the hum / By Bob Doran

Music for a Cold Winter Night

On Saturday, choose between three concerts. Young Ryan MacEvoy McCulloughplays Bach, Haydn, Debussy and Magin on a grand piano at the Arkley Center. Nicholas Lambson plays classical guitar at the Fortuna Monday Club. Meanwhile at the Westhaven Center for the Arts, it’s something called “Songs From Green Mountain: The music of 17th Century Mantua” with Italian Baroque music played by violinists Rob Diggins and Jolianne von Einem (perhaps better known locally as half of the Gypsy jazz combo Cuckoo’s Nest) joined by harpsichordist Katherine Heater, a friend from one of their other groups, Magnificat.

The “Green Mountain” title is a Baroque joke: They’re focusing on music by Claudio Monteverdi (green mountain in Italian), specifically things written for Francesco Gonzaga, son of the Duke of Mantua, a generous patron of the arts. In between tunes Rob will read from Monteverdi’s letters on deep topics like “the purpose of music.” What does Rob see as the purpose of music? “I think it’s to provide comfort and consolation in times of sorrow, and inspiration for courageous action, and at the very least casual entertainment.”

Ready for just a little more Bess Dove 2007 biz-nez? Check this week’s review section for a Top 10 classical albums list from a writer in Philly. Then tune in to KHUM this Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. for Michael “Melodious” MooreJr.’s round-table discussion with allegedly in-the-know music buffs including yours truly and Jay Herzog (whose Top 10 books of 2007 can be found elsewhere in this edition) along with Russ Cole and Mark Shikuma, who share a couple of things in common: Both have deejay slots on KHSU (Russ is Gus Mozart, Mondays at 10 p.m.; Mark follows at midnight as The Boy Wonder) and both have taken over the Hum when I’ve gone on vacation.

“The reason I approached the panel is because they all listen to a lot of music and are constantly searching for new and interesting music via mp3 blogs, reading magazines, etc.,” said Moore in what passed for a press release. I’m figuring the discussion will be all over the map. Moore’s list includes North African desert blues by Tinariwen, Minnesota hip hop by Brother Ali, Argentine trip hop/dub by Federico Aubele and alt. post-folk by Bright Eyes. Jay, Mark and Russ all have equally eclectic taste. So, see you on the radio?

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