"Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior"- Trungpa
"The Analects"- Confucius
" The Trial and Death of Socrates, Four Dialogues"- Plato
The latter two I bought at the very nearby half priced books one Sunday. Every Sunday morning I take a walk to La Madleine, Starbucks, then conclude with a trip to Half Priced Books. I usually shop through their great LP section but these two books found their ways to my interest.
Trungpa's book was handed to me by my room mate, Rene. I will probably start with this one as I march on down through the above list.
And at a whim, I am compelled to start a preliminary list of things I wish to do before I turn 30 in about four years (October 7th, 2014).
-Play in a "big-five" major American symphony orchestra (New York, CHICAGO, Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia)...a bit hard to exactly time that but I thought i'd include it anyways. This one might be a bit later...or a bit earlier!
-Go to Austria, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, New Zealand , Australia, Venezuela, Oregon.
-Own a very beautiful vintage truck...probably a 1970 Chevy
-Be back in school to study something else (not to switch field or to obtain a "back up"...but rather, be enveloped in the study of something else).
-Go back to Korea
-become a bit better at French and Italian. Dabble in German
-still own the "Golden Bullet". 2003 Toyota Sienna Minivan
-still remain in my belief that smart phones aren't "needed". Oh wow, how did we EVER survive without them?
-throw over 200' in the discus (which will be quite a challenge seeing as though I don't really train my throwing anymore...but I think i can still do it.
-start a sports performance training group focused on excellent performance...not some trendy magazine junk. Bigger, faster, stronger shall be our goal.
-teach less students...dramatically less.
-tour with a musical around the country
ok... that can suffice for now.
Things I want to do NOW (or in the near future)
-practice my butt off
-get better at jazz improvisation
-play in a salsa band
-get faster and get stronger
-take auditions (summer festival auditions soon and Chicago Civic Symphony)
-try out my shot at playing basketball at Houston's famous Fonde recreation center
-resume my "take lessons with anyone with ears" mode
-see more opera this year
-talk to the nice bartender at the "The Ticket" sports bar in Seguin, TX when im there again to play a concert! Ha, I chickened out last time HARDCORE.
-constantly live in thanksgiving for the beauties I see everyday.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Something about JS Bach
It's no secret that listening to Bach can be a very beautiful experience. His work is crafted masterfully and is perfectly placed in what can seem like a mathematically correct balance.
I am convinced, however, that Bach saved a very sacred and elusive facet of his music to be appreciated solely by those who perform it. Music can be seen as a way for humans to tap into a very special place that could not be reached through any other vehicle, and it is the music from the pen of Bach which has convinced me of this lately. Sure, listen to the music of any master and you can feel gorgeous and transcendental beauties, but Bach doesn't stop there. It seems to me that the nature of his music tqkes you out of this world and to another place where humans can truly be a part of a cosmic plane! It's as if you are meeting Bach there!
Lately, my practice has evolved around the prelude to Bach's cello suite no. 1...yeah, that one you've heard. Of course, it's a pleasant piece...but let me tell you, this seemingly casual-to-play piece of music is anything but! Disguised by Bach's wonderful chordal structures, there is a very firm underlying struggle to make all of these passages feel facile. So, as a result, I have spent a lot of time doing very slow practice followed by gradual work towards a tempo I find to be suitable. Much time is spent hearing the intonation (it is a HIGHLY tonal piece of music after all), keeping steady tempo yet letting the music breath in its own way, finding musical lines, and making sure that every single note gravitates to it's home. Through this work, through this execution...this is where I feel Bach leaves his greatest legacy. Somehow it seems that when I get a bit more familiar with the music and it's technical difficulties become a bit easier, it's as if every fiber within in me is being realigned and corrected by the ever so perfect swoop of Bach's hand...truly, at this point, nature coincides with music! So after about a half hour of grueling work trying to work out the nooks and crannies of the first few lines, I let myself play the music at my desired tempo. I took a deep breath, let the beauty of the writing be my guide, and went. With my eyes closed I let it all go and I swear to all that I believe in, when I was able to let myself go into the music, it truly felt as if effort had left me...as if Bach took my arm and played it for me. My efforts seemed useless, and If I were to "try" then it would have failed miserably.
So, in conclusion to all of this, I am convinced that when one sets out to practice any of Bach's works, they must stop to think and love every millisecond of every note. Never can you play it slow enough...the only way to play the music is to have felt every note and to let it become a part of who you are.
I will resume my work on this piece and it is a work that I hope to open a recital with in the future....i've had some great experiences with it...but, as reality reveals, I have MUCH work to do!
