Sunday, October 24, 2004
Happy birthday Sandy and Alvin!
--- I ---
Listening to:
Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor / Goldmark Violin Concerto in A minor
Joshua Bell / Violin
Esa-Pekka Salonen / Los Angeles Philharmonic
Today marks the search for the above-mentioned CD.
When I've set my sights on something, I will not hesitate to go all out for it. I have prepared myself to scour HMV, Towers, Borders and whatsoever music store for the CD, recommended by Proko, who has bought a copy for himself. Even if it means travelling from the Suntec area to the heart of Orchard Road, you'll find me travelling.
It is probably my love for Sibelius' music that sets me to do that. I only have the first movement of the Violin Concerto in my mp3 collection; it stuns me every time I listen to it. A particular favourite section is the second subject theme, which is so melting. As with Sibelius' other orchestral works, his instrumental writing gives a kind of cold and bare feeling; you tend to dream of the Nordic landscape where it's chilly and sparse. My last Sibelius disc was a recording of his Second and Fifth Symphonies, both my favourites, although lately I've preferred the Fifth compared to the Second. I fell in love with the Second while watching the SSO perform it last year, alongside the rather horribly played Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1. Okay, not exactly horribly played, because the rondo was the best, the fastest and the most exciting I ever heard.
Anyway, today is also a trip to the Library@Esplanade. I have borrowed two CDs: Oriental Landscapes as performed by Evelyn Glennie and the SSO, as well as James MacMillan's Cello Concerto and "The World's Ransoming". I think I'm still very much a tonal person; even while listening to modern 20th century, or even 21st century works, I'd prefer tonal pieces.
* * *
UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra is coming back! But their concert is on a weekday - can't go. Sad. They're playing Beethoven's Violin Concerto again! I love that work, particularly the second; would love to listen to another interpretation.
So many orchestras have played the Violin Concerto in Singapore: Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra; SSO (with Maxim Vengerov); Malaysian Philharmonic (with the Greek violinist - can't remember his name) and now UBS.
Anyway Sibelius' Violin Concerto is to be performed by the SSO on 3 December; wonder if I am free to go? I hope they won't change the programme or try to do anything funny . . .
--- I ---
Listening to:
Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor / Goldmark Violin Concerto in A minor
Joshua Bell / Violin
Esa-Pekka Salonen / Los Angeles Philharmonic
Today marks the search for the above-mentioned CD.
When I've set my sights on something, I will not hesitate to go all out for it. I have prepared myself to scour HMV, Towers, Borders and whatsoever music store for the CD, recommended by Proko, who has bought a copy for himself. Even if it means travelling from the Suntec area to the heart of Orchard Road, you'll find me travelling.
It is probably my love for Sibelius' music that sets me to do that. I only have the first movement of the Violin Concerto in my mp3 collection; it stuns me every time I listen to it. A particular favourite section is the second subject theme, which is so melting. As with Sibelius' other orchestral works, his instrumental writing gives a kind of cold and bare feeling; you tend to dream of the Nordic landscape where it's chilly and sparse. My last Sibelius disc was a recording of his Second and Fifth Symphonies, both my favourites, although lately I've preferred the Fifth compared to the Second. I fell in love with the Second while watching the SSO perform it last year, alongside the rather horribly played Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1. Okay, not exactly horribly played, because the rondo was the best, the fastest and the most exciting I ever heard.
Anyway, today is also a trip to the Library@Esplanade. I have borrowed two CDs: Oriental Landscapes as performed by Evelyn Glennie and the SSO, as well as James MacMillan's Cello Concerto and "The World's Ransoming". I think I'm still very much a tonal person; even while listening to modern 20th century, or even 21st century works, I'd prefer tonal pieces.
* * *
UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra is coming back! But their concert is on a weekday - can't go. Sad. They're playing Beethoven's Violin Concerto again! I love that work, particularly the second; would love to listen to another interpretation.
So many orchestras have played the Violin Concerto in Singapore: Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra; SSO (with Maxim Vengerov); Malaysian Philharmonic (with the Greek violinist - can't remember his name) and now UBS.
Anyway Sibelius' Violin Concerto is to be performed by the SSO on 3 December; wonder if I am free to go? I hope they won't change the programme or try to do anything funny . . .
--- II ---
So many things I never knew:
Christopher Reeve, star of the Superman movies, died at age 52.
The president of Indonesia has been changed . . . to whom I also don't know.
My eldest cousin is getting married this coming Friday.
This shows how I am lagging behind in life.
So many things I never knew:
Christopher Reeve, star of the Superman movies, died at age 52.
The president of Indonesia has been changed . . . to whom I also don't know.
My eldest cousin is getting married this coming Friday.
This shows how I am lagging behind in life.
--- III ---
James Levine and Renee Fleming on Friendster!?
Yes, believe it.
And James has his nice little nick: Jimmy.
¶ 10/24/2004 06:55:00 pm 
