Pop Stand

Welcome back to "Where In the World Is JoAnn Falletta?," the show wherein we track and trail our globe-trotting maestra around the wide, wide world.

Last time we played this game we were a few miles off. It turned out our divinations were not completely accurate. Falletta was in London, not where we said she was. Well, we were close! Getting there was half the fun.

Today we are absolutely sure! So, without further ado ...

Where in the world is JoAnn Falletta?

She is in this city.

Here is a hint. The city's name means "Northern Capital."

Let us take another shot. It is of ancient fortifications!

Here is a clue that is closer to home.

Think food.

Got it yet? JoAnn Falletta is in ...

Beijing!

That is the Great Hall of the People above. And above that is Peking Duck. Before it was Beijing, Beijing was Peking.

The Tonawanda map will lead you to Beijing Garden.

The picture above that is of the Great Wall where JoAnn Falletta went wandering the other day according to an email she sent to Pop Stand. That's right, this is direct information!

"I am here in Beijing, conducting the Beijing Symphony - What a fascinating city- I went walking today on the Great Wall  (actually quite challenging- it is VERY steep) and went to the Ming Tombs and the Olympic Stadium, she writes.

She adds: "The concert will actually take place in the Forbidden City!"

Pop Stand wrote back to Falletta telling her not to get persecuted, that from what we were reading, a lot of people in Beijing were getting persecuted.

She replied:

"So far it has been wonderful! The environment is very different, but somehow musicians must have the same chemical makeup.  We really enjoyed our Tchaikovsky and Beethoven together today. No discussion of politics! Just music-making."

BPO Concertmaster Michael Ludwig is making his debut in Beijing. He is playing the Wieniawski D Minor Concerto which goes like this.

That is an earlier Michael on violin. It is Michael Rabin. What a romantic piece that is.

The Forbidden City is echoing with it even as we speak!

I felt the earthquake! Everyone is talking about it now. Apparently it was centered in Virginia, and it was a 5.8.

If you are on Twitter it is funny to see the quake filtered through the lens of your Twitter connections.

I am a music nerd and my friends tend to be other music nerds. One pianist in Ontario wrote: "I thought the notes on my Ravel score were moving around and then I realize it was a quake in Toronto." He must have been surprised to learn it was all the way down in Virginia!

A music fan in Virginia wrote that the whole opera house shook.

Then there are the laughs.

One political wag wrote: "What you felt just now was the country moving to the right." Seize the day! Good for him.

And a sportscaster in Chicago got in a good one, too. He wrote, all in capital letters: "WOLF BLITZER IS ON THE PHONE WITH THE EARTHQUAKE."

Ha, ha!

And now that my desk has stopped shaking, I guess I should get back to work.

-- Mary Kunz Goldman

I haven't yet seen "The Help," the movie set in 1960s Mississippi, but I've heard it makes you hungry.

Hungry for justice, for equality, for mutual respect among all human beings? Probably.

But I was really just talking about food.

Don't laugh! I didn't give myself this idea. One food site got Viking Range On-Line Chef (there is a job that sounds like fun) to come up with recipes in tribute to "The Help," "to celebrate the opening of this empowering movie."

Another gave the recipe for Minnie's Chocolate Pie.

Even august Food and Wine weighed in with a list of recipes from "The Help" including Cucumber-Rye Tea Sandwiches, German Chocolate Cake and Tomato Aspic.

Is anyone actually going to make this tomato aspic? It seems to me that aspic is one retro food we will never see come back. Just the name!

Also, tea sandwiches. If anyone in Buffalo makes tea sandwiches as a result of this movie, I would love to hear about it.

See, this is the mark of a really good movie.

It gives you a lot to talk about!

-- Mary Kunz Goldman

Has anyone else caught any of those graphic new anti-smoking ads? (That is not a link to the ads -- it is a link to a story The Buffalo News ran about them.)

