Zach Carstensen
@zachcarstensen.bsky.social
Music, politics, baseball and cats. Sometime freelance music critic based in Chicagoland (Oak Park), formerly Seattle 🏳️🌈
https://gatheringnote.com/
https://gatheringnote.com/
Frank Lloyd Wright in the snow. A fresh five inches fell overnight when less than one inch was forecast.
December 7, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Frank Lloyd Wright in the snow. A fresh five inches fell overnight when less than one inch was forecast.
Clown fetish night at the opera
November 16, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Clown fetish night at the opera
A beautiful SF day, beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge marred by 555 California St.
November 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
A beautiful SF day, beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge marred by 555 California St.
Scene from an afternoon stroll
November 7, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Scene from an afternoon stroll
Klaus Makela, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: Andrew Norman and Richard Strauss.
October 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Klaus Makela, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: Andrew Norman and Richard Strauss.
Oude Kerk. Amsterdam’s oldest building and one-time church is now a fusion of old art and new.
October 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Oude Kerk. Amsterdam’s oldest building and one-time church is now a fusion of old art and new.
Rest in peace Jan Sweenlinck.
October 27, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Rest in peace Jan Sweenlinck.
The type of meaty, big boned concert the CSO plays better than anyone else. It’s been a long, stressful summer, but it’s so good to be at Orchestra Hall again.
October 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
The type of meaty, big boned concert the CSO plays better than anyone else. It’s been a long, stressful summer, but it’s so good to be at Orchestra Hall again.
Another small venue in Chicago, but one with alcoholic Slurpees
September 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Another small venue in Chicago, but one with alcoholic Slurpees
I’m almost certain Don Giovanni has an STD
September 25, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I’m almost certain Don Giovanni has an STD
My first time hearing the NY Phil at Geffen Hall.
September 20, 2025 at 11:14 PM
My first time hearing the NY Phil at Geffen Hall.
I’ve been to NYC many times, but I can’t recall ever laying eyes on the NY Public Library 🤷.
September 19, 2025 at 1:52 AM
I’ve been to NYC many times, but I can’t recall ever laying eyes on the NY Public Library 🤷.
One of the smallest venues I’ve ever been in.
September 11, 2025 at 12:59 AM
One of the smallest venues I’ve ever been in.
Lovely evening on a rooftop
September 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Lovely evening on a rooftop
Elizabeth Catlett, Abstract Expressionism and one beautiful arch from the Chicago Exchange.
September 6, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Elizabeth Catlett, Abstract Expressionism and one beautiful arch from the Chicago Exchange.
Thanks Heinrich Heine
July 29, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Thanks Heinrich Heine
I’ve never heard a la valse sound so *pretty*
July 16, 2025 at 12:28 AM
I’ve never heard a la valse sound so *pretty*
Finally got to explore the interior of Unity Temple. It's incredible how FLW tailored his prairie style to this one-of-a-kind spiritual space.
June 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Finally got to explore the interior of Unity Temple. It's incredible how FLW tailored his prairie style to this one-of-a-kind spiritual space.
Revisiting my very first recording of Verdi’s Requiem with my music loving cat. This CD was on heavy repeat back in the mid 90s. It even went with me on a winter trip to Germany, Austria and Italy, Somehow surviving planes, trains and hostels.
June 20, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Revisiting my very first recording of Verdi’s Requiem with my music loving cat. This CD was on heavy repeat back in the mid 90s. It even went with me on a winter trip to Germany, Austria and Italy, Somehow surviving planes, trains and hostels.
Two homosexuals visited Wrightwood 659 for their beautifully curated show - the first homosexuals.
June 1, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Two homosexuals visited Wrightwood 659 for their beautifully curated show - the first homosexuals.
A metaphor for marriage?
May 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
A metaphor for marriage?
The first of three Mahler symphonies over the next month. Tonight is the 7th, premiered in the US by the CSO and Frederick Stock nearly 100 years ago. Jaap van Zweden led this performance which he will do again next month when the CSO plays the 7th as part of the 3rd Mahler Festival in Amsterdam.
April 18, 2025 at 2:10 AM
The first of three Mahler symphonies over the next month. Tonight is the 7th, premiered in the US by the CSO and Frederick Stock nearly 100 years ago. Jaap van Zweden led this performance which he will do again next month when the CSO plays the 7th as part of the 3rd Mahler Festival in Amsterdam.
The previous owner purchased this disk for Godowsky’s Alt Wien or was moved enough upon hearing to provide a little notation for future reference.
March 21, 2025 at 12:39 AM
The previous owner purchased this disk for Godowsky’s Alt Wien or was moved enough upon hearing to provide a little notation for future reference.