SWS @ Botanic Gardens

Well, thanks to Edwin, I'm some photos of the performance to share.

It was a very pleasant surprise to see him with TWO(not one!) ladies there! Unfortunately his sitting position did not allow him to 左拥右抱。Hahahah =)

I loved the piece sang by the Santa Maria Choir, Little Drummer Boy. Really nice harmony.

Nice, confident sound from the band and familiar christmas tunes. Made it a really relaxed evening.

Xmas concert

Singapore Wind Symphony with the Santa Maria Choir

presents an evening of Christmas classics"CHRISTMAS HARMONY"

conducted by Resident Conductor Mr Regan Wickman

Venue: Botanic Gardens, Shaw Foundation Stage

Date: 21st December 2008

Time: 6pm

Highlights:

Sleigh Ride (Leroy Anderson)

A Christmas Festival (Leroy Anderson)

Westminster Carol (trad. arr. James L. Hosay)

Excerpts from The Nutcracker (P. I. Tchaikovsky)

Excerpts from Water Music (G. F. Handel)

Celtic Carol (arr. Robert W. Smith)

Xmas is coming!

Rehearsing with SWS has been a remarkable experience. They project very confidently and most of them are VERY VERY LOUD. I bruised my lip while trying to play to hear myself when the entire band plays in forte or fortissimo. The piccolo player is on my left and he plugs his own ear when he plays the piccolo.

During yesterday's rehearsal,

I asked him, "You plug your ears because the piccolo is loud?"

He answered, "Yes, the piccolo is too loud!"

My thoughts, "Huh??? Then don't play so loud!"

I answered him, "Yes, I should wear some plugs myself!"

I performed at St. George's Church with them for the first time. My debut performance on the oboe in a wind symphony. Had a few short solos, was pretty fun, and I had the tuning job too, which was rather scary at first.

The church was a nice place to play in, acoustics were good, not too wet nor dry.

Bible provided! Can't figure out what's the little box for though

From the side

From where I was seated

Chocolate in your face!

That's my dear dog, Chocolate. He looks very contented after a bath and having his hair(fur?) brushed.

He really looks like the typical tissue box deco cover eh?

Looks easy...

Kids doing their drills during the holidays. We've to submit a video as a prerequisite for entering the SYF Central Judging.

The not-so-proficient ones...

The more pro ones.

The kids can do the marching and playing well enough if the activities are seperated.

When they do both at the same time, it can get quite sticky. Legs don't obey hands or vice versa. It's not easy, but it looks damn easy.

Secret Shop?

Please.... please.... please....

Run along to Esplanade Library and order a Honey Mustard Chicken Sandwich and their Ice Blended White Chocolate with whipped cream. It's really good.

Perfect for a delightful snack or a light meal.

It's a must-have for me everytime i visit the library!

Can we buy scores from the library?

One of the silliest things that have happened to me.

You see, I heard this piece called Malambo in Ginastera's Estancia. Fascinated I was, so I went online to purchase the score(along with it the four scottish dances). And then I went to Esplanade and found the score there too!!! Ok never mind, since I've already bought it online, there's nothing much I could do. Thing is, I decided to read the score first and borrowed it home. And weeks after I can't seem to find it at all!!! I've ransacked my shelves and all but alas, it's been misplaced.

Days after, the online purchase arrived. I thought about replacing the library's copy with mine(it's exactly the same version/publisher and newer-looking) but I thought the library probably don't have this policy of one-to-one exchange. And so I reported the loss and paid for the book. It's costs $35, which is about the same price(if not less) from the online store.

Which makes me wonder; Maybe I should have "bought" it from the Library instead?
(What do you call this? despicable? inconsiderate? ultimate low life?)

Hmmm.... are there people who do that?

Tune to A and Bb

I attended the Philharmonic Winds concert on Sunday. They are still as impressive and musical, enjoyed the sound and blend of the wind orchestra.

They played rather "unfamiliar" tunes to the general public and in wind band literature. Nonetheless, I enjoyed most of the pieces except the Saxophone concerto. The tone of the Sax is definitely rich and good, but I think the concerto was a bit over my head, as in, I didn't know how to really appreciate it.

There was a piece from czech and it was certainly the most entertaining to listen to. The conductor spent a couple of minutes interpreting the work before setting out to perform the entire piece; talked about the Russian invasion and the use of various instruments and techniques to represent certain activities/people.

==============================================================
A link: This is one of those weeks I rehearsed under several conductors in a short span of a few days. Different conductors bring out a different sound from a group, and I think this "sound" aspect can turn out to be quite important.
==============================================================

I rehearsed a modern interpretation of "The Butterfly Lovers" today, not the oriental version, it's an european one, written for Erhu and Wind Band. The piece is composed based on the same oriental story, but given a modern/western interpretation. It's interesting but can't help but feel that some of the parts just don't seem to form a nice scene to me. Well, it could be because subconciously I still think the Oriental version still reigns! And believe me not, I think those younger members of the band have never heard of the story before!

Generation g a p !

John Golland's Atmospheres is such a beauty! Superb composition. Period. It's a little like the 4 elements thing that my quartet is trying to do, brings the music and the interpretation to the next level! Playing it is an immense learning experience, hope I can get hold of the Cor Anglais soon!

一阳指

Observe the single finger tremolo!!! Pro!　

Is he the fastest fingers on Earth?

Such technique! Think it's the fastest version I've ever heard. and the runs are like super loud.

It's also so fast till the orchestra can barely "contain" the guitar. It is not as well-connected at certain areas and the blend between the solo and the orchestra isn't that good.

快手快脚

Very amazing drummer! The hands are so fast! And she can switch her hold on the drum sticks while playing!

This pop/contemporary style is so different from its symphonic counterpart. It does resemble the ethnic percussion tradition where the music structure goes through cycles.

Tempting!

Excuse me, did you lose something?!?!?

One of those hectic days where I did 3 heads in school today. 1 perm and 2 cuts. Plus yesterday's perm, that makes 4.
My friends in school are very supportive and many'd say I did quite a decent job. Anyway, here's a video I found while trying to get sneak peaks into Desperate Housewives. I find it hilarious.



Notice also the nice-sounding tango that goes with it. Passion!

Faster faster!

I went to ballot for the rehearsal slot at the Singapore Conference Hall for the SYF next year, and must say I'm quite amused by the way they did it.

