"At the end of the ceremony something fun would be cool (aka non-classical)."
This is an excerpt from an email I got from a bride for June 10th. (sigh)
Do people think we have NO fun when we play classical music?????? They must think we lead the most mundane, boring lives. Good grief.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
100th post on Blogger - A List
10 Reasons Why I Love Boston:
1. The MBTA, otherwise known as "the T" or "train". It is a pain sometimes, but as one who grew up in a town with NO trains and only one car in the family, then went to Rochester, I love being able to go different places without relying on gas (we are KILLING our planet) or anyone else, for that matter.
2. The Boston Common/Public Garden. In spring, they plant all kinds of flowers, which smell wonderful. There are swans, ducks, and geese everywhere to watch, not to mention recently all the baby swans, ducks and geese to adore.
3. Random people. Usually, this is a bad thing. I have been groaped, kicked (accidentally, but still), and hooted at (recently, "hey sexy, why are you rude? why don't you come talk to me?"). However, every once in a while someone nice comes along. Today, while at the Arlington stop, a lady came and asked me where I got my white skirt. It is a Gap skirt I bought two summers ago for TMC and wore also for the Schumann Quintet performance. This woman seemed perfectly sane, had a little girl in her hand and went on about how nice it looked and how she had been looking for one just like it. It was a pleasant conversation.
4. The weather. I am a northern girl. I like winter to be cold and snowy and summer to be warm and breezy. There are all four seasons in Boston, and I love that.
5. My sister, her husband and my niece. I've babysat Adelaide a lot this past week. She is a crazy little girl, but SMART SMART SMART. We had so much fun at the park the other day, where there is a sprinkler thing. My sister and her husband have been good to me, and my sister and I have become even closer since I moved here. Plus she gets me gigs.
6. The Museum of Fine Arts. I have been there twice this past semester, with plans on attending more this summer. Why? Because I like art, I love the MFA, and BU students are free. Yes, my dears, FREE.
7. Peter and the Muir. I have a wonderful teacher, and wonderful coaches.
8. There are so many cute little restuarants everywhere that are good.
9. It is a city mostly populated by students, so when school is out - its much less hectic. I don't mind the hecticness for the most part, but I HAVE been enjoying the less insanity on the B-line especially lately.
10. It is where I have wanted to live since I was 9, and I am here.
1. The MBTA, otherwise known as "the T" or "train". It is a pain sometimes, but as one who grew up in a town with NO trains and only one car in the family, then went to Rochester, I love being able to go different places without relying on gas (we are KILLING our planet) or anyone else, for that matter.
2. The Boston Common/Public Garden. In spring, they plant all kinds of flowers, which smell wonderful. There are swans, ducks, and geese everywhere to watch, not to mention recently all the baby swans, ducks and geese to adore.
3. Random people. Usually, this is a bad thing. I have been groaped, kicked (accidentally, but still), and hooted at (recently, "hey sexy, why are you rude? why don't you come talk to me?"). However, every once in a while someone nice comes along. Today, while at the Arlington stop, a lady came and asked me where I got my white skirt. It is a Gap skirt I bought two summers ago for TMC and wore also for the Schumann Quintet performance. This woman seemed perfectly sane, had a little girl in her hand and went on about how nice it looked and how she had been looking for one just like it. It was a pleasant conversation.
4. The weather. I am a northern girl. I like winter to be cold and snowy and summer to be warm and breezy. There are all four seasons in Boston, and I love that.
5. My sister, her husband and my niece. I've babysat Adelaide a lot this past week. She is a crazy little girl, but SMART SMART SMART. We had so much fun at the park the other day, where there is a sprinkler thing. My sister and her husband have been good to me, and my sister and I have become even closer since I moved here. Plus she gets me gigs.
6. The Museum of Fine Arts. I have been there twice this past semester, with plans on attending more this summer. Why? Because I like art, I love the MFA, and BU students are free. Yes, my dears, FREE.
