So the whole reason for the trip was that Shamus had free tix to a concert series. I seem to be the only one around here who likes "classical" music, so I went.
It was at the beautiful Chicago Symphony Center, shown below in someone else's photo:
I wasn't allowed to take photos in the concert hall, but here is a view of the rotunda (at right) and two views from the window up by our nosebleed section seats (as usual, click the photos for a larger view).
That's the Art Institute across the street—click
here for the largest version of the left picture, and maybe you'll be able to make out the White Sox cap on the lion out front.
We heard a program of Debussy, Kurtág, Ravel and Schumann played by Pierre-Laurent Aimard, described by the
Chicago Tribune as "the thinking-man's virtuoso," whatever that means (details on the pianist and program can be found
here ). He was definitely some kind of virtuoso—these were incredibly difficult pieces. I don't know the correct musical terms but there were a lot of notes all over the keyboard in very quick succession. I was impressed that he managed not only technical perfection but beautiful expression, if that's the right term.
It's been a really, really long time since I've been to hear classical music. Not since we moved here from New York, when I had tix to a spring series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with my friend John.
It was interesting to be back in that atmosphere. As a kid I went with my parents—they got me a season ticket to the opera from the time I was eight (
The Magic Flute was my first opera), and to the symphony starting just a few years later. (Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm getting to that.)
In high school and college I had friends who were accomplished musicians, so I also went to hear their concerts and events. In college I also sometimes managed to take advantage of the immense smorgasbord of musical offerings in Boston...
(hey, Ame, remember going to the Handel & Haydn society stuff with what's-his-face? remember that damn red sweater I wore to every single friggin' thing? remember the Laura Ashley dress?) I also used to listen to classical quite a lot as background music around the house or whatever.
Then there were all those fun/silly traditions in college, such as the midnight concert in Adams House, where all these incredible musicians sight-read an old war horse (Dvorak's 9th was the one I went to hear). Every spring in the courtyard of Lowell House, a random assemblage of musicians played the 1812 Overture (probably sight-reading as well), with dramatic sound effects—the bells in the bell tower were rung and balloons filled with hydrogen were torched for the cannon shots.
And, hey, kids, remember Noam the brilliant musical prodigy (http://www.math.harvard.edu/~elkies/ !!) playing Handel's messiah on the piano for a sing-along in the LoHo Masters' Residence? (While waiting for people to assemble he would amuse himself by transposing it—on the fly—into any key the audience called out).
I have really mixed feelings about all that. Of course I know now that this is all about cultural capital, oppression, elitism, etc. I know that one sort of person goes just to feel superior to others, and many sorts of person feel out of place, intimidated, excluded etc. at such events.
But I really enjoy it. And on top of that, it just feels like home to me. There are so many layers of happy memories—getting all dressed up to go out with my parents, or seeing/hearing so many beloved friends performing.
I mean, I know that's all just life, and there's nothing I can do about it. I just...I don't want to whine about privilege and all that, but I do just wish I could enjoy those memories without having it be all contaminated with knowing what that means to the rest of the world—the things I experienced that other people couldn't get access to, things that qualify me in some people's eyes for some higher status that I don't believe in, but that "comes with the package" anyway. Things I know that supposedly make me smart, that are like keys that open doors. Even though that has nothing to do with "smart" and it shouldn't be that way.
The only thing I can do about it is keep doing what I'm doing—I see my teaching as a form of dedicated treason to my class.
I have to go pick up Loopy, so I'll have to finish that thought another time.
Check out these music jokes. They're categorized by instrument—how wonderfully geeky is that?
So Loopy and another grad student are both gonna be in Chicago a lot doing research this year. Loopy especially will want to be there in the evening so she can go to 12-step meetings (that's what her dissertation is about). So they decided to get an apartment to stay in and today they went down to look, look, look. 
!!! That means it's also a few blocks from Vosges chocolates... yay! 
First, appetizers...I think we took pix of all the appetizers, but Shamus's is the only one that actually looks appetizing in the photo. So, pictured at left you see ostiones con chipotle - which according to the website is "fresh Blue Point oysters topped with spinach and Chihuahua cheese; sauced with a chipotle cream and baked."
Next, "platos fuertes" (I hadn't heard this term before but I like it... strong dishes!) Clockwise from upper left, again, menu descriptions from the website: 
Finally, the desserts. 
What I'm wearing today 
I believe I love my hat/mitten set more than any other inanimate objects... both are knit by my lovely Loopy, from my favorite wool, Manos del Uruguay, in some of my favorite colors to match my purple coat. 
