Updates

So I just ordered a multi-purpose video recorder/camera/mp3 player - I'm really pumped. (I also ordered a cool trenchcoat - only related that they are both from Overstock.com)
It should arrive shortly and I can practice before the awards ceremony this next month. So keep an eye out, I'll do my best to post more pictures. (Like I need incentive to be more visual...sheesh!)
I also got a letter telling more about the awards evening, this as I've sent out my new logo

and a 90 second audio clip (to be posted soon!) of 20/20 Hearing (Imagine deciding over 52 episodes - each 2 hours long - for a 90 second clip!!!) to ASCAP for the presentations.
It seems I have to arrive early to get my medal, then to a section to wait for the presentations...then to a party! Woohoo!
They stipulate 30 seconds for acceptance speeches. This will be another topic in the not too distant future.

Also nice hearing back from folks with invites and whether or not they can make it.

A Cigar Shoppe

Friday evening I gave a cigar to a gentleman at the American Legion (it's a cigar smoker sorta thing, you give folks a cigar to try - kinda a share and share alike mentality.) He recommended a store in LeMoyne to me - gave me a lighter from there in fact.
Well yesterday was long at work and I decided to reward myself and go check it out. I printed out a map, and was on my way (I looked them up online too for their hours just in case.)
I was not disappointed. It's a huge selection of cigars in not a lot of space. There are leather chairs, a plasma tv and nice folks. Several people were in and out, seemed friendly enough to me. I shopped, buying several brands of cigars for the first time (hard for me to do after smoking them for eight years - but luckily there are new blends and brands out there!), and picked up a nice one for me (a Padron Anniversario) to enjoy there.
I had great hangouts in Wichita, Dallas and Las Vegas to smoke. Many close friendships developed that I am very thankful for (Turkeyday is tomorrow after all!) and I hope this will be such a place too, it certainly has potential.

Opening number

This is from our performance at the Whitaker Center Saturday night...the song is called Louise. Excuse the feedback, it goes away!
Performing is guitarist and vocalist Paul Zavinsky and moi.
Louise - MP4 file (much quicker to download)

or

Louise - .Wav file (larger file!)

Enjoy!

Encores

Update about Hilary's concert in Philadelphia. I failed to mention her two encores, in addition to her stunning program.
First was the Prokofiev/Heifetz March from Love of the Three Oranges. Then the Albeniz/Kreisler Tango.
And btw, the entire recital was played by Hilary from memory. The ENTIRE recital. Sonatas. Solo pieces. Encores. Everything.
She is indeed one of THE best violinists alive today. in the world.

Shared - Passing along

What's sad about this, I may know some of the people who thought these up...darn violists!
(Just kidding!)


Top-Ten Bad Dissertation Titles List

1. Uncertainty in Music: A Definitive Survey

2. The Catalan Influence on the French Augmented Sixth Chord in the Music of Engelbert Humperdinck

3. The Voicing of the Final Chord in Music of the Classical Period

4. A Syncategorematically Recursive Hedra-Lattice of Poly-PC Postponement: A Theory of Atonal Silence

5. Heinrich Schenker: Threat or Menace?

6. Prolonging the Agony: A Schenkerian Approach to Muzak in the Dentist's Office

7. “Where Are All My Favorite Notes?” A Statistical Tabulation of Every Pitch-Class in the Serial Music of Webern

8. A Violist Walked into a Barline: Rhythm and Meter in the Structure of Viola Jokes

9.Three Times a Lady: Triple Counterpoint in the Music of Britney Spears

10. The Whole Step: Our Misunderstood Friend

Firsts

This weekend many firsts occurred. I've already mentioned the Hershey performance that Paul and I did...Last night, we played our first concert at Whitaker Center (Underground Stage) to a sold out crowd - we were the opening act for Steve Forbert. They loved us. It was cool. When they gave us a five minute warning to rap up, I couldn't believe it - it seemed like we have just got on stage - when in fact 25 minutes had slipped by. Paul is musical and funny. Good stage presence. We did a few of his originals, Townes van Zandt, and Pachelbel's Canon. Yes, that piece. Guitar and violin. And how did they take it? A standing o. Really! More on the evils of Pachelbel in a future post. But back to our firsts.