At the lobby,
1. Queue up to take a balloting slip. (about 150 school representatives)
2. Write your school name.
3. Dump it into a box.

In the hall,
1. short briefing (10 min)
2. One person starts to draw out the slips. School that is called comes up to choose their preferred slot.
3. Head downstairs to make payment of deposit of 200 cash or cheque.
4. Queue again.

Well, this took about 2 hours???

There must be some way to make this happen in less than an hour?

Korean Joke

This goes out to Celine Wan.

Hope you don't sing like this after you get proficient on Korean.



Should have done this for Wulang's wedding.

Boston Brass

The brass concert, featuring the Boston Brass, was inspiring. Now we really know why the standard orchestra don't need so many of them. With about 4 to 5 from each section of brass is enough to blow your brains out, literally.

The highlight of the evening was of course Boston Brass, who clearly showed that musicianship should not be restricted to the instrument itself. I was very impressed with how much they could do outside their repertoire and instrumentation.

I do hope they come every year!

Out of the frying pan!

Is NUS that busy these days? I see many of our ensemble juniors face green green lidat, esp. the year twos.

Uni days were one of the periods I didn't do much leh. Hmmm... besides skipping lectures and tutorials, I spent quite a bit of time at YIH study room surfing. Of course there were terrible periods when assignments were to be handed up, but the images are quite forgotten. Selective memory I guess.

Anyway, I'm glad that I'm out of school. I sometimes miss the carefree days then, but I am also reminded how carefree I am now too. Working is still better lah, and with my job, it's really quite miraculously enjoyable.

比萨饼的魅力

I happen to stumble upon my form class's blog today. Really pleasantly surprised to see that. Why? You see, I've used a different tactic with this people, different from the ones I used previously, and miraculously, the kids did more on their own than relied on me.

I am really happy because....

1. Many of them really worked harder for the EOY exams and managed to get themselves promoted without moderation from their subject teachers. (FYI, my class is very weak in Math and Science, only 2 passed their Sec. 2 math before promoting to Sec. 3.... brrrr......)

2. Many teachers are happy with most of them. My colleagues even make the effort to praise them in front of me.

3. They won 2nd prize in the Best class competition, losing to the Pure Science class, which is afterall made up of the elites. I had no part in this, there were several criterias in the judging and they managed somehow.

4. Many of them are growing up and making more sense in their thoughts and actions. I didn't have to roar much this year, thanks to them. I think I only roared once. Guess where? Sungei Buloh nature reserve, cos they couldn't stop talking and made so much noise. What an irony.

5. The kids are taking some initiative in their academic progress and school life. The class blog set up is also for HOMEWORK REMINDERS next year. oh my god.... so enthu.... heh heh

I feel that the most important ingredient in all this is ........


















PIZZA.

I tell you, students are goons. hahahha =)

Anyway, along the blog which I stumbled upon, I found two of them lamenting that had they worked harder last year, they would not have repeated; and more importantly is that repeating Sec. 3 hurts badly and they learnt to cope and grow up with it. Why? cos their Sec. 4 friends are sitting for their O levels now! not tasty at all.....

I guess sometimes people grow up the hard way. Though they wasted one year, but the lesson learnt is invaluable and will help keep them on track in the future. I can't help but feel that they are meant to do greater things and everything happens for a reason.

I say no more spoon-feeding I say.
It's Pizza-feeding time!

Impressive Impressions

Impressions of Japan played by a marching band in a display competition.

FANTASTIC!!!

没见过

Like very sua gu leh... red banana! I never seen one before. So when my friend offered one to me, I was like exclaiming to her how weird it looks. She said she's been eating it since she was little... Anyone else seen or eaten it before?

Make me feel a little less sua gu!

戏如人生

人生 梦如路长
让那风霜风霜留脸上
红尘里 美梦有多少方向
找痴痴梦幻的心爱
路随人茫茫

人生是 梦的延长
梦里依稀依稀有泪光
何从何去 你我心中方向
风悠悠在梦中轻叹
路和人茫茫

人间路 快乐少年郎
在那崎岖崎岖中看阳光
红尘里 快乐有多少方向
一丝丝像梦的风雨
路随人茫茫
丝丝像梦的风雨
路随人茫茫

Dawn of a new chapter

A conservatory student came by on Saturday to listen to Xpose rehearse, and to find out more about the niibori instruments. As it seems, she was asked to compose a piece for a guitar quartet/quintet. I thought it was for the June concert next year, but she mentioned that it was to be premiered during the NUS Arts Festival 2009, in a fringe performance, which I thought was a less than delightful choice of event.

Anyway, on the upside of it, I think we've come a long way to have local students compose for a guitar instrumental group. Sure is some good news.

Visit to the Singapore Flyer

Visited the Singapore Flyer today with a couple of staff from school.

Quite scenic from above I must say, but I kinda feel that there's something wrong with the air, or the air pressure. Seems harder to breathe. It's amazing how much money Singapore has invested in setting up the vicinity of the integrated resort.

Frankly I wouldn't like to have a meal up there. (just in case there's throwing up)

Some of that walking reminded me about the feeling of "going places". I think it's seriously time to look at travel plans!

三戒

少年：血气未定，戒之在色。
中年：血气方刚，戒之在斗。
晚年：血气既衰，戒之在得。

怎样做个好朋友？

忠告而善道之，不可则止，勿自辱也。

益损三友

益者三友；

友直，友谅，友多闻。

损者三友；

友便辟，友善柔，友便佞。

小小的意见

Sometimes it's better to take a step back and admit that effort does not always bring success. Not always where and when you desire the success to be anyway.

As a musician, we must come to terms with ourselves; everyone's ability/progress in music is different.

Music is not an academic paper. It does not mean that endless practice always guarantees good performance. Sometimes it is time that nurtures that experience and musical stamina.

What I always ask myself is, that, does my music sound good? Do I derive pleasure from performing it? Will the audience enjoy it?

There's no point playing an extremely difficult concerto if all we present are technique flaws, musical inadequacies and the final revelation on stage that we are just not ready YET.

欲速则不达。

我会了！！！

yay!!! I've just learnt how to link the imeem playlist with my blog.
hah hah cool. (Parang probably shaking his head...)

Ok la, for an ex-computer engineer undergrad, I'm pretty slow at this kind of things. Actually I never consider myself to have graduated.

How on Earth had I chose to do Computer in "A" levels and to come to this state of total disassociation with the subject?

