I don't think there are any words necessary for this:
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
When is it enough?
When is suffering enough? Or too much, for that matter?
There is redemptive suffering, for certain, but what do you do when that suffering adversely affects other people? And there is a possible way to relieve said suffering?
Is there ever a time when you're carrying the "wrong" cross, in a certain sense? Especially if your own stubbornness and pride have got you into the situation you're in?
There is redemptive suffering, for certain, but what do you do when that suffering adversely affects other people? And there is a possible way to relieve said suffering?
Is there ever a time when you're carrying the "wrong" cross, in a certain sense? Especially if your own stubbornness and pride have got you into the situation you're in?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
*SQUEE*
Note: Please excuse my inner fangirl as she relates the most recent happenings... Your patience is appreciated.
So, last week I had one of the most awesome experiences of my life!!! My Mom and Dad took me to see Michael Bublé in concert!!!
First off, I just have to say that he puts on a FANTASTIC concert and encourages the audience to dance and sing along. Let me tell you, my Mom and I didn't need to be told twice, especially after having enjoyed a few pre-concert pints. *wink*
Anyway, we started off on the floor in Row M, which was pretty close, but still very far away from my perspective. So, when presented with the opportunity, my Mom and I rushed to get closer. Our caper pulled off, because he moved to a stage in the middle of the arena, and we ended up less than 5 feet away from him!!!
He ended up so close to us that I TOUCHED him!!!! *sudden fainting spell*
....
....
....
*revives*
After that, we followed him right back up to the mainstage and we were front row for the rest of the concert, dancing and singing our hearts out!!!
All of our dancing and singing paid off, because.... *deep breath, anticipatory pause* Michael sang right to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We even caught the attention of the camera guy and ended up on the big screen!!!!
The concert was over far too soon for my tastes, as I could have listened to him all night long. *sigh* However, all good things in moderation, I suppose.
Before it was all over, though, he showered us all in confetti and sang a song full voice with NO MICROPHONE to the whole arena. *wide-eyed admiration and amazement* It was breath-taking...
*contented sigh* I don't think I've had so much fun since... well... I'm not sure when... All I know is I won't be washing the hand that touched him for a looong time... *dreamy sigh*
PS- I mustn't forget to credit my Mom for all the awesome pictures... I was too busy dancing and singing along to worry about photographs. ;)
So, last week I had one of the most awesome experiences of my life!!! My Mom and Dad took me to see Michael Bublé in concert!!!
First off, I just have to say that he puts on a FANTASTIC concert and encourages the audience to dance and sing along. Let me tell you, my Mom and I didn't need to be told twice, especially after having enjoyed a few pre-concert pints. *wink*
Anyway, we started off on the floor in Row M, which was pretty close, but still very far away from my perspective. So, when presented with the opportunity, my Mom and I rushed to get closer. Our caper pulled off, because he moved to a stage in the middle of the arena, and we ended up less than 5 feet away from him!!!
 | |||
| Michael singing only feet away!! |
 | ||
| Michael posing dramatically during the bridge of Home. |
He ended up so close to us that I TOUCHED him!!!! *sudden fainting spell*
....
....
....
*revives*
After that, we followed him right back up to the mainstage and we were front row for the rest of the concert, dancing and singing our hearts out!!!
 |
| Michael's very cool stage set-up |
 |
| The coolest shot ever!!! |
 | |
| *sigh* He is sooo amazing!! |
 |
| Michael coming over to sing to us!!! *swoon* |
 |
| My Mom rather cleverly took a picture of the camera guy... before realising that he was photographing her, too!! |
Before it was all over, though, he showered us all in confetti and sang a song full voice with NO MICROPHONE to the whole arena. *wide-eyed admiration and amazement* It was breath-taking...
 |
| Soooo much confetti!!! |
PS- I mustn't forget to credit my Mom for all the awesome pictures... I was too busy dancing and singing along to worry about photographs. ;)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Finally a New Post!
