My adventure in music

This was the second weekend this year that my musical adventures have taken me through an interesting mix in musical genres.

A few weekends ago Stacey and I attended an incredible concert with the Kansas City Symphony - and if you haven't had a chance to experience them yet - do it! The following night, I got to hear Nova 4 and Making Movies. Both nights were incredible.

On Friday night, my Mom, Stacey, and I went to UMKC to hear the combined choir and orchestra perform Brahms' "Ein Deutsches Requiem." Then on Saturday, I got to hear God's Anointed Soldiers, Static Society, and A Road Less Traveled perform at the Point at KCBT.

Friday night's performance at UMKC was one of the best I've heard from the combined ensembles. It is no easy feat to bring both of those groups together, but under the hand of Dr. Joseph Flummerfelt the effect was incredible. Dr. Flummerfelt is one of America's best conductors and a fantastic teacher. He was in residency at UMKC for ten days, which culminated in Friday evening's performance of the Brahms. As he explained to us, his goal is to represent the composer through his conducting - a rare gift and passion.

It was fantastic to see the over-capacity crowd in White Recital Hall, and even better to to know they experienced the same thing I did. Brahms' German Requiem is not a normal requiem by definition. Most Requiems are composed in the form of a Requiem Mass, with very specific movements, and in memory of the recently departed. Brahms' Requiem is composed to encourage those that were left behind, and in six movements.

My recollection of the performance truly begins when the chorus sang their first notes. Don't get me wrong, the orchestra performed very well and had some beautiful moments. A bit on that later... The first notes the chorus sang were beautiful and haunting at the same time. They performed as one voice - bringing the passion and emotion Brahms must have written into the score. Dr. Flummerfelt did a great job handling the impromptu applause after the first movement, oops... The second movement begins with a death march which is played and sung multiple times. On the repeat of each motive, there is a rousing crescendo that gave me chills each time. Each subsequent movement was equally excellent. Rebecca Sherburn filled the role as soprano soloist, and Raymond Feener, the baritone.

The orchestra brought the passion and emotion required for this performance as well. The shining stars, for me, was the principal horn player, the harpist, timpanist, and the leadership of the concert master. With the exception of one violinist, the entire orchestra was engaged in the performance, even if the chorus was singing a capella.

Finally, Dr. Flummerfelt's handling of the transitions and the ending of the work was very well done. Rather than seeking an immediate reaction of applause, he allowed the sound its proper effect and expansion. The emotional ending, I think there were tears of joy, was worthy of the three curtain calls.

So...how do I compare that with the following night? The concert at the Point was a vastly different experience, yet similarities prevailed. With an audience of over 100, the experience was uplifting and energizing.

The night began with God's Anointed Soldiers. Both Ryan and David delivered a dynamic rap and hip-hop performance. The passion in the message is coupled with skillful delivery and an immediate trust relationship with the audience.

Static Society is a hard-core screamo band. This was my first experience with screamo. While it's not what fills my iTunes library, I was totally impressed. I have to admit that I didn't understand most of the lyrics, but I understood the (here's that word again) passion, the energy, the drive, the message, the fire, the, the, the, wow. What was fantastic was the skillful way that each member of that band played and performed.

A Road Less Traveled is not as hard-core as Static Society, but their performance was equally thrilling. What stood out in their performance was a desire to reach each person in the audience with their message and music. There is an authenticity in each lyric and moment that makes their performance compelling and inspiring.

Music requires what both concerts delivered - which is a passion for what you're trying to communicate to your audience. It's exciting to see young people with a passion - and especially a passion for music.

The Email Bumper Sticker

Instead of marking the rear bumper of your car with colorful (and freakishly impossible to remove) bumper stickers you've now decided to add your life's convictions, political status, and life changing advice to the end of your email.

If you don't know what I'm talking about it looks something like this...