I have not seen any of the television spots, but if the radio ads are any indication, I do not want to. I am wondering about other people's reactions to this new campaign. In a way I am afraid to speak up, because please don't misunderstand me: If this campaign helps smokers stop smoking, it must be worth it. It is just that I personally cannot stand these ads. They are too much for me.

Last night, cleaning up the kitchen, I tuned in to WBEN-AM to see what they were talking about and that was when I heard this radio ad for the first time. This guy breathing this ratchety breathing and hacking and coughing... You know what? I don't smoke. I have never smoked. I do not even know how to smoke -- cigarettes, pot, anything. I am not the intended audience, you know? And I am used to weathering long chains of grating ads but this was too much. It was absolutely excruciating. I actually could not last through the 30 seconds. I switched the radio off.

This morning it happened again. I wanted to hear the topic of the morning talk show but when I turned on the radio, there was the hacking again. I switched to WNED-FM and they were playing a Brahms symphony and I stayed with that.

I acknowledge that it is admirable for radio stations to air these messages, but my personal experience makes me wonder if it will hurt their audience. As a non-smoker I do not want to have to sit through 30 seconds of aural torture. I am sorry but I am only human and my day is stressful enough. 

That radio goes off and it does not go back on. I find something else to listen to.

I am wondering what everyone else does. Suffer these ads -- or switch them off?

-- Mary Kunz Goldman

In the blink of an eye...

In the sparkle of a sequin...

And before you could say "Stayin' Alive"....

The World's Largest Disco sold out!

"This includes both the VIP and General Admission events. We expect there will be some cancellations, so if you are interested in signing up for our waiting list please do so," the disco organizers announce in an email.

Oh, no! Perhaps it was the last two days' of relentless disco talk on PopStand that did it! We have been on kind of a disco kick.

The grim bulletin continues:

"As previously promised, there will be a small allotment of tickets (300) that will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, August 13th at 10:00am thru Ticketmaster.com.  These tickets will be sold at a cost of $65 but will include all regular Ticketmaster services charges. Star 102.5 will also be giving away tickets on the air over the next few months so be sure to listen in for your chance to win tickets."

The disco is Nov. 26 at the Buffalo Convention Center. Above is a Buffalo News file photo taken at last year's bash, of a Toronto guy dancing the night away.

Those of us unfortunate enough to be left out in the cold may get on the waiting list by clicking here -- or here for the VIP waiting list.

So... that's that.

We now return to our previous programming.

-- Mary Kunz Goldman

Michael Ludwig, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's concertmaster, is in Russia. He is going to be performing in the Tchaikovsky International Competition.

Ludwig, pictured at left in a News file photo, is not a contestant. He is performing at the special request of composer John Corigliano, who is one of the jurors, and the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra. He will be playing Corigliano's "Red Violin" Concerto.

I associate the concerto with Michael because he has played the piece here -- and his performance with the BPO has been broadcast on Performance Today. Looking on YouTube just now, though, reminds me that an impressive number of violinists play the piece. Joshua Bell played the music in the movie "The Red Violin." Here he is discussing the piece.

Hahahaha... I like watching Joshua Bell in this interview. He looks like a baseball player, sitting there.

It will be fun to hear from Michael how his visit to Russia goes. I am sure he will have stories to tell.

The Tchaikovsky Competition is a complex endeavor. It began June 14 and winds up June 30. Right now they seem to be at a midpoint, with 12 violinists, 12 cellists and 12 pianists all advancing to the next round. One of the pianists, Eduard Kunz, distinguished himself in the last Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. I wonder why I remember his name? Other than that, none of the names looks familiar.

If you register with the Russians (it's free) you can watch the competition live. Hmmmm... I just did. Be warned: A lot of the competition -- speeches, and captions -- will still be in Russian, no matter what language you choose.

It is fun to look at the hall -- large and grand, dominated by a huge portrait of Tchaikovsky.

Michael's concert is sometime on Wednesday.