This time, I have no honest excuse for not posting sooner, especially since I've not got a job for the summer.
So, to make up for my long absence, I'm going to post some of the promised pictures from my trip with the Chamber Choir. I'm rather pleased with how a lot of them turned out, as I'm only an amateur photographer and my camera is quite old. However, that doesn't seem to have interfered with luck.
First off on the tour, we went to Philadelphia, PA. It was very nice to re-visit the city in less dire circumstances, and we had great fun sight-seeing.
Along with going to Independence Hall and seeing the Liberty Bell, a small group of us decided to do a rapid tour of the city in the time remaining to us. We stopped in for the noon organ recital in Macy's, which has the world's largest pipe organ in the store. It was nothing short of amazing! We also walked all the way to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and visited the rooftop garden. Then we walked down South Street to Jim's Steaks for the best Philly cheese-steaks in Philadelphia (they were!).
Next on the itinerary was Colonial Williamsburg, VA, where we had a three-hour guided tour. It was fascinating and very beautiful. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of battery, so I was only able to take a small handful of photographs, like the one below.
Close by was the historic Maymont estate. We didn't have time to visit the house, but we did wander through the extensive gardens.
Finally, we went to Washington D.C. where we did a lot of walking. Our first day there we went to the Supreme Court building and toured the U.S. Capitol.
Our next day, we visited almost all of the monuments- Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Washington Monument- and then did some museum perusing. We were permitted to go off and choose what museums we wanted to go to, so I chose to go to the Holocaust Museum. It was a very moving exhibit, and I was glad to see that the museum gave a fair representation of what happened, even devoting a fair amount of space to the persecutions of the Catholics by the Nazis. It took some time to get through everything, but it was well worth spending the time there.
The next day, we started at Washington Cathedral, which is an Anglican cathedral. The exterior was quite beautiful, although the interior left much to be desired. It was pretty and spacious, but the mix of architectural styles was a bit off-putting for me.
After that, we had another free afternoon for sight-seeing, so I opted to see the Gem and Minerals exhibit at the Smithsonian (amazing!!) and then went on to the National Gallery of Art. I was as happy as a clam there, as I spent much time in the Impressionist exhibit, viewing Monet, Manet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse... *happy sigh* I also wanted to see the Pre-Raphaelite paintings the museum had on offer, but as it was Sunday, that gallery was closed for cleaning. Instead, I wandered through the Renaissance art, and was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon Botticelli's famous Madonna and Child, as well as numerous Tintorellos and Titians... I really could have spent all day there.
The last stop was the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and I didn't take any pictures, as I was there for Mass. All I can say though is that one should certainly make time to go to the Basilica of they are ever in Washington D.C. It is absolutely spectacular, almost rivalling some of the great Basilicas I've seen abroad.
Overall, the trip was a great success. We had a lot of fun, gave some very fine concerts, and learned a lot of interesting things at all of the places we visited.
I hope everyone enjoyed the photos!!
So, to make up for my long absence, I'm going to post some of the promised pictures from my trip with the Chamber Choir. I'm rather pleased with how a lot of them turned out, as I'm only an amateur photographer and my camera is quite old. However, that doesn't seem to have interfered with luck.
First off on the tour, we went to Philadelphia, PA. It was very nice to re-visit the city in less dire circumstances, and we had great fun sight-seeing.
 |
| Part of Independence Hall- The main façade was covered in scaffolding for restoration work. |
 | |
| The Liberty Bell |
Next on the itinerary was Colonial Williamsburg, VA, where we had a three-hour guided tour. It was fascinating and very beautiful. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of battery, so I was only able to take a small handful of photographs, like the one below.
 |
| A sheep at Colonial Williamsburg keeping cool in the hot Virginia weather |
 | |
| A view of the gorgeous rose garden |
 | |
| The arbour looking out over the rose garden |
 | |
| One of the garden's many roses. |
 | ||
| Peonies |
 | |
| Dome of the U.S. Capitol building as seen from the Supreme Court building. |
The next day, we started at Washington Cathedral, which is an Anglican cathedral. The exterior was quite beautiful, although the interior left much to be desired. It was pretty and spacious, but the mix of architectural styles was a bit off-putting for me.
 |
| St. Peter outside Washington Cathedral's main doors. |
The last stop was the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and I didn't take any pictures, as I was there for Mass. All I can say though is that one should certainly make time to go to the Basilica of they are ever in Washington D.C. It is absolutely spectacular, almost rivalling some of the great Basilicas I've seen abroad.