It was also the first time I went to the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia...I heard Hilary Hahn play a recital with Natalie Zhu. I'd always seen her in concerti and encores, never a recital...it was superhuman. Amazing. I actually thought she would float down from the top of Verizon Hall, and then play. She remains to do everything right in her playing - technique, musicality, fashion, the list goes on and on. The rep paid homage to past great violinists/composers: Enescu, Ysaye, and Milstein; then two sonatas by Mozart and Beethoven. It was a recital that you would imagine as just right, but that no one in their right mind could play. Hahn played it with panache and courage - absolutely perfect. I hate to overuse that word, but it is most fitting.

Also finally met Jennifer Higdon in person (going this next Saturday to hear the premiere of her Percussion Concerto there!) She had a piece in the recital hall there...in fact she told she's having 6 premieres in 2 weeks. Yowser! It was so nice to meet face to face, I respect her music so much and after a lovely radio interview, I knew her, but there is something about actually meeting the person. She is as charming in person as she was in our interview. Curtis and Philadelphia are so lucky to have her. And I'm glad to be so close to all of these things.

Finally it was a first to really hang out and get to know Stu and Julia (who had joined me and Ellen for the concert.) They are a sweet couple and we had a blast in Philly, from waiting in line to meet Hilary afterwards to dinner at Warsaw Cafe - they even drove back with me instead of catching the later train. (Their "first" besides they aforementioned Verizon Hall/Kimmel Center was hearing Combustible Edison - one of my fave lounge/swinger bands.)

And in celebration of all of this, it's my 100th post. Woohoo. Here's to the next 100!

Thank you! You've been great!

So I've played Hershey now...at least the American Legion club/bar/lounge. Mondo fun. It was a dress rehearsal for this evening when Paul Zavinsky and I open for Steve Forbert at the Whitatker Center in Harrisburg.
I am a classical violinist (I cringe at the phrase "classically trained" so I won't be saying THAT) who enjoys all music - especially "alternative" music - I dig that old Seattle sound. My main love though, is classical music - modern Polish composers like Andzrej Panufnik, Witold Lutoslawski, and Krzysztof Penderecki are my absolute favorites.
But I do know the old Joe Venuti recordings (and stories!) I love Grappelli, Ponty, and those sorts of guys...heck, even Perlman and Kennedy have made jazz recordings.
So it is a blast to play some Folk, Blues and Jazzy tunes with guitar.
Improv is vastly different though than composing. First of all there is an audience! Secondly, I'm not dreaming up or imagining the chords. Thirdly, my ear is a bit more accepting of "non chord tones"(?) than perhaps your average folkie.
Within the "typical" or perhaps accepted is the word, oh heck, traditional parameters though, I think I'll manage - and did so last night...there were many high fives - even a harmonica player chimed in - and several folks sang with us...It is very cool to have a whole joint singing along!
Among preparation, besides rehearsing with the guitarist, I listened to some recordings (alot to Short Trip Home - a great album of Edgar Meyer, Josh Bell, Mike Marshall and Sam Bush) to be inspired by, and it's a such total joy. I'm still feeling my way around, and I figure things and songs will not only improve but become even more fun.
It's odd, I love to laugh, drink, smoke a cigar and be laid back (hey, I'm a classical announcer!) but in the "classical" world that I'm used to, it's hard not to look down at the stand and chord changes, instead of just letting go. While I consider myself that easy-go-lucky musician (and compared to a air traffic controller, I'm sure I am!) this is a new trait I'm learning: being focused yet relaxed and loose - musically glib!