Subject: Quick question
Hey Jeremy!
I thought I would find out if you were free to get together on Sunday night?
Let me know!
Thanks,
Bobby
--
Robert Miller Wilson III
Executive Assistand to the Executive Assistant's Assistant
Pointless Job Inc.
1234 Random Street
Random City, MO 64138
ph: 816-816-8168
fx: 816-816-8167
robert.miller.wilson.III.pointless.job.inc@pointless.job.inc.com
crazybobby@hotmail.com
--
"The more we express our gratitude to God for our blessings, the more He will bring to our mind other blessing. The more we are aware of to be grateful, the happier we become." Ezra Taft Benson

Do you see what I'm saying? Let's point out that the text of Bobby's email is shorter than the life quote he placed at the bottom.

Now, I don't know about you - but when I got Bobby's email I found that my life was beginning to change rapidly. This change, of course, began at first when I was following an Obama appointed clunker on which appeared this notice on the right. It was at that point, while paused at a red light that I decided my life of meanness would cease immediately and I would become a nice person. I didn't want to suck.

Well, the hits just came on coming. After getting Bobby's email and deciding that I just wanted to be happy and not sucky I got an email from another person and their quote just blew me away.

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”

Please keep in mind that their email said the following: "Hey! Just writing to say hi!" But after reading their email bumper sticker I burst into tears. It wasn't that they thought of me for a moment and thought they'd say hi - it was their bumper sticker. At that moment, yes, right there in that moment, my life completely changed.
No more being sucky! No more ungrateful unhappy me! I had my friends and I was a changed man.

Oh thank you email bumper sticker! Thank you for reaching out of your cyber world and touching my poor miserable existence.

Sigh...

Sniffle...

Hmmm...

Sniffle...

Now get out there and change lives - one email bumper sticker at a time.

Did I shine my shoes today? Yes I shined my shoes today!

Have you heard that one yet? I learned that while I was in college for the first time under Dr. Robinson. He used that saying (the title, of course) to help the choir bow in unison. Go ahead - try it. But be rhythmic about it - at a nice even pace. As you bow down you say - "Did I shine my shoes today?" Then as you rise back up you say, "Yes I shined my shoes today." Of course you don't want this said out-loud, but like one of those mental devices you silently recite when you need to remember something.

My subject today, however, is not about bowing or my collegiate choir. It's actually about one the most vile and cursed things your piano teacher can do to you...yes, boys and girls...the piano recital.

The piano recital is only a small part of the lifelong study of the piano. You usually spend most of your time practicing (ha ha), going to lessons, and finding creative ways to divert the teacher during the piano lessons.

If you have ever taken lessons you have inevitably gone through the joy (or agony) of performing in a piano recital. So what is it about the recital that sends us into cold sweats and sleepless nights? I have actually had dreams where I arrive at the recital and sit down at the piano only to discover that I have no idea what I'm supposed to play.

There are three perspectives of the piano recital. The first is the perspective of the student or the performer. The student has worked on their recital pieces for probably a lot longer than they bargained for. In most cases the piece is memorized and you can imagine the music in your head as you play it. You know which sections you don't like, which you do, and which sections you think the composer should have left out..."yes, Mr Beethoven. I think that you should not have written these runs. What were you thinking!?! Oh, and by the way, the third movement of the 'Moonlight Sonata' - really?"

Once you finally get to the recital you sit through your fellow peers and their pieces while everything within you desires to run hysterically from the room and out of the building. But it's not so bad once you sit down at the piano. You know this stuff! And it will be over much faster than you realize.

The parent's perspective is often mixed. You are probably just as nervous as your child. You know how hard they've worked and you either completely DESPISE the piece they are playing or wish they would play it daily, and you'll probably request it at your funeral... You sit their proudly as they walk up to the instrument - which in the case of many beginners is comically larger than they are. As they play you know the sections that they have worked hard on, and you silently pray for their success. I love listening to parents sigh as their student passes those challenging sections. The bottom line is that your money, weekly trips to the teacher's studio, and time keeping your prodigy practicing was well worth getting to hear them play.

As a teacher I have to admit that the perspective on this side of the fence is wonderful. Having endured days and days of lessons, you get to watch the students come all dressed up and anxious for their few minutes of fame. This is where the title of the todays blog comes into play. As performers you desire your students to be able to identify their pieces, speak to the audience for a moment, and bow at the end. Of course in the heat of the moment, the student forgets everything other than their piece. If the piano weren't directly in front of them, they would likely leave the room in search for it.