Overall, the trip was a great success. We had a lot of fun, gave some very fine concerts, and learned a lot of interesting things at all of the places we visited.
I hope everyone enjoyed the photos!!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
I'm alive!!!
The Rapture didn't take me! I guess that means I have to keep on blogging, then...
Life has been insane since I last posted, and although I say that after almost every hiatus, it is really true this time. Finals happened, 4 concerts, our parish Spring Dance, and then I went on tour with my University's Chamber Singers for 2 weeks.
I'll have more on the tour next time, including some neat photos, but for now I'll leave you with a beautiful recording of one of the pieces we performed: Ralph Vaughan Williams' choral song cycle Three Shakespeare Songs. Our whole program was choral settings of Shakespearian texts, and this was definitely ones of my favourites. Enjoy!
Life has been insane since I last posted, and although I say that after almost every hiatus, it is really true this time. Finals happened, 4 concerts, our parish Spring Dance, and then I went on tour with my University's Chamber Singers for 2 weeks.
I'll have more on the tour next time, including some neat photos, but for now I'll leave you with a beautiful recording of one of the pieces we performed: Ralph Vaughan Williams' choral song cycle Three Shakespeare Songs. Our whole program was choral settings of Shakespearian texts, and this was definitely ones of my favourites. Enjoy!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Seraphic Singles: A Day to Pray for Priests
Yes, I'm re-blogging, but Seraphic is right on the money here, and I couldn't possibly begin to add to what she's written.
Seraphic Singles: A Day to Pray for Priests
I hope everyone has a blessed Holy Thursday, and I'm thinking of recording our choir tonight, so perhaps I'll have some music to share with you tomorrow.
Seraphic Singles: A Day to Pray for Priests
I hope everyone has a blessed Holy Thursday, and I'm thinking of recording our choir tonight, so perhaps I'll have some music to share with you tomorrow.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Missa Pange Lingua- Josquin des Prez
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was assigned to do an analysis of the Kyrie from Josquin's Missa Pange Lingua for Written Theory class. We were actually allowed to chose our own piece to analyse, and it was fun to see what pieces my colleagues had chosen to work on.
I chose the Josquin for a few reasons, the first being that Missa Pange Lingua is probably my most favourite polyphonic Mass out of the countless settings our choir has sung. I also chose it because I was always fascinated by the counterpoint that Josquin uses throughout the Mass. Years ago, when first starting out as Alto section leader, this Mass was a huge challenge for me to sing. In an attempt to make it easier, I went through the score and indicated all the places where the alto line mimicked or was mimicked by another part, as well as those passages in which the alto line moved with another part rhythmically. Little did I know that I was outlining in broad strokes Josquin's use of counterpoint. And it makes my musicianly heart swell with pride to see my teenaged handwriting all over my score, with the notes pointing out all the parallels between the voice parts. Also, the Pange Lingua chant is my favourite plainchant, and one thing I never had done, and wanted to do, was to figure out how much of the plainchant Josquin used in order to set the motifs for his paraphrase Mass.
As I worked on the analysis, I was amazed to find that in the Kyrie alone, Josquin pulled at least 3 motifs from the chant, and incorporated them into his polyphonic setting. The main theme, which is pulled from the first 10 notes of the chant, is used repeatedly, with different embellishments, and it jumps from voice part to voice part in an intricate fugue-like setting. Josquin also likes to set up his counterpoint between the Altos/Basses and then the Sopranos/Tenors. It's not until the third movement of the Kyrie that Josquin puts the counterpoint between the two outer voices, setting up a sequential motif that leads the Sopranos and Basses to move in parallel thirds, while the inner voices move in contrary motion to the outer lines.
