As long-time readers of the blog know, I have a weakness for Advent calendars, even when they don’t include chocolate. (Although…chocolate is good.)
chocolate… nom nom nom
So here’s the second annual virtual SOTL Advent calendar, sans chocolate. After the introductory entry of December first, each day will feature a Youtube video having to do with Christmas or winter music, along with a favorite memory of 2013. (Perhaps astonishingly, given the circumstances, I have a lot of favorite memories.) Yes, it’s a weird tradition – I don’t think any other classical music blogs do this? – but I get a kick out of assembling it, and I like to spread the joy of Advent calendars, so…
http://sotladventcalendar.tumblr.com/
Entries are queued to post at 12am every morning. So enjoy, and warm holiday wishes to you and yours.
If you’re not sure what to buy for yourself or your family members this holiday season, you should really consider purchasing tickets to see the Minnesota Orchestra Musicians in-concert later this month in their Tchaikovsky extravaganza. Because everybody loves the Nutcracker, am I right?
*****
Song of the Lark 
Might I offer you a glass of Shelly?
I met a traveller from antique Minneapolis
Who said: A vast and pointless lobby
Stands on Nicollet Mall. Near it, on the asphalt,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell us “My name is Ozyman-Davis, king of business!
Look on my lobby, ye Mighty, and despair!”
No music remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level snowdrifts stretch far away.