Stravinsky SNAFU/Bungling Brilliance

It's always good to double check things. My folks taught me that and I try to be prepared in any situation. So it wasn't completely disasterous when I found that 15 minutes before my talk on Stravinsky and Shostakovich that my 3 compact discs of the 16 musical examples (seen in the previous post!) were evidently .WMA files instead of .WAV files, and would NOT play on my cd boombox. D'oh.
Luckily there were a few cds of Shostakovich I had in my bag. I momentarily freaked out...thinking what am I gonna do? My last talk (very successful from the response) on the Mighty Russian Five was comprised of two cds of examples I found (24 pieces.)
Plus, I believe you should hear music, I'm nothing if not a demonstrative teacher, violinist, broadcaster...
So, I'm glad I had looked at my notes (written and musical!) well and asked forgiveness if I talked a little more than I planned. I also sang a bit (D-S-C-H motive: d, e-flat, c, b) and even if I had the CD example of Shostakovich's 8th Quartet I still would have knock 3 times very hard on the podium - the KGB knocks at the door. (I ended up singing the quartet mimicking that too!) [Luckily noone asked me to sing late Stravinsky!]
No one threw rotten vegatables, slept or put me in the gulag...in fact several folks came up afterwards (there were 40 in the audience, +/-3) and talked about a few items and congratulated me. Also the folks who invited me to speak in the first place (originally I had agreed for one talk, not two) said they would let me know the next country in their focus - they will want more music talks.
It's hard to narrow these broad topics down, and to know what to share with people. That said, it is also incredibly fun.

Afterwards I was quite close to the new Giant megastore, so I picked up a few grocery items (my fridge & I are quite happy to have a good stock of Diet Coke in it again - its even the cute Christmas Bears boxes!) - so now I can say I've been. Rumor has it that Wegman's Market is coming to the area, which would be cool...I've been to the original in Rochester and I tell you they rock!

Music Examples

These are the examples I plan on using this evening for my talk:

Introduction
Shostakovich String 4tet #8

name that tune - violin concerto!
Shostakovich Violin concerto #1 scherzo
Stravinsky violin concerto - toccata
Prokofiev violin concerto #1 - scherzo - vivace
Nikolai Rakov Violin Concerto #1 - finale allegro molto vivace (1944)

three periods
Stravinsky Rite of spring
Stravinsky Pulcinella (sinfonia overture)
Stravinsky Variations - aldous huxley in memoriam

examples
Shostakovich Sym #1 opus 10 - allegro
Shostakovich Sym #7 "Leningrad" opus 60 - allegretto
Shostakovich Sym #15 opus 141 - allegretto

film music
Shostakovich Romance from "The Gadfly"
Stravinsky Four norwegian moods - wedding dance
Prokofiev alexander nevsky - song of alexander nevsky

trouble?
Shostakovich Sym #4 opus 43 - allegretto poco moderato - presto - tempo 1
Shostakovich Sym #9 opus 70 - finale allegretto
modernism
Nikolai Roslavetz - prelude for piano

If time, a look at the Shostakovich Symphony Number Ten that the Harrisburg Symphony is doing - you can see/hear it live!
Influence?
Carl Nielsen Symphony No 5 - first movement - tempo guisto (snare drum)
Shostakovich Sym #10 Delos recording of James DePreist Helsinki Symphony

Events

Tonight I'm giving my second talk on Russian Music - as part of the Friends of Frederickson Library series on Russia. The focus is on Stravinsky and Shostakovich. I'll throw in a few others for comparison, but the "Mighty Two" will be the major composers.
Stravinsky has been in my mind lately, discussions with friends, some plans and dreams I've been having. A good sign I hope!
Shostakovich's 100th birthday would have been in 2006, get ready for cake next September!
Didn't get to go the the Blogger's meetup Tuesday, I had a rehearsal that went longer (and very well thank goodness) than I thought it would...we had scheduled it after I had RSVP'd yes. Maybe this next month!

[insider info: closer to that 100th blog milepost!]

Performances (both playing and hearing)

I'm a bit excited about this weekend.
Hilary Hahn is playing in Philadelphia - she is probably the most talented violinist who I've seen whenever possible - from the first time we met in Wichita (Barber concerto and an interview at KMUW) to Dallas and a charming Beethoven Concerto, 3 years in a row at Las Vegas (Korngold, 3 Bach concerti and Paganini No. 1) and three interviews (we didn't get her to Penn and Teller although Teller saw her play Paganini that afternoon) and twice in LA (playing Brahms concerto.)
A friend pointed out that when she is playing alone (such as her encores of Bach) that it is Hahn Solo.