-- Mary Kunz Goldman

A week from today is the big royal wedding, of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It gets me thinking about other royal weddings.

Princess Diana walked down the aisle to "The Prince of Denmark March," written in 1699 by Jeremiah Clarke. Here is a bit of trivia so we can all show off for our friends: Clarke was the first organist at St. Paul's Cathedral. In the 1980s, thanks to Charles and Diana's wedding, a lot of brides walked down the aisle to this stately music, also known as the "Trumpet Voluntary."

It is touching to watch the old video of Diana walking down the aisle to the tune of that fanfare. That puffy-sleeved wedding dress, so outrageously '80s. And the apprehensive look on the face of Diana's father. "The longest and happiest walk she will ever take," says the announcer. Hmmm.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's wedding at Westminster Abbey -- you can watch a wonderful film of it here..  walked out to the traditional Wedding March from Mendelssohn's "Midsummer Night's Dream." I used that music, too! I absolutely could not resist.

Again, it is poignant to watch the old film. Queen Elizabeth did OK, you know? Prince Philip was so dashing, and you have to admit he has been in it for the long haul. You can imagine the memories a week from now when Elizabeth and Philip go back to Westminster Abbey and see their grandson married. They have not had an easy time of it over the years, these two. Their kids have sure put them through the wringer. I am just saying.

Wow, that film. I cannot take my eyes off it! It was Nov. 20, 1947. Talk about history: You glimpse Queen Mary, Princess Elizabeth's grandmother, on the balcony at the end. To think what she lived through! She was born a German princess -- Princess Mary of Teck. She the wife of George V and the mother of Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor, the husband of Wallis Simpson) and King George VI, the king in "The King's Speech." Imagine how she felt as Queen of England in World War I. She must have felt the tragedy of a divided world.

Back when Princess Diana was married, we did not have YouTube and we could not browse these movies like this. Watching them now, you sure get a sense of the centuries passing.

It is a reminder that a week from today, we will be seeing history.

-- Mary Kunz Goldman

Lindsay Lohan didn't have much to say in court Wednesday when she was arraigned on felony larceny charges -- and warned by the stern judge, "Don't push your luck" -- but she later launched a Twitter rant, defending herself and the skin-tight white minidress she chose to wear to court, left. Lohan wrote, "I just want to be on set again, and left alone just to work! fyi - i would never steal, in case people are wondering. I was not raised to lie, cheat, or steal... also, what i wear to court shouldnt be front page news. it's just absurd. god bless xox L." Meanwhile, the woman who designed the necklace Lohan is accused of walking off with says, "I'm flattered that she likes it!" Pratima Sethi of San Francisco says she doesn't care about the shoplifting issue: "I'm a simple person.  I am so far removed from the incident. I just sold the piece to the store."

Lohan's attorney told CNN that Lohan is willing to make a plea deal in the case, as long as her sentence doesn't include jail time. "Ms. Lohan maintains her innocence, and now that I've seen the police reports, I believe the case is entirely defensible," lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley says. "Having said that, we will entertain a discussion concerning a plea if it means no jail so that she can move forward with her recovery and her career." Lohan, 24, faces a maximum of three years in prison if convicted of stealing the necklace. She is out on bail and will return to court Feb. 23.

• • •

Kelsey Grammer is a single man, but not for long. The actor's divorce from "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Camille was approved Thursday, leaving him free to wed his fiancee, Kayte Walsh on Feb. 25 at the Plaza Hotel. Camille Grammer filed for divorce from the "Frasier" star last July, but filed several motions in court demanding time to look through his financial records. Although they are legallly divorced, Kelsey and Camille must still finalize the split of their multimillion-dollar fortune. After the divorce was granted, Camille issued a statement wishing her ex and Walsh "love and happiness." She said, "I have a great many mixed feelings about today. I'm sad for what was, yet excited about the road ahead. I'm grateful to my family and friends who have stood by me through this time. I will never forget their love and support. What I most hope is that Kelsey and I can improve our communications and truly co-parent our two wonderful children. And I wish Kelsey and Kayte love and happiness in their new marriage."

