Egret painting by Karen Richards, Beaufort Art Association, South Carolina.

Salvador Dali is giving me the eye at his museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, today.

Schloss Kammer on the Attersee IV, Gustav Klimt 1910

Schloss Kammer on the Attersee IV, Gustav Klimt 1910

I collect them all too. In some ways, it’s good. They found so much.

Come offline, and listen slowly with me Come offline, and listen slowly with me

**NEW POST**

I'm starting a slow listening club on my Substack. It's an invitation to come offline & listen instead.

To explain why, this is why classical music is so important to me, and why I think slow, deep, engaged listening is such a powerful thing.

leahbroad.substack.com/p/im-startin...

For a Lifetime - My musical bond with pianist Murray Perahia, turning 79 today, formed nearly 50 years ago at a 1977 solo recital at college. I have collected his every recording since. Perahia's playing in Bach, Mozart and Beethoven – by turns joyful and profound – made my life richer by far.

The first two are from Rockport and Gloucester on Cape Ann in Massachusetts. Cannoli in the meantime.

With all of this Midwest rain today, I wanted to see art with sun. Take these favorites by Anthony Thieme, Edward Hopper, and John Singer Sargent, for example. Their sun-dappled white walls warm the soul in ways that a Strait of Hormuz post never will.

He was a very special artist.

Stunning in person at Sherald‘s Whitney/Baltimore exhibitions.

"His wife, Delia Bugarin, recalls that when he was learning Beethoven's final sonata, Op.111, he practiced the trills on the arm of the sofa." - Jessica Duchen

“There was a directness and sincerity about his communication with the listeners, as if he were thinking aloud through the medium of the piano.” - Writer Jessica Duchen from her superb booklet notes on beloved pianist Radu Lupu (1945-2022), who passed away four years ago today.

Another delicious teaser for Sir Stephen Hough's "Piano Postcards" album coming out in July. This man's ability to program (and perform) an album of piano miniatures and arrangements - his and others - is unparalleled.

Radu Lupu - Four years ago, incomparable pianist Radu Lupu died at home in Switzerland after a long illness. His playing and personality affected people deeply. John Gilhooly, Wigmore Hall Executive Director, called a 2005 recital by Lupu "the most breathtaking musical experience of my life."

Happy Yay!! Your photos offer proof that Spring is here, no matter where we live.

Happy Friday, friends! Take a sip of gratitude, the weekend is here. Enjoy that psychological shift toward relaxation, socializing, and "TGIF" relief.

Art: Julian Merrow-Smith, coffee pot, cup and bread, oil on board, from Postcards from Provence.

From my music collection, four pianists who have recorded albums dedicated to the music of composer Federico #Mompou (1893-1987): Alicia de Larrocha, Sir Stephen Hough, Arkady Volodos, and Martin Jones.

Glad to see things blooming in New York. Some trips are made for the heart.

Today is the birthday of Catalan composer Federico Mompou (1893-1987). These two recordings by Sir Stephen Hough convincingly convey the exotic sound world of his piano pieces. @hyperionrecords.bsky.social

World Art Day is the birthday of American Regionalist Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975). Missouri-born Benton became one of America’s foremost muralists, with figures and shapes in a fluid, sculpted style. His murals represented the public art of the Works Progress Administration.

Can you hear it?

Glad you’re here! Yes, we’re here, too.

I agree, Dean. That’s exactly how it was for me today when I played these recordings.

caffeine is perfect when you're having trouble concentrating and would rather be having trouble concentrating while vibrating

Joining my Jewish friends in solidarity today during Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. On April 13-14, it honors the six million Jewish people – and millions of others – murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. Photo by Margaret Bourke-White at Buchenwald, 1945.

Walking is one of the best ways to make the "ish" go away. One foot in front of the other, Laura!

Morning Listening - The Chopin recordings Alfred Cortot (1877-1962) made at London's Abbey Road studios in the early 1930s fall like wonder on the ears. Technically brilliant and nuanced are these Ballades and Sonata No.2 from 1933. Like the Etudes and Preludes, still marvels of the gramophone.

Love Roman! The violin concertos and symphonies are outstanding! Trio sonatas and solo concertos, too.

50yrs old with 1200 commissions the Kronos Qt has 3 new members and more fun than ever.

Listen! They play 2 new music works along with Neil Young’s ‘Ohio” and Billie Holiday’s ‘Strange Fruit’.

Wow!

www.npr.org/2026/03/23/g...

#mondays #goodvibes

Have a great week!