| I live for this.... |
[Oct. 29th, 2005|10:40 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  pleased | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Blissful silence... | ] |
Sometimes...just when you think your Saturday night is going to be full of solitude and boredom, you stumble into the most satisfying and fulfilling experience that you've had in months.
The Minnesota Orchestra has this thing called the Student Saver Card, it costs twenty-five dollars and allows you to claim any 4 available seats on the day of any concert you choose (or 1 seat at four concerts). So I said to myself, Mahler's 3rd Symphony is playing tonight, I don't know a thing about it, it'll cost me $6.50 to go, why not? My seat happens to be on the main floor in the center section in the back rows, which is a fantastic acoustic in that hall. While reading the program I stumble upon a quote by Mahler "...No music is worth anything if first you have to tell the listener what experience lies behind it.....to hell with every program! You just have to bring your ears and a heart along and willingly surrender to the rhapsodist".
Oh how right he is...
The symphony was the only work on the program as its 90+ minutes long. The orchestration includes pretty much every major instrument plus English Horn, Eb Clarinet, contrabassoon, 8 horns, a posthorn, two sets of timpani and on top of that a solo mezzo-soprano, a women's chorus and a children's choir. No wonder it isn't performed very often. I thought to myself, shouldn't this be called a grand symphony or something like that?
1st movement: (Mahler's preface: Pan Awakes, Summer comes Marching In) A symphony in itself. It was 30 minutes of orchestral intensity relaxed by a deep richness in low strings and contrabassoon. The audience didn't even care that it was 30 minutes, they applauded at the end of it, and you're not even supposed to do that! I will listen to this movement again...
2nd movement: (preface: What the Flowers in the Meadow tell me) Indeed I was transported to a field full of flowers as I sank deeper and deeper into my chair, I love when imagery in music just pops out and sucks you into its own little world.
3rd movement: (What the Animals in the Forest tell me)Amidst a tranquil shimmering in the strings, a posthorn is heard from the top balcony in the back of the auditorium, half the audience looks around wondering where that beautiful sound is coming from. As it plays, I stare up into the ceiling, forgetting about the conductor and the people sitting next to me, and am lost in thought as the posthorn seems to underscore my contemplations on life...
4th movement: (What humanity tells me) The mezzo-soprano effortlessly sings text from Nietzsche's Also Sprach Zarathustra. "But all joy seeks eternity, Seeks deep deep eternity" (in German).
5th movement: (What the Angels tell me) The children's choir imitates the ringing of bells, as the orchestra accompanies the exaltations of the women's chorus, praising the songs of the angels, its intensity and joyfullness builds to a climax, which sets me up for...
6th movement: (What love tells me). To think, a symphony as large as this ends with an adagio (very uncommon). The very instant that the strings played the first chord of the movement, my eyes shut, and I felt water in the back of them. As the tears rolled down my cheeks I couldn't help but think to myself, I love. This isn't love as in romance, this is just....gratitude, a love for every good thing that has ever happened. I love nature. I love the good people that I interact with everyday. I love music. I love those people who have touched my life. I love the Twin Cities. I love the 21st century. I love life. I love...
The orchestra joyously exalted the end of the symphony, but even though I had been sitting on my butt for 100 minutes, I didn't want it to end... the audience instantly rose to their feet, as obviously they had similar experiences as me. Mahler took me into a different world tonight, and after leaving it only one thought remains.
I love... |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 28th, 2005|07:06 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  distressed | ] |
In case you haven't been watching the news lately, New Orleans is likely to be obliterated by Hurricane Katrina.
My uncle lives there, he doesn't have a cell phone, but we heard three hours ago that he and his wife are currently evacuating.
If you are reading this, please pray /think of /send good vibes towards all of the people of New Orleans and the surrounding area, they're going to need them... |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 3rd, 2005|11:46 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  excited | ] |
| [ | music |
| | These damned Orff people and their folk songs!!! | ] |
Just to let y'all know that the Fringe Festival starts tomorrow!!!
I'm seeing these two shows tomorrow...
Corleone (David Mann acts out the Godfather as if it were written by Shakespeare, remember David Mann? he was the crazy under-appriciated actor in The Worst Show in the Fringe).
This one is at 7:00 PM at Minneapolis Theatre Garage
and...
The Scrimshaw Show (essentially, its Look Ma No Pants without the No Pants Dancers, and its guaranteed to be hilarious! The cast of Corleone will be the special guests of the night)
11:30 PM at Loring Playhouse.
Methinks that Mike and Ryan will be joining myself and Amy for these two shows, I invite Julia, Abby, Caitlin, Erin, and whoever loves crazy theatre to join me! |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 4th, 2005|10:04 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  sleepy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | 1812 Overture | ] |
Ah, Fireworks Day...
