Philly Classical Music Scores Big at Last Night’s Grammy Awards
Plus: The Brothers Kelce interview their mom. Hoagie Mania. And the Inquirer wants your heart data.
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Philly Classical Music Scores Big at Sunday’s Grammy Awards
It’s not often that I’d lead Philly Today with a report about classical music. OK, I’ve never done it before and probably never will again. But, hey, last night was the Grammy Awards. If you didn’t watch the awards show, you are no doubt still aware they happened because of the wide-ranging debate playing out on social media over:
– Red carpet outfits
– Whether the Sam Smith performance was total trash or total genius
– Why the cameras wouldn’t go in for a closeup of Madonna
– Trevor Noah’s rating as a Grammys host
– The whole 50 years of hip-hop tribute (curated by Philly’s own Questlove, no less), which I thought was, as the kids say, fire
I could go on.
But let us turn to another side of the Grammys, one in which Philadelphia was actually a big winner. And that side is classical music.
Philadelphia’s fabulous choir The Crossing won the Grammy for Best Choral Performance for their latest album, Born. But where the Crossing really shines is in their live performances. Fortunately for you, they have some local shows this spring. Check their schedule here.
The Philadelphia Orchestra was part of two Grammy wins: Best Classical Instrumental Solo and Best Contemporary Classical Composition.
And, last but certainly not least, Philadelphia Orchestra conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin was named in two Grammy wins: Best Opera Recording and Best Classical Solo Vocal Album.
You can read the full list of Grammy winners here.
And if you enjoy bumping into Nézet-Séguin at Parc, Talula’s Garden and Zahav, you’ll be happy to know that he just extended his contract with the Philadelphia Orchestra through the 2029-2030 season, so there’s plenty more of him to come. (You can read my recent interview with him here.)
Well OK Then
Eagles fans: The Inquirer wants your heartbeat data.
Speaking of the Eagles
The opposing Kelce brothers interview their mom on their podcast.
What Are You Gonna Eat Today?
Might I suggest a hoagie? But from where?! So many choices. Fortunately, we broke it all down for you in our February cover story.
What Are You Gonna Do This Week?
If you’re looking for the best events in Philly this week, we’ve got them right here. If I had to pick one and only one, it would probably be the musical Come from Away, which opens this week.
Is Winter Over?!
Not quite yet, but a pretty mild week ahead of us. It’s 9 a.m. and I’m sitting at my picnic table writing this, albeit in full sun. Good day to go out for a walk. All that said, I would definitely approve of one solid snowstorm before it’s all said and done. I’m not talking Blizzard of ’96 material. But enough that my kids can earn some bucks from the neighbors and have a good sled ride down the nearby hills.
Political Movements
Control of the Pennsylvania House is still undecided.
And from the Hmm-Then Sports Desk …
Let’s start with the good stuff. On Friday night, the Sixers were in San Antonio to play the Spurs, who I’m sure are very nice but don’t exactly field a host of familiar names. We, on the other hand …
https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1621669570745454594
Still, said familiar names got off to a sluggish start and didn’t score until two minutes in. But they settled in: With three and a half minutes left in the first, they took the lead — for a hot minute. On the ol’ seesaw!
https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1621685774922940417
The Sixers, with Tyrese’s help, pulled ahead in the second.
MONSTER JAM. pic.twitter.com/dNCmKiakUO
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 4, 2023
They were having fun out there!
https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1621691714023919616
https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1621693105765335041
After the half, it was Turnover City for the Spurs, as the Sixers put together a 12-2 run to end the third quarter.
I blink and the Sixers up 20
— Ken Griffey (@KennyP_757) February 4, 2023
Why in the world did the Spurs’ Twitter team tweet the loss this way, complete with exclamation point?
https://twitter.com/spurs/status/1621710863718555648
Other things that confound us:
I will be focusing on Revelation 3:7–13 and how that connects to Philadelphia and how the NBA is fulfilling biblical scripture daily!
— The Illusion (@TheIllusion111) February 4, 2023
All right then! A nice relaxing game for a change. Thanks, guys! Now on to the bad stuff. On Sunday night, the Sixers traveled to Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks. It was the usual suspects for starters: Harden, Embiid, Tucker, Harris, Melton. A good sign, right?
It’s gameday. #Sixers #Knicks pic.twitter.com/5vpJ71KFS4
— CBain (@cbain100) February 5, 2023
Then there was this:
RJ Barrett (illness) is doubtful for tonight’s game.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 5, 2023
Knicks fans were ticked that ESPN was showing flag football instead of their game.
https://twitter.com/PJF4475/status/1622377790153658370
The Sixers game was running parallel to Temple’s (14-10) rematch against number three Houston (22-2), and the Sixers’ early lead left plenty of leisure to click over and check that score.
76ers are up by 19 with only around 10 min of game time played… wow #76ers #Knicks
— Trevor Lodge (@TrevorLodge19) February 5, 2023
Any Iggles fans in the house?
https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1622381390145757186
So of course the Knicks went on a run and pulled to within five early in the second. Make that within three. Sigh.
First half down. pic.twitter.com/m6kLRDXqof
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 6, 2023
But the Sixers got their act together in the third — for a change — with an 8-0 run. And then the turnovers began.
https://twitter.com/NickBrandtSJII/status/1622398814249156608
Meantime, over in Owlville:
https://twitter.com/TUMBBHoops/status/1622383480977108992
But that wouldn’t last.
Final. Temple 65 – #3 Houston 81
— Temple Men's Basketball (@TUMBBHoops) February 6, 2023
Back to the Sixers game, where the Knicks were on a 10-0 run. And took the lead. Ouch. Everyone seems to agree:
Sixers suck without embiid
— Mr. Morale (@yg__moon) February 6, 2023
Things were going south fast, as the Knicks reveled in a 22-8 run. The Sixers didn’t score a field goal in the final five and a half minutes.
https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1622415054384529410
Take consolation in happy memories, Eagles fans! Five years ago this weekend …
5 years ago today the Eagles broke out the Philly Special pic.twitter.com/SlZZVBuezv
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) February 4, 2023
Tonight, the Flyers play.
In college hoops besides Temple, on Friday, Penn beat Columbia, though you’d think an Ivy League school would be better at tweeting.
https://twitter.com/PennMBB/status/1621691887462801409
On Saturday, the Drexel Dragons (13-11) just barely got nipped by the Monmouth Hawks (4-20).
Final from Monmouth pic.twitter.com/ap4roOO7yK
— Drexel Men's Basketball (@DrexelMBB) February 4, 2023
Penn (13-7) faced off again, vs. Cornell (15-7). There, Ivy Twitterer, that’s better!
https://twitter.com/PennMBB/status/1622039193420705794
To cap Saturday off, Villanova (10-13) almost — almost — pulled out a terrific comeback against Creighton (15-8).
Hard fought BIG EAST battle. pic.twitter.com/Q6eQtB9eHt
— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) February 5, 2023
And on Sunday, La Salle (10-13) and St. Joe’s (11-12) faced off in a Big Five matchup, and the Explorers came out on top.
https://twitter.com/LaSalle_MBB/status/1622313368274063361
All Philly Today Sports Desk coverage is provided by Sandy Hingston.