7. Peter and the Muir. I have a wonderful teacher, and wonderful coaches.
8. There are so many cute little restuarants everywhere that are good.
9. It is a city mostly populated by students, so when school is out - its much less hectic. I don't mind the hecticness for the most part, but I HAVE been enjoying the less insanity on the B-line especially lately.
10. It is where I have wanted to live since I was 9, and I am here.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Long Awaited Update
The end of school has finally come, and my life has finally gone to a much less busy pace.
1. End of School Year: My final stuff included playing for a chamber music recital. The violist in my quartet, Emily, had her DMA chamber recital, and although it was her recital, it was quite a stressful event for me as well. I did the B-flat Mozart duo with her and then my group from the semester did Brahms a minor. Woah. It went really well though - Peter was VERY happy - although he did say that he wished my solo playing had gone farther this year. I really can't wait till the day arrives when I don't have to practice concertos anymore. I throw myself so much better into chamber music than concertos. I also played for the BU President's gala a few days after the recital, with an AMAZING free dinner to boot. Yum.
2. Rochester Visit: Last weekend I rented a car and drove from Boston to Rochester for Sara's recital. First, renting a car is a LOVELY experience. I loved driving, I loved being able to bond with the road, and it was such a quick trip - only 6 hours. By train it takes twice as long. I got to drive through the Berkshires, and wave to the exit where Tanglewood is. I arrived in Rochacha at about 4:30 on Friday, had a quick rehearsal with the gang, hung out and rehearsed on Saturday (including a lovely walk with David to the Eastman House - we sat on the porch rocking chairs - it was such a beautiful day), played the recital, and Sunday morning I left for Boston. It went by too fast, and I forgot how much I missed Eastman and everyone there. It was SO good to see David, Brian, Hannah, Sara, Marisol, Arthur, Stanley, etc etc etc etc. They all love and understand me so well. Sara's recital was simply incredible - she sounds absolutely fantastic. It was an honor to play for her. (Kim, Mary, Paul, Kitty, and others - you were sorely missed!)
3. Now: Since Monday, I haven't done much. I've babysat a bunch, and do more of that later this week. A week from tomorrow I go home for about a week to see the fam, which I am looking forward to. My summer plans are simple: relax, practice (I need to fix my intonation once and for all), and make money. I possibly have a part-time job teaching English as a second language, a whole bunch of gigs here and there, teaching two students on Saturdays, babysitting, and enjoying my break. This summer is officially my break from schedules and summer music festivals. I plan on going to TMC often to visit David and Brian and other folks there, and will go to Phoenix for 4th of July to visit Holly and see Hannah, who is also coming.
Now I will go shower, grab my violin, and head to BU. I also plan on a trip to Barnes and Noble today - I have a gift card that is calling my name, and with so much more free time for awhile for the first time since I was about 12, books are the name of the game. Now all I need is a porch on my apartment - too bad I don't have that. Oh well.
1. End of School Year: My final stuff included playing for a chamber music recital. The violist in my quartet, Emily, had her DMA chamber recital, and although it was her recital, it was quite a stressful event for me as well. I did the B-flat Mozart duo with her and then my group from the semester did Brahms a minor. Woah. It went really well though - Peter was VERY happy - although he did say that he wished my solo playing had gone farther this year. I really can't wait till the day arrives when I don't have to practice concertos anymore. I throw myself so much better into chamber music than concertos. I also played for the BU President's gala a few days after the recital, with an AMAZING free dinner to boot. Yum.