I'd just like to clarify one thing, if you call yourself a patriot, you're proclaiming yourself to oppose the current government authority. In 1776, patriots were those who were displeased with the current government and sought to overthrow it. If you are patriotic, it does not mean you love America, it means you're willing to fight to get rid of the government and establish a new one.
That is all. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 5th, 2005|03:49 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  content | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Islamey - Mily Balakirev | ] |
Sweet!
Oh, and its me and Amy's six month anniversary today, WOOHOO!!! Don't got much else to say... |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 3rd, 2005|04:46 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  groggy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Brahms 7 (in my head) | ] |
Its concert week from hell!!!
So yeah, I last minute got asked to conduct Percussion Ensemble for their concert, am singing the Brahms Requiem on Thursday, Band Concert on Friday, and playing the Glockenspiel on Sunday with the Women's Choir.
As tired as I am right now, I keep reminding myself that I'd rather be busy than bored, and its all music stuff, so that makes me excited.
Right now, I have 10 minutes to waste time, so here's Amy's random quiz thing that I stole....
TEN random things about me:
10. I know what atonal twentieth-century solo timpani pieces sound like (CRAP!), and am attempting to play them.
09. I'm quite decent at Pump it Up, which is better than DDR.
08. Lobster & Shrimp instantly make me happy.
07. I work in a music library.
06. I'm a deep bass.
05. I think the Sopranos is the best television show ever created.
04. I can name 10 conductors (if any of you can do this, I'll be impressed).
03. American Beauty is my most favorite movie.
02. I think Kung Fu is awesome.
01. I love spontaneously breaking out into song and dance.
NINE places i've visited:
09. Quebec, CA
08. Chicago, IL
07. Boston, MA
06. The Carribean (Cozumel, Grand Cayman)
05. Paris
04. London
03. Rome
02. Edinburgh
01. Tokyo
EIGHT things i want to do before i die:
08. Conduct Eric Whitacre's Equus
07. get married
06. get my master's (maybe doctorate)
05. Skydive
04. Cliff-jump
03. Live to see my grandchildren (if I have any)
02. Catch an opera.
01. Continue living in a state of happiness
SEVEN ways to win my heart (not necessarily in order of importances. None of these lists are in order of importance for me. I just write what comes to me):
07. be geeky
06. be geeky
05. be geeky
04. demonstrate an interest in my life
03. be geeky
02. be geeky
01. be geeky
SIX things i believe in:
06. There's nothing wrong with gay people, and that we discriminate them like we did to blacks.
05. Fundamentalism will not be rewarded in any sort of afterlife.
04. There is no one true faith.
03. If your job is what you love, you'll never work a day of your life.
02. Money does not at all guarantee happiness.
01. Hurting people is wrong.
FIVE things i'm afraid of:
05. That hell exists (I don't believe that it does, but I'm afraid that I'm wrong)
04. That's about it, other things can scare me, but that's the only thing that I'm truly afraid of.
03.
02.
01.
FOUR of my favorite items in my room:
04. my computer
03. my bed
02. my random percussion instruments
01. my books
THREE things i do everyday:
03. hear music
02. smile
01. eat
TWO things i am trying not to do right now:
02. Let my GPA drop
01. Be stressed out all the time.
ONE person i want to see right now:
01. Amy, because she rules... |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 4th, 2005|05:33 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  indifferent | ] |
Advanced Global Personality Test Results | Extraversion | |||||||||||||| | 56% | | Stability | |||||||||||||||||| | 80% | | Orderliness | |||||||||| | 36% | | Empathy | |||||||||||| | 50% | | Interdependence | |||||||||||||||| | 63% | | Intellectual | |||||||||||||| | 56% | | Mystical | |||| | 16% | | Artistic | |||||||||||||||||||| | 90% | | Religious | |||||||||||| | 43% | | Hedonism | |||||||||| | 36% | | Materialism | |||| | 16% | | Narcissism | |||||||||||||| | 56% | | Adventurousness | |||||||||||||||| | 70% | | Work ethic | |||||||||||| | 50% | | Self absorbed | |||||||||||| | 50% | | Conflict seeking | || | 10% | | Need to dominate | || | 10% | | | Romantic | |||||||||||||||| | 70% | | Avoidant | || | 10% | | Anti-authority | |||||||||| | 36% | | Wealth | |||||||||| | 36% | | Dependency | |||||||||||| | 50% | | Change averse | |||||| | 23% | | Cautiousness | |||||||||||||||| | 70% | | Individuality | |||||| | 30% | | Sexuality | |||||||||||||||| | 63% | | Peter pan complex | |||||| | 30% | | Physical security | |||||||||||||||| | 70% | | Food indulgent | |||||| | 30% | | Histrionic | |||||||||||| | 50% | | Paranoia | |||||||||||| | 43% | | Vanity | |||||||||||||||| | 63% | | Hypersensitivity | |||||||||||| | 50% | | Female cliche | |||||||||||| | 50% | |
| Take Free Advanced Global Personality Testpersonality tests by similarminds.comTrait Snapshot (read this to get a better idea) messy, tough, disorganized, fearless, not rule conscious, likes the unknown, rarely worries, rash, attracted to the counter culture, rarely irritated, positive, resilient, abstract, not a perfectionist, risk taker, strange, weird, self reliant, leisurely, dangerous, anti-authority, trusting, optimistic, positive, thrill seeker, likes bizarre things, sarcastic I think its surprisingly accurate |
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| A stupid quiz |
[Mar. 15th, 2005|04:51 pm] |
1. Your name spelled backwards: Gnortsmra Mailliw Nhoj
2. Where were your parents born? Minnesota
3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Firefox Browser (which kicks ass)
