concertos for one and two oboes Albinoni more or less introduced a new genre.  He is the first Italian known to employ the oboe as a solo instrument in concerti (c. 1715, in his 12 concerti a cinque, op. 7) and publish such works, although earlier concerti featuring solo oboe were probably written by German composers such as Telemann or Händel.  He did not copy Vivaldi’s violin concerto form but for both form and style drew on his vast experience as an opera composer.

Today's recording is a most entertaining Baroque music concert elegantly performed by the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra under Nicol Matt, with Stefan Schilli, oboe, and Tanja Becker-Bender, violin.  The complete play list may be found under the video. 

00:00:00 Concerto a cinque, Op. 9/2: D Minor for Solo Oboe and Strings: Allegro non presto
00:03:43 Concerto a cinque, Op. 9/2: D Minor for Solo Oboe and Strings: Adagio
00:07:57 Concerto a cinque, Op. 9/2: D Minor for Solo Oboe and Strings: Allegro
00:10:48 Concerto, Op. 7/2: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
00:12:49 Concerto, Op. 7/2: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Adagio
00:13:49 Concerto, Op. 7/2: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
00:15:40 Concerto, Op. 7/6: D Major for Oboe Solo and Strings: Allego
00:18:21 Concerto, Op. 7/6: D Major for Oboe Solo and Strings: Adagio
00:20:01 Concerto, Op. 7/6: D Major for Oboe Solo and Strings: Allegro
00:22:15 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/9: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
00:26:15 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/9: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Adagio
00:28:45 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/9: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
00:32:14 Concerto, Op. 7/8: D Major for two Oboes and Strings: (no tempo)
00:34:32 Concerto, Op. 7/8: D Major for two Oboes and Strings: Largo
00:36:30 Concerto, Op. 7/8: D Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
00:38:16 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/5: C Major for Oboe and Strings: Allegro
00:41:36 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/5: C Major for Oboe and Strings: Adagio
00:43:33 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/5: C Major for Oboe and Strings: Allegro
00:46:42 Concerto, Op. 7/3: B-Flat Major for Oboe Solo and Strings: Allegro
00:49:29 Concerto, Op. 7/3: B-Flat Major for Oboe Solo and Strings: Adagio
00:51:32 Concerto, Op. 7/3: B-Flat Major for Oboe Solo and Strings: Allegro
00:53:45 Concerto, Op. 9/3: F Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
00:58:15 Concerto, Op. 9/3: F Major for two Oboes and Strings: Adagio
01:00:29 Concerto, Op. 9/3: F Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
01:04:25 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/11: B-Flat Major for Oboe and Strings: Allegro
01:08:28 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/11: B-Flat Major for Oboe and Strings: Adagio
01:11:08 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/11: B-Flat Major for Oboe and Strings: Allegro
01:14:28 Concerto, Op. 7/11: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
01:17:15 Concerto, Op. 7/11: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Adagio
01:19:06 Concerto, Op. 7/11: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
01:21:42 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/8: G Minor for Oboe Solo and Strings: Allegro
01:25:43 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/8: G Minor for Oboe Solo and Strings: Adagio
01:27:49 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/8: G Minor for Oboe Solo and Strings: Allegro
01:31:27 Concerto, Op. 7/5: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
01:33:19 Concerto, Op. 7/5: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Adagio
01:34:48 Concerto, Op. 7/5: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
01:36:09 Concerto, Op. 7/9: F Major for Oboe Solo and Strings: Allegro
01:38:39 Concerto, Op. 7/9: F Major for Oboe Solo and Strings: Adagio
01:39:36 Concerto, Op. 7/9: F Major for Oboe Solo and Strings: Allegro
01:41:59 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/6: G Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
01:45:36 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/6: G Major for two Oboes and Strings: Adagio
01:47:59 Concerto à 5, Op. 9/6: G Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
01:51:00 Concerto, Op. 7/12: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
01:53:56 Concerto, Op. 7/12: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Adagio
01:55:55 Concerto, Op. 7/12: C Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
01:58:07 Concerto, Op. 9/12: D Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
02:01:16 Concerto, Op. 9/12: D Major for two Oboes and Strings: Adagio
02:03:26 Concerto, Op. 9/12: D Major for two Oboes and Strings: Allegro
02:04:56 Concerto for Violin and Strings, Op. 9/1: B-Flat Major: Allegro
02:08:09 Concerto for Violin and Strings, Op. 9/1: B-Flat Major: Adagio
02:09:55 Concerto for Violin and Strings, Op. 9/1: B-Flat Major: Allegro
02:12:23 Concerto, Op. 9/10 in F Major for Violin and Strings: Allegro
02:15:52 Concerto, Op. 9/10 in F Major for Violin and Strings: Adagio
02:19:15 Concerto, Op. 9/10 in F Major for Violin and Strings: Allegro
02:22:44 Concerto, Op. 9/7: D Major for Violin and Strings: Allegro
02:26:14 Concerto, Op. 9/7: D Major for Violin and Strings: Andante e sempre piano
02:33:51 Concerto, Op. 9/7: D Major for Violin and Strings: Allegro
02:36:32 Concerto, Op. 9/4: A Major for Violin and Strings: Allegro
02:39:58 Concerto, Op. 9/4: A Major for Violin and Strings: Adagio
02:42:16 Concerto, Op. 9/4: A Major for Violin and Strings: Allegro