• • •

It's also over for rocker Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, who have split 2½ years after marrying. "After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to file for divorce," the couple said through a spokesman. "We remain friends and deeply committed and loving parents to our son Bronx, whose happiness and well-being remains our No. 1 priority. We ask that everyone honor our privacy as we navigate this next phase of our lives." TMZ reports that Simpson-Wentz filed for divorce in L.A. Superior Court Tuesday, citing "irreconcilable differences" and seeking spousal support, child support and primary physical custody of their 2-year-old son, Bronx Mowgli, with visitation for Wentz. The court papers say the couple's date of separation is to be determined and Simpson-Wentz wants to keep all earnings and assets she accumulated after that date. Simpson-Wentz is also seeking to go back to her maiden name of Simpson. Simpson, a singer and actress and the younger sister of Jessica Simpson, married Wentz, the former bassist of Fall Out Boy, in May 2008.

• • •

Divorced in court -- but not officially done yet -- are Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller, who have been estranged since he attacked her after a drunken fight on Christmas Day 2009. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge signed off on the divorce, but the couple won't officially be divorced until May 2, because California law requires a wait of six months from the time of filing. Sheen and Mueller married May 30, 2008, and have twin sons, Bob and Max, who turn 2 next month. Documents indicate that Sheen will pay Mueller $55,000 per month in child support, the same amount he's paying Denise Richards for their two girls, Sam and Lola. "The sum received by Denise for child support shall be the minimum sum that Brooke shall receive for Bob and Max," the document reads. "Brooke does not have the assets, earning capacity or earnings that Denise has. Bob and Max do not have the trust funds that Sam and Lola have. Therefore, they shall never receive less in monthly child support." Mueller, who signed a prenup, will also get a a 2009 Mercedes, $1.2 million to buy out her share of the home they shared in Beverly Hills and a lump sum payment of nearly $758,000. Mueller will have physical custody of the boys and they will share joint legal custody. Sheen will get visitation rights three weekends a month.

• • •

Gracing the cover of Vogue in connection with today's release of her new single, "Born This Way, Lady Gaga says she's still the same as she was when she was called Stefani Germanotta. "Funnily enough, I still live in the same apartment, hang out with the same friends, drink at the same bars, and I dance in the same studios with the same dancers," says Gaga. "Really, nothing has changed." Even in her relationship with her parents, she says, "Nothing has changed since I have become a star. I am a real family girl. When it comes to love and loyalty, I am very old-fashioned. I am quite down-to-earth for such an eccentric person."

• • •

Just about two years after Chris Brown beat her the night before the Grammys, Rihanna has agreed to a less restrictive restraining order, according to her lawyer, Donald Etra. Rihanna has requested that the order be dropped to a level one — meaning that they can have contact as long as Brown doesn't annoy, molest or harass her. Brown attorney Mark Geragos has been informed of her approval, but Geragos must still go to court to have the order officially modified by a judge. The Grammys are not the issue -- Rihanna will be performing, but Brown, who is nominated for three Grammys, reportedly has a previous commitment.

 

It is whispered that the King of Sweden is coming to Buffalo for the World Juniors Hockey Tournament and that he will be staying at the Mansion on Delaware.

The King of Sweden is King Carl XVI Gustaf. He is a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the same family as the British royal family. The King of Sweden's father's name was Gustaf Adolf. He died in a crash at the Copenhagen airport in 1973 and that is when the present King ascended the throne. Above is a picture of the current King of Sweden and his family. Are they a good-looking bunch or what? Wow.

Here are facts about the King of Sweden that could help you out should you meet him while he is in town and need to make conversation:

1. As of this post, Wikipedia says he has been king for 37 years, 99 days. Apparently there is someone who goes into Wikipedia daily and updates this count. That is impressive!

