Beethoven links

Here are some links for Beethoven that have been wonderful for my Beethoven piano music survey class. Since the books about Beethoven's piano sonatas were checked out, I had to be very creative in how I came up with the scholarly resources for my presentation. I had to say I started off with Wikipedia, not that I'm proud of it but I found a gem.

The Raptus Association has information about Beethoven's pieces. The creation histories contain a section about the piano sonatas and quotes some major authors on Beethoven (Solomon, Kinderman, Cooper, Kaiser). The information is drawn from books by those authors and the page nos are given. This is absolutely fantastic as you can read all about a work without having to flip through a couple books.

The other website that is just wonderful is the Beethoven Haus website. This is the house where Beethoven was born in. Navigate the digital archives for music manuscripts, first editions and letters. It is interesting to see all these posted on the web and you don't need to go to Bonn. There is also a page about the museum and a live webcam.

Taking a year's survey of Beethoven's music has really deepened my appreciation for his music and his genius. I would love to play and listen to more of his sonatas now than ever before.

Malaysian Music Links

I've been surfing the web for resources to teach the world music course next year. I thought I should try to look for some stuff about my own country, Malaysia. I am pleasantly surprised that the Malaysian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage has a website and included video & sound files for downloading here.

There are folk songs and folk dances of Malaysia listed here. Also video clips of puppet (wayang kulit) plays accompanied by the gamelan is available. As one would expect, the website is available in Malay and English. You should be able to click on the audio or video links from the publication page and browse the files. I haven't figured out how exactly to download from this site yet but will soon.

Happy browsing!

It's done!

Yes, my first recital is over. I should capture the moment. I feel that I did my best out there and I am happy that I played decently. I had a relaxing day and wasn't stressed .. even took a nap without setting my alarm clock. Decided to be traditional and wore black, although this time black silk & Swarovski crystals with a pearl choker.

I wasn't surprised that a note-perfect Bach wouldn't happen today. Monday was a fluke I think. The Haydn was fine, little slips here and there. I don't think I took as many chances as I should have and could be a little more playful. There was something elusive about the Haydn, and I think a friend pointed it out. I think I was lost in the detail of the piece, and didn't project the whole picture as much as I should.

I am proud of the Brahms piece. I have to say that it did rise to the occasion and I took more time rounding off phrases. The transitions were done as I expected. I was true to my interpretation of the piece to the end. The Chinese pieces were fun but I missed a whole run LOL. There was a memory slip in the last piece because there was something wrong with my fingering. Overall, I played with conviction, and managed to elicit as many different colors from the piano as possible. I count that a success!

First DMA Recital

Wow, after all the "I can't memorize", "I get really bad stage fright", "I can't do this" of my freshman year, here we are - three days to a DMA recital. I have played for people several times and have had note perfect renditions lately. It has never happened this consistently before, although it is still not every time it is happening more frequently.

I am ready, I don't think I've ever been more ready to play and play well. Not taking any prisoners this time. I have learned to tune comments and critiques out at this point. I felt that it has been beneficial and productive to just live with my pieces in the last two weeks. They are now growing with me, not against me. I want to communicate, not just play and I pray the pieces will come alive. I'm making no apologies that I am absorbed in my own world.

The recital is in three days' time and I haven't decided what to wear. I have my shoes. This is strange for me. The flowers for the stage are ready. I know how I want the piano to be placed and the lights. I am still fooling around with the acoustics in the hall. Somehow the recording sounds very choppy, so I will have to adjust some more things. The piano tech here has worked closely with me to voice the piano. It sounds so much better and much easier to control because the timbre is evened out.

So here's to more Hanon, practice recitals and delayed continuity practice all at mezzo forte. The fun continues!