The Miro Quartet is approaching its thirtieth anniversary. Violist John Largess and I met in Buffalo in 2023 when the Miro was in town performing the Beethoven Quartet Cycle and we caught up in a live event this morning. John and I talked Beethoven, the workaday life of a string quartet, and the Miro’s new album of Alberto Ginastera’s three string quartets. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.At 30:55 John discusses Ginastera’s Quartet No. 3 and why he finds it moving. Soprano Kiera Duffy joined the Quartet in the fourth movement to sing a text by Rafael Alberti, “Morir al Sol” (To Die in the Sun”). A soldier fighting fascism in the Spanish Civil War lay dying as “a lone dog barks for him furiously.” Read John’s translation from the liner notes and listen below. Thanks to John and everyone who joined up for the live event. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

I hope you enjoy my reading of Media Room’s review of “Becoming Led Zeppelin," published yesterday.You can read the review, including images and links, by clicking here.Audio posts are a paid subscriber benefit, but this post is being made available to all subscribers.Please consider supporting Media Room with a paid subscription. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra season begins September 20 and Media Room will be following it with its exclusive, paywalled coverage. Fall Discount - 50% Off Through SeptemberBuffalo journalist Andrew Galarneau said:Media Room is a smorgasbord of real live Buffalo arts criticism, from AKG shows to the Buffalo Philharmonic, with books, films, and opera in between.Paid Subscriber John Lehr said:Media Room is my daily dose of escape. Thank you!Substack is changing its model and soon only “bestseller” publications with a minimum number of paid subscribers will be supported. Media Room is approaching bestseller status, so please take advantage of this 50% offer ($40) and become a paid subscriber to Media Room continue.Media Room’s annual, 50% off Fall Special goes through the end of September. Paid subscribers receive many benefits, including paywalled Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra coverage with concert reviews within 24 hours of performance.Paid subscribers also receive exclusive audio and video posts, access to over 400 posts in the archive, and “The Song of the Day” playlist on Tidal, now with 24 hours of nonstop music.All of this plus the priceless, meritorious karma that comes with acting in support of your values.A healthy arts scene needs quality arts writing.Cover image: L-R Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones during the 1970 tour of Led Zeppelin. Photo by Paul Popper. © Getty Images, via Sony. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you to JoAnn Falletta and everyone who tuned into my live video! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Today I spoke with Mason Winfield, author of Buffalo’s Occult Architecture: The Spiritual, the Supernatural, and the Niagara's Great Builders.While I am skeptical of the paranormal and occult, the people who built Buffalo were not. Mason and I discussed how the Queen City’s built environment was based on cosmological symbolism and sacred geometry, including Buffalo City Hall, H.H. Richardson’s Buffalo Psychiatric Center and the Guaranty Building (above).It was a fascinating discussion. Thanks to all who tuned in live. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe

Thanks to Zach Woolfe for making Media Room’s first live event a success!I should note that our interview was conducted under a shadow. New York woke up after last night’s devastating loss by its resurgent New York Knicks, who led by 14 points with 2:51 to go in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.The Knicks haven’t been in the Finals since 1999 and they haven’t won a championship since 1973 so choking losing in such a dramatic, unprecedented fashion has to hurt.That said, we Buffalo Bills fans know a little something about resiliency so we’re here if you need us. Click here to read Zach’s article, “Seven Takes On Opera’s Most Lurid Dance,” which we discussed during our thirty minute discussion.Thanks again to Zach and I hope you enjoy our conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mediaroom.substack.com/subscribe