2. Rochester Visit: Last weekend I rented a car and drove from Boston to Rochester for Sara's recital. First, renting a car is a LOVELY experience. I loved driving, I loved being able to bond with the road, and it was such a quick trip - only 6 hours. By train it takes twice as long. I got to drive through the Berkshires, and wave to the exit where Tanglewood is. I arrived in Rochacha at about 4:30 on Friday, had a quick rehearsal with the gang, hung out and rehearsed on Saturday (including a lovely walk with David to the Eastman House - we sat on the porch rocking chairs - it was such a beautiful day), played the recital, and Sunday morning I left for Boston. It went by too fast, and I forgot how much I missed Eastman and everyone there. It was SO good to see David, Brian, Hannah, Sara, Marisol, Arthur, Stanley, etc etc etc etc. They all love and understand me so well. Sara's recital was simply incredible - she sounds absolutely fantastic. It was an honor to play for her. (Kim, Mary, Paul, Kitty, and others - you were sorely missed!)
3. Now: Since Monday, I haven't done much. I've babysat a bunch, and do more of that later this week. A week from tomorrow I go home for about a week to see the fam, which I am looking forward to. My summer plans are simple: relax, practice (I need to fix my intonation once and for all), and make money. I possibly have a part-time job teaching English as a second language, a whole bunch of gigs here and there, teaching two students on Saturdays, babysitting, and enjoying my break. This summer is officially my break from schedules and summer music festivals. I plan on going to TMC often to visit David and Brian and other folks there, and will go to Phoenix for 4th of July to visit Holly and see Hannah, who is also coming.
Now I will go shower, grab my violin, and head to BU. I also plan on a trip to Barnes and Noble today - I have a gift card that is calling my name, and with so much more free time for awhile for the first time since I was about 12, books are the name of the game. Now all I need is a porch on my apartment - too bad I don't have that. Oh well.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Hooray!
No more papers!
Only chamber music and Elijah!
After a fast and furious typing session on Wednesday night, I got up at 7:30 and headed over to the library yesterday morning for my final research class and to hand my paper in. Its actually not a terrible paper - I think its better than some of the ones I did at Eastman.
This week has also been long because of the Concord Chorus gig I have. They are doing Mendelssohn's Elijah. I actually think its an amazing piece, although it is VERY long, and the violins have literally NO breaks until the middle of the 2nd part (the women acappella aria). There are a TON of notes and most of them are fast and furious. But I'm having a wonderful time. The only other problem is that all of the rehearsals/concerts are far away - 1.5 hours. Yuck. Yesterday we had 6 - thats right, 6 - hours of rehearsal until 10 pm. After getting only 5 hours of sleep the night before, I was pretty tuckered out. I had a lesson this morning at 10 am, too. Ugh.
But all of this doesn't matter because MY RESEARCH CLASS IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!
And - spring in Boston is so nice. Thank goodness for sun and warmth.
Only chamber music and Elijah!
After a fast and furious typing session on Wednesday night, I got up at 7:30 and headed over to the library yesterday morning for my final research class and to hand my paper in. Its actually not a terrible paper - I think its better than some of the ones I did at Eastman.
This week has also been long because of the Concord Chorus gig I have. They are doing Mendelssohn's Elijah. I actually think its an amazing piece, although it is VERY long, and the violins have literally NO breaks until the middle of the 2nd part (the women acappella aria). There are a TON of notes and most of them are fast and furious. But I'm having a wonderful time. The only other problem is that all of the rehearsals/concerts are far away - 1.5 hours. Yuck. Yesterday we had 6 - thats right, 6 - hours of rehearsal until 10 pm. After getting only 5 hours of sleep the night before, I was pretty tuckered out. I had a lesson this morning at 10 am, too. Ugh.
But all of this doesn't matter because MY RESEARCH CLASS IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!
And - spring in Boston is so nice. Thank goodness for sun and warmth.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
More Paperness
Thats right folks:
I'm not done with my paper yet. I found out late on Monday night that the presentation was due Tuesday, but the actual paper is not due till tomorrow. With Elijah late night rehearsals, a quartet concert tonight, a lesson this morning, and in general craziness/tiredness, I have started, but have a long way to go. (sigh)
HELP!