It is just simply brilliant composing, which is even more impressive considering it's use of modality rather than tonality, as Josquin keeps the Mass in the Phrygian mode in which the original chant was set. This also explains the extensive use of counterpoint between two voices, rather than extensive homophonic writing, relying more on the implied harmony than harmonic progressions. Indeed, Josquin's use of an open fifth at cadences underscores his use of implied harmony, and to the listener it is positively striking.
Well, before I bore my readers any further, I'd just like to add that in my study of the piece, I learned that the Missa Pange Lingua is believed to be the last Mass that des Prez composed. As a musician, I cannot imagine having written a more fitting final piece.
I chose the Josquin for a few reasons, the first being that Missa Pange Lingua is probably my most favourite polyphonic Mass out of the countless settings our choir has sung. I also chose it because I was always fascinated by the counterpoint that Josquin uses throughout the Mass. Years ago, when first starting out as Alto section leader, this Mass was a huge challenge for me to sing. In an attempt to make it easier, I went through the score and indicated all the places where the alto line mimicked or was mimicked by another part, as well as those passages in which the alto line moved with another part rhythmically. Little did I know that I was outlining in broad strokes Josquin's use of counterpoint. And it makes my musicianly heart swell with pride to see my teenaged handwriting all over my score, with the notes pointing out all the parallels between the voice parts. Also, the Pange Lingua chant is my favourite plainchant, and one thing I never had done, and wanted to do, was to figure out how much of the plainchant Josquin used in order to set the motifs for his paraphrase Mass.
As I worked on the analysis, I was amazed to find that in the Kyrie alone, Josquin pulled at least 3 motifs from the chant, and incorporated them into his polyphonic setting. The main theme, which is pulled from the first 10 notes of the chant, is used repeatedly, with different embellishments, and it jumps from voice part to voice part in an intricate fugue-like setting. Josquin also likes to set up his counterpoint between the Altos/Basses and then the Sopranos/Tenors. It's not until the third movement of the Kyrie that Josquin puts the counterpoint between the two outer voices, setting up a sequential motif that leads the Sopranos and Basses to move in parallel thirds, while the inner voices move in contrary motion to the outer lines.
It is just simply brilliant composing, which is even more impressive considering it's use of modality rather than tonality, as Josquin keeps the Mass in the Phrygian mode in which the original chant was set. This also explains the extensive use of counterpoint between two voices, rather than extensive homophonic writing, relying more on the implied harmony than harmonic progressions. Indeed, Josquin's use of an open fifth at cadences underscores his use of implied harmony, and to the listener it is positively striking.
Well, before I bore my readers any further, I'd just like to add that in my study of the piece, I learned that the Missa Pange Lingua is believed to be the last Mass that des Prez composed. As a musician, I cannot imagine having written a more fitting final piece.
Pange lingua gloriosi
Sing, O tongue,
Corporis mysterium
of the mystery of the glorious Body
Sanguinisque pretiosi
and of the precious Blood
Quem in mundi pretium
which the King of the nations,
Fructus ventris generosi
the fruit of a noble womb
Rex effudit gentium
shed for the sake of the world.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
More Debussy
A friend posted this on Facebook the other day, and I thought I would share it with you all. What follows is a beautiful and practically flawless performance of Claude Debussy's Reverie, transcribed and arranged for Harp.
Even more interesting is to compare this version with the original for piano; The same music with very different moods, due in part to the atmospheric effects of the different instruments.
I hope you all enjoy the pieces as much as I do!
Heh... and now I must stop procrastinating and get back to work on my paper comparing Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children with Gabriel García Márquez's A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.
Even more interesting is to compare this version with the original for piano; The same music with very different moods, due in part to the atmospheric effects of the different instruments.
I hope you all enjoy the pieces as much as I do!
