People watching at O'Hare

It's bright and early in Chicago. I occasionally like people-watching but not when I'm sleep deprived. This travel round doesn't seem too bad especially with a good massage and hot tub at my friend's last night.

I'm wondering this: if a Boeing 747 seats more than 300 people, how do they expect everyone to be in the waiting area. There are barely enough seats for those who are waiting. So I find myself a corner to devour my McDonald's breakfast. The only time I will suffer fast food breakfasts. There must be the unwritten sign "parents with little children". There were three families with little ones. I told my students once that I can almost pick out people from different countries based on how they treat or handle their kids in the airport. I still can! Travelling with real little kids is tough and right now, I really appreciate it that I'm a single traveller. I will enjoy this while I can.

The Ghost of the Associated Board of Royal Schools

My former teacher here would not allow me to play any major Bach works, so when I switched teachers I immediately indulged in my favorite composer. I think Bach poses special challenges to musicians: ornamentation and interpretation. You can never play enough Bach!

Although I'm playing the Schubert B-flat D. 960, I wanted to either play the first Partita in B-flat or the Capriccio in B-flat. It's okay, my piano is diatonic and can only play in that key *wink*. Don't ask me to explain how Debussy's Estampes fits in this recital. (Gloria's recital is not complete without a joke: tritone keys.. sound of the devil blah blah blah...).

I settled on the Capriccio since it is shorter and I want the challenge of another fugue. The musicologist in me prevents me from just sticking to one edition. I started off with the NBA, of course and now I have two more editions. I am really confused now with 3 different scores. I thought to lessen the confusion, I should listen to some recordings... and the confusion escalates further. Harpsichord vs. piano and so on.

I am going to perform the Bach Aria & Fugue in Kuching next month, having already emailed the choir director at the church and the principal of the music school. I think they would make a nice opening and here we go ...

I came across the recording for Grade 8 ABRSM 1995 Piano Pieces on the Naxos database and somehow this rings a bell. The Aria & Fugue was a choice for Group A. I listened to the pieces & after scanning the rest of the tracks ... much to my surprise (or horror), I sat for my Grade 8 piano exam in 1995!! This was the list of pieces and I can even see the pieces I attempted to play listed here. I remember flunking scales (E-flat melodic minor staccato) but aced the sight-reading portion. I could tell the examiner was stunned. My aural skills were pretty out there as well. Although I played by ear, I somehow couldn't harmonize that silly melody. I barely passed overall. I think I was my teacher's worst student at that point. I won't embarass myself further by listing the pieces I butchered.

Alright, it's about time I played a Grade 8 piece at the level I am at. I am my worst critic: I better play these well in Kuching! This round better be more than just a scrape by. I'm glad I'm not performing the Haydn Sonata in E-flat L. 62, cos it is on this year's Grade 8 list.

P.S. At least the students I will listen to in Kuching will know and should, that I won't be mean. ABRSM is thankfully not the end all.

From Brainfall: What Kind of Drink Am I?

You are a Fine Glass of Wine. You are sophisticated and refined, but also complicated and hard to deal with. Not everyone loves you, but those who do swear that you're the coolest thing since sliced bread. One of these days the people that matter will understand you. Until then, you will be sitting on your throne as the distinguished product that not everyone has the taste to appreciate.

Wowee.. is this a compliment or a warning?