Hahn Solo with wookie!
(photo adjusted brilliantly by guru Disco Stu Kennedy)

Also this weekend I'm playing a folk music gig at the Whitaker Center with Paul Zavinsky. He's a fun person and it's laid back. We're doing everything from Route 66 to a Matteis Chaccone. Guitar, violin and vocals (no I'm not singing, so its safe!) - cool combination. While I truly play "classical" music, and have studied it extensively from a young age, I love all types of music and am glad to "expand my chamber music experience" to folk also. Maybe we can learn some Edgar Meyer stuff, that'd be fun...GRASSICAL!

Feeling music

I was recently a bit stressed to premiere a work. By that I should clarify (or in my case CLARE-ify): I was overjoyed to be playing a brand new piece and excited to do so...but unlike playing Bach, Mozart or any other piece of music, this was for the very first time, and other than what was on the page, no specific references.
It was a small time frame, and nothing to refer to, no other recordings, and the first time I had played this composer's music (and I was to play this WITH the composer!)
Now, I consider myself a friend of the composer, and have seen one other of his works, for violin and chamber ensemble (I hope to weasel in on some performance of that maybe!) I went through and read the piece. Then I checked pitches. The rhythm was very hard. (Truth be told I should have taken a metronome to it - something I WILL do before my next performance of it.)
When we finally got to rehearse it, things were a bit rough - we started towards the end of the piece, the recap if you will (where the melody or theme returns - think endcredits or titles of a movie) and then went on to work it out. After some rough passages, the composer looked at me and wisely (and gently) said, "Let's not worry about the exact notes and rhythm - make music out of it."
Indeed I had been VERY worried about hitting pitches (and the rhythms combined with large jumps in notes) with the composer right there...I mean he actually hadn't heard me play before - and though we're friends, I do take some pride in my playing.
After his advice, things went much more smoothly.
It's a lovely piece and I hope you get to hear some day.

At the world premiere, it was a loud luncheon and a few folks may have heard different passages...it was introduced about 30 minutes before we played it. There's a sad tinge of irony that a piece written for the occasion was not heard. The composer and I know however, that it is a good piece and we made honest music.

One other small factor was that the composer hasn't performed piano in public in 16 years. I had taken the summer off, while moving and having a repair made on my fiddle - and am feeling much better musically. The composer played some charming Scarlatti, Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann.
Also appreciated was a sign that he posted, "Don't shoot the piano player!" The oboist and I who were also playing Saturday morning wondered where our signs were...but luckily no volunteers or other staff members were packin' heat.

Manhattan views

So I couldn't get over the 8 story ad for AeonFlux with Charlize Theron...it was on the side of Madison Square Garden as I left the train.
Also notable, the amazing weather, ads for some bank (seen along side the stops on the train trip) with orchestra musicians (not so great an ad that I got the business name but I did notice the cello players!), the "open faced" lasagna at Cafe Fiorello (since the Ligeti concert I rushed to Columbia to see was sold out!), and the six inch tall cheesecake (complete with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate sauce) also at Cafe Fiorello.
The best was catching up with a friend I hadn't seen in five years, although we'd talked and emailed, it was like no time had gone by.
Also, the weekend started off with a world premiere performance of a Nocturne by Dick Strawser, the Music Director at WITF. While it was a noisy room, it went well, and is a well crafted piece - I'll put it on my recital in the spring. Also very fun that morning to play Bach with the News Director and oboist Scott Gilbert.

Wochende

Off to NYC this weekend (this afternoon!...a whirlwind trip, and my first in a long time on Amtrack (although I'll be using them alot through the end of the year!)
This morning I'll play violin with friends, I'm actually learning a new folk tune right now- which is another post this next week about a folk gig.
Shopping goals in NYC include some stuff for my folks, a digital camera and some berets (I manage to lose more berets than, well, I just leave them whereever I go!) I hope there are some cool street vendors. Oh and I'm catching an all Ligeti concert tonight.
Gonna go grab some coffee and my violin - warm up on both fronts. :)

[blog insider info: I'm almost to my 100th post!]