Heh... and now I must stop procrastinating and get back to work on my paper comparing Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children with Gabriel García Márquez's A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Counterpoint!
Yes, I'm re-blogging. Sorry.
Honestly, though, I'm glad I came across this, as I have to do an analysis of the Kyrie from Josquin des Prez's Missa Pange Lingua as my final assignment for Advanced Music Theory. The Kyrie is almost all imitative counterpoint, so this video was really helpful in clarifying some of my vague understanding of contrapuntal (I love that word!!) music.
Thanks to Jeffrey Tucker over at The Chant Cafe for sharing this!
Honestly, though, I'm glad I came across this, as I have to do an analysis of the Kyrie from Josquin des Prez's Missa Pange Lingua as my final assignment for Advanced Music Theory. The Kyrie is almost all imitative counterpoint, so this video was really helpful in clarifying some of my vague understanding of contrapuntal (I love that word!!) music.
Thanks to Jeffrey Tucker over at The Chant Cafe for sharing this!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Exciting News of Various Kinds!!!
So... yeah, I've been slacking off on my blogging, yet again. This time, however, I have a really good excuse!
So, when I last posted, I mentioned the recital I was preparing for. Well, for those who are interested in knowing, the recital went beautifully! In the days leading up to it I was ridiculously busy. My partner, (A baritone I shall nickname Barry for the purposes of this blog) Barry, and I spent a lot of time practicing amidst our already busy schedules as teachers. We rehearsed together, we rehearsed with the pianist, we rehearsed on our own. We practiced at my house, at my University, as his University (where he teaches), at the music school where we both teach, and at the venue for our recital.
When we weren't rehearsing, we were making translations for the texts we were singing- French, Spanish, German, Italian- and typing up the translation sheets to give to the audience. In addition, we designed and printed the programs, which took us until almost 2 am one night, both of us working together via Google Voice Chat and Google Docs (Have I mentioned how much I love Google?) to get the program finished. We experimented with type settings, formats, program orders, tweaked our bios, and surfed around (with much laughter and goofing around, I'll admit) for the perfect picture to adorn the front of our programs.
Then, I had to run about for my recital gown: buying new character shoes, doing the dress fitting, picking up the dress after the fitting, picking up the necessary essentials to go with the gown, playing around with different updos for my somewhat short hair. (What can I say? This was my debut recital. I wasn't going to do it halfway.)
Finally, the big day arrived. After singing at our respective churches for Sunday Mass, Barry and I met early to do the last minute preparations and run through some last minute changes with the pianist. Then, I got into my new gown, did my hair and makeup, and we waited backstage for the audience to finish arriving and for the clock to strike 3.
I won't say too much about the recital itself here, because I plan on posting clips from the recording as well as plenty of pictures. I will say, however, that it went exceptionally well. All of our loved ones came out to support us and then some. We both sang exceptionally well, the audience told us that we moved them, and we had a great time. We got a standing ovation at the end and everything!!
Most importantly, at the last minute, Barry and I learned that they would be recording the recital for broadcasting on our local NPR station!!!!
I could hardly believe it!! I still don't believe it, but the sound technicians were there, and they'll be sending us a copy of the recital for us to review before it gets put on the air! I also learned that our station streams live online, so when I know when the concert will be aired, I'll be certain to post the info here so that anyone who is interested can tune in! :D
After the recital was over, it was time to decompress a little, as the week or two before had been more than hectic.
(Oh! And in the middle of all the preparations, I had my 25th birthday!)
This week has been a lot more subdued and I've been able to focus a lot more on my coursework. I also got to pick out some new repertoire to fiddle with for the rest of the semester and some of it is really fun!
Now, for some more exciting news: I got to speak with Scot over the weekend and we had a lovely chat about how his study of the Faith is going (he's been wanting to become a Catholic for quite some time now). The happiest news of all was to learn that he may possibly be coming into the Church during Holy Week! If this is indeed the case, Husband and I will be going to Scotland for Easter to celebrate Scot's happy day with him. It isn't certain just yet, but I should know definitely by tomorrow the latest. In any case, we've already been prepping in case it does indeed happen, and things seems to be falling perfectly in place. Husband has been able to get the necessary days off of work, we were able to find reasonably priced airline tickets, and even my teaching schedule for the days we'd be gone straightened themselves out rather easily.