I'm not done with my paper yet. I found out late on Monday night that the presentation was due Tuesday, but the actual paper is not due till tomorrow. With Elijah late night rehearsals, a quartet concert tonight, a lesson this morning, and in general craziness/tiredness, I have started, but have a long way to go. (sigh)
HELP!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Severe Procrastination
My research project is due tomorrow at 9 am.
So far, I have done a bibliography, outline, and abstract.
Those were due at 8 pm tonight, and after freaking out, spending three hours at the library and typing furiously between 6:45 pm and now, they are done and over with on time.
Now I'm feeling lazy - its only 8:25 pm, I can TOTALLY write a 10 page paper and 10 minute presenation by tomorrow at 9 am.
Ummmm........
(Why why why can I never start anything early???????????)
C-housers: I need you!!!
So far, I have done a bibliography, outline, and abstract.
Those were due at 8 pm tonight, and after freaking out, spending three hours at the library and typing furiously between 6:45 pm and now, they are done and over with on time.
Now I'm feeling lazy - its only 8:25 pm, I can TOTALLY write a 10 page paper and 10 minute presenation by tomorrow at 9 am.
Ummmm........
(Why why why can I never start anything early???????????)
C-housers: I need you!!!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
I just got home from Anaar's recital, and started going through my daily check-up on blogs. I am happy to see Emily V. now has one too! Yay for Emily!
Anyway, she posted a picture of Rostropovich playing cello next to (what looks like - I may be wrong) the Berlin Wall. He has died, and although I am not a cellist and only heard him once, and never met him, I'm suddenly very sad. Brian's story about meeting him reduced me to tears. I'm not sure why I'm reacting this way - but I knew he was an amazing human being and every musician I know respected and admired him.
My Rostropovich story is this: I saw him play with the BSO at my first summer at BUTI, playing Lalo concerto. A couple of my cellist friends went backstage to meet him afterwards, and returned with only wonderful stories and smiles.
On to other things:
This week I have had rehearsals for a gig tomorrow playing with the Marsh Chapel (BU's chapel) Choir. We're doing Bach's Easter and Ascension oratorios. The Easter one though has such happy memories for me. Remember, Kimby and Paul, when we did it with Tom Folan for the Bach festival thing, soph. year? The weekend where Paul went to the hospital and then came back the next night only to throw a fabulous party with Belgian beer?
Good times.
Spring is coming. Can't believe its already been a year since we have all said goodbye.
Anyway, she posted a picture of Rostropovich playing cello next to (what looks like - I may be wrong) the Berlin Wall. He has died, and although I am not a cellist and only heard him once, and never met him, I'm suddenly very sad. Brian's story about meeting him reduced me to tears. I'm not sure why I'm reacting this way - but I knew he was an amazing human being and every musician I know respected and admired him.
My Rostropovich story is this: I saw him play with the BSO at my first summer at BUTI, playing Lalo concerto. A couple of my cellist friends went backstage to meet him afterwards, and returned with only wonderful stories and smiles.
On to other things:
This week I have had rehearsals for a gig tomorrow playing with the Marsh Chapel (BU's chapel) Choir. We're doing Bach's Easter and Ascension oratorios. The Easter one though has such happy memories for me. Remember, Kimby and Paul, when we did it with Tom Folan for the Bach festival thing, soph. year? The weekend where Paul went to the hospital and then came back the next night only to throw a fabulous party with Belgian beer?
Good times.
Spring is coming. Can't believe its already been a year since we have all said goodbye.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
"I think your violin is sexy."
This is a comment I received today. Random. Just so there is no confusion: this person means the actual wooden instrument.
Well - I guess I can treat it like a sexy accessory now.
PS - thank goodness Gavid and I solved the phone tag issue today! Next person to conquer with phone tag: the now 12-weeks pregnant Mary Keener.
Well - I guess I can treat it like a sexy accessory now.
PS - thank goodness Gavid and I solved the phone tag issue today! Next person to conquer with phone tag: the now 12-weeks pregnant Mary Keener.
