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I went to a small concert by the students of Crocky's piano teacher this morning. They were all very good, as anticipated. About ten of the students performed, one or two short pieces each. Most of them are in their first semester or at least at an early stage of their studies, but two are doing their finals soon - a pretty mixed group. The aim of these concerts is to give each other an idea of what other students are playing and to practice performing, which seems like a good idea, seeing as the final exam will be like a concert. I wish we had something similar each semester.
The only thing that wasn't absolutely perfect for me were the selection of pieces in some cases. Many of Satie's works do nothing for me, somehow (no, not even the Gymnopédie No.1 - which no one performed today, though), and even a live performance does not change as much as I thought it might - I realise that they're beautiful, but his pieces usually depress me. There were a lot of Satie's pieces, he seems to be a required composer for first year students of music at that uni. I'm also not that fond of Cage, although I think the man is interesting. The only possible exception is his "4'33", which is about the only thing I can manage on the piano (full orchestral version (!!) here, John Cage on sound and silence here).
It was a very nice morning. I realised I should listen to Crocky rehearsing more often when I' not likely to annoy her. I thoroughly enjoyed her playing as she was was warming up and going through her pieces one more time. I love piano music, although I don't very often listen to it at home, strangely enough.
( My two favourites of the day )
Other than that, my week has been fairly uneventful and full of paper-related work. I am scared that the time I have won't be enough, and I fear I am not making enough progress, but those are probably fears that everybody has.
* this is John Cage paraphrasing Kant. German passage paraphrased below cut below. ( Here be Kant. )
The only thing that wasn't absolutely perfect for me were the selection of pieces in some cases. Many of Satie's works do nothing for me, somehow (no, not even the Gymnopédie No.1 - which no one performed today, though), and even a live performance does not change as much as I thought it might - I realise that they're beautiful, but his pieces usually depress me. There were a lot of Satie's pieces, he seems to be a required composer for first year students of music at that uni. I'm also not that fond of Cage, although I think the man is interesting. The only possible exception is his "4'33", which is about the only thing I can manage on the piano (full orchestral version (!!) here, John Cage on sound and silence here).
It was a very nice morning. I realised I should listen to Crocky rehearsing more often when I' not likely to annoy her. I thoroughly enjoyed her playing as she was was warming up and going through her pieces one more time. I love piano music, although I don't very often listen to it at home, strangely enough.
( My two favourites of the day )
Other than that, my week has been fairly uneventful and full of paper-related work. I am scared that the time I have won't be enough, and I fear I am not making enough progress, but those are probably fears that everybody has.
* this is John Cage paraphrasing Kant. German passage paraphrased below cut below. ( Here be Kant. )