4. What's your favorite restaurant? Red Lobster
5. Last time you swam in a pool? Can't remember a pool, in a lake was last summer.
6. Have you ever been in a school play? Too many...
7. How many kids do you want? Two, but only if I can afford it.
8. Types of music you dislike most? Pop
9. Are you registered to vote? Sure am.
10. Do you have a car? Yes, even though its heater sucks...
11. Have you ever ridden on a moped? No, but I wanted to when I was in French class and heard that all the kids over there have one..
12. Ever prank call anybody? Does drunk calling count?
13. Ever get a parking ticket? Yes *bitches*
14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? Sky diving, and not tandem, because that's wussy.
15. Furthest place you ever traveled? Japan!!! Kampaii!!!
16. Do you have a garden? No, I'm too lazy
17. What's the size of your bed? Full
18. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem? Yes, even though its the worst anthem ever written for the general public to try and sing...
19. Bath or Shower? Shower
20. Best movie you've seen in the past month? Sideways
21. What's the next movie you want to see? No clue
22. Chips or popcorn? Popcorn
23. Have you ever broken any hearts? Yes, because she thought we were something we weren't...
24. Premarital sex? Is totally cool if you're in love and are smart about it...
25. Are you a good cook? I can cook a mean Mexican Lasgana
26. Orange or Apple juice? Apple
27. Who was the last person you went out to dinner with and where did you go? Amy, to Ichiban's for her birthday
28. Favorite type of drink? Kahlua
29. Best & worst things in the world? Best: Those musical moments that stop you dead in your tracks, and the love of a woman. Worst: Being buried alive (I got nothing)
30. Have you ever broken a bone? My wrist
31. Have you ever won a trophy? John Phillip Sousa Band Director's Award?
32. What is your favorite board game? Risk
33. What is your dream car? A hybrid, I don't care what model.
34. Ever order an article from an infomercial? No
35. Coke or Pepsi? Coke
36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work? At all but my current job (Bag Boy, Cookie Man, and Old Navy Toolshed)
37. Last thing you bought at a pharmacy? Skin cream.
38. Who are you going to marry? Not thinking about it right now...
39. Who would you like to meet? Beethoven
40. Do you believe in love at first sight? I believe in lust at first sight...
41. What features do you find most attractive in the opposite sex? Face and smile
42. Where would you go for a romantic evening? Somewhere outdoors and full of nature.
43. How many pairs of shoes do you own? 4
44. Last song stuck in your head? The Chariman Dances - John Adams
45. Any pets? nope
46. What's your all time favorite Saturday Night Live Character? I'm Brian Fellows!
47. What is one thing you would like to learn to do? Teach
48. What do you do when you are bored? Practice piano/ Video games/ Listen to music
49. What is one thing would you want someone to appreciate about you? My passion for what I love...
50. what is the size of your penis? Wouldn't you like to know?? ;) |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 9th, 2005|05:16 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Beethoven Piano Sonata Op.26 Movement 1 | ] |
 | You scored as agnosticism. You are an agnostic. You neither believe nor disbelieve in God. You don't believe it is possible to prove the existence of God (nor lack thereof).
Agnosticism is a philosophy that God's existence cannot be proven. It is possible to be agnostic and follow a religion; however, one cannot be a devout believer if he or she does not truly believe.
agnosticism | | 83% | Buddhism | | 75% | Satanism | | 75% | Islam | | 67% | Christianity | | 50% | paganism | | 50% | Hinduism | | 33% | atheism | | 33% | Judaism | | 29% | </td>
Which religion is the right one for you? (new version)
created with QuizFarm.com |
YES!!! |
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bitterjazzfan's journal
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