The hail line slashed through Philly yesterday just before 7pm in a magnificent display of colliding weather fronts. The clouds seemed to be battling for turf and it was all over in a loud few minutes. People were dashing for cover, their umbrellas merely sight gags. I was running late, so I got to watch instead of getting soaked before heading out to Verizon Hall. Walking along Delancey off 18th in the buildings ravine, the low hanging clouds parted on stratospheric whited plumes with slashing shafts of light worthy of Cecil B deMille depicting Calvary. The Mendelssohn Club crowd was not to be deterred from hearing a premiere by composer Jennifer Higdon and Verdi’s Requiem, even though they were ringing themselves out in the lobby. I love fierce weather.