Libby and Friends Play Ravel

The First Tree in the Greenwood...

The view from under our holly

Life on the Rock - with Libby

Libby's interview begins at 37:30.  The last song is a bit too didactic for me, but I like the way the girls sound together.  

A Great Weekend

This weekend was Don's birthday, and that is one of those low-key events that is celebrated quietly with a tiramisu cake, and as many of the kids as possible.  So easy.  Don spent some of his birthday pursuing his favorite hobby--politics--helping NY-5 candidate for congress Dr. Milano meet and greet folks at local fairs.

It was also Webb Family Weekend, so most of us spent our time on the gorgeous Webb campus on the LI Sound, with great food, and fun events.  A new Model Cutter was dedicated.  (I must admit that I thought they were dedicating a model cutter; it was actually a device that cuts models--a model cutter--I kept laughing to myself about the mistake as the machine was demonstrated).  And thanks to a couple of seniors, Grannie got to see a demonstration of a propeller in the 90ft model tank!  We took a video, but she does not know how to get it off her camera.  ;)  A fascinating article (with photos) featuring Webb's unique marine engineering facility is here.

But this was the highlight of the weekend (click on the picasa symbol to view the complete slideshow in full screen format)



The main event was the Freshman Wind Powered Design Challenge. The freshmen were divided into 5 teams (there are 19 students) and challenged to build a sailboat that actually sails using plywood, a tarp, duct tape, an aluminum pole, zip ties, and up to 10 tubes of caulk. This was their first design project, and, after only 4 weeks of naval architecture classes, they had one week to design and build their boats, putting what they have learned to practical use.

On Sunday, at 10:30 am, with all our family members present, the boats were launched on the sound. The canon sounded the start of the race, and the boats were off. There was a fine wind, but a strong incoming tide, and several boats were swept away to the west side of the quay, never to recover.  One boat sank, but the crew were expertly rescued (there was, of course, little danger in calm seas so close to shore)  T's team had the advantage of the windward starting position, and two very good sailors as crew. After 21 minutes of very difficult sailing (and bailing) the good ship Felicia came back to shore, victorious; in fact Felicia was the only ship that finished the course.  It was a true Swallows and Amazons day!

An outstanding brunch followed.

L was there for the race, but missed the previous day because she was performing in the season opener of the New Juilliard Ensemble. The NY Times has a review today, and a photo of the ensemble (L is under the bassist's elbow). We were disappointed that we missed the performance, but we figured there would only be one opportunity to participate in Webb Family Weekend while T is a Freshman...but there will be many more concerts. (Many, many more concerts!)

Comfortable Reverence, Russian Orthodox Style

We were blessed to be invited to Great Vespers at a Russian Orthodox church last evening. We were actually enjoying the good food at the church fair, when Don struck up a conversation with the deacon, and he invited us to stay for the service. It was just beautiful. Of course, the church was decorated with icons in the Orthodox tradition, and there were real lit candles and incense. The music was subtly glorious, with the priest and deacon chanting the prayers, and a small but well-practiced choir singing the responses in polyphony.

But my favorite part was just before the service began. A twenty-something dad walked in with his daughter. Both were dressed casually for the church fair, and the little girl had her face painted with a rainbow across her cheek. I heard the father whisper, "It's time for church now." The little girl, perhaps 4 years old, ran excitedly from icon to icon at the front of the church, and waited with barely controlled patience for her father to pick her up so she could kiss each one in turn. He then took her to a side icon so she could light a candle. She was delighted with this ritual, which she obviously knew by heart. And she stood, joined by her mother and sister, for the 45 minutes of vespers, without too much handling by her parents. She knew what was expected, and was comfortable in her reverence.

From their website: Children -- we don't have a nursery during the services because we believe it is appropriate and beneficial for children to be in the services as much as possible. It may take a few visits, but young children can learn to settle down, and it's surprising how much even toddlers absorb.

Right.

As we left, her father spoke with us briefly in the vestibule, recognizing that we were strangers in the church, and welcomed us, entreating us to return another time. Perhaps we will, at least for Vespers.

A Little Mozart from T's Senior Recital

Previously posted on FB, but things get lost there, so here it is, again.


I love it that L was able to play the duet with him but it is a chore--and I seem to have failed to successfully complete that chore--to get the settings correct so I can see them both... so please click through for a better view!

Church Music, or Not

I have been following the Choir Notes from Erin Manning's blog, and putting off my own post about church music. I'd like to write a post like this one, comparing hymns for the quality of music and appropriateness of the lyrics, but, alas, there are so many other issues in the way that any music is welcome. Almost. Our parish has several big problems:

1. Our organist (God bless him) is just an amateur, and needs some real guidance in choosing music. Unfortunately, our parish priests are usually from Poland, and do not really "get" the essence of the music. We try, but when we are not around, he reverts to whatever he is capable of playing (not much).
2. Our organist does not play very well. Not much we can do about it. Our parish is small, poor, and he needs the money.
3. No one in our parish sings, even in the congregation. There are, of course, a few exceptions. When Libby was in high school, she taught the children's choir, but with college and commuting and all, she simply no longer has time. The choir has dissolved without her.
4. (This is a big one) The gentleman who does the readings at one of the Masses sings into the microphone and he CANNOT carry a tune. He apparently does not know this. It is so bad that a visiting priest began to laugh during the offertory one Sunday. Everyone always stares in stunned silence, and those who do sing seem to let their mouths hang open, and the notes fade and drift away into the air. The altar servers (who are often my sons) turn and stare, or, after I suggested this was bad form, shift from foot to foot uncomfortably.

1, 2, and 3 cannot be fixed at the moment. But we are desperate to solve problem #4, without hurting the gentleman's feelings, of course. Ideas welcome.

An Amazing Weekend!

Yeah, I was a bit busy...Trip's high school string orchestra played Friday night. They opened with the Largo movement from Dvořák's New World Symphony. Catholics might recognize this as the tune to "Jesus Christ, Bread of Life." The violas had the melody for most of it, so Trip, as the leader of his section, was easily heard. They played a few other pieces, all emphasizing the lower strings, which is the strength of the orchestra.

Saturday morning was the SAT exam. How did he do? Who knows? We'll see in a few weeks.

The exam was followed by YME rehearsal. After his rehearsal, we went to see Prof. Kreeft speak on modernism. Wonderful. Shortly after that, I went into Juilliard to see a composer's recital (pre-college). I was so impressed with the students. Libby had coached one of the groups, and they were really amazing, and the piece was lovely.

But there was no time for dinner after the recital...we were off to Carnegie to see the Chicago Symphony play Bruchner 8. 5 full minutes of standing ovation--well-deserved. We were going to see my brother performing with his band on the east side, but we were exhausted. At home, we needed some sleep, since...

The next morning we went to the Catholic League communion breakfast, which featured keynote speaker...Prof. Kreeft. That was great, since Libby is a fan, and had not heard his talk on Saturday.

Later, after Libby taught for a few hours, we went to the evening Mass at our local parish and sang. Then I drove her back to school. When I got home, she had left a message that her ID and keys were in the car. Yup. I'll have to buzz in there in the morning.

Time for bed!

JCO Plays Alice Tully Hall

Here's the official press release.

And here are the details:

Juilliard Chamber Orchestra Performs Works by Sallinen, Rolla, and Haydn on Thursday, April 2 at 8PM in Alice Tully Hall

Violist Luke Fleming is Soloist in the Rolla Viola Concerto

The Juilliard Chamber Orchestra, a conductorless, collaborative ensemble, performs Aulis Sallinen's Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funeral March for String Orchestra; Alessandro Rolla's Concerto in E-flat Major for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 3 with Juilliard violist Luke Fleming; and Franz Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 44 in E Minor, Trauer (Mourning), Hob. I:44 on Thursday, April 2 at 8 PM in Alice Tully Hall (65^th Street and Broadway).

Limited FREE tickets are available at the Janet and Leonard Kramer Box Office at Juilliard, located at 155 West 65^th Street. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM.

Telephone (ac)Company (Updated)

It's that time of year again...I need to find an accompanist for Trip's all-state audition. Why the terror? First--true confession time--I hate making phone calls. No, it's not hate; it's fear. Deep, crippling, all-consuming fear. Second, I procrastinate because of that fear, and there is probably no one available at such short notice. Third, I hate making phone calls to non-English-speaking households. Hey, I love my international friends...I just can't understand their families over the phone, and when dealing with dates, places and pieces of music, you need to be sure all is understood. Maybe it's a hearing thing; maybe it's old age, but it seems to get worse all the time.

Whew...I just called his first choice, and there was no answer. I left a message. Let's hope she gets back to us tonight with good news so I don't have to make more calls.

Update: Got her! So glad that's over!

Together Again, In The Green Room

Libby and Trip have not performed together in several years. This was a fun reunion, as alumna Libby re-joined the NY Young Musicians' Ensemble to help out the cello section, where Trip is principal. They had a great concert, in Lincoln Center, and Libby got a ride home out of the deal.

ETA: The both look so grim in this photo. I assure you, it is reaction to mom taking too many photos, not reaction to music performances!

Congrats to Libby's Friend Andrea!

Andrea made the You Tube Symphony!

Chamberfest: CPE Bach

Last night I had the pleasure of hearing Libby's Chamberfest performance of CPE Bach's Concerto in A minor, H.432, Wq.170. Catchy name, right? While this is often heard with a cello soloist, the bassoon had the solo role in last night's performance, and it was spectacular. The bassooninst romanced the audience as he played and danced his bassoon through the piece. The strings, including the harpsichord, all maintained a similar bright timbre through the piece, while the bassoon's comfortable and mellow tones rose up and serenaded us. What a pleasant evening.

An interesting note: The 6 students were each from a different country, with 4 continents represented (another group had an Australian)--I hope I get this right: Turkey, Peru, Canada, Korea, The Ukraine, and the US--and were all united by the music. If only the world...

Free Chamber Music, Anyone?

Libby's group will be playing the Konzert in a moll of CPE Bach on Thursday, January 15th at 8pm. Find out more, here.

Donnell Library Closed

H/T Lissa.

Wow. Libby and Trip have played in the very nice concert space at this library. What a shame!

NY Times Reveiw of Axiom's Messiaen Performance!

The deft conductor Jeffrey Milarsky led the Axiom Ensemble, a flexible group of Julliard School students who have palpable enthusiasm for challenging contemporary music and the technical skills to play it...
In the Introduction to this Messiaen work, there is also simultaneity: the violins play a long searching melody, the brasses and metallic percussion instruments crackle with Indian-derived rhythmic patterns, the solo piano erupts with staggered cluster chords, and more. Yet Messiaen seems to be inviting you to turn off the part of your brain that demands to grasp what you are hearing intellectually. Instead you listen awestruck, as if hovering amid the wondrous sounds of life spinning around you. The performance, with the excellent pianist Matthew Odell, was vibrant and compelling.

Read the rest.

I was so sorry to have had to miss this performance. So little time, so many wonderful concerts...

If You Thought Libby was Hard to See...

Can you find Trip? ;)

See Her?

There, right in front of the harp...



Great concert. The mandolins were wonderful ;)

ETA: I actually attended this concert, despite the conflict of Trip's concert. Don went to Trip's and I went to Libby's. It was not a perfect compromise, but it worked. Sadly, I will miss her performance tonight after all. But I will get to see Trip tomorrow, at 2 PM, at the Ethical Humanist Soc. in Garden City. Hey it's free! C'mon by!

Christmas Carol Meme

I picked this up at Red Cardigan's blog (still wondering: Is it a corgi or a sweater?):

Christmas Carols:

1. Love 'em, hate 'em, tolerate 'em, or...?

2. Policy: none before Christmas, none before Thanksgiving, or...?

3. Favorite? Favorites, if you've got more than one?

4. Least favorite? Drives you batty/hate it/turn it off if it comes on the radio?

5. Caroling door to door in neighborhood? Ever done it/would do it? Wouldn't even consider it?

6. Funniest kids' rendition, if any?

7. Most inappropriate carol ever heard in a church setting (Catholic or otherwise)?

8. The one foreign language carol I know (or know best) is...?

9. Carol that perplexes you the most?

10. Carol your whole family will sing?

Here goes:

1. Love 'em.

2. Well, we have to rehearse, don't we?

3. Tomorrow Will be my Dancing Day (not the best version...I like this and Rutter/Gardner).

4. Feed The World (Band Aid) Puh-lese. Imposing Christianity on the world like that should be illegal. Also, Michael Jackson. Ugh.

5. We do it for cookies, and our village has the best cookies.

6. Definitely the ol' classic, "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells."

7. Not during Mass, but upcoming at a church concert...words changed from "Go Tell it on the Mountain" to "Let's hear it for the Youth Choir." Double puh-lese.

8. Gaudete. The fast version. With percussion, yes. Big exception to my usually anti-percussion church-music snobbery, though tympani are preferable to tambourine. This piece is a big announcement.

9. Silent Night, which in the original German, describes Jesus a a curly-haired child. Just strikes me funny.

10. Sans Day Carol (The Holly Bears a Berry), Waterson's version, in harmony (hear it on track 6 on Frost and Fire).


Try it!

Guess Who Won

...the in-house motet writing competition, over uperclassmen and composition majors. C'mon. Guess.

;)