Hello Joan! The Takacs is the only recording l have of the Razumovsky quartets -- I like it a lot but can't compare it to other ones. I almost always like recordings by anyone, even the most obscure performers, since even their technical ability astounds me. The only conductor I never liked was Toscanini, I don't know why. Michael Tilson Thomas here in San Francisco I sometimes find overblown, too loud and showy. I've noticed that the recordings I listen to on our local classical station, KDFC, sound really superb these days, with many new and interesting interpretations of the classics. I wonder whether the technology of recording has improved -- every instrument sounds so clear and distinct in its unique tone.
The story of Alexander I is engrossing -- such lows and highs, such a gulf between his well-developed democratic beliefs and his career as a victorious autocrat. I had wondered why Napoleon retreated through the same devastated country he had advanced through, and consequently starved his troops. Troyat loves Kutuzov, and says he blocked Napoleon from using his intended retreat route to the south with a battle at Maloyaroslavl, and cleverly forced him into his disastrous choice of route.
We had a great day at the Six Flags amusement park yesterday. Rivka and I went on our highest roller coaster yet, terrifying and exhiliarating. We watched a wonderful dolphin show -- dolphins really are the tenderest, most attractive creatures. To see love and joy expressed in animals so different from us in form is inspiring. Take care, Sidney
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