Ray Urwin   Music and other essential activities

Thanks to all of you who came out at noontime today to hear some French music just in advance of the Christmas season! If you didn’t get a copy of the “Fun Facts” I passed out, you can find them under “Musings” here — they’ll give you a new perspective on Messiaen and the other music I played.

It was a beautiful California day at noon, but it’s turned rainy where I live, so here’s a bit more on Messiaen, and a picture of him all bundled up for the weather.

Many thanks to all of you, all my readers, and to Sal Soria, a gracious and talented host at OLA. Joyeux Noel, indeed!

Elliott Carter died Monday. He was born on the same day in the same year as Messiaen, December 1908 (yes, Carter was 103 years old).

I had the pleasure of performing two of his major pieces – one at Carnegie Recital Hall, and one at Yale.  read more here…