The teacher's perspective is one of an educational one. You learn new ways to teach when you finally have the chance to see your student the way others see them. And you are excited! You are proud of their accomplishments and proud that they had the courage to play their piece for other people.

And next time you decide that you will begin working on announcing their pieces and bowing a lot earlier. Like their next lesson. Yes. "OK Bobby. You did a good job at your lesson today. Now, please, before you leave I need you to bow. Remember what I taught you?"

"Why yes, Mr. Piano teacher." And he says out-loud "Did I shine my shoes today? Yes I shined my shoes today."

And you sigh.

My electronic personality...

I figured I should get back at this since I have sooo much to say...

Most of the talk shows I listen to use Friday's as the let your hair down day. So why not? I think that Friday is a good time to let it all out. So, for this week, I think I've decided to let the whole world know (or really the 1 person that reads this) about my personal pet-peeve for this past week.

This is dedicated to the many stores in our area that have those cursed alarm systems at their entries and exits. Apparently I have an electronic personality that rubs these alarm systems the wrong way. No, I do not have a sensor in my wallet, I don't always wear clothes from "Old Navy" and I doubt that my $4 bottle of hair gel (an oxymoron for me) is considered a high risk product - but EVERY TIME I WALK THROUGH THE DOORS I SET OFF THE ALARMS!

At this point in my life it's become more of a comedic occurrence rather than one of embarrassment. There is nothing like walking into your local HyVee and setting off the alarms and having the bag-boys and girls look your direction. I feel like I should walk over to the nearest wall and spread my arms and legs for search. I can't wait, however, to have an employee chase me through their parking lot and search my grocery bag for that flat screen TV I must have hidden. "No, those are diapers, and that's a can of formula. Let's see, the TV must be hidden in my back pocket. It's a smaller model - but you should see the resolution..." What does HyVee sell that requires an alarm system? Are they worried you'll walk out with a freezer? I can just see the headlines, "Man Steals Freezer Filled with Hashbrowns and Canned Orange Juice." There would be a picture of me running through their parking lot trying to load it into the back of my Honda Civic.

I think, in reality, my favorite part is the reaction you get from the employee at any given store. You say "I set off your alarms coming in..." which is usually followed by a very blank stare and then, "huh?" or my favorite "oh, that happens all the time." Which tells you a lot about the success-rate and effectiveness of the alarms.

So I'll gladly take your suggestions for what I should do. I like the idea of going completely spread-eagle on the nearest wall or maybe I should just turn and run as fast as I can screaming through the parking lot. Unfortunately, the Civic doesn't really peel-out, but the motor screaming like an overworked lawnmower might be effective.

In any case - I think I feel better and am ready to tackle my next experience!

Until next time...

A Stunning Concert

As the crowd finally stops talking, she comes out on stage. She's wearing a light red, sequened dress coat with a silver irridescent gown behind. She is always dressed to kill. She places a small hankercheif in just inside the piano and adjusts for the beginning of her recital.

This is Dubravka Tomsic, a Slovenian pianist that is still a "recent" return to the American recital scene. She was gone for 30 years performing in Europe and returned in 1989. And my guess is that she's in her late 60's or early 70's.

The opening piece is "Adagio in B Minor, K, 540" by Mozart. This is a solemn piece, played beautifully and utterly timelessly. From the first note, she commands the recital hall. The beauty in the lines of the Adagio are moving and illustrate the artistry she possesses.

The second set of works are four Sonatas by Scarlatti. Each Sonata is a short character piece that she plays with incredible clarity and virtuosity. Scarlatti's Sonata's are great students pieces, but in the hand of a master pianist, they take on a new character. Lines flow into lines, as the pianist moves from octave to octave.

Next, is the "Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op 28" by Prokofiev. For those of you unfamiliar with classical music, Prokofiev is a contemporary composer. His music isn't always perfectly tonal, but he writes with a passion that transcends our Western need for resolution at every turn. This Sonata is written on a theme based on E-C-H-E, a last name of a girl Prokofiev was observing one day. This is something that many composers have done in the past, like using Bach's name to compose a simple theme. We can get into what the letter "h" represents later...

The passion written into Prokofiev's simple theme comes alive from note one. Amazingly enough, we're not even through with the first half!