I am convinced, however, that Bach saved a very sacred and elusive facet of his music to be appreciated solely by those who perform it. Music can be seen as a way for humans to tap into a very special place that could not be reached through any other vehicle, and it is the music from the pen of Bach which has convinced me of this lately. Sure, listen to the music of any master and you can feel gorgeous and transcendental beauties, but Bach doesn't stop there. It seems to me that the nature of his music tqkes you out of this world and to another place where humans can truly be a part of a cosmic plane! It's as if you are meeting Bach there!
Lately, my practice has evolved around the prelude to Bach's cello suite no. 1...yeah, that one you've heard. Of course, it's a pleasant piece...but let me tell you, this seemingly casual-to-play piece of music is anything but! Disguised by Bach's wonderful chordal structures, there is a very firm underlying struggle to make all of these passages feel facile. So, as a result, I have spent a lot of time doing very slow practice followed by gradual work towards a tempo I find to be suitable. Much time is spent hearing the intonation (it is a HIGHLY tonal piece of music after all), keeping steady tempo yet letting the music breath in its own way, finding musical lines, and making sure that every single note gravitates to it's home. Through this work, through this execution...this is where I feel Bach leaves his greatest legacy. Somehow it seems that when I get a bit more familiar with the music and it's technical difficulties become a bit easier, it's as if every fiber within in me is being realigned and corrected by the ever so perfect swoop of Bach's hand...truly, at this point, nature coincides with music! So after about a half hour of grueling work trying to work out the nooks and crannies of the first few lines, I let myself play the music at my desired tempo. I took a deep breath, let the beauty of the writing be my guide, and went. With my eyes closed I let it all go and I swear to all that I believe in, when I was able to let myself go into the music, it truly felt as if effort had left me...as if Bach took my arm and played it for me. My efforts seemed useless, and If I were to "try" then it would have failed miserably.
So, in conclusion to all of this, I am convinced that when one sets out to practice any of Bach's works, they must stop to think and love every millisecond of every note. Never can you play it slow enough...the only way to play the music is to have felt every note and to let it become a part of who you are.
I will resume my work on this piece and it is a work that I hope to open a recital with in the future....i've had some great experiences with it...but, as reality reveals, I have MUCH work to do!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
2510 Swift Blvd
There's a list of topics/ideas that I would like to write about one day dangling from the wall behind me but this easy Wednesday morning lends itself to some light fare. For now, just a slight update.
The more I live in this new home, the more I am loving it. Our little house on Swift blvd sits in the most beautiful neighborhood I have ever seen in Houston. So beautiful in fact that it inspires me to wake early on weekends and just stroll down the street and meet the other smiling faces that are doing so as well. So beautiful that I have definitely begun to believe that so much of our life is wasted on seeing the moon as opposed to the sun. I mean, its not like I live off the edge of a vast mountain range or at the brook of a river. But in it's own way, my street just delivers such a beautiful warmth. We have huge trees, soaked on brown and green that provide a tunnel for our street. When the weather is humid (which is often) and sun comes out in the morning, you can see very apparent beams of sunlight shooting in every direction, fighting their ways through the crack and crevasses of perfectly placed leaves and branches. When I'm practicing, I often look out the window to stare at the old couple who make it a point to walk everyday at the same time. And when I see these people on the street, I get warm smiles and compliments..."thank you for the free concert!". I make it a point to walk at least once on a weekend morning and to benefit the blessing of such a warm neighborhood. It really is therapeutic.
The more I live in this new home, the more I am loving it. Our little house on Swift blvd sits in the most beautiful neighborhood I have ever seen in Houston. So beautiful in fact that it inspires me to wake early on weekends and just stroll down the street and meet the other smiling faces that are doing so as well. So beautiful that I have definitely begun to believe that so much of our life is wasted on seeing the moon as opposed to the sun. I mean, its not like I live off the edge of a vast mountain range or at the brook of a river. But in it's own way, my street just delivers such a beautiful warmth. We have huge trees, soaked on brown and green that provide a tunnel for our street. When the weather is humid (which is often) and sun comes out in the morning, you can see very apparent beams of sunlight shooting in every direction, fighting their ways through the crack and crevasses of perfectly placed leaves and branches. When I'm practicing, I often look out the window to stare at the old couple who make it a point to walk everyday at the same time. And when I see these people on the street, I get warm smiles and compliments..."thank you for the free concert!". I make it a point to walk at least once on a weekend morning and to benefit the blessing of such a warm neighborhood. It really is therapeutic.
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