I am back in Boston, after a week in NYC and a day in Vermont playing a concert for Manchester. While the time there was very relaxing and wonderful, I am so happy to be home. Ari and Joana, the director of Manchester and his wife, treat me so well and fed me all week long. I love playing with them, and even got to do some babysitting for their 2 year old, Michael, who is a very smart, serious, cute little boy.
The rest of the semester is busy still, yet everything I have left has little pressure. I have to do my research project, have a chamber music concert in May (Brahms a minor and Mozart B-flat violin/viola duo), orchestra concert Friday, and a couple gigs here and there. I'm so happy the recital is over - thanks to all for well wishes. It went smoothly, and its OVER. Hooray!
The weather in Boston has changed from 40 degrees and raining last Monday to 80 degrees and sunny yesterday. Apparently it was a record of some sort. It was actually HOT, which I haven't felt in a LONG time. Its not going to permanently last, as tomorrow will be 55 and raining, but it felt nice in the meantime, and tomorrow's weather can definitely be said to be neither too cold nor too hot.
I'm at the library now waiting for stuff to print, since my printer at home is officially broken. My dad spent half of his time here last weekend trying to fix it - reinstalled it, printed test page after test page. Apparently it shouldn't have been working for a long time, because the version of Mac I have and the printer aren't compatible. I was lucky for awhile, and the luck has run out. Too bad - now I'll have to print everything from here and while thats fine, its just inconvenient.
Tonight is babysitting little dearie, Adelaide. I have a lesson today too - with nothing to play, Peter and I can have a long talk about the "future." Scary.
The rest of the semester is busy still, yet everything I have left has little pressure. I have to do my research project, have a chamber music concert in May (Brahms a minor and Mozart B-flat violin/viola duo), orchestra concert Friday, and a couple gigs here and there. I'm so happy the recital is over - thanks to all for well wishes. It went smoothly, and its OVER. Hooray!
The weather in Boston has changed from 40 degrees and raining last Monday to 80 degrees and sunny yesterday. Apparently it was a record of some sort. It was actually HOT, which I haven't felt in a LONG time. Its not going to permanently last, as tomorrow will be 55 and raining, but it felt nice in the meantime, and tomorrow's weather can definitely be said to be neither too cold nor too hot.
I'm at the library now waiting for stuff to print, since my printer at home is officially broken. My dad spent half of his time here last weekend trying to fix it - reinstalled it, printed test page after test page. Apparently it shouldn't have been working for a long time, because the version of Mac I have and the printer aren't compatible. I was lucky for awhile, and the luck has run out. Too bad - now I'll have to print everything from here and while thats fine, its just inconvenient.
Tonight is babysitting little dearie, Adelaide. I have a lesson today too - with nothing to play, Peter and I can have a long talk about the "future." Scary.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Shameless Concert Plug
(In the spirit and style of David's.)
My first Master's Recital
April 16th, 2007
8 pm
Concert Hall
College of Fine Arts
Boston University (855 Comm Ave)
I think the only person who reads this blog who actually lives in Boston is Liza. And she ISN'T COMING. Everyone else lives in either Houston or Rochester or Philly or NYC or Milwaukee or England or LA or Madison or Denver.
Oh well.
I want it to be over. Thank goodness - in exactly 24 hours from now, I will be finishing up Nielsen. THANK GOODNESS.
My first Master's Recital
April 16th, 2007
8 pm
Concert Hall
College of Fine Arts
Boston University (855 Comm Ave)
I think the only person who reads this blog who actually lives in Boston is Liza. And she ISN'T COMING. Everyone else lives in either Houston or Rochester or Philly or NYC or Milwaukee or England or LA or Madison or Denver.
Oh well.
I want it to be over. Thank goodness - in exactly 24 hours from now, I will be finishing up Nielsen. THANK GOODNESS.
Shameless Concert Plug
(In the spirit and style of David's.)
