A fine mist settled over Vienna today, not unlike the mist that settled over the minds of many German-speaking critics as they were confronted with the alien loveliness of John Adams's A Flowering Tree. "Neo-neoclassicism," "Turning away from the aesthetic category of the new" — oh, come on, people! Must we keep fighting this Frankfurt School culture war? Schönberg lebt, aber Adorno ist gestorben! Anyway, below the fold are more moody snaps.
Once upon a time....
