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Kathleen's avatar

My experience listening to this Brahms: It brought me back to childhood, laying on the orange shag carpet next to the stereo. Each weekend my mother listened to 'Pledger Plays the Classics' on KKHI, and Doug Pledger played this Brahms often enough that I associate it with that in between time not before sleep, but before dinner, when she was cooking, a dreamy, bittersweet time then and in memory.

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E.L. Zeitgeist's avatar

I woke up with a touch of the black flaps this morning. I’m glad I saved your essay for today because I’ve befriended them after reading and listening to Brahms, including the gorgeous intermezzi you dropped in the comments. The Tár mention, with the Bernstein video, was a thought-provoking addition…I love any tale that demonstrates how it’s never too late to try and turn it all around. I’m comforted that Brahms found his skill still worthy of paper, late into his career and despite the stark difference between his and the style of his contemporaries. Once again, your tender words here apply a new shimmer upon this old work. Thank you for the morning session, Michael! 💙

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