JK - 11/27/00 21:27:50

Comments:
Welcome back! By the way, I highly recommend a German film, "Lola Rennt." Lots of fun. Great soundtrack.

- 08/30/00 15:10:38

Comments:


John Shaw - 03/17/00 20:32:58
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
I just got through reading your piece on Brahms Opus 8, which is in the hunt for the distinction of being my all-time favorite piece of chamber music. Have you ever heard Trio Fontenay perform it? I think theirs is the best recording of it I have ever heard, and I've listened to a lot of them.

Al - 01/21/00 02:33:14
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Cant get your respose from the world bank e-mail. I am here in DC for a 14 week class. Please respond. Al

joanie cook - 01/07/00 20:11:26
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
I am so happy you are writting again. I missed reading about you and your adventures. Keep it up Love you. j

Joanie Cook - 09/21/99 21:27:06
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
I just realized that your page is up and running again and I am so happy that it is..... Miss you a lot. xxoo joanie

nedski - 09/20/99 00:02:03

Comments:
sometimes it's difficult to look back at yourself and see what you were, especially if you don't like what you see. and it doesn't sound like you're liking what you were in paris. but you know what? if you can look back and see it, then you probably aren't that person anymore. you've evolved. that's what counts. besides, it's wonderful to know that you've been able to carry the memory and impressions of this music and the positive associations they conjure with you, to share with your loved ones, and to share with your family. most folks have memories of their "youth" they'd rather not think about, cringing at the sheer stupidity or silliness of what seemed so important then. then again, some folks never think about it, or worse, they don't ever realise it. for myself, i get chance to spend time with you over the course of years and grow along side you. that's quite an intimacy, you know. now, get back to writing! we're all fans here! (just not as brave, perhaps....) ciao!

[email protected] - 09/11/99 12:22:53

Comments:
Karen, What an incredibly synchronistic event! You know, I had completely forgotten about giving you that recording. What's more, it's been difficult remembering what pieces I'd been listening to around the time of my trip to Paris, and the Saint-Saens just pop ed into my head. CHARIOT OF THE GODS? I'll let you decide. Anyway, I'm glad that even though I didn't get a card in the mail on time, that my feelings of admiration for you as a niece, a mother, and a friend managed to reach you any way. Lotsa love Uncle Kurt

Karen Woodiel - 09/10/99 21:07:49
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Uncle Kurt . . . I found it significant that the September 9 musical selection is Saint-Sa�ns' "Carnival of the Animals." If you recall, when I was 4 or 5 years old, you gave me an LP copy (I played it over and over until it was covered with scratches) -- My first "very own" classical music album. And it so happens that September 9 is my birthday. The memory is a very nice present!

Loyal Reader - 09/06/99 04:45:16

Comments:
Another day without an update???? Talk about "ominous tones...." Your first day in Paris is filled with great scenes and experiences. And here I am, waiting on pins and needles for your next installment. Please, don't keep us waiting! Many thanks for your life story and the music to date.

Christopher D. Brakel - 07/23/99 06:44:16
My URL:http://www.geocities.com/vienna/opera/2130
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Hello! Thanks for stopping by my site. Sorry it took so long to respond to your guestbook entry. I had a few problems after the merger. Anyhow, I should have some audio files on my site in a week or two, please check back soon!!! Send any ideas for a piece my way! Best Regards! -Chris

carol - 07/10/99 20:15:10
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Knowing you personally, as I do, you never cease to amaze me.... Kurt, how do you find the time to do this? Well, I am sitting here with my parents enjoying your almanac, so please, keep finding the time to do it. We are having a great time. Hope you re too.

Christopher D. Brakel - 06/28/99 04:03:18
My URL:http://www.geocities.com/vienna/opera/2130
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Hello! Very fun and interesting site! I found you from Florian's links. I am a contemporary composer with a homepage in Vienna as well, please visit and let me know what you think. I stop back to read more of your almanac!

bob nemes - 06/07/99 13:40:27
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
I don't know if I ever met Thom, but I remember his name. I also didn't know that he had died. Sorry to here it now. Speaking of the experience with food preparation: I recall something Ram Dass said in reference to his guru, Neem Karoli Baba: He would never eat anything that was not prepared with love. He would quickly become very ill, even if he wasn't aware of its preparation. Maybe that's on reason there is so many dietary and indigestion problems, not to mention overweight, etc.

bob nemes - 06/07/99 13:39:46
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
I don't know if I ever met Thom, but I remember his name. I also didn't know that he had died. Sorry to here it now. Speaking of the experience with food preparation: I recall something Ram Dass said in reference to his guru, Neem Karoli Baba: He would never eat anything that was not prepared with love. He would quickly become very ill, even if he wasn't aware of its preparation. Maybe that's on reason there is so many dietary and indigestion problems, not to mention overweight, etc.

Joanie - 05/28/99 19:19:36
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Hey Brother: I am still enjoying your site. I need your help though. Tim is going to be 52 in July, what would be a good piece to play for him on his b-day. Something sad perhaps? Looking forward to seeing you all in July. j

R. J. Nemes - 04/24/99 02:23:08
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Kurt; I would like to write something truely enlightening and provocative, but all I say is "Great Site" !!. I read it everyday and enjoy all of it. It brings back many memories and since we shared the same upbringing and many of the same anxieties, I f el very close to the writings and descriptions. Thanks for opening your life for review.

Dani - 04/16/99 16:42:15
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Well, Uncle Kurt...it seems we have something in common. I, too, took piano lessons from the great Eijnar Krantz...I remember the eyebrows well, and how he used to get mad at me for wanting long fingernails! On another unrelated note: a wonderful opera cd "sampler" that I adore is a 3-cd set from EMI. "Opera's Greatest Arias." It has everything from just about everyone. HOpe you are well!

