For those of you who don't know, I'm taking a music course as my elective this term, just to offload some work so I can focus on other stuff (like my fourth year design project.... which isn't, well, going very far to this date). I had originally meant to take it for the sake of it being a bird course, and yes, it is a bird course... it's so 'birdy' that I can't even explain in in words (and to think that the instructor was aiming for a 65% average for the midterm... well, I have nothing to say about that). But besides it being an uber-bird course, I've actually been enlightened on the history context and development of what we call a 'symphony' (the piece of music, not the orchestra as many people get orchestra and symphony mixed up). In particular, I'd have to say that studying one of Mozart's symphonies (no. 40, his second last symphony) has been by far the most interesting and eye-opening for myself.
In case you don't know, I used to be one of those people who couldn't stand Mozart (I wouldn't say I'm a Mozart-hater, but I just don't appreciate it as much as other people do). Well, after the instructor talked about Mozart's 40th and me reading up some more and listening more carefully to his music, I've come to understand and appreciate Mozart's musical innovations - I had previously thought of him as boring and predictable, but after examining his later works, I've noticed small, but incredibly neat and useful music devices that he introduced to his music. While I appreciate and now start to like Mozart's music, there's still one Mozart piece I cannot stand (it's on par with Pachelbel's canon... grrrr): Eine Kleine Nachtmusik <--it drives me nuts to play or listen to it - overplayed for what its musical content's worth.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
KW Music Chamber Society Concert
In light of looking ahead to what 2009 has in store for me, I finally received my copy of the concert recording that was done last summer. Although the room I performed in was pretty dry, the recording turned out alright (even with the ancient recording devices they use to record concerts). For the most part, I was happy with what I heard - I mean, typical slips here and there, but I was content with the style and phrasing in this recording. The only movement which I didn't like was the last movement... so many notes out of tune and my pianist had a hard time keeping up with me. With that said, enjoy!
Franck - Sonata in A with me on violin and Olena Klyucharova on piano
1. Allegretto ben moderato
2. Allegro
3. Recitativo - Fantasia
4. Allegretto poco mosso
Franck - Sonata in A with me on violin and Olena Klyucharova on piano
1. Allegretto ben moderato
2. Allegro
3. Recitativo - Fantasia
4. Allegretto poco mosso
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A New Year. A New Beginning?
So it's 2009 now. 2008 has quickly flown by. I had my fair shares of joys and struggles last year, but as most people do, I'm looking forward to this year and have some things I'd like to accomplish/do this year. (and hopefully, keep up some of the things listed below)
1) Spend time studying the Bible and quiet time with God - aiming for at least 4 days (not including Sunday) a week
2) Practice violin at least 5 times a week for 1 hr or more
3) Stay on top of course content being taught for the next two terms (at least reviewing and catching up on notes and doing assignments every other week)
4) Make a banner to place on top of this blog.
5) Eat ice cream everyday =D (no, I'm just kidding, though it's possible lol)
So far so good for the most part since the new year. I just hope I can be on top of things as the term intensifies with labs and projects (esp. 1 - that's the thing I've dropped first in the past).
1) Spend time studying the Bible and quiet time with God - aiming for at least 4 days (not including Sunday) a week
2) Practice violin at least 5 times a week for 1 hr or more
3) Stay on top of course content being taught for the next two terms (at least reviewing and catching up on notes and doing assignments every other week)
4) Make a banner to place on top of this blog.
5) Eat ice cream everyday =D (no, I'm just kidding, though it's possible lol)
So far so good for the most part since the new year. I just hope I can be on top of things as the term intensifies with labs and projects (esp. 1 - that's the thing I've dropped first in the past).
Monday, November 24, 2008
Stuff Here and There
So I don't have a 'topic' this time for my entry, which kind of sucks, because I tend to lack coherency, but I'll try my best to logically lay out my thoughts. There's just too many things that are running through my mind. So here goes...
Lately, I've seem to have been asked many times about whether I'd rather stay in San Diego or go home. To be honest, I have no idea. I pretty torn between these two places. For one thing, the weather is fantastic in San Diego (sorry for rubbing it in to you guys back in Ontario where it's been snowing for the past week - hahahahhaa suckers =P), but that's really not the thing holding me to this city. In fact, it's not the place that matters to me that much, but it's the people in the city/place that makes me love living here. It's been amazing to meet such friendly and open people at church - and for that matter, I finally stopped the church hopping I was doing all of last summer. I've really enjoyed my time with my community group - getting to share with them my joys, pains and struggles as well as seek advice from more mature people/Christians. It's been a real blessing to have these people, practically just next door from where I'm staying. Their hospitality and outreach stories are remarkable too. One of the guys (with his wife) went door to door on their apartment floor last week to just chat with their neighbors with the mindset that a spiritual conversation may evolve or a spiritual seed may be planted. I'm not sure how many of us (certainly not me) have the guts to go door to door to do that. Another thing about coming to a place where I don't know very many people is that it forces me to step outside this nice little (Waterloo) bubble I've been in and open myself up to new friends and new opportunities and be able to put some of the problems and burdens back home aside (not many, but a few I'd like to mend/forget about - but these don't seem to be going anywhere... sigh).
