Op.13 No.2

It's just another day. September is going to end soon. The night is clear. I'm typing in total darkness in my room, chilled at 19 degrees. Listening to Elgar's Violin Concerto. Recently I'm getting into violin works. I like the sound of the strings. Gives me a nonchalant feel, yet melancholic. Touching at times. The concerto I'm listening now was recorded in 1932. It's not digital stereo sound. Transferred mono from LP, I feel like I'm sitting in a concert hall listening to it live back in the 1930s. Can really feel the violinist's hard-work, passion, all being portrayed. Musicians from the early 20th century were indeed virtuoso talents. My friend commented the poem I wrote seems copied from some where. Well, I would say it's sort of a descriptive phrase for the Mid-Autumn mood. Too short for a poem. Sudden intuition struck me, therefore the phrase was composed. Mind is unpredictable. Since it's born in my mind, might as well write it down, a quasi una fantasia..........

Recommended music : Edward Elgar Violin Concerto in B Minor Op.61

Op.13 No.1

It's Mid-Autumn. Was walking by the pool side to meet my friend to go for a drink. While looking up into the sky, a sudden phrase hijacked my mind.

月圆花好
醉陶心
赏空赞月
思断情

The early morning showers sort of spoil the mood for Mid-Autumn. Luckily the sky was clear when night falls. Mid-Autumn's moon is indeed brighter and bigger than any other months. Last night while composing for my entry, I'm not listening to any music. Therefore wrote "Perfect Silence" by None. Meaning silence also can suit the aura of the night.

Recommended song : 但愿人长久 by Faye Wong

Op.8 No.9

Suddenly remembered a nice phrase from the song "Tears". Was kinda tipsy. Drank Martell. Initially was to chill out with my poly friends. In the end, opened a bottle. A shining bright moon in the early morning of Mid-Autumn Festival. Cool breezy morning. Insomnia.

If you could have told me everything
You would have found out what love is
If you could have told me what's on your mind
I would have shown you the way
Someday I'm gonna be older than you
I've never thought beyond that time
I've never imagined the pictures of that life
For now I will try to live for you and for me
I will try to live with love, with dreams, and forever with tears

Ain't it a meaningful yet contains a bit of regretting touch ?

Recommended song : Perfect Silence by None

Op.8 No.8

After months of searching, I finally found a rare CD. David Oistrakh plays Sibelius Violin Concerto in D Minor. According to a violinist's recommendation, Oistrakh is the best person to play the concerto. Well, I'm more specialise in piano music therefore violin wise have to consult its specialist. My craving for classical music will never end. To me, the concerto is very romantic, virtuostic, with symphonic continuity and technical complexity. It's immersed with the aura of Finnish and Scandinavian literature. He was a true patriot who loves his country. The first version of the concerto was written in 1903, premiered in 1904. The first premiere mauled badly as the soloist was unable to bring out the dizzying, sheer technical demands of the concerto. After which, Sibelius never let the concerto to be performed again till June 1905, he revised it. The revised version was performed in October 1905, with Halir as the soloist and under the baton of R.Strauss, it was truly a great success. The revised version was more restrained, and also balanced expression, as compared to the first's more disjointed, dexterous structure.

Oistrakh really brings out the deepness, the essence, the everything of the concerto out fantastically well. Superb excellence. All of its bravura appears to arise from the motivic foundation of the music. Around midnight, I was feeling bored and brought my mp3 player downstairs. Lying down on the poolside lounge chair, with cool wind breezing pass me, I was listening to the concerto. The sky was covered with purplish pink rain clouds, revealing partial moonlight. From time to time, the moonlight was reflected on the pool. A lovely ambience to enjoy alone. The beautiful, lovely, melodious, rich tone produced by the violin, the orchestra; evaded every single thoughts from my mind. When the Adagio di molto was played, it melts my mind. It's romantic, yet, abit wistful, at the same time, a form of encouraging calmness was felt. Life, at times, should be enjoyed this way........regardless alone or shared.............

Recommended music : Jean Sibelius Violin Concerto in D Minor Op.47

Op.8 No.7

Finally it's September. The night is quiet. Just an ordinary Wednesday morning. Last month, I have received some emails regarding the sighting of Mars. It was said in August, Mars can be sighted as big as the moon. But to my dismay, I can't see the red stone when night falls. I even went up to Jurong Hill, Mount Faber. The only consolation was the view of Jurong Island and the city was spectacular at night. When I was young, I'm fascinated by the Milky Way, the galaxy. I even strived hard to get the "I'm a young astronomer" badge. A pity that I didn't continue studying the planets. Next month will be a new path for me. Have to find some real work to do. After 2 years of boring regimental life, finally my liability is going to end soon. Been slacking for a few days. I have only achieved to get myself tanned. Swimming. Gonna loose some fats. Still can't get myself to work on Alkan's "Concerto for Solo Piano". My mind has been undeciding of what to play. Practiced a few pages of Schumann's "Fantasy in C" then stopped for a few days. Arrgghh.....I need plenty of self discipline and patience for my piano practicing. Some times, I'm thinking of giving up the fantasy as its second movement is too difficult. The broken trill chords are so far apart and its dotted inner rhythm plus the outer main melody can kill me. Speed is another problem. Tempo is very fast. Sigh. A pair of big handspan and long fingers will be a great advantage. The third movement is quite simple. But its deep melodious tone needs time for self cultivation and thoughts in order to play well. So, if I master movement 1 and 3, the 2nd I can't accomplish, ain't it a waste ? What should I really play ? Virtuostic pieces or those normal pieces ? Need to sit down and really consider.......

Life is quite colorless now. But I'm actually enjoying it. Can do what I want, and go where I want. The seal is working well. Ain't looking for the painter. Just let fate decides for me when my painter will come. My light is kind of out of working condition. Room is super dim now. Enjoying Rach's 3rd piano concerto. The ambience is perfectly blended with such a beautiful piece of work playing on my mini compo. Oh.......when can I play that deep, dexterous, exasperating, romantic and virtuostic piece ?????

Recommended song : Melodies Of Life by Emiko Shiratori