On the Road

After the ballet matinée yesterday, I drove the 250 miles up to Utica, NY for a concert today with the New York Chamber Soloists. I was looking forward to the long drive. I had good weather, the GPS woman to tell me when to turn, and bunch of CDs to keep me company. After the concert today, I drive 100 miles west to Freeville to visit my friends Heidi and Rick. She plays in the Syracuse Symphony, he teaches at Ithaca College, and they have a charming 19th-century farmhouse between the two cities. There's a creek running through the back yard, a fire in the fire place and always wonderful food and music. The two of them have perfected life's quotidian pleasures. A day spent in their house has the effect of a week's vacation. Since the ballet doesn't need me next week, I may just stay an extra day.

Here's my driving playlist:

— Maria Rita "Segundo" 2005 (Warner Music Latina) Nothing like Brazilian music to fend off the cold.

— Clara Nunes, various sambas and songs burned for me by my friend Andre Faria

— Sviatoslav Richter "The Sofia Recital 1958" (Phonogram France)

— youssou n'dour "7 Seconds" 2004 (Sony) Recommended to me by a NYC taxi driver.

— Haydn Piano Trios, Nos 43, 44, and 45, played by Patrick Cohen, Erich Höbarth, Christophe Coin 2005 (harmonia mundi France) I'm spoiled, I can't listen to this repertoire on modern instruments anymore . . .

— Johan Heinrich Schmelzer Violin Sonatas 1996 (harmonia mundi France) Romanesca (Andrew Manze, Nigel North, John Toll)

— "Fanfare Ciocarlia" Baro Biao 2000 (Pirana Musik) My favorite driving music!