**clap clap clap** 

i applaud our nation's greatest orchestra, the ny philharmonic, for their courage and generosity in bringing their talents to what is probably the most secluded nation in the world today - north korea.

maestro maazel said that maybe one day someone will compose a piece entitled "americans in pyongyang" just as gershwin composed "an american in paris".  in the meantime, here's the ny philharmonic playing "arirang" in a truly moving performance:

speaking of classical music, something about young talent is inspirational.  hats off to the new director of music of the los angeles philharmonic - gustavo dudamel.  i think we might be looking at not just a "conducting animal" but quite possibly the next leonard bernstein.  here's the young maestro conducting bernstein's "mambo" with the simon bolivar youth orchestra: