"In his domestic administration my father had this system . . . to keep a journal and insert in it all occurrences of any note . . . A record very pleasant to look at when time begins to efface the memory of events, and very well suited to get us out of perplexity: When was such and such a thing begun? When completed? What retinues came? How long did they stay? Our trips, our absences; marriages; deaths; the receipt of happy or unhappy news . . . An ancient custom, which I think it would be good to revive, each man in each man's home. And I think I am a fool to have neglected it." (Montaigne, Book I, Essay 35 (publ. 1580))

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Chopin anniversary observance

Classical music programmers love to build off anniversary dates - this year is the 200th anniversary of Chopin's birth, so ASU is one of many places doing a concert series.



That's good news for Patricia and me; we have much enjoyed running down to Katzen Hall. Last night was the third installment, probably the one we enjoyed most.

Things we liked:

1. The short pre-concert lecture is very interesting. Even if I can't remember what the lecturer told us to listen for when the music is actually being played.

2. Baruch Meir performed delightfully.

3. And gave a small talk right after intermission where he named two teachers who had helped him with Chopin and described how each took a different approach (one constantly teaching Chopin's music as poetry and words; the other constantly speaking of it as singing). Then he played the opening passage from one of the works two different ways (one for each teacher's approach).

This is fun stuff. As is late dinner at La Bocca, which was quite excellent on each of our three visits.

The video is Arthur Rubenstein's rendition of Chopin's Berceuse - a simple lullaby that we hadn't heard previously.

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