Rehearsals Over & Out

15. October 2008 · Comments Off on Rehearsals Over & Out · Categories: Ramble

We had two rehearsals today, and I’m tired. And I didn’t even play for the entire rehearsals, as I only play Debussy’s La Mer while the majority (although not all) of musicians also play Beethoven’s first symphony and the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. So who am I to complain, right? Of course I could go ahead and complain anyway. I’m rather good at it.

In between the afternoon and evening rehearsals I had time to come home, eat homemade pizza (thanks, Dan!), drink a (healthy, I’m sure) Whole Foods soda, and watch the debate. I’m not one to share my political views on my blog, so you’ll just have to guess where I stand. Or not. What this person thinks doesn’t really matter … does it? (If I were running my platform would be “a reed for every household” … I’m sure I’d win.)

After watching the debate I drove back to the hall, listening to the Dodgers lose. Woo hoo! (I will let you know where I stand there! I’m a Giants fan. You know a Giants fan can’t support the Dodgers. Sorry, SoCal friends!)

There are such advantages of living less than 10 minutes from work. I love it!

At the second rehearsal we played through the Debussy. It felt pretty good. Then we played through it again. That’s a lotta Debussy, since we also worked on it this afternoon. I’m feeling more comfortable, but my sick mind worries when I’m feeling comfortable.

I’m sure by tomorrow afternoon I’ll be feeling uncomfortable again. I can kind of count on that! 🙂

I frequently find Debussy a challenge. Sometimes I can’t wrap my brain around him. But I’m feeling good about it.

Now I’m killing time until the final episode of Project Runway is on at 11:00 (it was on at 9:00, but of course I wasn’t here). Meanwhile Top Design is on. It’s a show I’ve never watched. I’m not finding the designs exactly mind blowing. But maybe it’s like Debussy for me. Who knows?

BQOD ~ Gratefulness

15. October 2008 · Comments Off on BQOD ~ Gratefulness · Categories: BQOD

The life of a freelancer means no guarantees of a predictable, steady income but the unpredictable unsteadiness is what I love about it.

It makes me appreciate a paycheck so much more…

I read it here. Nice attitude! 🙂

(And yes, you’re getting two BQODs in one day. You can be grateful for that. Right?)

Oboes & Other Artists

15. October 2008 · 1 comment · Categories: Havin' Fun

I just read that Alice Coote played oboe (she’s singing in SF Opera’s Idomeneo). Last night I was told that Torsten Kerl, who sang Paul in Die Tote Stadt, also with San Francisco Opera, played oboe. I’ve read of conductors who played oboe.

So here’s the question of the day: were they just not good enough on oboe, or did they wise up? 😉

Kidding. Really.

Babies & Music

15. October 2008 · 2 comments · Categories: Links, News

Even though they are still too young to speak, babies at just five months old are able to distinguish the differences between the works of major classical composers, scientists reveal.

Researchers found that babies responded differently to upbeat tunes, such as ‘Ode to Joy’ from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, compared to a selection of gloomier tunes.

I’d have some questions about the research, but I’m no scientist so I guess I’ll assume they know better than I!

I read it here, and you can too.

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Drummer ;-)

15. October 2008 · Comments Off on We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Drummer ;-) · Categories: Videos, Watch, You Gotta Be Kidding

BQOD

15. October 2008 · Comments Off on BQOD · Categories: BQOD

Anyway, I decided to listen to beethoven.com while I was working; I wasn’t even paying attention to it, just had it playing in the background, and then – as I was reading some article about second language acquisition – I saw a tear fall down and hit the paper. It was the oddest thing, like it happened in slow motion. I realized what was happening, and I immediately needed to know what was doing this to me. It was Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53, as performed by Jessye Norman. (I guess I like opera?)