Bob Weisman

Host of Back from Baroque, Wednesday 7:00PM & Symphony Hall, Wednesday 8:00-10:00PM

HOMETOWN

A nice place.

FAMILY

Yes.

ACTIVITIES / HOBBIES / INTERESTS

Classical Music, Travel

MY FAVORITE BOOKS

Balzac’s “Lost Illusions”.  Balzac understands and demonstrates in his fiction how things really work, the mechanisms by which the social order accomplishes the elevation of some and the destruction of others. For me, Balzac is at a minimum the 19th Century’s preeminent French writer. This novel is among his best and is my favorite. There is just something about it.

MY FAVORITE MOVIE

“The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.” Why? The last scene, the last sentence, and Helen Mirren.

MY FAVORITE COMPOSER / MUSIC

Berlioz, because his music so much excites my nervous system, my sense of awe, and my sense of beauty and refinement. And equally Mozart, about whom an ordinary reason isn’t adequate, for example that he can be put forth as the most complete musician and composer of all times. Something different is needed. There is a legend that long ago people cried out to Heaven that life was too much for them to bear, and they wanted it changed because of things like poverty, disease, and death. God answered no; it would interfere with the plan of creation. But He wanted to help. He would send them Mozart.

MY PASSION

Classical Music, Good Fiction, Hiking

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT DAYTON

There must be a few things. I’ve lived here more than 30 years.