Linda Lindenberg - 04/09/99 18:07:47
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Hello Kurt. I'm trying to find out the name of the song played in the television commercial for the new Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. It is a beautiful opera. Can you help me??? Thanks, Linda

Juliette Passer - 03/13/99 21:59:21
My URL:http://www.esrecords.com
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Greetings, I'd like to to bring to your attention a new release of the Russian born composer Emilian Sichkin - "Romeo and Juliet" - a romantic symphonic tragedy for orchestra, choir, synthesizers and soloists. Those, who are familiar with Emilian's music, know him as a master of incredibly beautiful and romantic melodies. His performance of the "Concerto for Astronauts" and the "Winds of Freedom" by the National Orchestra at the Carne ie Hall in 1991 was met with 40 minutes standing ovation and was highly acclaimed by the WQXR and Voice of America. "Romeo and Juliet," in my opinion, is the most magnificent and powerful of all of his works to date and it is so complex, that the recording of it took over 6 years. I think, you'll find this truly beautiful and inspiring music interesting for review. You can listen to some Real Audio excerpts at http://www.esrecords.com. Please contact me if you want me to submit the album and any additional materials. Best regards, sincerely yours, Juliette Passer

Tom Hicks - 03/06/99 04:11:41
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Kurt: This is really wonderful. Like you, I don't remember exactly when my love affair with Classical music began. As a child, the music in our home was mostly Lawrence Welk, though my mother occassionally broke out the Nat King Cole records. My first excurs ons into "long haired" music were courtesy of the local public library, where I would spend hours pulling together my three alloted selections, then rush home to explore my new find, devouring the liner notes as I listened. What I remember most -- and en oy still -- is the joy that comes from listening to a piece of music that's an old friend but continues to provide something different, something new. It's like entering a room through a different door each time. Thanks for reminding me of that joy.

stephanie l. smith - 03/04/99 17:46:54
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Impressive stuff, young man!!! I will enjoy "strolling" at leisure; I love classical music also.

Florian Keller - 02/22/99 22:14:31
My URL:http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Opera/4151/
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Gr�� Gott, Neighbor! I just bookmarked your page. Largo al factotum is too high for me, but I have sung Figaro and Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro. Please visit me and comment on my singing!

John Kim - 02/12/99 04:27:42

Comments:
Your article on Shostakovich's 5th as birthday tribute was an unexpected surprise. Thank you. But since you "started it," I'd like to have a say -- first, on the work and, then, on the remarkable man that brings these works to the Internet. The 5th symphony is at once a simple statement of survival and a nearly suicidal act. Shostakovich has written music that can be fed to fools as one thing and be recognised by others as just the opposite. Details aside, form and lyricism hide chaos and ugly dissonance. The message is clear: in being asked to make the choice between life (in conformist misery) or meaningless death, he chooses life -- and is destroyed, ruined, and ashamed. No heroics here. Only anguish and pleading; the music of the damned. What fun, eh? In all seriousness, like Aeschylus, this music is cathartic. And that is good for the soul. Likewise, knowing someone like Kurt (while not cathartic) is also "good for the soul." I once remarked to someone that knowing such a man was a privilege, akin to being welcomed at some glowing table with extraordinary, witty guests. Together, we've plumbed the depths of absurdity and been reasonably successful in synthesising all great thought into clever one-liners. How many people do you know that can make the Council of Trent funny? (An interesting home-life he must have, indeed ) Thank you, Kurt. You do me a great honour -- both by your gift and in being my friend.

John Nemes - 02/07/99 18:27:29
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Hey! Neat page. I don't know if I could ever get into opera, but it's interesting to read nonetheless. I am constantly exploring new musical realms... Right now I have turned on to Indian classical music, as well as a variety of Pakistani, Sufi, Islamic Moroccan, and other Eastern genres. As an American, I was bred on Top 40 pop music (egad!) although I did have classical and folk influence from my Dad as well as a variety of influence from my older sister. Now I am discovering that by looking where I never imagined, I am finding some of the most peaceful, soothing, and stimulating music imaginable. I will look to your page for some ideas. As for classical, there's so much I haven't heard. But I can say that when I listen to Beethoven, there are moments when the emotion is so strong that my hair stands on end and I could cry. I have been told that Classical is difficult to shop for becaus there are many music labels that release poor quality recordings. Maybe you could provide your "listeners" with a short list of your favorite classical labels in relation to quality.

John - 02/01/99 17:10:11

Comments:
A lovely website.... It's a pleasure to browse through and balance the musical images with your life's anecdotes. You've created a place on the Internet that is at once soothing and insightful. Thank you.

joaniecook - 01/28/99 22:06:51
My URL:http://www.norlarco.com
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
Hey Bro. I was catching up on your daily notation and was surprised to learn you couldn't read music either. Neither could I and I hated being forced into playing in the band. It was humiliating for me also, especially when they split the bands because there wer so many students. I wouldn't go to tryouts for the main band so I was automatically put in the secondary band. I didn't tell the folks because I was embarrased, they finally found out when they came to a concert. Boy did I get it after that. However, this didn't kill my love for music. It's constantly around me, everyday (Tim!!), all styles (well not rap!!! I am learning a lot about you by reading your daily entries and it's nice. Keep it up xxoo joanie

SRF - 01/26/99 11:11:43
My URL:http://www.geocities.com/vienna/opera/2587
My Email:[email protected]

Comments:
You really go into your interest of classical music. A very interesting page you got here.

Karen Woodiel - 01/23/99 06:25:10

Comments:
Wonderfully inventive and, at the same time, intellectually satisfying. A tasty midnight snack worth returning to on a daily basis!