I think it is virtually impossible that I'll ever do a job that is desk-bound. I can't imagine how dry and withered my life would become, sitting in front of that computer everyday, or attending corporate meetings on a weekly basis. I think I'd rather be a hairdresser/full time baby-sitter than doing that!

I always wondered why I've never set foot onto becoming a vet. It's one of my ambitions when I was young. But, somehow, it never made it to any part of my life and I've never begun to do any work in that field in my life.

Perhaps in another alternate universe, exists my reality as a vet.

你快乐（所以我快乐)

如果时间可以重来，你会选择回到那一刻？

改变什么？

改变了也不一定更好，我只想看看另一个角度的幸福。

分离的。但，同步的幸福。

Don't ask me where I sit...

I've decided to do some cleaning up on my part. For my school desk that is.

So here's the "BEFORE":

Hopefully, by next week, I'll be ready with the "AFTER".

Some kid thing

I wonder if anywhere in Singapore sells this....


I'm no fan of Illidan or the SoulKeeper(Parang seems to favour this character, I prefer Anti-Mage), but the action figure does look very cool.

Mateus, the corrupt.

cool right? Anyway, I suddenly started surfing for FF action figures... some really very nice looking.

Knights of the Round !!!

幽灵公主

At first I thought it's some children's play. Hahahah... turned out not. The kids are good lah. Pro man.

烂音

GENUS is yet again plagued by an old and familiar disease.

Bad Sound.

After sitting in to listen for the last rehearsal, I realised that the portion of bad sound compared to good sound is on the rise. You will notice it when there much less "Dong" sound and much more "Tong" and the ultimate "TANG" sound. Of course, with it comes the lack of tone as well.

I think many of the players don't realise they are making music. Perhaps playing music to them is like answering Math questions for an exam(the concert). If you get 75% of them right, you get your A1. And it doesn't matter if your handwriting(tone) is hell-forsaken as well.

This issue needs to be addressed because I believe that a person will naturally stay away from bad sounds; i'm talking about audience and even the player him/herself.

pirates of the CarriFeAn

After hearing it from SH and Barber, I checked my email and realised that in the meeting that I did not attend, whoever in the meeting has managed to morph my SYF concert idea into their use. Here's the interesting idea.

GENUS is going to charge 500 bucks for doing workshops with Sec. schools participating in the SYF, of course, with respect to their SYF pieces. And the money earned is going to be used to support the arrival and lodging of the german group performing with GENUS next June.

I'm a bit annoyed because, the workshop idea was one of the proposals I submitted to Jacey for Xpose's concert. I have also talked about it with Robert once when he called me regarding the concert plans for GENUS. What I had in mind was that, we invite students(the good ones) to perform with us, do a bit of piece analysis and technique stuff with them in a few sessions. In turn, they purchase the tickets for our concert.

Anyway, it didn't feel right when they use my proposal for their own use without asking. Much less it's when part of the money earned goes to Robert's composition and the German group. I mean, CFA should pay for Robert's composition if they want it to be premiered.

Why should the players fund-raise for the conductor's composition?

How can GENUS charge for workshops, considering their standard now?
(I think some JC/schools are better loh.)

Local band instructors may charge up to 1000 bucks per month. and that's like 3 sessions per week, each rehearsal is 3 hours or more. Most of them have diplomas or degrees in their instrument. We charge $500 for one session??? Zen Hai Siu Sei Yarn....

Ventilating

One of my old acquaintances is now a band/instrument instructor. Free lancing I suppose.
He quitted from school teaching.

In a way, I kind of feel that's a very nice thing to do actually. And I wondered if I'd ever be put in any kind of position to quit my job and do some work involving music. In some way, I admire/envy him.
=============================================
Anyway, I am again plagued with rehearsal timing problems. Sincerely, I want things to work out. I need to work with people to rehearse pieces and others need people to help in the sectionals; I'm so tired of this bouncing problem. It's like you are trying your best to do something better and something keeps tugging you back to the same problem, as if it was I who CREATED the problem.
==========================================
There's something seriously wrong la. We are like picking pieces depending of availability. Whatever happened to the sourcing and planning of repertoire? It's like...

"Ok we need one more piece."

"ok let's see what we have in the cabinet."

"Ok this will do."

And we wait for the next performance and we go on another repertoire panic.

We have like a world-class conductor/composer, 2 tutors and none can generate something new!?!?!?

I tell you ah... cantonese say "MOH NGAN TAI" ah....
like sibei sian right?

I cannot understand it, and so I give up on it. It's like working with musicians who are not ready to INSPIRE/MOTIVATE the group members. It's that kind of mind set. - "Just do my job and whatever lah."

I just cannot stand the "get it done and over with" mentality.

While I am constantly sourcing for new stuff for Xpose, I simply comprehend why others cannot do the same. Aiya... talk also SAI HEI....

七剑

Haha... my 7-string guitar has finally arrived. Just picked it up yesterday!
The sound is pretty decent, the 7-string bass sounds a little like contrabass though. I was running through the notes in "Waltz of the flowers" and suddenly realised that there was a fret extension up to the 22nd fret! High D!

Previously I asked Yudi to help me ask if they made extension up to high C, Yudi got back to me to say that the asturias people don't do it. It was a little disappointing, since I thought I was making the guitar for the quartet, might as well solve all the range problems we encountered in our scores. But hey... I was so surprised to find the extension done nicely and beyond what we needed. Hahaha...

Must thank Shuhann for helping a lot in this... the looking and sourcing for the guitar, the negotiations and everything else. Without his grizzly intervention, I probably would be guitar-less for still quite some time yet.

Potential

It was fun taking my kids for band practice today. Quite annoyingly, one of the lousiest sections are the flutes(ya my instrument right...). They are so out of tune, with such thin tone, brrrr.... can't help but *blink blink blink* at them... The clarinets are next to be grilled. Only the saxophones are good.

The brasses are really good too. Are they easier to master at teenage years?
Actually these kids quite a good sound, considering they come from a neighbourhood school with limited funds to provide them with instructors and all. Just for the record, they only have 2 instructors, one is the conductor and doubling as instructor, the other can only teach Brass.

I've been trying to convince the teacher-in-charge to move them to a concert band structure, currently a military/marching band make-up. But ya... again money is the concern. They are going to need the double reeds and the String Bass. And who's gonna teach them right? Oh well, we'll see how it goes.