====================================================================

Finally for today I have but one extraordinary model to display in a series of photographs by Mark Leighton.  This series of photographic portraits perfectly illustrates the timeless incandescent beauty of youth.  For those of you so inclined scroll on down and peruse them at  your leisure.  And all of you, thank you for the visit, come again and often and as always, Enjoy!

====================================================================

Tardy Tuesday

I have had an incredibly busy day so far that shows no sign of stopping any time soon.  I have accomplished a lot but jeez I'm tired.  Tonight is truck night so I need to head off to nap land or I won't be worth a shit when work time comes.  So let's just do Music and Men and be done, then it is off to nap land for me.  

Musically I have the Opus 7 Oboe Concerti of Tomaso Albinoni with a performance by I Musici with Heinz Holliger as the Oboe Soloist and Maurice Bourgue as Second Oboe.  You will find Numbers 1-8 posted down below and Numbers 9-12 plus two Sonatas over on my tumblr.  

Since it is Tuesday it is time for a prime selection of Random Hotness for your viewing pleasure down below.  Also, be sure to check out Logan Franklin, who is your Hottie of the Day!, over on my tumblr.  Thanks for the visit, 'scuse the tardiness, but some things can't be helped.  Have a fabulous day!  See you Soon!  Now it is sleepy time for me! Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Lazy Monday

It was a bright and sunny weekend that had its moments both fair and foul.  Suffice it to say all came out well in the end, but I would not want to do it again.  That being said, Monday has again dawned bright and sunny which has given me a belated but severe case of Spring Fever.  I think the bulk of my activities (or non-activities as it may be) will be confined to either vegging on the patio in the shade or getting in some quality nap time.  With a high temperature expected to be around 96, the late afternoon sunshine would be better supplanted by that modern convenience of air conditioning while snoozing away comfortably ensconced in the bedstead.  Sounds like a plan to me.  I have to go to work at 11 tonight, so I now decree Lazy Monday to be the Plan of the Day.

Now while we have established that I am being lazy today, no amount of laziness is enjoyable without the appropriate accompaniment.  As this is Lazy Monday, we should have some Melancholy Mozart to fill our Monday with Mozart quotient of the day.  I think these two Piano Quartets, K478 in G Minor and K 493 in E Flat Major should do that quite nicely.  Today's performance is by the Fauré Quartett of Erika Geldsetzer, Violín; Sascha Frömbling, Viola; Konstantin Heidrich, Violoncello* and Dirk Mommertz, Piano.  The * is to tell you about the Cello which was crafted by Carlo Antonio Testore in 1755, kindly loaned to Heidrich by the Parker Family of  New York.  This is a beautiful performance of two of Chamber Music's most difficult pieces.

