Earl Morris: The Lord Bless You And Keep You
The Singing Statesmen, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
To God be the Glory
BPMC Handbell Choir
Paul Mealor: Locus Iste
Tenebrae; Nigel Short, Conductor
This place was made by God,
a priceless mystery;
it is without reproof.
Yes, I’m interested in this, thus the posting even while I’m busy with other “stuff”:
Mimì and Rodolfo face many adversities in La Bohème – a drafty garret, a creepy landlord, tuberculosis. But all are mere annoyances compared to the L train at rush hour.
Puccini’s opera is the subject of “The Bohemians” a film adaptation scheduled for 2013 that updates the story from 1830’s Paris to contemporary Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Now in post-production, it was shot over the past year in the streets, shops and nightclubs of the gritty-yet-fashionable neighborhood. Mimì is an artist and part-time bartender who falls in love with Rodolfo, a struggling writer. Fellow bohemians include Schaunard, a DJ, and Marcello, a photographer.
The film’s well-connected production crew includes Alvaro Domingo, a filmmaker and son of Plácido Domingo. The director is José Luis R. Cortes, whose credits include a documentary on the Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. Several cast members were classmates at the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard and other conservatories.
Boheme is one of the few operas I feel can be set in our time and actually work. I’m hopeful!
Now that Christmas is over I’m hoping to get back to the blog. This next week I’ll probably still be slow to post, but after that I do plan on blogging again. Really!
Just a quick note about Nutcracker for now, though:
It was quite fun to play the English horn part without worrying about switching to oboe, and not having anything but Nutcracker music to play. It was also nice to have no reed woes. I was amazed to watch Karen Gabay dancing the lead role … she’s only a few years younger than I am, but she looks and dances like she did back when I first saw her. SO impressive!
About “thigh applause” and the “shoe shuffle”:
Sometimes, when someone plays a solo, colleagues do what one might call thigh applause: we just applaud with one hand on a thigh, to show the musician we like what he or she did. Some prefer the shoe shuffle, where shuffle a foot back and forth on the floor. We don’t do that as often in performance since it does make a bit of noise, but you’ll hear it at rehearsals. I do both at times, but I actually don’t care to do either all that much, and I prefer people not do it for me. Why? Because if someone does it frequently and then, for one solo, doesn’t, I start thinking, “Gee, was it awful? What didn’t he/she like about this one?”
Yep, I’m goofy that way.
Anyhoo, I figured I’d post something here now so my two readers know that I’m alive and well. I hope Christmas observers have had a lovely and meaningful time.
Next up … 2013!
Time is so darn weird. It keeps moving faster and faster.
SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND
GRADUATE OBOE STUDENTS FOR FALL 2013 Cal State, Long Beach, California.
Full-Tuition Scholarships available. Late applications will be considered.
Performance opportunities include: symphony orchestra, two wind ensembles, the University
Wind Quintet, other chamber ensembles and opera orchestra.
Study Opportunities include: weekly hour lessons with our oboe faculty, oboe master classes,
woodwind orchestral literature class.
All oboe students have access to the reed room (completely equipped).
View and hear our ensemble concerts: http://www.csulb.edu/music
Many of our graduates have gone on to successful careers with major symphony orchestras and
universities.
OBOE FACULTY:
David Weiss was Principal Oboe of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 30 years (1973-2003)
Joseph Stone is Principal Oboe in the Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay, Long Beach Municipal Band, a long time
member of the Long Beach Symphony.
AUDITIONS can be done in person or by DVD, performing standard solo repertoire with piano accompaniment.
For Further Information contact:
Dr. John Barcellona – Director of Woodwind Studies
john.barcellona [at] csulb [dot] edu (562)985-4739
Love it!
By Richard Rodney Bennett (I just read that he passed away yesterday)
BPMC Handbell Choir
Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker
Arve Moen Bergset, voice
The translation is below. Note the inclusion of more than Christmas … at least for me. The palm leaves speak to me of what is to come.
My heart doth always wander
To Jesus’ manger bed.
His lowly birth I ponder;
To Him my thoughts are led.
My yearning finds assurance,
And faith renews so bright,
When I recall with reverence
That blessed Christmas night.
Ah come, dear Lord, be with me.
And in my heart reside.
Sweet comfort Thou shalt give me;
Come, Jesus, here abide.
To my heart be no stranger–
Thy home it e’er shall be.
And as within the manger
My love shall cradle Thee.
Thy holy crib I’ll honor
And round it palm leaves lay.
To Thee alone, dear Savior,
I give my life each day.
Come, grant me heav’nly pleasure
And true delight impart.
For Thou art my soul’s treasure,
Born deep within my heart.
