Archive for May, 2009
John Adams, Timothy Andres, and Payton MacDonald 5/14/09
Thursday, May 14th, 2009I heard a very good new music concert at the Disney Concert Hall last Tuesday, May 12. LA Phil has a new music series called Green Umbrella, and it was the last concert of this series in 2008-9 season. I went to this concert with my church friends, 2 couples in 70s, and they enjoyed so much as well I did!!
As a pianist I enjoyed Timo Andres’ piano solo piece “How can I live in your world of ideas?” performed by the composer. He is a fantastic pianist, and has a beautiful and colorful tone in his piano playing. I guess we call this piece as a minimalistic music, but it is a fusion of all great music, especially jazz influence. And it is very creative and individual. I had a chance to meet the composer, and told him I would love to play this piece! He asked my reach, and I guessed this piece requires Rachmaninov-Liszt type of big chords and leaps! He is a tall and handsome person!! And his commissioned work “Nightjar” was excellent as well.
Payton’s “Cowboy Tabla/Cowboy Raga” was an exciting and interesting piece! And again the composer was a solo player in the chamber orchestra. He is an outstanding player! One of the core ideas was the improvisatory passages, featuring himself, and players from the chamber orchestra.
They concluded with John Adams’ “Son of Chamber Symphony”. I heard the composer commented during the rehearsal that his publisher is not happy with this title. It is easy to guess, right!? It has a great use of each instrument, and of course rhythmically driven. One of my church friends keptsaying “Bravo!!” after the concert. It was a great night going out with friends and hearing an exciting music. I look forward to hearing more Timo’s music!
Spring Semester Ends! 5/7/09
Thursday, May 7th, 2009We finished piano jury today at Occidental College. Prior to piano jury we did a studio recital last night. It was lot of fun!! We use “jury” for performance test. The students play their semester repertoire front of professors to conclude their study. I have had wonderful 16 students in my piano studio at Occidental College this semester. I love teaching!! I love all of my students! Of course we work mainly on music during the weekly lesson, but I often chat with students about their lives. It is difficult to say “good bye!” after the close relationship for 4 years. But I am very happy to see grown students! They start college at 18 years-old, and in 4 years they grow into a different stage. I feel very fortunate to work with students during those important 4 years.
I have several performance in May in LA, and will go to Sound Encounters in Kansas in June for teaching and performing. I always have new programs to learn!
