Oh my. You’ve done it again Michael, offering this exquisite piece sung by Lorraine, one of the most beautiful and moving singers I have ever heard in my lifetime. I have been a devotee of hers since her untimely passing. Thank you for sharing Dexter’s story too; I can picture the two of you listening to Mahler in complete harmony. He was a lucky dog to have you. 🌷
What a beautiful way of paying tribute to Dexter. A very handsome dog too. It's devastating to lose them. The only comfort is that he was lucky to have met you, and you gave him a wonderful life.
Thanks, Jules — he was so handsome, indeed. I do take great comfort in that sliver of life we got to share. The grief passes but the love always endures. 💙
I'm so sorry for your loss, Michael. Dexter looks like a beautiful creature. Mahler holds the key to inner peace. Thank you for exploring this masterpiece and for sharing your own identification with it.
Thanks for reading, and for your kind words, Sophia. I once saw an orchestral part to Mahler’s Ninth Symphony where someone had scribbled “Mahler = Love” — that love is certainly our key to pass through the doorway of inner peace. 💙
Compared to all those cynical composers, Mahler was Love's standard-bearer: Ambassador for Eros! He was really so innocent and adorable amist some pretty egotistic titans!
Oh Dexter!! What a handsome, steadfast friend and soulmate 🤍 I feel as though I’m right there with the two of you in that room as Lorraine’s angelic yet mournful voice spills into my heart. I’m sure it’s hard to believe it’s been five years (so fast and yet an eternity). Dexter lives on in this piece and in your moving tribute 🥹 I’m so grateful you shared his memory with us!
Thanks so much, Katie — I'm glad to have overcome all the self-doubt and navel-gazing that kept me from sharing Dexter's story for so long. (You're absolutely right in that these past five years have felt like five seconds and yet an incalculable eternity.) I'm grateful so many have been moved by his big, goofy smile and our quiet life together! 💙
Oh I absolutely empathize. I’ve lost a best friend or two that devastated me, but I was afraid to share my grief with others. Turns out, most have experienced a similar gut-wrenching loss and completely understand! 💙
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing friend. I will always remember on my visits, Dexter snuggling with me while I slept, and he would wake early in the morning and sneak into your bed, so he would greet you when you awoke♥️🐕
Michael, what a beautiful tribute to your beloved Dexter! I loved that you connected your grief to Mahler’s music. My son loved Mahler and appreciated his music far more deeply than a child could have. During his cancer treatment, he said something that stays with me: “I think Mahler would understand this… his music is about struggle, it’s about fighting through pain…”
Thank you for your kind words, Kelly! Your son and I sound like kindred spirits — back in high school, I was a member of the International Gustav Mahler Society! (Which left my parents puzzled.)
Mahler channeled his entire world into his music, and there was indeed so much struggle, loss, pain, and turmoil. But above all, he knew it was love the fueled the universe, and I believe that is what makes his music feel so powerful, so universal. That belief in love is what makes him one of my personal patron saints. 💙
Michael, it both gives me chills and warms my heart to read your note. I am amazed by how much connection between Kevin and you.
One of my most cherished memories was an image of Kevin standing in our living room, a conductor’s wand in hand, a grand symphony playing through the speakers, a music score book laying open in the sofa back. That was Mahler Symphony no 2. He wasn’t just listening. He was conducting it. He was inside the music. He was only 7 at the time…
You are right: what makes Mahler’s music so good is love, it’s the unfiltered, raw and powerful expression of love.
Lovely, Michael.
Thanks, Russell. 🙏🏻
Oh my. You’ve done it again Michael, offering this exquisite piece sung by Lorraine, one of the most beautiful and moving singers I have ever heard in my lifetime. I have been a devotee of hers since her untimely passing. Thank you for sharing Dexter’s story too; I can picture the two of you listening to Mahler in complete harmony. He was a lucky dog to have you. 🌷
I wish I had had the chance to hear Lorraine live — especially this work. She brings such peace to her performance.
And thanks so much for your kind words, Anne. I was a lucky human to have him. 💙
That being said, the version with Janet Baker and Leonard Bernstein is incredibly wonderful too…🎶
Absolutely! And the added beauty of that tapestry-like gown she wore and the backdrop of Ely Cathedral.
What a beautiful way of paying tribute to Dexter. A very handsome dog too. It's devastating to lose them. The only comfort is that he was lucky to have met you, and you gave him a wonderful life.
Thanks, Jules — he was so handsome, indeed. I do take great comfort in that sliver of life we got to share. The grief passes but the love always endures. 💙
I'm so sorry for your loss, Michael. Dexter looks like a beautiful creature. Mahler holds the key to inner peace. Thank you for exploring this masterpiece and for sharing your own identification with it.
Thanks for reading, and for your kind words, Sophia. I once saw an orchestral part to Mahler’s Ninth Symphony where someone had scribbled “Mahler = Love” — that love is certainly our key to pass through the doorway of inner peace. 💙
Compared to all those cynical composers, Mahler was Love's standard-bearer: Ambassador for Eros! He was really so innocent and adorable amist some pretty egotistic titans!
An incredible piece
Thanks for reading and listening, Daniel. 🙏🏻
Oh Dexter!! What a handsome, steadfast friend and soulmate 🤍 I feel as though I’m right there with the two of you in that room as Lorraine’s angelic yet mournful voice spills into my heart. I’m sure it’s hard to believe it’s been five years (so fast and yet an eternity). Dexter lives on in this piece and in your moving tribute 🥹 I’m so grateful you shared his memory with us!
Thanks so much, Katie — I'm glad to have overcome all the self-doubt and navel-gazing that kept me from sharing Dexter's story for so long. (You're absolutely right in that these past five years have felt like five seconds and yet an incalculable eternity.) I'm grateful so many have been moved by his big, goofy smile and our quiet life together! 💙
Oh I absolutely empathize. I’ve lost a best friend or two that devastated me, but I was afraid to share my grief with others. Turns out, most have experienced a similar gut-wrenching loss and completely understand! 💙
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing friend. I will always remember on my visits, Dexter snuggling with me while I slept, and he would wake early in the morning and sneak into your bed, so he would greet you when you awoke♥️🐕
Awwww, yes — he made sure to spread the love around to everyone in his orbit! 💙
Michael, what a beautiful tribute to your beloved Dexter! I loved that you connected your grief to Mahler’s music. My son loved Mahler and appreciated his music far more deeply than a child could have. During his cancer treatment, he said something that stays with me: “I think Mahler would understand this… his music is about struggle, it’s about fighting through pain…”
Thank you for your kind words, Kelly! Your son and I sound like kindred spirits — back in high school, I was a member of the International Gustav Mahler Society! (Which left my parents puzzled.)
Mahler channeled his entire world into his music, and there was indeed so much struggle, loss, pain, and turmoil. But above all, he knew it was love the fueled the universe, and I believe that is what makes his music feel so powerful, so universal. That belief in love is what makes him one of my personal patron saints. 💙
Michael, it both gives me chills and warms my heart to read your note. I am amazed by how much connection between Kevin and you.
One of my most cherished memories was an image of Kevin standing in our living room, a conductor’s wand in hand, a grand symphony playing through the speakers, a music score book laying open in the sofa back. That was Mahler Symphony no 2. He wasn’t just listening. He was conducting it. He was inside the music. He was only 7 at the time…
You are right: what makes Mahler’s music so good is love, it’s the unfiltered, raw and powerful expression of love.
What a beautiful image to hold close to your heart, Kelly. What a colossal sound he wanted to create! 💙