2. He is Lutheran, which is the state religion of Sweden.

3. His wife is Queen Silvia, originally Silvia Sommerlath. She is half German and half Brazilian and when he met her, at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, she was a host and translator. That is how you meet kings! They were married in the Stockholm Cathedral in 1976. The night before the wedding there was a celebration at which ABBA performed "Dancing Queen," for the very first time, as a tribute to their future queen. Who knew that? That is on Wikipedia.

4. Every year the King of Sweden is the one who presents the Nobel prizes.

5. Quoth Wikipedia: "The King is passionate about the environment, technology, agriculture, trade, and industry." He is also passionate about women. It is not suggested that you bring this up but you should know about it: A best-selling book about him, just published in November, explored an alleged affair he was supposed to have had with a woman who was half Swedish and half Nigerian. The The king's alleged mistress was the lead singer of a band called, and you have to love this, Army of Lovers. He had to address the rumors at the press conference he traditionally holds after, and you have to love this, his annual moose hunt. You may read up on all this in this British book review which hashed it all over.

6. A safer topic to talk about with the King of Sweden might be that he loves Scouting and is the Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation. He shows up at Scout activities and jamborees. It would be nice if while he were in Buffalo a Scout troop or two could show up and salute him. I think His Majesty would get a kick out of that.

7.  That is what you call the King of Sweden, "Your Majesty." That is what they call him in Sweden. They refer to him as "the king," which in Swedish is Kungen. Should you wish to soar like an eagle and address the King of Sweden in Swedish, "Your Majesty" is "Ers Majestat." From knowing some German I would imagine you would pronounce that "Airs My-yes-state."

8. The King of Sweden was 27 when he was crowned. He took an oath that began thus:

"We Carl Gustaf, King of Sweden make known: that as the Supreme God has pleased to call away the formerly mightfull, highborn Prince and Lord Gustaf VI Adolf, King of Sweden, the Geats and the Wends, and We, according to and by authority of the Act of Succession as established and enacted by the Estates of the Realm on September 26, 1810, following the illustrious Lord have ascended to the Royal Swedish Throne."

9. The King of Sweden is related to all reigning European monarchs. Like Queen Elizabeth II of England, his third cousin once removed, he is a direct descendant of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg Gotha.

10. The King of Sweden is dyslexic. The Queen has said that their three children also each have "a bit of dyslexia" themselves. Everyone knows someone who is dyslexic so this is one thing you can talk about. It is good to have something in common with a king!

So there you go. When the King of Sweden gets here, you will be ready.

Don't be shy!

-- Mary Kunz Goldman

Every once in a while when you are out walking, don't you see something that makes you want to take a picture? That happened to me yesterday when I was walking up to HSBC's high-rise downtown Buffalo headquarters.

They have these nifty gigantic Christmas tree ornaments outside in the plaza!

Just sitting there! They are the cutest thing.

It's such an obvious idea, but I never remember seeing them before. And I was charmed. I thought of fishing in my purse for my camera, decided it was too darned cold, then decided no, I had to take a picture, I had to. So I got out my camera. I began focusing on an ornament when --

"Hey! No pictures! No pictures!" A guard was yelling at me.

"I was just -- the ornaments --"

"Since 9/11, no pictures!"

"I look like such a terrorist." I had to tease the guard a little. He just took such obvious pleasure in bossing me. This is the second or third time this has happened to me. Once I was taking pictures down by the bridge on Louisiana Street, one of the factories or other, I forget. No particular reason. I just like taking pictures. The guard there was nicer.

And now that I think of it I was yelled at by an HSBC guard before. I cannot remember what I was trying to take a picture of that time around. I guess I never learn.

The good news, I got on Flickr and found a picture someone else managed to snap, presumably when the guard was not looking. It is sad when so much ill will exists in the season of good will that it is necessary to have guards stop people from photographing a Christmas ornament.

But still.

They sure are cute.

-- Mary Kunz Goldman