My first Master's Recital
April 16th, 2007
8 pm
Concert Hall
College of Fine Arts
Boston University (855 Comm Ave)
I think the only person who reads this blog who actually lives in Boston is Liza. And she ISN'T COMING. But Lisa might. Whoo-hoo! Anyone else lives in either Houston or Rochester or Philly or England or LA or Madison or Denver.
Oh well.
I want it to be over. Thank goodness - in exactly 24 hours from now, I will be finishing up Nielsen. THANK GOODNESS.
My first Master's Recital
April 16th, 2007
8 pm
Concert Hall
College of Fine Arts
Boston University (855 Comm Ave)
I think the only person who reads this blog who actually lives in Boston is Liza. And she ISN'T COMING. But Lisa might. Whoo-hoo! Anyone else lives in either Houston or Rochester or Philly or England or LA or Madison or Denver.
Oh well.
I want it to be over. Thank goodness - in exactly 24 hours from now, I will be finishing up Nielsen. THANK GOODNESS.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Things I Need Before April 16th
I need Mary to come clean my apartment - my parents are arriving tonight at 8 pm.
I need more time to practice for my recital.
I NEED NEED NEED to memorized SOLIDLY the last mvt. of Nielsen.
I need to find all my W2 forms and get them organized so my dad can help me with taxes this weekend (I have a GREAT DAD!!!!!).
I need to send an email out to remind people around Boston about my recital since I forgot until today to make posters. Too late. Oh well.
I need to do an astounding amount of laundry.
I need a nap (had an 8 am coaching with Steve Ansell this morning - UGH - good thing he's a morning person, cause we sounded pretty awful, but he took it pretty well).
I need to know what the Nobel Prize city is for my crossword puzzle of the day. Its escaping my mind right now.
I need to get quarters for said amount of laundry. Thats about $5 worth of quarters.
I need to figure out what my parents and I will do for dinner tonight - should I buy groceries and cook to prove I am a good, money-saving daughter who doesn't eat a lot of pbj (had it twice for dinner this week - am one more away from being OUT of pb) or do I say I have no food and let them pay for dinner somewhere else?
I need to cry - its been a stressful week.
I need to find DH and apologize (even though I sent an email and ITS NOT MY FAULT).
I need a hug.
I need more time to practice for my recital.
I NEED NEED NEED to memorized SOLIDLY the last mvt. of Nielsen.
I need to find all my W2 forms and get them organized so my dad can help me with taxes this weekend (I have a GREAT DAD!!!!!).
I need to send an email out to remind people around Boston about my recital since I forgot until today to make posters. Too late. Oh well.
I need to do an astounding amount of laundry.
I need a nap (had an 8 am coaching with Steve Ansell this morning - UGH - good thing he's a morning person, cause we sounded pretty awful, but he took it pretty well).
I need to know what the Nobel Prize city is for my crossword puzzle of the day. Its escaping my mind right now.
I need to get quarters for said amount of laundry. Thats about $5 worth of quarters.
I need to figure out what my parents and I will do for dinner tonight - should I buy groceries and cook to prove I am a good, money-saving daughter who doesn't eat a lot of pbj (had it twice for dinner this week - am one more away from being OUT of pb) or do I say I have no food and let them pay for dinner somewhere else?
I need to cry - its been a stressful week.
I need to find DH and apologize (even though I sent an email and ITS NOT MY FAULT).
I need a hug.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Happy Easter!
Its been a long time since the last post. All I will say is: my recital is in a week, I leave for NYC/Vermont in a week and one day (playing Beethoven 59/2, Mozart B-flat piano trio and Gioninni piano quintet), the Symphony Hall concert is this Tuesday, and I had a lesson every day except Monday this past week with two on Friday.
Christ is arisen
From the grave's dark prion,
We now rejoice in gladness;
Christ will end all sadness.
Lord, have mercy.
