Archive for October, 2009
A Movie-Coco before Chanel 10/17/09
Saturday, October 17th, 2009I have been interested in seeing this movie, and I was so glad to have time to go to the theatre today. I have read about her interesting personality, and I was curious to learn more. This is a French movie, and I love to hear French language. It is beautiful! Through the movie her strong and independent, but very charming personality was the theme. She created her own style against the big dress & hat ladies. The movie showed the rural area of French, and it reminded me the time I stayed in a rural part of France about 10 years ago. With my stressful Japanese blood and few years of life experience in America it looked entirely different to me. The way French people spent time, the way they discuss, the way they eat—. It was so interesting to me! I wish I have another opportunity to go back there.
The movie finished with her big success in Paris. I enjoyed following her thinking, and seeing the beautiful countryside in France.
Murray Perahia Concert in LA 10/15/09
Saturday, October 17th, 2009I went to Perahia’s Concert last Tuesday at Disney Concert Hall. His repertoire was Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, and Chopin. His playing was very refined and thoughtful. In his Schumann “Kinderszenen” I heard his interesting imagination. Each piece has own title, and he showed us his imaginative pictures according to the titles. Chopin Mazurkas were my favorite of that night. He was having a great fun! I heard that Perahia had some hands problem few years ago. I hope he will be able to continue performing. It was a wonderful concert!
My Love of Food and Cooking 10/12/09
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009I have been always interested in food. One of my college friends from Toho Conservatory in Tokyo, who is a trombone player, told us one night that each dinner is very important because we will eat only about 25,000 dinners more for the rest of our lives. We were 20 years old, and that was his estimate. I thought “Oh My Gosh!! That sounds so few occasions–” (of course I though in Japanese!!) . I have had some undesirable food, but occasionally I have reminded myself about his wisdom! (more…)
Dudamel Celebration Concert in LA 10/4/09
Sunday, October 4th, 2009I went to the LA Phil’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl yesterday. It was a celebration concert titled “Bienvenido Gustavo!” Of course this sensational new young conductor, Dudamel, was the center of attention!! I did not go from the beginning of the show. I attended only the 7pm portion, which featured the speeches, the videos, and the Beethoven’s 9th symphony with big fireworks! It was a fantastic show to celebrate Dudamel, and a wonderful community event to bridge between Spanish speaking community and the others.
I am very excited that Dudamel will be a music director of LA Phil for next 5 years (I hope it will be longer), and Dudamel is super talented, wonderful, caring, smart, charming, sensitive, and etc –. I hope he won’t get tired being in this Hollywood attention—, but He handed this show very well! He is Fantastic!
I was wondering about the balance of the ethnic background in YOLA, Youth Orchestra in LA, which performed prior to the LA Phil’s performance. It was very nice to see the young children playing together even though they only started to play those instruments 2 years ago! Dudamel is a Venezuelan, and he is a hero in LA Hispanic community. He spoke to the audience in Spanish (I was proud of me that I understood it!). As a Japanese citizen myself I wanted to see more diversity in the players because I see mainly Hispanic children in this youth orchestra. I am sure there are many children in other background need the similar opportunities. We have huge communities of Armenians, Filipinos, Koreans, Japanese— in LA. When we are united all together it really goes with the text of the last movement in the 9th symphony! I hope they will form this youth orchestra little bit differently in future.
Again I am very much looking forward to hearing Dudamel with LA Phil for many more years.
Congratulations, Everybody!!
