Sometime last fall, I read an article in Vox Humana, a newsletter of the American Guild of Organists, about organs in Bergen, Norway, more specifically, about a Rieger organ in the Bergen Cathedral, and my interest was piqued. Would I be able to see or even possibly play the organ on my trip to Norway?… Read More Looking for organs in Bergen
The outing on Monday to Berkeley Castle was only one of several non-music options at the Three Choirs Festival. This morning Joan Ishibashi and I attended a most interesting lecture by Dr Linda Porter, called “The Real Bloody Mary,” on Mary Tudor, the first child of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Eclipsed by her… Read More Three Choirs Festival —more than just music
Two of today’s four performances made a huge impact on me—the first was Karl Jenkins’ “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace,” performed by the Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir; the Philharmonia Players, Gregory Bannan, baritone; and Samuel Hudson, conductor. The work begins with a military march and drumbeat and the singing of the 15th… Read More The Armed Man
Jet lag finally hit me, after another sleepless night on a redeye flight from Washington DC, train to Gloucester and going at Three Choirs Festival all day so when I got back to the hotel and finished yesterday’s blog post, I was ready for bed about 10:45 pm. Alas, I was awakened by some noisy… Read More Berkeley Castle
As is the custom, a member of the clergy gave a instructions on what to do should an emergency arise (“Stay in place”) and then said a short prayer for this concert, “where score, player and acoustic” come together. Isn’t it amazing that the synthesis of these three words can describe the whole concert-going and… Read More Score, player, acoustic
My flight to London was delayed nearly an hour and a half, but I still arrived in plenty of time to catch my train to Gloucester on Sunday morning at 10:30 am. I realized that this is my third time at Gloucester Cathedral, and a year ago to the day I was here listening to… Read More Back at Gloucester Cathedral
When I was sent the invitation to Joey Fala and Sarah Jones’ wedding, I had to RSVP to several different events—the Bridal Tea, the Rehearsal Dinner, the Wedding Reception, and this morning’s Farewell Brunch at Greg and Susan Jones’ lovely and large family home. Sarah’s dad looks very cheerful for the morning after! Who else… Read More The Morning After
Deliriously happy—that’s how I would describe the wedding and reception of Joey Fala and Sarah Jones at The Cookery, a popular venue for newlyweds in Durham, NC. I have a feeling that that the couple’s face muscles are tired from smiling so much! People from 18 different states came to the wedding, as illustrated by… Read More Deliriously happy …
To play a wedding? For the wedding of Joey Fala and Sarah Jones, there were FIVE! For the Prelude: “Allegretto” from Sonata IV in B-flat (Mendelssohn); “Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele,” BWV 654 (Bach); and Prelude and Fugue in C major, BWV 531 (Bach). For the Procession of the Bridesmaids: Sonata III, Andante tranquillo (Mendelssohn)… Read More How many organists does it take …
More than two weeks ago, when I went out shopping for an outfit to wear at Joey Fala’s wedding, I unfortunately had to look at my body in the mirror while trying on clothes. I was not happy with what I saw! In fact, I had gone to the doctor for a well body checkup… Read More Just a tablespoon, please!