From our garden here at The Black House—pictured is one of our flowering plants: Penstemon “Dark Towers”—we offer Solstice greetings to all in harmony with the Earth’s seasonal changes! In the Northern Hemisphere we embrace the longest day of the year as sultry Summer begins. Those in the Southern Hemisphere mark the longest night as Winter begins its chill dominion. The Haunted Hudson Valley is in the midst of a genuine heat wave, with temperatures in the 80s-90s. A bit of a turn, as we’ve had one of the chilliest Spring seasons, ever.
Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) was a Norwegian Romantic composer and pianist. You’ll likely know his “Hall of the Mountain King” from the incidental music he composed for Ibsen’s play, Peer Gynt, as it ends the usual suite of excerpts from the full score. And his dramatic Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 may also be familiar. Click the links to refresh your memories! For this first day of Summer, I offer a brief, evocative piano work from his Lyric Pieces, Book 10, Op. 71: No. 2, Summer Evening. This recording was made on Grieg’s own piano at his villa in Troldhaugen. Enjoy its delicious languor as played by the brilliant Leif Ove Andsnes.
Wherever on this wondrous planet you might be, it is always a delight to celebrate the glories of Nature and the abundant pleasures that life offers! Here’s to a splendid new season filled with indulgences galore!
—Magus Peter H. Gilmore