philosophie.

Nov.7

Only New York’s autumn reminds me of Beijing’s autumn.

Yesterday Yo-yo Ma and his silk road ensemble came to our school and did a “masterclass” on out-reach programs. That is to say, to give advice and suggestion on groups of musicians who are planning to go to elementary schools to spread the knowledge and joy of music. Aside from the fact that Yo-yo reminds me so much of my dad, he had reminded me certain things I tend to forget.

First and foremost: the importance of how we communicate to our audience. While it does not mean that we should do anything in our ability to please the sole taste of our audience, he did draw attention on the details of our physical presence, aura, energy and the like, and how we can use these things also to contribute to the communication of our ideas. This, kind of reminds me of Claudio Arrau’s comment in contrary. To paraphrase, “You had what you need to say, and that’s it. If the audience likes it, that’s alright; if not, *mumbles*.” The older generation seems to be concerned in the message itself, a pure and robust nature of their idea, and nothing more. Whereas the new generation of musicians seem to have started paying attention to the audience more, in turn seem more humanistic.

I won’t comment further on how I think regarding this matter. Simply, everybody is their own artist.

Secondly, Yo-yo pointed at the edge of the stage and said: here is the line we should always try to cross.

——

I have finally cleaned up the bathroom. Not completely, but nearly is enough. I feel very accomplished!

After watching the movie “Les Choirstes”, and after reading some reviews of the movie on wikipedia, I suddenly realized something about movie criticism – or art criticism in general – that such criticism is on the manipulation of human emotions. And this is huge for me!

Human emotions are the most intimate, personal and precious things that is given to a single person. To imagine that something/somebody can purposely manipulate that, is almost devilish. – But who am I to say? Do I not learn also – in ways – to do the same thing?

At least I hope I am learning to sharpen the lens with which I use to convey my ideas, instead of for the sake of manipulating emotions. (Yet – yet! – I have on occasions enjoyed doing so…)

——

My very good friend Rose will be in New York with me for a week. I am very excited to have her here.

One very last remark: pianist Michelangeli reminds me of the God Father from the movie God Father.