Born in 1947, I was
raised in Boston, Massachusetts. My
father, a PhD in English Literature
and semi-professional violinist, ensured
that I received a worthy musical education
in my formative years. I learned to
play the piano and clarinet, also taking
lessons in music theory and composition.
Unfortunately, I abandoned
my music education as a teenager and
headed straight for hard and progressive
rock music. I eventually found my way
back to my musical foundations and have
been an avid and exclusive classical
music enthusiast for many years now.
I still play piano and clarinet, although
my proficiency is well below the level
I achieved as a youngster.
I have five particular
musical passions: Bach, Schumann, Scriabin,
Shostakovich and keyboard music from
the early baroque period up to modern
times. I am also not immune to the occasional
obsession, as evidenced by listening
to only Bach's organ music for a three
year period in the mid-1990's. Reviewing
classical recordings is a total pleasure
and natural extension of my personality
as I love to research the lives of composers,
acquire and listen to recordings and
write about my passion for classical
music and recorded performances.
Married in 1969, my wife Ellen Jane
and I have raised three children, none
of them musically inclined. I have a
Masters Degree in Economics and spent
my professional career as a real estate
appraiser and Chief of Real Estate
for the US Army Corps of Engineers'
Albuquerque District. Now retired, I
am
living the "good life" in
the sun-drenched Southwest region of
the United
States and have more time than ever
before to devote to my growing musical
passions.
Don Satz
dsatz@hotmail.com