Speech therapy over the phone

Long weekends are no good for me. It takes a great deal of energy to re-start that momentum of school-going, early-morning waking etc. In between the many errands to run and lessons to carry out, I could still steal time off to do a in-house lunch delivery. Ok, not so bad. I'm actually becoming more and more mortal.

Just had a conversation with Robert over the phone. My oh my, I wonder how Wai or any of those comm guys does it. It's like listening to a native Japanese speak english over the telcos, wooo... I could hardly pick up what he was saying for the first 3 minutes. He was telling me about stuff and I was just trying NOT to say something completely off. Fortunately, my aural adaptation system was fully activated 3 minutes later, and all was smooth, ya maybe he slowed down a little too. Anyway, it was fun speaking to him.

There's so little time to do my "unfinished" arrangements. Sometimes I just wish there's someone to help me deal with the sibelius keying while i rattle off how I want the arrangement to go. Do they rent anyone or anything that can do this???

Everyone is fond of....

This is too good!

龙门吉他室内乐团

Dragon Gate Guitar Ensemble, interesting name there. And these folks are not bad leh... they don't sound professional but certainly rather experienced. Good sound and nice technique too.

I noticed they are all quite elderly(right?), which actually tickled me...
Can you imagine that they are like "year 30" in GENUS? Hahhahaa =)

Their arrangements sound quite Niibori, only they shifted certain parts to the instrument parts they have available. Remember ZQ's difficult high arpeggio in Malaguena? They used an alto to play it. So in essence, the parts are split and jumbled.







Encore!!!!

ASEAN Song of Unity

I'm dumping this here in case some of you out there have not heard of this before.

To die for

Watch the conductor, the first few bars are to die for... what comes after is quite amusing too.

GENUS @ Toa Payoh

Robert instructing the groups...

All perked up and attentive

The numbers are impressive...

Tried to do paranomic photographing, a little odd right? Perspective not appropriate since I'm standing on the right...

A little bit more about the rehearsals with TP counterparts. I always wonder who is the conductor for their group; perhaps he/she did not emphasise the importance of following the conductor. Our guys are pretty good at it, but not as clean in the preparation for HuanYing Vanakkam. Complacency?

TP's sound is very forthcoming and direct. It's a good thing because they don't have projection problems, but it also emphasizes their mistakes because they are too technical and not as musically aware of rhythm and tempi. GENUS produces careful and clean sounds, but some of the players have such a timid projection that it hardly brings forth any element of forte, hence limiting in expression and voice leading through the instrument.

Shucks can't get into backstage. Must be that AnyPig la. She's afraid I'll dirty the dressing room. Drats. Is there an encore telecast anytime soon?

Sleepy Hollow

I've been such a sleepyhead lately. What I mean is I can literally lie down on the floor and sleep for hours, yup, no pillow or blankets. At my workplace, I can sleep sitting on the chair too.

I don't like to sleep so much, but yes, I like to sleep. So just wondering whether it's a good thing or not...
==================================================================================
It's been a while since I got out of the country. Not seeing and experiencing new ideas and things creates a hollow in me. There was a time I travelled a lot and was pleased to settle for a few quiet holidays. I think it's time to go again.

Anyway, there's still one thing in my head which I've not done. Backpacking!

I spoke to Raj about his recent trip to Japan, and I'm hoping he's keen to return there in December. I promised to sponsor my aunt on a trip to Nippon so most probably will set sail. Jin has mentioned before that he might make a trip there too... so I wonder if all this could tie up into a nice holiday?

The call

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
till it was a battle cry
I'll come back when you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try know who your friends are
as you head out to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
and follow the light
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye
you'll come back when it's over
no need to say goodbye

now we're back to the beginning
it's just a feeling and no one knows yet
Just because they can't feel it too
doesn't mean you have to forget

Let you memories grow stronger and stronger
till they're before your eyes
You'll come back when they call you
no need to say goodbye
You'll come back when they call you
no need to say goodbye

There are no accidents....

yet another nice animated film.

Which really reminds me that I must be conscious of the approach which I take to teach my students. In fact, I already see the hardworking Tigeress, the arrogant Leopard and the lazy Panda in my class.

Who do I like best in the movie? hahaha =) the Raccoon of course. Master Shifu!!!
Next is master Wu Gui!!!

You may have a mould, a dream for a student but this determination(or rigidness) is what makes you a good teacher, and yet a lousy one.

Hey hey hey!

Check it out!

http://www.tpgc.org/default.htm

TPGC is going performing at the Esp. Concert Hall this July and next Jan in Beautiful Sundays!

Their site really looks pro man. It's quite comparable to websites of many professional bodies.

I was contemplating on joining for their jan concert leh. Anyone want to join with me? After concert, we quit. On boh? Hahaha =)

==========================================================================
Some ideas on Loy Krathong:

Firstly, the arrangement is grossly untraditional. A post-baroque revival or gamelan fusion, sort of. The Thai musicians' suggestion that the tempo be increased makes the arrangement difficult to play, and in my opinion, transmutes the piece to a 2-4 time signature, rather than the current 4-4.

Incidentally, I do suspect that a 2-4 is more folk-like(which the arranger overlooked, or intended to forgo), whearas a 4-4 tends to sound a little contemporary.

Anyway, the music now dazzles with the best of both worlds. Well, it's kinda like tea or coffee OR the Yuan1 Yang1(tea + coffee beverage). There's no absolute but if you are a music purist, then perhaps the new rendition may not be very palatable. Nonetheless, I sincerely think that the bass parts(the runs and floral parts all) ought to be re-written for blending's sake.

Marimba Madness

Some wonderful renditions on the marimba. Really got to give it to their wrists!

Big Thinker?

Your answers suggest you are a Big Thinker
The four aspects that make up this personality type are:


Summary of Big-Thinkers
Outspoken, ingenious and bored by routine
Think of themselves as talkative, curious and self-sufficient
May neglect the routine work required to make their plans successful
More about Big-Thinkers
Big Thinkers are always looking for the next big idea or opportunity. They’re adept at spotting trends and thinking on their feet. Big Thinkers like to jump in and find innovative solutions to complex problems and are good at developing strategies for the future.


In the UK, Big Thinkers are most likely to book a holiday at short notice, according to a nationwide survey.
Big Thinkers are usually curious, logical and energetic. This chatty group enjoys a good debate and asserting their opinions. Sometimes others may find the way they express their ideas too abrupt or challenging.

