Happy Birthday, Mr. Twain.

Google tells me that it’s Mark Twain’s birthday. Happy birthday, Mr. Twain.

[via YouTube]

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Esa-Pekka Salonen interview.

Alex Ross asks 2012 Grawemeyer Award recipient Esa-Pekka Salonen a few questions. [via Alex Ross: The Rest Is Noise]

The composer/conductor is incidentally quite a Sebald fan.

What books are on your nightstand or in your carry-on bag?

W. G. Sebald, always. I read a lot of history books at the moment. Realized how thin my knowledge is of the late-Roman, early-medieval period. I might be the last one who hasn’t yet read Franzen’s Freedom. Downloaded it onto my iPad as well as the Steve Jobs bio.

Don’t worry, sir, I haven’t read Freedom either.

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