Celtic Music

You may ask me, why Celtic music so much of the time?
Celtic music is the thread that binds me to my old Irish roots.. ahh, to hear the lilting strains of a Irish tune puts stout in my veins and a jig in my feet…. My heart soars o’er the emerald hills and my spirit finds solace in the crags along the shore…. I am thinking perhaps your kindred spirit may find a home among the crags there as well!

The Symphony Last Night

was astounding. Entitled Romantic Getaway to the Scenic Country. it featured DAVID STEWART WILEY Music Director & Conductor and soloist,and Tavit Tashjian on piano. The program opened with Beethoven - Symphony No. 6 , F Major "Pastorale". The orchestra seemed in rare form with this beautiful piece which seemed to bring to life the natural scenes of a babbling brook,singing birds, then culminating in a mighty storm. But the real piece de'resistance' was the Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor featuring the most gifted pianist I have ever heard in concert!

At only 23 years of age he is a recent winner of the Ann Walling Piano Competition.... which so brought me back to one of my favorite films, "The Competition" starring Richard Dreyfus and Amy Irving. I love the dynamic of that film, the glorious music in performance, and passion of the artists! Seeing this same passion in last night's performer roused the whole auditorium. As the last note faded into the heavens the whole audience rose to their feet in ovation and resounding "Bravos" several of which I added to the fray! It was stupendous! The piece is the introductory song on my blog currently but sad to say as the actual piece is 50 minutes long this is just a minute taste of the rapture that follows that is not included in the upload! And to see it performed was sublime! I might add that our seats at the Shaftman Hall were probably best in the house.. front row balcony... to be able to watch his hands in action made it all the better. To borrow words from the program,"Tavit has been described as “having a very particular gift, possessing impressive technique and a colorful sound with a beautiful cantabile.” Tavit is already receiving numerous accolades and his performances have been noted to be “brilliant” and “energetic and virtuosic”. I couldnt have said it better! HEEHEE!!

I must also mention the orchestra,, as the grand finale was advancing to a close Conductor, David Wiley, always theatrical and totally engaged in the moment, drove the various sections into a powerfully rousing crescendo of emotion, the air became electrified and the I am sure hearts around the hall melted with the intensity of feeling... I cried with the glory of it... I have already used all the words I can think of to describe it... I dont want to be redundant, but it totally
cataclysmic!

Change

I know if you visit my site often you have noticed things change regularly. I have always been one who can not stand things to become stagnant. I used to move my furniture often which was great when I had much fewer pieces and more space. Now I am pretty much limited to my current arrangement and so I am so happy to apply change to this.. my blog. I love to find exciting new backgrounds which motivate me to new themes and ideas.
I,also, love to change my music. Playlist makes it so easy to explore music, I only wish I could find more by certain composers and performers that I admire so much! But I love to just turn on my blog and listen to the playlist during the day. When I found George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue I had to add that in. That has a very special meaning to me. About 1000 years ago when I was a senior in high school, I was preparing for my 12th and final piano recital and Mrs. Ferguson brought out this 28 page turning piece. It was a favorite, but I just didnt know if I could manage it. I persevered, however, and finally did perform it with the music one fateful evening in 1968. It was I suppose my crowning moment in the history of my life. I love to sit here and just playing it... over in my mind as I listen, but I could never really play it again! It remains a lovely memory, though!

It's Just the Facts

Some folks would say, "Listen to her brag!"

I'm not bragging, it's just the facts.

Our dear daughter and son in law worked hard taking violin lessons from tender ages. Even when Amanda wanted to give it up she persevered and finally made it to youth orchestra where she really met Joshua. Even though they'd taken lessons from the same teacher, they didnt really know each other until orchestra and then quartet practice,

and then , well, 5 years later, they were married! Over Christmas they serenaded us with their beautiful music.

and then got changed to go perform on Christmas Eve.

Music... it brings people and hearts together as well as feeds the soul.