Gone - but not forgotten

[mlr]

It is curious how the internet has given our subconscious a new tool. The last thing I watched before I fell asleep was an interview with Liza Minelli. One thing she said: the female dancer that she admired most was Cyd Charisse. When I woke up at 4:21, I went straight to the laptop. After a game of Scrabble, I surfed around, unconsciously starting with 'Cyd Charisse' - who was from Amarillo - and found myself on a page about Carolyn Jones, the actress who created the sublime Morticia Addams. Ms. Jones also grew up in Amarillo - surprisingly two blocks from my house, on Hayden Street. I snapped a pic on my way to practice.

I played a piece by Antalffy-Zsiross this morning - something I've played before in Advent. As far as I can tell, he is an obscure figure - almost unknown. I came across a volume of his music in a dusty sale bin one day. I bought it based on the portrait inside - he looked like such an intelligent & interesting man. His music is refreshing - it reminds me of Gershwin & Respighi. Colorful & optimistic - never heavy or distasteful.