PD Smith | Kafka’s mouse
michael gross, science writer
Michael's blog about science, culture, and everything in between
some thoughts on Quartet: How four women changed the musical world Leah Broad Faber & Faber 2023 I’ve been a huge fan of Rebecca Clarke’s sonata for viola ever since I first heard a student playing part of it at the Oxford Music Festival quite a few years ago. Which is why I pounced at the opportunity to hear this and more music by her at the Jacqueline DuPre Music building on International Women’s Day this year, performed by Rosalind Ventris (viola), Laura van der Heijden (cello) and Libby Burgess (piano).
A few things I learned from Paradiesstraße by Ulla Lachauer 3rd ed. 2001 This book I discovered randomly at Oxfam recounts the memories of the farmer Lena Grigoleit (1910-1995) from Bittehnen on the river Memel, which was part of East Prussia when she was born, then of Lithuania, then Soviet Union, now Lithuania again. Lachauer discovered her as the only surviving resident of the village from East Prussian time – and also a very enthusiastic story teller, so this is how this remarkable book came into being.
PD Smith | Kafka’s mouse
michael gross, science writer