My question to my readers in the UK: Know of any good places to stay while we're in Edinburgh? Stuff to do? :D
Finally, I'd ask your prayers for Scot as he prepares for his entrance into the Church (whenever it may be). Thank you!!
So, when I last posted, I mentioned the recital I was preparing for. Well, for those who are interested in knowing, the recital went beautifully! In the days leading up to it I was ridiculously busy. My partner, (A baritone I shall nickname Barry for the purposes of this blog) Barry, and I spent a lot of time practicing amidst our already busy schedules as teachers. We rehearsed together, we rehearsed with the pianist, we rehearsed on our own. We practiced at my house, at my University, as his University (where he teaches), at the music school where we both teach, and at the venue for our recital.
When we weren't rehearsing, we were making translations for the texts we were singing- French, Spanish, German, Italian- and typing up the translation sheets to give to the audience. In addition, we designed and printed the programs, which took us until almost 2 am one night, both of us working together via Google Voice Chat and Google Docs (Have I mentioned how much I love Google?) to get the program finished. We experimented with type settings, formats, program orders, tweaked our bios, and surfed around (with much laughter and goofing around, I'll admit) for the perfect picture to adorn the front of our programs.
Then, I had to run about for my recital gown: buying new character shoes, doing the dress fitting, picking up the dress after the fitting, picking up the necessary essentials to go with the gown, playing around with different updos for my somewhat short hair. (What can I say? This was my debut recital. I wasn't going to do it halfway.)
Finally, the big day arrived. After singing at our respective churches for Sunday Mass, Barry and I met early to do the last minute preparations and run through some last minute changes with the pianist. Then, I got into my new gown, did my hair and makeup, and we waited backstage for the audience to finish arriving and for the clock to strike 3.
I won't say too much about the recital itself here, because I plan on posting clips from the recording as well as plenty of pictures. I will say, however, that it went exceptionally well. All of our loved ones came out to support us and then some. We both sang exceptionally well, the audience told us that we moved them, and we had a great time. We got a standing ovation at the end and everything!!
Most importantly, at the last minute, Barry and I learned that they would be recording the recital for broadcasting on our local NPR station!!!!
I could hardly believe it!! I still don't believe it, but the sound technicians were there, and they'll be sending us a copy of the recital for us to review before it gets put on the air! I also learned that our station streams live online, so when I know when the concert will be aired, I'll be certain to post the info here so that anyone who is interested can tune in! :D
After the recital was over, it was time to decompress a little, as the week or two before had been more than hectic.
(Oh! And in the middle of all the preparations, I had my 25th birthday!)
This week has been a lot more subdued and I've been able to focus a lot more on my coursework. I also got to pick out some new repertoire to fiddle with for the rest of the semester and some of it is really fun!
Now, for some more exciting news: I got to speak with Scot over the weekend and we had a lovely chat about how his study of the Faith is going (he's been wanting to become a Catholic for quite some time now). The happiest news of all was to learn that he may possibly be coming into the Church during Holy Week! If this is indeed the case, Husband and I will be going to Scotland for Easter to celebrate Scot's happy day with him. It isn't certain just yet, but I should know definitely by tomorrow the latest. In any case, we've already been prepping in case it does indeed happen, and things seems to be falling perfectly in place. Husband has been able to get the necessary days off of work, we were able to find reasonably priced airline tickets, and even my teaching schedule for the days we'd be gone straightened themselves out rather easily.
My question to my readers in the UK: Know of any good places to stay while we're in Edinburgh? Stuff to do? :D
Finally, I'd ask your prayers for Scot as he prepares for his entrance into the Church (whenever it may be). Thank you!!
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