English Blog
“Cold War” has been advertised and talked. So I went to see it. Yes, it is beautiful and romantic. The picture (black and white) is gorgeous. The music is great. But the story is not convincing to me. I suppose the story does not matter in romance?? Each scene is almost a segment, and sometimes […]
As I practice Beethoven Sonatas I have been looking at the different editions for my curiosity. Henle is wonderful and just so nice to see the dark blue cover! Recently I am drawn to Hans von Bülow edition. I can tell he was a great teacher. His comments are often very practical, yet very passionate. […]
I am focusing on Beethoven’s music in the 2018-19 season. I was little overwhelmed few weeks ago preparing so many Beethovens! I just performed Beethoven’s 3 cello sonatas, and will perform Beethoven’s 3 piano sonatas in February. It was almost “miracle” that I started to feel comforted once I passed the stage being overwhelmed. Beethoven’s […]
I saw this movie just before Christmas. “Capernaum” blurs the line between fiction and reality. The performers are not acting. They are real people, like the characters in the movie. The movie is from Lebanon, and directed by Nadine Labaki. The movie starts with the scene which a 12 years old, Zain (Zain Al Rafeea), […]
Holy God of love, we rejoice in the reality of who you are. We live within the joy of your love for us. Our contentment comes and goes. Our happiness ebbs and flows. Our feelings depends upon our circumstances, but our joy is deeply rooted in our identity as you beloved children. We give you […]
I have been looking forward to seeing this movie since this summer. Finally it is showing at the nearby theater. I love Kore-eda’s movies. “Shoplifters” won this year’s Palme d’Or! Kore-eda revisits the theme on “Family”, this time even deeper. The made-up family lives with an old lady in the very tiny house in Tokyo. […]
She is Maria Callas!! And she talks about herself. So it is easy to imagine what we may see in the movie 🙂 What a life! She died when she was 53 in her apartment in Paris. When I was in Paris I happened to spot her tomb. It is very simple, unlike her real […]
I have been studying Beethoven’s piano sonata Op. 109. I have taught this piece, but I have never performed it. Op. 109 has been living in my heart for a long time, and I am glad to prepare for the performance, finally. As everyone knows it is a very special piece. The first movement is […]
In 1795 Beethoven had a mission to achieve! He had a Vienna debut concert coming up. Beethoven was 24 years old (at the time of the concert), and he needed to show how great he was as a composer and a pianist. Beethoven had 2 big musicians to follow, Mozart and Haydn. He carried their tradition […]
Recently I changed my long time routine. I quit reading books when I am in bed before going to sleep. From my very young age I always carry a book to go to bed, and read it. Instead I gently close my eyes and start remembering good things happened that day. Tasty fruit at breakfast, […]