All our hopes were ended
Had Jesus not ascended
From the grave triumphantly.
For this, Lord Christ, our thanks shall be.
Lord, have mercy.
Alleluia!
We now rejoice with gladness;
Christ will end all sadness.
Lord, have mercy.
~CW 144
Christ is arisen
From the grave's dark prion,
We now rejoice in gladness;
Christ will end all sadness.
Lord, have mercy.
All our hopes were ended
Had Jesus not ascended
From the grave triumphantly.
For this, Lord Christ, our thanks shall be.
Lord, have mercy.
Alleluia!
We now rejoice with gladness;
Christ will end all sadness.
Lord, have mercy.
~CW 144
Monday, March 26, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Call From Europe
Yes, thats right....the one and only Kitty Cheung called me from London last night! We talked for about twenty minutes, and it was SO good to hear her voice!! We had not spoken since May on graduation day. And - it appears that Jen Volmer is engaged (did everyone else know about this too or was I the ONLY one not to know????) and her wedding is in June, so Kitty and Grace are coming to the States for it and want to stop in Boston, and of course, stay with me! Hoorah! That will make up for the road trip I will be missing out on with David and Brian on their way to TMC.
I am doing Bach's St. Matthew's Passion this week with the Back Bay Chorale. Last week I did Bach b minor mass with the Cantata Singers. Next week I'm doing some new opera thing called Boston Construction
with a group called Boston Cecelia. It is a busy three weeks of gigs for me, but worth it - last week and this week I am playing some of the most glorious music ever written. The "Erbarme dich" (Have mercy, Lord) aria at the middle/end of the Passion broke my heart the two times we've done it - it takes place after Peter has denied Jesus three times, and has a sobbing, sighing quality. My sister is concertmaster and sounds absolutely beautiful (its a big violin solo).
I'm thinking that Boston Construction will not be so successful in breaking my heart. I'm sure the effort will be made, however - I think its about the Big Dig here that took 15 years.
In other news, little Butler (where Hannah goes) is in the Sweet 16 for the NCAA men's basketball tournament, and my little sister is going to the game tomorrow in St. Louis! I am incredibly jealous - she is a lucky duck!
Liza is gone again for trombone choir. Mutzi misses her terribly, I think, but I leave my door open so that she doesn't get too lonely at night, and I played with her for a half hour last night with a pink feather thing - she goes nuts. She loves it. She's also taken to pushing a piece of food out of her bowl and batting it around the room as it slides across our slippery hardwood floors and then eating it. I think she misses the little creatures she used to chase as an outdoor cat.
I am procrastinating. Now I'm off to school to learn the last mvt. of Brahms a minor quartet before rehearsal.
I am doing Bach's St. Matthew's Passion this week with the Back Bay Chorale. Last week I did Bach b minor mass with the Cantata Singers. Next week I'm doing some new opera thing called Boston Construction
with a group called Boston Cecelia. It is a busy three weeks of gigs for me, but worth it - last week and this week I am playing some of the most glorious music ever written. The "Erbarme dich" (Have mercy, Lord) aria at the middle/end of the Passion broke my heart the two times we've done it - it takes place after Peter has denied Jesus three times, and has a sobbing, sighing quality. My sister is concertmaster and sounds absolutely beautiful (its a big violin solo).
I'm thinking that Boston Construction will not be so successful in breaking my heart. I'm sure the effort will be made, however - I think its about the Big Dig here that took 15 years.
In other news, little Butler (where Hannah goes) is in the Sweet 16 for the NCAA men's basketball tournament, and my little sister is going to the game tomorrow in St. Louis! I am incredibly jealous - she is a lucky duck!
Liza is gone again for trombone choir. Mutzi misses her terribly, I think, but I leave my door open so that she doesn't get too lonely at night, and I played with her for a half hour last night with a pink feather thing - she goes nuts. She loves it. She's also taken to pushing a piece of food out of her bowl and batting it around the room as it slides across our slippery hardwood floors and then eating it. I think she misses the little creatures she used to chase as an outdoor cat.
