What I'm especially thankful for this year

The listener.  You get better every year.

The performers of two spectacular one-man shows:  John Douglas Thompson in Terry Teachout's "Satchmo at the Waldorf" (pictured above)  and Richard Goode in "Beethoven's Last Three Sonatas."

HJ Lim, Max Richter, R. Andrew Lee, Matthew Whittall, Barrokksolistene, do.gma chamber orchestra, Judd Greenstein, Khatia Buniatishvili, Vox Clamantis and all the many other excellent performers and composers who made their WFCR debuts this year.

The folks behind the 1794 Meetinghouse, the Historical Piano Concerts, Chamber Music Society at Wistariahurst and the other small, out-of-the-way concert programs that make New England such a special place for music lovers.

Here We Go Magic, Anais Mitchell, St. Vincent & David Byrne, Animal Collective, Sufjan Stevens, Deerhoof, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Bob Dylan and the other artists on some of the most stimulating rock and pop of '12.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Bruce MacCombie, Roman Totenberg, Ruggero Ricci, Brigitte Engerer, Alexander Arutiunian, William Duckworth, Elliott Carter, and others who died in 2012 after making unique and important contributions to classical music.

Those who shlep their offspring to lessons, concerts and other musical activities — candidates for canonization in my  church.

Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and all the other masters.  Man, you all had great years — again!

Father Time, for keeping things moving forward and not dwelling in the past.  Each year gets better and more interesting, as far as I'm concerned.  2013?  Bring it on!

Anyone who replied to the NEPR blogs in 2012.  Please join them, starting with this entry.  Thanks!