Louis Roney: 'Birds of a Feather' and more

• Diane Bishop, the talented principle bassoonist of the Orlando Philharmonic, put together a rather unusual program for the final Sounds of Summer Series on Aug. 22 at the Plaza Live Theater. The program’s French and German music was called “Birds of a Feather.” One does not often get to enjoy composers Eugène Bozza, Francis Poulenc, and Jean Francaix on one evening’s program. “Trois pieces une musique de nuit” by Bozza was performed by a woodwind quartet of Colleen Blagov, flute, Jamie Strefeler, oboe, Nikolay Blagov, clarinet, and Diane Bishop, bassoon.

The “Sonata for oboe and piano” by Poulenc was masterfully delivered by Jamie Strefeler on the oboe and Keiko Andrews at the piano – a most interesting piece. The “Divertissement for bassoon and strings” was performed by Diane Bishop, bassoon, Alexander Stevens and Olga Ferroni, violins, Mauricio Rivero, viola, Grace Gavin, cello, and Suzanne Vascik, double bass. These artists played with great expertise, and the result was charming. If there was any flaw – to my ear, the music sounded all too much alike! The first half of the program was sometimes lyric, sometimes playful, with disjointed changing rhythms, but all sounded the same — a menu of desserts only.

After intermission, the highlight of the evening was “Serenade No.1 in D Major” by Johannes Brahms, a major Brahms work too seldom heard. All the above musicians, along with Mark Fischer, horn, brought this lovely opus to pleasing fruition. Now we enjoyed some meat and potatoes, a challenge for the musicians, and a wonderful treat for audience’s ears!

• An avid reader sent me this:

I said to my son, “You will marry the girl I choose.” He said “No.”

I told him, “It’s Bill Gates’ daughter.” He said, “OK.”

I called Bill Gates and said, “I want your daughter to marry my son.”

Bill Gates said, “No.” I told Bill Gates my son was the CEO of the World Bank. Bill Gates said, “OK.”

I called to president of the World Bank and asked him to make my son the CEO. He said, “No.” I told him my son is Bill Gates’ son-in-law. He said, “OK.”

That’s how politics works folks!

• I married the farmer’s daughter who lived in the dell – it’s worked out? …well … even swell … I guess that my ideas have gone pretty well.

Some of my ideas have made quite a hit – and no one resents me the least little bit.

It’s just that I don’t trust myself very much. Guess I need more confidence and such…

• Why is it that newspapers publish info re: political events? Is it because these involve competing sides like sporting events? Both sports and politics feature winners and losers and pique the interest of the public. The trouble is most of the time we don’t get information, we get opinion! Since the majority of the press is of Democratic Party bent, we don’t even get balanced opinion. The involvement of the Clinton Foundation, when a presidential candidate and former secretary of state is caught with extremely questionable actions, is reason for serious rethinking.

Where did the foundation stop and the national government begin? Was the Clinton Foundation funneling money given to it for “other” purposes? Did the money serve the stated purpose for the needy people (perhaps of Haiti) or the “purpose” of the program of the Clintons? How about speaking fees from the same quarters as the foundation donations? This foundation smells to high heaven – and should be closed – or shouldn’t Hillary quit her candidacy?

Writer Mark Alexander said, “The essential facts about Hillary’s ‘ethical lapses’ – are corrupt activities that should render her ineligible for office, if not eligible for prison.”

• “Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself and all it contains, rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose, that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing, however slightly so it may appear to you.” – Thomas Jefferson. Right again!

“A lie stands on one leg, a truth on two.” – Benjamin Franklin