Meanwhile over on my tumblr, you may join Bart Schneemann, Oboe and the Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam under the baton Lev Markiz for their performance of Mozart's marvelous Oboe Concerto in C major, KV 314.  While your are there be sure to check out the 'Petit Q In Blue', Your Hottie of the Day!  But before you go, you might want to cruise down the page to indulge in our Mutual Monday Underwear Fetish with the delicious models on display in this week's edition of Monday's Undies posted down below.  Thanks for the visit, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy! 

Processus Interruptus

In days of yore, before technology ruled the world, group presentations and proposals were often done using visual aids.  One of the most popular was the utilization of an easel to hold essentially a giant sketch pad.   The presenter would create their presentation on the pages of the pad, then during the presentation, the presenter would flip the pages of the pad to illustrate the various points in the presentation or proposal.  That is the general premise behind one of the apps that is native to my new smart phone.  Flip Board is a customizable news feed where you pick the topics that interest you, and the app creates story boards with articles related to the topic at hand.  Instead of scrolling down the page, you flip the boards to read the stories, like turning the pages in a book only the flips are vertical not horizontal.  

Flip Board is where I ran across this story from the folks at Buzz Feed...... 

(***  It was at this point in my day that my FF decided to eat itself and basically lock up my computer.  The whole ordeal that transpired this afternoon drove me to tears.  After finally uninstalling FF, deleting all files and folders associated with FF and then reinstalling the latest version, I think I am back to where I was about 7 hours ago.)

.... relating the stories of LGBT service members all the way back to the Korean War and WWII.  Here is the headline blurb from the Article:

This Veteran’s Job Was Discharging Gay Sailors In The Navy — But He Had A Secret

From a closeted gay sailor who typed the dishonorable discharges for Korean War servicemen accused of homosexuality, to a lesbian correctively raped by Marines while serving in Desert Storm, these are the stories of LGBT veterans and their decades-long fight for equality in the armed forces. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is a fairly lengthy yet fascinating look at the lives and history of our heroic LGBT Service Members who have always been there alongside our hetero compatriots.  It ran 38 boards on Flip Board, but it really did not take that long to read.  At the end of the article is an 8 minute documentary on the closeted gay sailor from the Korean War, Otto Bremerman.  Also discussed in the article is proposed legislation to make it the review process easier for those dischaged before the repeal of DADT to have their discharges upgraded.  My own appeal is ongoing at the moment.  

The article also mentions the fund raising efforts of National LGBT Veterans Memorial Project for a LGBT Veteran's Memorial to be erected near the grave of Leonard Matlovich, the first Out Gay Service Member in the early 70's in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.   You may recall Leonard's epitaph written on his headstone: “They gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.”  Been there, done that, got the fucking  T shirt.  Still fighting the battle and so....... life goes on.

For your musical entertainment today, I have four Concerti by Johann Sebastian Bach.  Included in the play list are the Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041; the Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043; the Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042 and the Concerto for 3 Violins (reconstructed form the Concerto for Harpsihord, BWV 1064 by Simon Standage).  Today's performance is by Simon Standage and Collegium Musicum 90 featuring Soloists other than Standage in Micaela Comberti and Miles Golding.  Over on my tumblr you may join the Cologne Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Helmut Muller-Brühl featuring Christian Hommel as the Soloistfor 4 Concerti by Bach for Oboe/OboeD'Amore. 

As for some eye candy, your splashing good times are to be found in this edition of Wet Wednesday down below  as well as the 'Tropical Treat' who is your Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  One final note on a long and stressful day and then I will let you be on your merry way.  Today is my birthday, and absolutely no one remembered.  Not even Will.  Makes me wonder if I am even relevant any more.  Any way , you guys have a great day and we will see you on the flip flop.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Pay Day On the Run!