In situations where they can't use their talents or are unappreciated, Big Thinkers may be rude, critical of others or rebellious. Under extreme stress, Big Thinkers can become preoccupied with unimportant details and lose sight of the 'big picture'.

Big Thinkers may ignore important details in their plans and overlook the impact their ideas have on the people around them.

Big-Thinker Careers
The entrepreneurial spirit of the Big Thinkers often leads them to seek new challenges; this is often more important to them than working in a particular field or a specific career.

Always with me

Things that happen in our lives, good or bad, will always live in our hearts.

Care 2 have a Brandy?

Pleasantly surprised when Jin & Mich told me that Brandenburg II was easier than Brandenburg III. In my humble opinion(previously), I didn't think so. I thought it's going to be harder. It needs to be rather fast for a lighter feel to be presented. Typically styled in ritornello form, the polyphonic interest is vast and very much optional to the listener, hence, balancing of voices becomes very important.

The youtube recording has some balancing problems. The trumpet is far too forthcoming and pleasant woodwinds are rather subdued. Perhaps it's because they are using period instruments though.



Here's another... a little too loud on the concertino side. too few continuo. Not enough baroque feel, a very contemporary interpretation.



Obviously amateur. The rushing is so intense.



The trumpet and recorder is so cool!!! the design I mean. Furious interpretation, nuances can still be caught, voicing/layering rather nice too!

Quotes

"You must have the will. You must want the crescendo..."

"Must believe in the neutrality of the piano.... and it is its neutrality that opens up the opportunities for colour........."

"You come in a hair too soon, and that hair is as precious as what little I left on my head...."

"Don't rush when there's a clash! It's not a marriage dispute."

"Even when you return to the theme in the sonata form, it's in a completely different state. It's has memory now. It is anything but a mechanical repeat."

"Do you see the images when you play the music? Or hear the music when you see the images?"

"The repeat is a recollection. You emphasise when you built something, you don't emphasise when you recollect, else it loses its wonderness."

Daniel Barenboim

My idol says:

"The study of old instruments and historic performance practice has taught us a great deal, but the main point, the impact of harmony, has been ignored. This is proved by the fact that tempo is described as an independent phenomenon. It is claimed that one of Bach's gavottes must be played fast and another one slowly. But tempo is not independent! ... I think that concerning oneself purely with historic performance practice and the attempt to reproduce the sound of older styles of music-making is limiting and no indication of progress. Mendelssohn and Schumann tried to introduce Bach into their own period, as did Liszt with his transcriptions and Busoni with his arrangements. In America Leopold Stokowski also tried to do it with his arrangements for orchestra. This was always the result of "progressive" efforts to bring Bach closer to the particular period. I have no philosophical problem with someone playing Bach and making it sound like Boulez. My problem is more with someone who tries to imitate the sound of that time..."

He's really really great with his hands, conducting and playing alike... simply dazzling how he conducts and plays the piano... I'm really impressed with the nuances and expressions he expresses with his hands.... damn good!!!




Check out the Bolero. Berlin Phil is really good! Good sound, good balance, and a steady crescendo creeping in through the piece, without the audience actually noticing it. Fastastic concealing and control.





Concerto de Aranjuez! Williams and Berlin Phil

老人弹琴

Andres Segovia


Who ah?


with small orchestra

Cry

楊宗緯--哭了

背叛

雨　不停落下來
花　怎麼都不開
儘管我細心灌溉　你說不愛就不愛
我一個人　欣賞悲哀

愛　只剩下無奈
我　一直不願再去猜
鋼琴上黑鍵之間　永遠都夾著空白
缺了一塊　就不精采

緊緊相依的心如何Say Goodbye
你比我清楚還要我說明白
愛太深會讓人瘋狂的勇敢
我用背叛自己　完成你的期盼

把手放開不問一句Say Goodbye
當作最後一次對你的溺愛
冷冷清清淡淡今後都不管
只要你能愉快

心　有一句感慨
我　還能夠跟誰對白
在你關上門之前　替我再回頭看看
那些片段　還在不在

Links for the some of the pieces

Some of the links I found of youtube for the next set of Xpose pieces.

Guys and gals, do take a look.

"Sheep May Safely Graze"


"By Loch and Mountain"


It's not the theme song from Kingdom Hearts, some guy just made this video with the piece. You'll find other versions on youtube, but they sound really horrible compared to this one.

"Carmen Fantasy for two Trumpets"


Very good trumpet duo!!! I was almost inspired to take up the trumpet!!!

"Brandenburg No. 3 - 3rd movement"


If Robert were to see this, we are doomed!!!

"Habenara"


"Dance Boheme"

好词

爱是不是，不开口才珍贵

再给我两分钟...
让我把记忆结成冰...

又死死

The recordings for the concert were hopeless. I telling you, after so many years of UCC concerts, till date, I've come to the conclusion that it's a horrible hall for any music work.

Their way of miking at UCC is simple. Capture every single damn sound from the instrument and then pump it through the hall speakers. Seriusly it doesn't work well this way. When I tried listening to the overall sound while the guys played Kansalesa, I knew it was pointless trying to balance the sound. From where the sound engineer was sittig, it looked like the players weren't even producing sound acoustically, most of the bulk of sound was from the speakers(digitised).

Anyone who is a musician would know that eventually we want to hear and record what the audience hear. But UCC has a knack for delivering recordings based on what the mike captures. I mean, what the hell, do they have brains or what. The unprocessed sound captured on the mike, without the hall's reverberations, sound like shit.

又死死 is hopeless.

of Sheeps and Birds

I was surfing for some inspriation on "Sheep May Safely Graze" cantata 208 by Bach.
Came across this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=METdmiWZBcw

What the hell....

Leo once asked how a lousy concert band sounds like, well, there we are!

Anyway, this Harp version is not bad, except that it's improvised and rather short.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pWUSxJiQ_g&feature=related

And I bumped into this piece called "A bird came flying"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBrSypv7y_E&feature=related
Whoa, it's really nice. Mich should look for this piece, play it and called it "A Seagull came flying"!!!