On the flip side, I have kick-ass friends and family back home and when I have those spare moments or moments where I'm alone, (yes, this is gonna sound cheesy/sappy...) where I miss you guys the most. You guys are the ones who understand me the most and know me the best. Of course, home-cooked meals are awesome too.... I mean, I cook here too, but I feel so limited in what I feel like cooking - certainly, food variety for a meal is lacking (very much so >_<). Speaking of which, it's been quite fun cooking for myself though - I can experiment all I want without worrying about other people's taste buds hahaha. And yeh, all of the gatherings which involves food.... man, I can't wait 'til I'm back =D looking forward to those during the Christmas break (desserts.....mmmmmmm).
Now, for some really random stuff:
Going back two weeks, it was the first time attending baptismal service where it was held on the oceanside/large natural body of water. I'm used to the indoor pool/tub thing behind the pulpit. It was so cool to be at that, using God's 'pool' for baptism - it was so awesome. It was pretty awesome too how my grandma, Nate and Aaron also got baptized the same day too back home ^_^. Definitely a day to remember.
I think it was two (or maybe three) weeks ago, but Dan and I got free symphony tickets to another concert (well, another for me =) ) I love free stuff =D This concert was much better than the first one I went to... WAAAYYY better. Pascal Roge isn't a crackhead like the female soloist from the first concert. And Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra was excellent too. It's definitely a small world too - Peter Oundjian (conductor of the TSO) was the guest conductor for this concert - how bizarre. I never knew that he used to be a violinist in the Tokyo string quartet until this concert. (just another violin nerd fact I learned haha)
I can't believe there's only really 3 weeks of work left here. This term has flown by crazily fast.
Ok. Enough randomness here.
Lately, I've seem to have been asked many times about whether I'd rather stay in San Diego or go home. To be honest, I have no idea. I pretty torn between these two places. For one thing, the weather is fantastic in San Diego (sorry for rubbing it in to you guys back in Ontario where it's been snowing for the past week - hahahahhaa suckers =P), but that's really not the thing holding me to this city. In fact, it's not the place that matters to me that much, but it's the people in the city/place that makes me love living here. It's been amazing to meet such friendly and open people at church - and for that matter, I finally stopped the church hopping I was doing all of last summer. I've really enjoyed my time with my community group - getting to share with them my joys, pains and struggles as well as seek advice from more mature people/Christians. It's been a real blessing to have these people, practically just next door from where I'm staying. Their hospitality and outreach stories are remarkable too. One of the guys (with his wife) went door to door on their apartment floor last week to just chat with their neighbors with the mindset that a spiritual conversation may evolve or a spiritual seed may be planted. I'm not sure how many of us (certainly not me) have the guts to go door to door to do that. Another thing about coming to a place where I don't know very many people is that it forces me to step outside this nice little (Waterloo) bubble I've been in and open myself up to new friends and new opportunities and be able to put some of the problems and burdens back home aside (not many, but a few I'd like to mend/forget about - but these don't seem to be going anywhere... sigh).
On the flip side, I have kick-ass friends and family back home and when I have those spare moments or moments where I'm alone, (yes, this is gonna sound cheesy/sappy...) where I miss you guys the most. You guys are the ones who understand me the most and know me the best. Of course, home-cooked meals are awesome too.... I mean, I cook here too, but I feel so limited in what I feel like cooking - certainly, food variety for a meal is lacking (very much so >_<). Speaking of which, it's been quite fun cooking for myself though - I can experiment all I want without worrying about other people's taste buds hahaha. And yeh, all of the gatherings which involves food.... man, I can't wait 'til I'm back =D looking forward to those during the Christmas break (desserts.....mmmmmmm).
Now, for some really random stuff:
Going back two weeks, it was the first time attending baptismal service where it was held on the oceanside/large natural body of water. I'm used to the indoor pool/tub thing behind the pulpit. It was so cool to be at that, using God's 'pool' for baptism - it was so awesome. It was pretty awesome too how my grandma, Nate and Aaron also got baptized the same day too back home ^_^. Definitely a day to remember.
I think it was two (or maybe three) weeks ago, but Dan and I got free symphony tickets to another concert (well, another for me =) ) I love free stuff =D This concert was much better than the first one I went to... WAAAYYY better. Pascal Roge isn't a crackhead like the female soloist from the first concert. And Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra was excellent too. It's definitely a small world too - Peter Oundjian (conductor of the TSO) was the guest conductor for this concert - how bizarre. I never knew that he used to be a violinist in the Tokyo string quartet until this concert. (just another violin nerd fact I learned haha)
I can't believe there's only really 3 weeks of work left here. This term has flown by crazily fast.
Ok. Enough randomness here.