Srebotnjak's "Macedonian Dances" are next. Interestingly enough, these pieces were composed by Tomsic's husband. The five short movements pass quickly but you can imagine folk dancers appearing on stage just off in the background.

Intermission - a time for the audience to take their breath. I wonder what happens behind stage as she prepares for the second half. I think back to my college senior recital...I sat back stage and took deep breaths, imagining the music flowing in the next half. And, I prayed...a lot.

A large round of applause annouces the next segment in our adventure through music. Now, it's time for Brahms. Four Intermezzo's from his "Klavierstucke." These movements are small windows into Brahms very being. You feel this as she plays them. At times, you wish you could escape his troubling thoughts, and at other times, you relax - enveloped by warm melodies. The final Rhapsody is vivacious and lively.

Finally we come to the last work on her program - the Beethoven. I love Beethoven. This is the "Appassionata Sonata" truely known as "Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57." This work is a full culmination of what makes Dubravka Tomsic a fantastic pianist. Imagine a melodic line frantically climbing up the keyboard that ends in the most beautiful, soft, melody. This is Beethoven being played at its best. I love how the second movement moves from a frantic repeated note, to an Andante melodic line. Time flys as you listen, then all of the sudden, a chromatic dissonant arpeggio announces the start of the 3rd movement. Here, Beethoven tells the pianist "Allegro, ma non troppo," which is to say, "Fast, but not too much." Up and down she flys across the keys lifting beautiful lines and passionate statements from the high register to the deep low register. And to top it off, Beethoven finishes in true style as the piece drives faster and faster to 3 huge final chords.

Ever seen the audience leap to their feet? I did...and I did. Mrs. Tomsic is truely a class act. She commands such presence on the stage without being overly showy and overly dramatic. She allows the music to speak the passion and fire that must be welling up inside of her.

The classical music scene in Kansas City is vibrant!

It's going to take me a while to fall asleep tonight.

Truely - thank you.

Having a cause...

Do you remember the days of high school, and having a cause? I remember those days. At our 10 year class reunion, one of my classmates remarked that his mom told him once, "If you come home with one more cause..." This was near to an unfortunate incident when he and I ended up in ISS over an inablility to keep our mouths shut. It was, however, a cause that put us there.

In my first post, I mentioned that we attended a series of 4 one-act plays at a local high school recently. The second play, "Stark Drama" is a commentary on our prison system. The author, Michael V. McGee wanted us to think about the amount of time someone on death row spends sitting in jail awaiting their final day. Now, this play is full of your typical stereotypes like the inept guard, the touchy-feely pastor who quotez useless Bible verses, the hysterical mother, crooked politicians, power-hungry lawyers, etc... What caught my eye was the way the student director signed her synopsis. Her name, a small drawn heart, and the quote "I think, therefore I am."

That quote comes from Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, mathematician, scientist, and writer from the late 1500's and early 1600's. I realize that in my first post, I took his statement out of context by finishing it as though it were an incomplete sentence. He simply meant, that because he thought, he existed.

So the student director made her point - her drama provoked thought. Thought about high school kids always having a cause. But what happens when high school ends? Where do the causes go? Do I still have a cause now?

Yes. In high school and college we need those causes to get our critical thinking juices flowing. Then, we need to educate our selves so we can effectivly stand for those causes when the time comes. I was thinking personally about the cause for Christ. Would I take the same stance I did that day in the library and stand for my freedom to declare my beliefs? Would I ever be that bold?

The answer is that I must be. I didn't turn in my cause or my boldness when I thanked someone for my diploma - it meant that I have the means to really discover what I stand for. So, I'm glad we went to the night of one-acts and had the chance to be provoked to thought.

I think, therefore I have the chance to do something about it. Sorry Rene.

Trying this thing out...

Thought is an incredible thing, isn't it. I've been thinking about what things make us think. Not that I want to get deeply psychological - but just what is it that provokes thought. The other day we went to a series of one-act plays put on at Blue Springs South (more on those at another time). At the end of one of the synopsis' was this "I think therefore I am." I am what??

I am...intrigued and excited.

Remember - you can't take everything too seriously - this is scherzo.