It's pay day, so I have had a busy day already.  I still have more to do, but the list is not nearly as long as last week.  So this is just a pit stop on my rounds today.  While I was out and about I heard a Telemann Oboe Concerto on the Performance Today program on WRR.  So naturally I went to You Tube to find some Telemann to post today.  Your featured selections therefore are 5 Oboe Concerti by dear old Georg Philipp.  The play list includes concerti in E, C, D and F Minor with a finale in D Major.  Heinz Holliger is your Soloist accompanied by Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields.  While over on my tumblr you may hear  Otto Sauter, Franz Wagnermeyer, Kenji Tamiya as Soloists with the Krupfälzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim under the baton of Nicol Mattin in their performance of Telemann's Overture for Trumpet and Oboe in D Major.  Before you head over there, be sure to cruise by the denim dynamite in the Men in Jeans post down below this one, then head on over and check out the Hottie of the Day!.  Thanks for the visit, see you again soo.  Now I am off with my lists to the shopping wars, yippee!  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Technical Difficulties

I have been having some issues with my computer which has caused quite a bit of consternation with poor performance and strange/weird events as I am trying to accomplish anything.  So while I was at work on Wednesday night, my in house super geek (Will, of course) set about to diagnose and resolve my issues.  I expected to come home from work, post the blog then set about all the myriad pay day chores and errands I had on tap.  Well, some of the peskiness that has been plaguing my computer's performance proved to be more elusive than we perceived at first.  So instead of posting the blog, Will was still running tests, scans and variously messing with my computer, so I headed out to do some chores and errands.  

I came back a couple of hours later and Will was still messing with things so I headed out for the rest of the chores, which proved to be time consuming and problematic in themselves.  I did not return home until nearly 5 PM from all the external chores and errands.  I still had some things to do around the house and one thing led to another.  Will had finished working on my computer and it seemed to be working fine, but time got away from me.  Therefore I decided to forgo yesterday's post and try to make up for it today.  

To that end, earlier today I posted a Men In Jeans collection and a Fantasy Fuel collection to catch you up on your eye candy.  After all, I would not want you guys to wither away from a lack of fine man art to admire, now would I?  Then I have some great Music lined up for your today also.  

Your Musical Moment for today features the Oboe Sonatas of Georg Philipp Telemann.  Included in the play list are Partia, for violin (or flute/oboe) & continuo in G major (KCM No. 2), TWV 41:G2; Trio for oboe, harpsichord & continuo in E flat major (Essercizii Musici No. 12/24), TWV42:Es3; Sonata for oboe & continuo in E minor (Essercizii Musici No. 11/21), TWV 41:e6; Sonata for oboe & continuo in A minor (GMM No. 50), TWV 41:a3; Zischet nur, stechet, ihr feurigen Zungen!, sacred cantata for voice, oboe & continuo (HGD), TWV 1:173; Solo, for oboe & continuo in B flat major (Essercizi musici No. 5/9), TWV 41:B6 and Dies ist der Gotteskinder Last, sacred cantata for voice, oboe & continuo (HGD), TWV 1:356.  Today's performers are Paul Goodwin, Baroque Oboe, Primary Artist; John Toll, Harpsichord; Susan Sheppard, Baroque Cello; Nigel North, Archlute, Theorbo and Lynden Cranham, Baroque Cello.  You may enjoy more Overtures, Sonatas and Concerti from Telemann recorded by Musica Alta Ripa over on my tumblr.  If the two collections linked to above are not enough to satisfy your Man Art craving for the day, Brett Mycles, Your Hottie of the Day! may just be the fulfillment you desire.  Thanks for the visit, be sure to stop in over the weekend for another Fabulous Live Performance on the Saturday Evening Concert.  Until next time as always, Enjoy

National Coming Out Day and Spirit Day

Friday has arrived and most people are very glad to see it.  However, I do not always celebrate the day, that is except here on these pages.  So What have you got in store for the weekend?  Mine will be mostly involved in work, so I wanted to make mention of the importance of tomorrow, October 11.  It just so happens to be National Coming Out Day and it proceeds next week's focus on Anti-Bullying and support for LGBTQ youth.  The activities culminate in next Thursday's Spirit Day Observance.  Do you have someone to whom you should Come Out or someone you need to support and encourage whether they are out or not?  How will you be Observing the NCOD?  We will also be Observing Spirit Day here at Nichevo as we are definitely against bullying of whatever nature and I have always been a supporter of young people regardless of their orientation but most especially those who are family.  It is the day to wear purple to show your support for our youth and our stance vis a vis bullying.  A great many folks 'purple out' their profile pics on social media, blogs and tumblrs as will I.     

