Shaken, Not Stirred

WCLV's offices at the Idea Center at Playhouse Square started shaking around 2 p.m. Eastern time. I was at my music library work station when the chair shook. I felt momentarily dizzy, then realized when it happened again it wasn't me.

Stepping out into the hall I noticed the suspended light fixtures and "exit" signs were swaying. The shaking diminished to something analagous to a simmer, then stopped about 5 minutes later.

By this time, most of the staff came out of their studios and offices and asked if anyone else felt it. I stayed in a doorway, watching the light fixtures for clues. Once they stopped moving, it was safe to go back to work.

We checked our news sources, which stated that the quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.8, was centered about 87 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and felt in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York as well as Cleveland.

One member of management walked into the office shortly after the shaking stopped and, listening to the employee chatter, asked, "Was there an earthquake?" When we said yes, he said, "Get OUT!! I was at Otto Moser's (a nearby restaurant) and didn't feel a thing."

Euclid Avenue Flora

Cleveland's Euclid Avenue between E. 6th and E. 12th is closed through August 24th for filming of the comic-book picture "The Avengers." WCLV's Radioquarium is situated east of there, so my coming and going won't disturb the "quiet on the set." These nifty blossom-spilling planters filled with petunias, cannas, and other summer bloomers improve the normal Euclid soundstage.

One of our colleagues at WCLV is an extra in "The Avengers." Everyone wants his autograph.

For Once, I Got it Right

The 2011 Cleveland International Piano Competition, which WCLV broadcast wall-to-wall from July 27th to last Sunday, challenges not only the participants, but the radio and concert hall audiences. Pick the winner? You'd have more luck freeze-drying a snowflake.

But this year, the Gods of Music Competition smiled upon your announcer, as Alexander Schimpf of Germany, shown here in the WCLV Radioquarium Monday talking to WCLV's John Simna, placed first. As he completed the Beethoven 4th concerto Saturday night with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Severance Hall crowd roared its approval. I hoped he would win.

The man producing the photographic flash reflected in the studio glass is WCLV's President and co-founder, Robert Conrad, the voice of Cleveland Orchestra broadcasts, which are syndicated by WCLV.

Piano Competition Backstory

Since last Wednesday's start of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, which WCLV broadcasts "wall to wall," the on-air staff has been seeing itself coming and going.

WCLV's Bill O'Connell has been hosting the afternoon sessions, with Mark Satola hosting evenings. Back at the "Radioquarium," Nancy Sinning, whom you hear Sundays, has been your host for the first two hours of WCLV Midday from 10 to noon. Mark hosts from noon to 4, including board-opping the afternoon sessions. Rob Grier board ops the evening sessions. Your morning announcer hosted morning and afternoon drive through yesterday.

Now that the first cut has been made, from 26 pianists to 8 semi-finalists, things will settle down. In the semi-finals, only two pianists perform each session. Bill will have time to drive from the Cleveland Play House to the Radioquarium in time to begin Drive Time at 4. Mark will again host tonight beginning at 7.

The semi-finals take place today and tomorrow. The performers have Thursday off. The finals, with the Cleveland Orchestra, are Friday and Saturday nights, with the winners' recital Sunday. Hear it all on WCLV 104.9 & wclv.com.