Arrival / RSVP

The invitation to the Deems Taylor Award ceremony on December 15th arrived in the mail yesterday. It's a lovely green circular invite from ASCAP to be held at the Rose Room at the home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. (There are some more details at 20/20 Hearing dot org)
If you would like to attend, contact me and I'll send you information about it, and how to RSVP.

Had a good rehearsal yesterday afternoon of a world premiere to take place tomorrow morning. With the cold weather, it's lovely to have a warm nocturne to play!

Some things don't change

As my hair is at a good long length, it usually inspires new folks meeting me, to ask if I'm native American. Yes is the answer.
I don't mind getting the question, and depending on the circumstances and time, I may go into a story that I am a "card carrying Eskimo" (Inuit is the politically correct term, but it is my Canadian friends that take it as a slur, not the "American Eskimo" - and no I'm not referring to the cute dog breed either!)

Yes, I have an identification card from the Bureau of Indian Affairs that states I am 3/8 Eskimo. My mother is the daughter of 1) a full blooded Eskimo and 2) a half Irish/Eskimo parents...somehow they determine that I'm then 3/8...so that's the backstory.

Now I often tell about my B.I.A. card, and it's usefulness. You'd think I'd say something about medical care, maybe some sort of casino ownership, et al. Not me.
Since I received it, gosh, back in 1992, I usually go to the grocery store, grab some Eskimo pies in the freezer section, then go to the checkout and find the prettiest clerk. I ask, "Do I get these for free? You see I'm an Eskimo!" And I show her the card.
I have yet to actually get free Eskimo pies. And to tell the truth, yet to impress said cute clerk with a date. But I still try (and there are quite a few Giant/Fox/Weis markets to check out, so to speak!)

Sad but true. And not only do I tell the story in polite company, I blog it too!

Another notch

Just finished Arnold Steinhardt's lovely book, Individisible by Four. Charming, well written and inspirational, just like his and the Guarneri Quartet's playing.
While I'm bummed it took me so long to finally getting around to reading it, I'm glad I did. It's much different than Blum's book ON the quartet (which is another good read) but this was just right for me.
Now I can focus on getting the Deems Taylor bio read.
And practice and compose for the violin.
Yum!

Touching base

On the reading front (books that is, not the town, Reading - which btw, I wish I could attend their next concert of the Orchestra, they're playing Barber Violin Concerto and Brahms' First Symphony!) I'm almost finished with the Guarneri 4tet book by Steinhardt and am up to 1922 in the Deems Taylor bio. Excellent stuff!
On the music front, practice is going well, read through Dick's new Nocturne that we're premiering Saturday - very good music. Also Bach is going well, nothing like it for good practice, so many things to work on, it's good. Fingers feel right.
Found an amazing sale at Burlington's and bought too many shirts and sweaters - another good thing really. Also restocked the pantry/freezer now that I'm back with a trip to CostCo last night. Yum.
Still getting back into the swing of things after being out of town. Good trip and all in all, very good. Travel picks up quite a bit starting this weekend.

Drivin'

Funniest personalized license plate I passed (or passed me - hey its a 1989 Dodge Van!) was:
GOOGLE (it was from Washington State.) very interesting and I thought funny.

Just a reminder, the caption contest goes through Monday - there are some good entries I can tell ya that - but have you got yours in? email the caption(s) for the pictures below (see the Contest blog) to panufnikproductions (at) hotmail dot com
Good luck!

More on the trip, etc in the next day or two. I'm back.

Contest

Hey! Why not "name the caption*" with the pictures from Mt. Gretna below?
First prize will include two compact discs and be published on this blog and on ClassicallyHip dot com.
Second prize will include one compact disc and be published on this blog.
Third prize will include an a sampler compact disc. (and published here too.)
Ok, get crackin'! Contest closes Monday November 7th! You can email your entry to: panufnikproductions "at" hotmail dot com.
Winners will be announced Tuesday November 8th here.
*(may include one or more captions per photo...and may use any or all photos.)
*(judges' ruling is final.)
*(no cash value for awards - what's two cds? $30? and shipping? come on! it's a little contest, not the lottery or the van cliburn competition - hey wait that gives ME an idea for a caption!)
GOOD LUCK!