This week, Outsports has run a series of articles from various Out Gay Athletes and Coaches telling their own coming out stories or what they have learned since Coming Out in Observance of National Coming Out Day.  I have posted the links below so you can read them at your leisure.  

Gay football player's speech for NCOD

 

Ex-MLB Ump found it important

 to come out on his own terms

 

32 Things I learned after Coming Out as Gay

I will have the usual Saturday at the Symphony Evening Concert up about 10 PM like always, but by then NCOD will be all over but the shoutin' and I wanted to Observe the Day before it was over.  I will be bringing you the symphonic compositions of a composer know as the "Spanish Mozart".  Tune in to find out who he is and how well you like his music.  As for today, I have not played any Vivaldi in a great while, so naturally I will overdose you with lots of his music.   The play list is comprised of his 12 Opus 7 Concerti for Violin and Oboe which includes Concerto for Oboe No.1 in B flat major, RV465; Concerto for violin, strings & BC No.2 in C major, RV188; Concerto for Violin No.3 in G minor, RV326; Concerto for Violin No.4 in A minor, RV354; Concerto for Violin No.5 in F major, Op.7, RV285a; Concerto for Oboe No.6 in B flat major, RV374; Concerto for Oboe No.7 in B flat minor, RV464; Concerto for Violin No.8 in G major, RV299; Concerto for Violin No.9 in B flat major, RV373; Concerto for Violin No.10 in F major, RV294a; Concerto for Violin No.11 in D major, Op.7, RV208a and Concerto for Violin No.12 in D major, RV214.  You may hear more Vivaldi with L'Arte dell'Arco's performance of his Mandolin and Lute Concerti over on my tumblr.  

Last but not least for today is a dandy collection of Fantasy Fuel on display below the play list.  Then there is also the 'Ready and Waiting 4 U' Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  Thanks for stopping in, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy! 

Mutterings, Music & Men!

The Indianapolis Colts did not do the Dallas Cowboys any favors on Monday Night Football, blowing a 14 point fourth quarter lead at home.  Two critical turnovers led to the Eagles final 10 points, the final 3 coming on a chip shot field goal as time expired.  Final Scoire 30-27 Eagles.  Ah well, guess the Cowboys will just have to take care of the Eagles themselves when the time comes.  Let's just hope they can (keep all your fingers crossed!).  All in all though I had a pretty good if busy day off.  There was not much in my news feeds that rattled my cage enough to rant or rave about today so I guess I will just move on to the Music and the Men for the edification of us all.  

Your Tuesday Musical Moment features the Music of Francesco Antonio Rosetti, a contemporary of Haydn and Mozart.  Rosetti wrote a great deal of instrumental music, including many symphonies and concertos. Rosetti also composed a significant number of vocal and choral works, particularly in the last few years of his life. Among these are German oratorios including Der sterbende Jesu and Jesus in Gethsemane (1790) and a German Hallelujah.^[3] He is perhaps best known today for his horn concertos, which Mozart scholar H. C. Robbins Landon suggests (in The Mozart Companion) may have been a model for Mozart's four horn concerti. Rosetti is also known for writing the Requiem (1776) which was played at a memorial for Mozart in December 1791.  Today's play list includes the Sinfonia in D Major; two Concerti for Piano and Orchestra in G major and the Sinfonia in C Major.  Nerine Barrett is your Piano Soloist accompanied by the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra undert the baton of Johannes Moesus.  You may also hear the Slovak Chamber Orchestra's 1990 performance of Rosetti's Oboe Concerto in F Major conducted by Bohdan Warchal featuring Lajos Lencses as the Oboe Soloist over on my tumblr.  

Then all set to lead you down the garden path of desire is this collection of tanned and toned temptors on display below the play list.  This edition of Tuesday's Temptation will definitely rock your socks, and if you need further temptation, click on over to my tumblr for the Cum to Papi Hottie of the Day!.  Thanks for the visit, see you again tomorrow for Wet Wednesday!  Until next time as always, Enjoy!