I am procrastinating. Now I'm off to school to learn the last mvt. of Brahms a minor quartet before rehearsal.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
I'm Sorry
Ok....
This is an apology blog for unreturned phone calls.
Paul, Mary, and Kimby, I will be calling soon. Things are busy and insane, and my body is really screwed up from the violin. Apologies especially to Paul, who I have not spoken to since November, and he left me such a nice message a week ago!
This is an apology blog for unreturned phone calls.
Paul, Mary, and Kimby, I will be calling soon. Things are busy and insane, and my body is really screwed up from the violin. Apologies especially to Paul, who I have not spoken to since November, and he left me such a nice message a week ago!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
How my day went yesterday: wonderful.
Why: I had the day off - did not touch a violin - and it finally is getting warmer in Boston.
How I am now as I head to bed: A little tired....but happy its spring break.
Will it be fixed: I hope spring break will go on longer than time seems to be passing.
What I will do in the meantime: watch a movie with Liza and her friend.
Why: I had the day off - did not touch a violin - and it finally is getting warmer in Boston.
How I am now as I head to bed: A little tired....but happy its spring break.
Will it be fixed: I hope spring break will go on longer than time seems to be passing.
What I will do in the meantime: watch a movie with Liza and her friend.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
DAVID'S ENCORE
Attention All -
David Gerstein will be performing the classic "Ants" by Traditional at his first master's recital as an encore.
It goes something like this:
(pluck A string) Ants, ants, ants
(pluck D string) Digging in the dirt, dirt, dirt
(pluck G string) Going underground, ground, ground
(pluck C string) All the way to China, China, China.
Thank you.
David Gerstein will be performing the classic "Ants" by Traditional at his first master's recital as an encore.
It goes something like this:
(pluck A string) Ants, ants, ants
(pluck D string) Digging in the dirt, dirt, dirt
(pluck G string) Going underground, ground, ground
(pluck C string) All the way to China, China, China.
Thank you.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Shostakovich is Over
Thank God.
We pulled off the concert last night. I'm not sure how. Peter sounded wonderful for the Dohnanyi, even though he was making up parts of it. He memorized the whole thing (4 mvts) in about 24 hours. He has a fever, chills, and is losing his voice. But he still did it, and is still teaching today until 8 pm. I just had a lesson with him. I really hope he doesn't give me what he has - I need the next week to practice, not be sick.
My parents were here for 24 hours. It was so good to see them, and they were happy to be here, although some things did not work out as they had so desperately hoped. But there was a meeting, so I am hopeful that there will be better times coming.
My solos in the Shostakovich went well. Peter was happy, but apparently thought I was rushing in the third mvt, while I had asked DH SEVERAL times during rehearsal if I was rushing, to which he kept saying no. (sigh) I would have preferred to be not rushing, but whatever.
Now for a much easier week ahead. The two weeks of nerves/craziness is over. Hurrah!
We pulled off the concert last night. I'm not sure how. Peter sounded wonderful for the Dohnanyi, even though he was making up parts of it. He memorized the whole thing (4 mvts) in about 24 hours. He has a fever, chills, and is losing his voice. But he still did it, and is still teaching today until 8 pm. I just had a lesson with him. I really hope he doesn't give me what he has - I need the next week to practice, not be sick.
My parents were here for 24 hours. It was so good to see them, and they were happy to be here, although some things did not work out as they had so desperately hoped. But there was a meeting, so I am hopeful that there will be better times coming.
My solos in the Shostakovich went well. Peter was happy, but apparently thought I was rushing in the third mvt, while I had asked DH SEVERAL times during rehearsal if I was rushing, to which he kept saying no. (sigh) I would have preferred to be not rushing, but whatever.
Now for a much easier week ahead. The two weeks of nerves/craziness is over. Hurrah!
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