philosophie.

music

I got back to Toronto, everything just seems to be moving at the
speed of light! In short, just waaaayyy too much to do. I’m literally
living in the practice rooms half of the day trying to learn the pile
of music.

Just a couple of interesting things that happened.

This
morning, I went back to my high school to grab a transcript for grad
school application. I hadn’t gone back to that neighborhood for at
least three years, and it was such a surreal experience. It was,
however, really nice to have something flashing in my face saying,
here’s how you grew up, don’t you forget about it. It always makes me
feel more certain and more thankful whenever I think about my past,
what led me to be who I am today and what were the things that “purged”
me into what I am; at the same time, I look forward to what’s to come
even more, with much more zest and less fear.

Another thing is,
I’ve been doing a lot of re-thinking lately – even re-adjusting. I’ve
had a sparking conversation today with Tim over lunch, followed by a
sparking discussion on contemporary music in our piano literature class
- it all had led me to thinking about essentially what music should be
doing. I’ve also come to realize more about the difference between
classical music, (in Robert Kapilow’s words: “the differnce between
classica music and popular music is that classical music is all about
long-term relationships…”) which I’d like to elaborate some other
time when I can have a steadier internet connection and more time.

Our
piano trio will be playing two concerts on the Chamber Hamilton series,
and the latter concert is projected to mainly high school students. We
are thinking of doing a “lecture”-concert, and tomorrow we will meet
with Robert Kapilow (who just did a fantastic lecture-concert with the
Gryphon Trio last night) to go over some ideas. Exciting! I almost
don’t wanna concentrateon my recital repertoire now.

But no, I love my recital repertoire. There’s some moments that are the ones you live for. :)

end of yet another NYC trip

A week in New York seems to have passed so quickly, and yet so slowly.

I’m finished with all my auditions. I went shopping in SOHO today, got a couple of items I’ve been meaning to get. During this trip, I met some genuine people, was taken care of so kindly by friends, to which I’m very thankful. At the same time, I really miss my friends back home.

This trip made me realized so much about myself, my music and my faith; it had also given me a glimpse of how it would feel like if I lived in this city – I think I can do it, yeah; but perhaps I can never be a true New Yorker. Even though I’ve been here a couple of times before, but this time it had made me feel differently about itself, and myself.
I have so many things that I need to plunge back into once I get home, the weight is never light. Though, this year I don’t seem to have a clear plan for the summer, and it leaves me a little desolate, for many reasons. For summer might be the season for new romance, it could also be the season for old romance to drift apart.
I think I might be just a little “Russian” this year: too much sadness in the soul? Haha.

The stately mausoleum by Riverside, gothic cathedral and streets-wonderers sleeping on the doorstep, heavy snow and soaking socks, standing in front of the Columbia gate feeling the breeze from the water with pastel winter sunset and the bare trees. How will I forget.

nyc in March

Dear all, greetings from NYC.

Everything is well, life is again teaching me many previous lessons – the kinds we must learn with hardship and struggle, and worst of all: fear.

I’m currently staying with two friends who go to Columbia university. Last night, J and X were in the mood for some chatter, so we stayed up drinking some wine listening to some classical music and chatted until 4am. Eventually classical music became the Beatles; grooving with the Beatles on a Wednesday early early morning or late late night in New York city. Awesome.

It snowed heavily two days ago. The wind was strong, air was cold. I was upset because I didn’t bring my snow boots. I think NYC will be warmer tomorrow, though.

It’s funny how life begins to
unfurl itself when you start to think nothing of it.

And I rejoice, each day in its confronting harship and challenge!