好象是旧歌

人质(张惠妹)
================================
我和你啊 存在一种危险关系
彼此挟持 这另一部份的自己
本以为这完整了爱的定义
那就乖乖的守护着你

相爱变成 猜忌怀疑的烂游戏
规则是要 憋着呼吸越靠越近
但你的温柔是我唯一沉溺
你是爱我的就不怕有缝隙

在我心上用力的开一枪
让一切归零在这声巨响
如果爱是说什么都不能放
我不挣扎 反正我也没差

人质在这一刻得到释放
相爱的纯粹落得如此下场
你满意吗 我们都别说谎

==============================

挺有意思的歌.

不受欢迎的欢迎VANAKAM

昨天指挥时,心情异常的平静.
虽然人多,但却没有丝毫紧张的感觉.

可能是比较老炼了吧.

表演很成功. 虽然没有交响乐团的专业水准, 但我觉得我们又进步了.
我觉得越来越多团员变成了音乐家,而不是盲目自恋的吉他手.

很开心!

老人邀请我们加入他的演奏会. 曲目不是很合口味. 不知怎样婉拒.

今天不是DIVO

最近感觉有一点兴奋,紧张. 期待已久的演奏会就要来了.

我觉得大家都付出了很多,很感激,很开心,确实让我提醒自己不要让大家失望.
在学音乐的路途中,认识了这么多好友,真的是一种福气.
大家也给于我很多帮助,鼓励,支持;我也希望我能让大家在合奏的韵律中找到莫名的欢乐.

学习是无直径的. 不管是在指挥,演奏,编曲上, 我都希望能创新,突破.

但是还是按捺不住一丝的忧虑,毕竟我没有受过正式的训练,和ROBERT相比,何止是天渊之别.
可是大家还是很支持,没有嫌弃我这个半桶水.

其实,只是希望大家玩音乐玩得开心啦!

七弦魔剑

Only my guitar-crazy friends can come up with this.... ha ha ha

===================================================
More details as follows:

for body, pls use top-of-the-grade Brazilian rosewood for sides and back.
If possible, look into Church-door design for back. Also spruce for top
(as indicated by DIVO), however, use high quality ones like in
close-grinded, prefably have some bear claws would be nice.

As usual, ebony for finger board but use titanium metal for fretting coz
it might hurt DIVO fingers and the insurance will cry. Look at installing
RODGERs' tuners (with snake-wood), no imitation thank you. Body length of
650 mm would be ok.

Having a 20th fret is forthgone conclusion. Else why he buys a 7-string
other than to play and sound like an orchestra? Also, ask Yudi to
construct raised finger-board to facilitate the runs at the 15th to 20th
frets.

Lacquer-finish is acceptable.

He is still considering adding an arm-guard at side (ala arm-rest). Ask
Yudi to throw in guitar-support wrapped in premium leather as DIVO hates
the sit the classical way. Also, throw in life-time free-delivery of
7strings to DIVO residence would be critical in making DIVO commit.

5k is for planning purpose, other cost just add in accordingly. ^^

And for heaven-sake, make the guitar weigh like a M-16 at least.
=============================================

POLYCHORDS

Mich was saying stuff about her funny sounding piano parts in "Simple Gifts"(Section C) and that probed me to double check on my transcription and I also did a bit of reading. Well, I've looked through the scores again, I don't think there's a mistake with the notes though. Anyway....

It seems like Copland likes to use "polychords".
What are polychords? Well, basically they are just chords stacked one above another.
Hence, for example, if based on F, we could have a typical stack like this:

F - A - C - E - G - Bb

Looking at the way it is constructed, and also at Copland's scoring, he did not choose to extend his polychords this way. Actually most of the extensions are fine, but just perhaps, E - G - Bb and F - A - C isn't so great since it may sound quite cadential.

Instead, he constructs the stack in G - Bb - D - F - A - C, making it sound like a tonic expansion moving to and fro within chords I, II and IV, major and minor, spaced across the barline in a gallop rhythm.

and there we have COLOUR!

SUI SUI

1. Malaguena(Piano)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuQQxZ7TXaY&feature=related

Really good rendition, but still prefer the orchrestral version done by Berlin Phil Orch.

2. Totoro(Passage of wind)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmVqslsmV0M&feature=related

Very good inspiration for the melody players!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1EP9NuyHqY&feature=related

Cello version...

3. Princess Mononoke Suite(Orchestral)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRpFXTvMQw8&feature=related

Quite different from the Wind Band version, must say the central percussion section is very good! =)

4. Laputa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sASc4wrJRWE&feature=related

Suite for Trumpet solo I guess. A little too regal to me.

How will I die?

How will I die? Your Result: You will die while having sex.   Your last moments in this life will be enjoyable indeed...hopefully. Do not fear sex. Try not to become celibate as a way of escaping death. You cannot run from destiny.
You will die in a car accident.
You will die in your sleep.
You will die while saving someone's life.
You will die in a nuclear holocaust.
You will die from a terminal illness.
You will die of boredom.
You will be murdered.
How will I die? Create a Quiz

驱魔序曲

No wonder they changed the name to Cairnhill Guitar Ensemble. If it remains as Singapore Niibori Guitar Ensemble, I think no future for guitar ensemble in Singapore already.

Wah piang ooi... like that also dare to perform, even with some professionals within. They sounded bad but that's besides the point. More importantly, about 30 to 50 people just heard what a guitar ensemble sounds like, and I do hope the first impressions don't last. Sheesh...

I think the ensemble leader is mad. Haven't they heard any ensemble or orchestra before? What the hell... timing wrong, chord wrong, close to zero cohesion also dare to perform. I almost didn't recognise Io Che! Their intro was absolutely horrifying. Needless to say, musicality is out of the door. Listen to this shit a few more times, and your mind with wilt in despair for music.

I expected something mediocre, not horrendous.

utterly....

Luckily I didn't go. or rather, luckily for them, I didn't go.
Perhaps I might just laugh out before Mel did, or pop them the question.

"Did you just perform an overture for exorcism?"

Simple Gifts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qy8wjuXwOE

Start from 1:23 min

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of o-thers what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

Here we go!

2008年1月13日
弦歌轻音
国大六弦琴乐队GENUS与子团GENUS Expose!

六弦琴乐队GENUS与其子团GENUS Expose!将为大家呈献一台曲风迥异的音乐会。演奏曲目包括已故探戈作曲家皮亚佐拉充满活力的《米开朗基罗70》、加朗的《兴致勃勃》，以及十分悦耳动听的电影动画片《埃及王子》的插曲。活泼跳跃的音符，将带给大家一个难忘的星期天下午。

13 Jan (Sun)
Potpourri on Strings
NUS Guitar Ensemble (GENUS) and Expose!

The guitar ensembles Expose! And GENUS are proud to present a diverse repertoire accessible to all such as Piazolla’s spirited Michelangelo 70, J. Garland’s In the Mood and entertaining music from animated feature The Prince of Egypt. Expose! and GENUS promise an enjoyable afternoon of music and an unforgettable experience.

