SOUNDTRACK: AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA-Tiny Desk Concert #40 (December 21, 2009).
This was a very nice classical Tiny Desk Concert. The Orchestra plays three songs. The first two are a Ravel String Quartet, and a Kaddish based on Ravel written by one of the members of the Orchestra.
Then comes a surprise. Composer Joseph Tawadros accompanies them on the Egyptian oud and his brother James plays percussion on Tawadros’ song “Oasis.” I love the addition of the oud to the orchestra–it brings a wonderfully alien sound to the piece. You can see the whole show here.
This was the final Tiny Desk Concert of 2009.
[READ: May 29, 2014] “The Naturals”
I have enjoyed just about everything that Sam Lipsyte has written and this story was no exception. As with many of Lipsyte’s stories, the main character has an unusual name: Caperton. Caperton works as a consultant for a marketing firm. He is trying to secure a job for a lakefront property. The man in charge of the meeting keeps calling the kiosk that they are going to install a “koisk” (this alone made me love the story).
Caperton has recently broken up with his girlfriend because he confirmed to her that he did not want to have children. He’s a little bummed but not heartbroken.
But the main action of the story is that Caperton’s father is dying and his stepmother has called him to come home. Evidently Caperton’s father has been on the verge of death many times so Caperton’s not entirely sad about the situation. But he goes nonetheless. And we learn that Stell, his stepmother is nice enough but has always had one rule–stay out of her refrigerator. She is happy to fix anything for anyone as long as they keep out of the fridge. (This also made me love the story).
I Just Read About That... 