Cruel beauty.

Cate Blanchett as Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, caught tonight at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and here enshrined in the spirit of ACD's recent tribute to Gillian Anderson's Lady Dedlock.

Playlist:

Peter Maxwell Davies - Naxos Quartets Nos. 5 and 6 - Maggini Quartet (Naxos)

Harrison Birtwistle - The Axe Manual*; Oockooing Bird; Sad Song; Berceuse de Jeanne; Précis; Hector's Dawn; Ostinato with Melody; Betty Freeman: Her Tango; Saraband: The King's Farewell; Harrison's Clocks - Nicolas Hodges, Clarine Edwardes* (Metronome)

James Dillon - Traumwerk; String Quartet No. 2; Parjanya-Vata; Vernal Showers* - Arditti String Quartet, Nieuw Ensemble* (Naïve)