谁记得,谁忘了

太爱了
所以我
没有哭
没有说

焉知非福

After work review, I left school in a rush to go begin my search for shoes again.

First it was Ngee Ann City, which the huge sports store "Stadium" informed me that the design I was looking is very old and may very well be non-existent already.

Then I went to Marina Square's Royal Sporting House, which was also a futile trip. I've spent a few days' afternoons on this and was rather disappointed and not hopeful of success. After some thought, I decided I'll try Suntec City and make a trip to Mustafa's and Macpherson's warehouse should the purchase be unsuccessful.

At Suntec, the design I wanted was not displayed. A clearance sale was going on and I decided that if I could find those boxed ones, I may find a few "undisplayed" gems. AND YES!!!! I found the design with a size 11!!!! how dreadful, I needed a size 12!!!! I continued scanning the boxes with high hopes, murmuring in my heart, the right design and the right size.
.....
and I finally found it!!!!!! stacked beneath about 12 shoes boxes, right at the bottom!!!

Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This really made my day. HA HA

赛翁失马

我是个叛逆的老师.

我教书以个人原则及学生福利为首.

我对学校的方针政策,从不重视,也不加理会.

教书对我来说是一个非常个人的艺术.

教育的成功度是无法衡量的.

The MOE work review form appraises the level of competency of various intangible qualities. E.g. Nurturing the whole child, the possible levels are "not observed", "developing", "competent" and "exceeding". To me, these are bullshit.

Even my current principal was unable to prevent a student from dropping out of school despite multiple counselling sessions and close monitoring. Perhaps she should be graded "not observed" then.

In the end, I doesn't matter if I believe in the system or not. I am in the system. Hence, being a non-believer and non-conformist, I've been told I'm placed a D grade for this year, which essentially means no performance bonus for next year and if I manage to clinch consecutively another two D grades subsequently, I may be ask to leave the service.

And just last two weeks, my principal approached me and asked if I was interested to work as a Normal Techinical specialist next year. what a joke.

I wasn't really pissed about it, I think I somehow saw it coming. My colleagues said every year some of the teachers must get a D grade, it's a quota thing. So I joked with them that now that mine is confirmed, they'd be spared of the ordeal.

BUT, you know how things can turn around so quickly....

一鞋难求

I'm still surfing sites for shoes.... this particular model which 3v@d wanted. Youngsters these days are picky... but oh well... since it's a birthday gift, I'll try my best to get the right design. I found the design at Queensway, we went over to size but ended up they didn't have a size 12... so it was a darn pity. Looked around at Junction 8 yesterday, found a size 12 but a different design.

I'm gonna try looking around some more shops this afternoon, currently making a list of places to go. Mel's birthday is coming soon too, hmmm... wonder if she fancy skull slip-0ns too....

骷髅头鞋

Few days back, I went shopping for shoes(birthday present) for 3v@D and JH. The slip-ons look quite cool. With the skeletal designs. I surfed the net and quite liked one (black with yellowish gold skeletons), unfortunately did not find it at Queensway. Oh well, took some photos of the shoes and tried to send to them to see if they liked it, and realised that they don't have internet access hence can't accept picture messages. Ok lah... can show them when I meet them. Anyway, there're some really nice clothes there too. Will possibly update my wardrobe when I bring 3v@D there to get the shoes. =)

Here are some of the designs:

满

Family time!

I really think I don't look like my dad or my mum. Hmm...
Maybe I was really picked up from the rubbish bin afterall...

鬼马

Haha! It's seldom you catch Mr. Guay in action!!!

自立更生

I always hate it when the issue of sectionals somehow gets in my way of things. What the hell... some of the juniors don't even turn up regularly for sectionals, and they expect me or any senior to sit there and teach 1 or 2 alto juniors with irregular attendance?

If you want to have good sectionals, then make sure your members turn up lah. Those who NEED sectionals that is. Else, the proficient players turn up for what? From the way I see it, these days things are different. Last time, sectionals is used to spend time learning to play together. Now, sectionals is used to figure out notes and positions, or to correct grossly mistaken music interpretation and readings. Hence, the value of a sectional session has drastically decreased, more time on individual help rather than group dynamic.

When was the last time a section leader conducted a sectional, following the dynamics written on the page? And seriously, they should consider collapsing the sectionals to more efficient models. E.g. altos can play together in one room, Contra/Guitaron can join the Prime etc.

And what are the section leaders doing? How long do they expect to be hand-held? Goodness lah, you are an undergrad! Call your members, settle the attendance and make sure your section can play lah. Don't everything wait for SENIOR to do for you. Want me to change pampers for you or not?

Rise to the occasion man!

无悔

"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again."

什么?

我什么都有,却又什么都没有.
我什么都没有,但是我什么也不缺.
我什么都不缺,但希望拥有些什么.

我爱你...你爱我吗?

世界上最远的距离

不是 生与死的距离

而是 我站在你面前

你不知道我爱你



世界上最远的距离

是鱼与飞鸟的距离

一个在天,一个却深潜海底

说出的秘密

I'm not a fan of Jay Chou, but there's been some hype about him doing movies and all. I've just watched Secret and I find the directing rather decent. Bought the soundtrack cos I heard some really good stuff in the movie, and guess what, most of the music were composed by Jay Chou himself; which, to me, is even a greater accomplishment than his directing stint. Seriously, the music is good. Not the sung ones, but the instrumental ones!!! And that's like a total of around 13 to 15.

Why hasn't the media talked about his music in the movie? Goodness!

Not that pop song lah, which I felt didn't quite fit into the movie at all.

Chopin is good! +)

Anyway, do catch the movie while you still can.

