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Show . j""",LI"V . jf w r y plih . TTenn (D9(DflnxBlk WMsitlle by David Fleisher A classic case of appreciation Over the weekend, I went to a party that was given for classical music lovers at KPCW . I'm not really a classical , .'music,lover, so I was somewhat ambivalent about going, but I went anyway because I like being around cultured folk whenever possible. They have a way with words, plus they always help me with my grammar and diction. And since I'm from the South, I need all the help I can get. It was a pleasant party at the Kimball Art Center, but as expected, the activity was rather prim and proper. I considered wearing a tuxedo to go along with the classical ambience of the evening, but instead decided to wear corduroy pants and a turtleneck and boots. Given the informal environment in Park City, I figured I could have gone naked and no one would have said anything classical party or no classical party. Although I received a few speech lessons, nevertheless I found myself lost during several conversations. People talked about musical composers I'd never heard of, but it was fun listening to all the foreign accents. While we talked, a quartet from the University of Utah played soothing music in the background. In fact, it was so soothing, I almost went to sleep, but I controlled myself for fear falling asleep right in the middle of a conversation would embarrass the hosts. Whenever I was unsure as to what I should say in response to a comment about classical music, I drifted over to the snack table and ate a cracker. I pretended to be deep in thought, thinking about a composer from Vienna who had written a brilliant song when he was seven years old. Actually, I was contemplating having another glass of wine, which I did, several times, as a matter of fact. The evening got into full swing when the associate conductor of the Utah Symphony, Charles Ketcham, gave a brief address. And then there was a question-and-answer session. Someone asked Mr. Ketcham to name his favorite conductors, and I wasn't familiar with any of them. In fact, the only conductor I know is Charles Ketcham, who I met for the first time at the party. In response to one question, the conductor pointed out an interesting fact. (By the way, the word interesting, is important in classical music vocabulary. All classical music is interesting, simply because it's classical. You would never hear a genuine classical music lover describe classical music as dumb or bad. Even if it sounds bad or dumb, it somehow manages to be interesting. I could never quite figure that out. ) Anyway, Mr. Ketcham pointed out the fact that Vienna is to classical music what Idaho is to potatoes. He didn't use those exact words, but that was the gist of what he said. When he said that to me, I immediately wondered what it must be like to live in Vienna. I had this vision of people walking around the streets in a trance with their arms stretched out in front of them, humming songs nobody ever heard of. I bet Vienna is an interesting place, and I'd love to go there one day and hum a few tunes. But I'd be sure to pack a lot of crackers and wine with me for those awkward moments when I'm not humming, but talking. As a result of the party, I think I learned to appreciate (another important word) classical music more. I might even make a plane reservation for Vienna. Also, I want to see the Utah Symphony play. I wonder if they let you eat popcorn and candy bars while they play, and cheer, "Right on, Jack!" when it's over. As I walk up Main Street I hear the Ten O'clock Whistle. |