Music and Philosophy

In one of my classes at my high school, we're reading Astra Taylor' "Examined Life," which is a transcript of the film version by the same name. In "Examined Life," Taylor attempts to bring philosophy closer to the people of the streets (or rather, the everyday people and their every day lives) by having walking (or driving, or boating, etc.) conversations with some of the world's leading philosophers including Peter Singer, Slavoj Zizek, Michael Hardt, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Judith Butler (with Sunaura Taylor), Martha Nussbaum, Avital Ronell, and Cornel West. So far, we have only studied in class Singer, Zizek, Hardt, Appiah, and, most recently, West.

The reason why I have decided to mention this aspect of my class is because of the interview with West, which has striking references to music. Cornel West is not only a philosopher, but a musician as well. I highly recommend that you read West's conversation with Taylor from "Examined Life." Who knows? Maybe you will also decide to read all the other fantastic conversations as well -- philosophy and music are both extremely interesting, after all.

Cello Choir Repertoire for Today's Performance

Our school's cello choir played in the school assembly today. It was loads of fun! We performed Couperin's Air, Romberg's Sonata no. 1 in E minor (arr. for four cellos), and the second movement of Vivaldi's Concerto in G minor for two cellos.

They are all beautiful pieces, especially the Vivaldi concerto. The Romberg sonata was also well received at our school -- it's a very lush arrangement. Go check it out and have a listen! Enjoy!

There'll be no Mozart tonight at Carnegie Hall! (You're so London)

To all you Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett fans out there:

You MUST watch this! It is hilarious and adorable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyTBYlRR3H0&feature=related

Happy viewing!

Just some thoughts on careers

Course selection for the next school year is coming up, and to be honest, I have no idea what I am doing. Like so many others in my school and around the world, I don't have a long-term plan. I don't know what program I want to go into. I don't know what University I want to go to. I don't know what country I want to live in. I don't know what job I want to have. I can't say to myself, "This is where I will be in five years" because I don't know where I'll be and what I will be doing. I hardly no who I am now, let alone who I might become.

Still though, I can't help but remember all those times in grades 1, 2, and 3 when people would ask all us little kiddies, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" And of course, the boys would reply with police man, fire fighter, doctor, etc. and the girls would happily say ballerina, teacher, nurse, princess (WHAT?), etc. We have all these stereotypes about who we should be and who we should become, but I leave the concepts and implications of gender stereotypes to be talked about on another day.

I do remember though, that I wanted to become a pianist. And everyone laughed. It could have been because I had said pianist a little strangely (and it probably sounded something like penis at the time... speaking of which, I only just realized this a couple seconds ago, haha), but I had internalized it as laughter against my hope to become a musician. I still don't know whether I want to be a musician or not, but I do now know that it shouldn't matter what other people think. If I want to become a pianist or a cellist or a music teacher or an ethnomusicologist or a musical therapist or a physist or music-related engineer then by all means, I should not let their laughter get in the way! Because music is my life, and if I love it and make it my profession, I will be simply living and laughing and loving each and every day. Work no longer becomes tedious work. Work instead becomes play.

And that's the beauty of doing what you love. So remember, whether it's music or anything else for you, do what makes you live laugh love, and good luck with your good life.

Mendelssohn

Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809 - 1847), known to most English speakers as simply Felix Mendelssohn, was nothing less than a genius. Born in Hamburg, Germany, this incredible pianist, organist, conductor, and composer created brilliant masterpieces during his lifetime. All of his works are worth listening to, but if you're going to just pick a couple, I'd recommend hearing his beautiful "Andante and Rondo Capriccioso" for solo piano (also on the RCM ARCT repertoire list, by the way), his very virtuosic "Violin Concerto in E-minor, Op. 64," and his well known Overture to Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

They're brilliant, so get out and listen to them!

Or stay inside, by your computer, and have a listen to these YouTube links.

Andante and Rondo Capriccioso:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQngHGBI4ak

Violin Concerto in E-minor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCLxso5XDN4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_3PJf4lAj0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0ixoV8mtc
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y2qZRocdXYU

Overture to "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h1MGAlkqno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37mLJzAsOEs&feature=related

Happy listening!

5 cm per second

Akari Shinohara: Hey... They say it's five centimeters per second.
Takaki Toono: What do you mean?
Akari Shinohara: The speed at which the sakura blossom petals fall... Five centimeters per second.

Those are the first lines of the amazing animated film "Five Centimeters per Second" directed by Makoto Shinkai. It's a heart warming story with incredible animation and beautiful music, too!

I strongly suggest that you watch the film.

Here's the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxKn5AwOTis
Here's the YouTube link to Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPCaAJ3BogE
And here's the sound track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XGpB3iPckg&feature=PlayList&p=A2F72A602FD52834&playnext_from=PL&playnext=12

Enjoy! :)

Medley!

My friend and I are making a medley for our Music Exam! We're going to be using piano and cello, but we don't know what songs to use -- any requests?

So far, we're starting off with "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, and then transitioning into "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. We're thinking of including "Viva la Vida" and maybe some songs by Train. What do you think?

Looking forward to this! :)