一人一半

一人一半 感情不散
一人一素故 感情才會久
時光累計 安靜的淚滴
一心去追 愛那么可貴

Chorus：
這樣的人 這樣地等
無非是等個回應眼神
為愛翻滾 不計傷痕
甘心為你一生都浮沉

這樣的人 別笑我蠢
傻傻的 心痛也不覺疼
就算天冷 就算殘忍
等你想起這沒用的人

一人一半 感情不散
已經找到愛 為何要離開

時光累計 安靜的淚滴
一心去追 愛那么可貴

Repeat Chorus*

一人一半 感情不散
已經找到愛 為何要離開
已經找到愛 為何先離開

You are The Devil

Materiality. Material Force. Material temptation; sometimes obsession

The Devil is often a great card for business success; hard work and ambition.

Perhaps the most misunderstood of all the major arcana, the Devil is not really "Satan" at all, but Pan the half-goat nature god and/or Dionysius. These are gods of pleasure and abandon, of wild behavior and unbridled desires. This is a card about ambitions; it is also synonymous with temptation and addiction. On the flip side, however, the card can be a warning to someone who is too restrained, someone who never allows themselves to get passionate or messy or wild - or ambitious. This, too, is a form of enslavement. As a person, the Devil can stand for a man of money or erotic power, aggressive, controlling, or just persuasive. This is not to say a bad man, but certainly a powerful man who is hard to resist. The important thing is to remember that any chain is freely worn. In most cases, you are enslaved only because you allow it.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

What can I do for you?

Some of my favourites!!!

FFX-2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyqX1SNuwzc

FFX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMdrnfyip9M

This one is really funny! Real life Final Fantasy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svQvBiP76cE

Beat this!

Beatboxing with a flute!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crfrKqFp0Zg

Think it can only be done with edge-tone instruments. If anyone can do this with a sax or oboe, those are not lips!

Aranjuez Guitar Quartet

This quartet is good. They sound pretty different from LAGQ, and their music is cool.

In the hall of the Mountain King: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bywu_UEATb4
"Danza ritual del fuego": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMQyCYWumQw
Pink Panther : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M97ZZ1EXHMI

我的美丽星期天

Ok ok... I know I'm biased in my view point towards TPGC's standard.
Seriously, I really haven't heard them in a concert before! All the reference I have is :

1. Singapore Classical Guitar Society Meeting
This was way way way years back. Considering if Ruby actually went for it, I think it probably means I'm year 2 or year 3 then. There was a vivaldi number done by the club, was it the adagio only? oh I can't remember... but I'm sure there wasn't any seat-moving allegro for sure.

2. the Yamaha Guitar Competition which took place like 3 years back? It was some 10 member group doing a spanish number with a tremolo-ing beginning and later going on to some knocking. And oh yes, the trio who did the piazolla piece was good!

3. Recently, the sharing session with the Germany group at the community centre. Ok their kids are pretty decent I must say, and of course the 9 year old wonder-boy Kevin.

I'm hoping to catch them this coming Sunday, 10 June at Esplanade Concert Hall. The people who told Nam Leng they were focusing on symphony orchestras and wind bands for the Beautiful Sunday series. Odd isn't it.

Seems like the programme line-up includes La Cumparsita and Granada. My god! One is a all-time favourite in local Niibori repertoire, the other is one of Guitaresque's 招牌菜.
有没有创艺???

Guitar ensemble repertoire is really one kind in the local scene. Rarely do you get to hear things that are out of the "guitar norm". If you visit guitar concerts often enough, you've probably heard a trillion times, "Canon in D", "La Cumparsita" etc. etc. *yawn* really puts me to sleep, unless they are rendered in an extremely humourous or cacophonic style.

I bet Daddy is going to mention again that the kid is just 9 years old. Ha ha ha

神速

Yo yo yo... Hiong Gai Gai...

this is likely the speed that Robert will go at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1ZKAnUIDg4

死无葬身之地...

godspeed

Shiok Shiok!

皮箱人演唱会: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPjVGWGAsKs

I suspect the camera-man is a blood related to ATKS.

=====================================
Nothing related to the above, but I'm mildly amused by SRJC's name for their guitar concert. Guess what?

Shiokissimmo!!!

Really odd name, first reminds me of a perfect fit for a signboard at a Japanese Red Light District soft porn outlet. Why?
It's Shiok cos you get to Kiss and 摸. and it sounds like a jap word.

ok ok no offence, but it really tickles me.

Now I have the tune for "Shokubutsu"(the soap commercial) in my head. Sing it using Shiokissimmo!!!

中重奖

Have got to hand it to Kenneth Hesketh.

Early music melodies are often modal and essentially repetitive. But the counterpoint written for the cantus firmus is tremendously colourful. The opening movement for Danceries is one such great example. Hell, there's at least 6 things going on at any one time(yes! it makes it very difficult to arrange for guitars, lots of hair tearing involved.), the parts display plenty of independence from each other, some of them forming their own line and sounds almost totally disassociative.

The blend they make is one masterpiece.

It's really meaningless to identify which chord is at which bar or beat; the counterpoint interplay is such well-intertwined dissonance and consonance. With myself being unfamiliar with modal tendencies, it's really hard for me to say where's the triad chord!

Anyway, this is a BIG work, spanning 4 movements. I'm working on it and wondering along the way if it's a little too much to ask of the musicians. Certainly the technical dexterity does not come close to that of Capriccio Espangnol, but the rhythmic and musical aspect may be more than it seems to be a simple 6-8 reverie.

Nonetheless, I'm quite determined to expose the guys to some early music, less we always get stuck at Bach or Handel, which are already essentially very much in the tonal arena. I don't think they want to do the F major Brandenburg straight after they return from their competition, less they still possess the nightmare debris of the G major counterpart. Ha ha ha.

I'm really hoping the full score of "Impressions of Japan" comes by too soon. I've ordered for it after knowing Robert is unable to find his copy, and apparently it's not exactly on its way yet. This is another folk thing that would do us good if we ever set foot onto Japan again, or in the event some Niibori Prof decides to pop by.

With Wai going away to do her masters, I've managed to assign/arrow/convince Jin to take up the soprano void. Looking for some 2 members to fill in some shoes in the group too. Hmmm. perhaps the masters is a ruse to allow her to transfer out of the Soprano and into the Prime section after she returns(if she returns). Gonna miss (or not!) all that relentless string plucking during rehearsals, ah well, then again, I don't think Jin is going to display any significant difference in rehearsal behaviour. Ho ho ho =)

Sounding chirpy today eh? Kinda happy and bored. Oh well, I guess it's a clear sign that life's treating me well.

I even got an invitation from maestro Hiong Gai Gai to play in a concerto.
Hell, how come TOTO never so lucky?!?!?!?