The new season is upon us, and I know for a fact I'm not the only Mahler fan out there. I'm not the only person eager to hear his musical goodies.
I'm also surely not the only person who likes to WRITE about Mahler's musical goodies! Many of my readers are bloggers themselves, or have shown to be great writers.
So, I'm asking for reviews! I want to hear what YOU have to say about the most recent Mahler concert you went to. Not just, "yeah, it rocked", but an actual real review.
The first one will be from my friend Robert, and I'll be posting his on Monday, for the Mahler Mondays feature. If you have a review, please send it to me at mahlerowesmetenbucks at hotmail.com. I'd love to hear what you have to say!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Absence makes the heart grow.....?
Sorry about not writing a whole lot these days. Please forgive me, dear readers, all 4 of you. (ha, kidding. I actually have more readers than that.)
I have been doing this little something called BEING LAZY. It's been rather enjoyable as well. I haven't concerned myself with much these days, and that's how I want to spend the next week or so, until the classical music season begins.
When I haven't been being lazy, I have been jumping off 50 foot cliffs in to illegal bodies of water (quarries), and having great fun doing that. (minus climbing up the damn rocks to get out). I have been hiking in southern Indiana with close friends, observing beautiful deer, and driving around the middle of nowhere with comrades, in search of who knows what. The summer is finally getting to be extremely enjoyable.
Yet it will be over soon, sad to say. Many of my friends are going back to school, which is rather exciting. Yet I feel like I've just now begun to really enjoy my summer, and I'm saying goodbye to it.....next week!
I am covering a violin recital next week, and that marks the official beginning of the classical music season for me. Many goodies in store this season, as most of you know. Mahler this, Mahler that, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra this, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra that.
Actually, speaking of Mahler though....I know I haven't been faithful with the Mahler Mondays. There actually is a reason for that though---I'm studying up on my beloved Gustav! I am hoping to write up a bit about the whole controversy of the 6th symphony's middle movements. Is it Andante/Scherzo, or Scherzo/Andante? I have friends of both camps, I admit. (I'm with the S/A camp myself, yet my A/S friends have made me doubt as of late). That dilemma should make a good Mahler Monday post, starting in a few weeks, so please bear with me.
Have YOU had a good summer? What have you done with yourself? Have you jumped off cliffs like I? Traveled anywhere? Dreamt about the fall, and all the exciting things you wish to do during that time? (big fave of mine) I certainly hope you have enjoyed these past few months of sunshine, high temperatures, laziness, etc etc. And I certainly hope you haven't minded my absence on the blog this summer, or many other bloggers, for that matter--many people have taken hiatus's, I've noticed.
I'm back in action soon though, I PROMISE. And this season should be a humdinger. I'm on the lookout for amazing music, breathtaking moments, wonderful events that will turn in to glorious memories, and.....A MAN. Yep, you heard me. I'm looking for a MAN. As in, boyfriend. Dude I want to date. Someone totally kick ass who rocks my world, and I his. Perhaps I'll find him on my travels? Maybe next time I jump off a cliff in to illegal waters, he'll be there. Who knows. But I'm keeping my eyes--and heart---peeled for him. All while I am keeping my ears and heart peeled for wonderful music.
I have been doing this little something called BEING LAZY. It's been rather enjoyable as well. I haven't concerned myself with much these days, and that's how I want to spend the next week or so, until the classical music season begins.
When I haven't been being lazy, I have been jumping off 50 foot cliffs in to illegal bodies of water (quarries), and having great fun doing that. (minus climbing up the damn rocks to get out). I have been hiking in southern Indiana with close friends, observing beautiful deer, and driving around the middle of nowhere with comrades, in search of who knows what. The summer is finally getting to be extremely enjoyable.
Yet it will be over soon, sad to say. Many of my friends are going back to school, which is rather exciting. Yet I feel like I've just now begun to really enjoy my summer, and I'm saying goodbye to it.....next week!
I am covering a violin recital next week, and that marks the official beginning of the classical music season for me. Many goodies in store this season, as most of you know. Mahler this, Mahler that, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra this, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra that.
Actually, speaking of Mahler though....I know I haven't been faithful with the Mahler Mondays. There actually is a reason for that though---I'm studying up on my beloved Gustav! I am hoping to write up a bit about the whole controversy of the 6th symphony's middle movements. Is it Andante/Scherzo, or Scherzo/Andante? I have friends of both camps, I admit. (I'm with the S/A camp myself, yet my A/S friends have made me doubt as of late). That dilemma should make a good Mahler Monday post, starting in a few weeks, so please bear with me.
Have YOU had a good summer? What have you done with yourself? Have you jumped off cliffs like I? Traveled anywhere? Dreamt about the fall, and all the exciting things you wish to do during that time? (big fave of mine) I certainly hope you have enjoyed these past few months of sunshine, high temperatures, laziness, etc etc. And I certainly hope you haven't minded my absence on the blog this summer, or many other bloggers, for that matter--many people have taken hiatus's, I've noticed.
I'm back in action soon though, I PROMISE. And this season should be a humdinger. I'm on the lookout for amazing music, breathtaking moments, wonderful events that will turn in to glorious memories, and.....A MAN. Yep, you heard me. I'm looking for a MAN. As in, boyfriend. Dude I want to date. Someone totally kick ass who rocks my world, and I his. Perhaps I'll find him on my travels? Maybe next time I jump off a cliff in to illegal waters, he'll be there. Who knows. But I'm keeping my eyes--and heart---peeled for him. All while I am keeping my ears and heart peeled for wonderful music.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Video Games Live
Normally when I go to the Hilbert Circle Theater, people are dressed in nice suits, pretty dresses, and the average age seems to be around 40 or 50, in general.
Things were a bit different this past weekend though. Instead of people getting all dolled up and whatnot, people instead dressed a little more relaxed. For instance, these were the shirts I was choosing between:
and this one:
Now, why such shirts? Because of the amazing show known as Video Games Live. Here in Indy it coincided with the GenCon convention, and it was gaming heaven all weekend, at least for all the gamers around town. (I'm not so in to the new games. But I enjoy playing Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania, Super Mario Bros, etc etc pretty often. I was raised on NES. My brother also attests to the same in one of his recent blog posts. He also went to GenCon to take pictures--check them out.)
The concert was a BLAST. I don't think I've ever had so much fun at the Hilbert. I am always more than happy to be vocal at a performance (meaning when it's time for applause). I hoot and holler if I think a show was amazing, and I do get looks from time to time, but I care not. The wonderful thing about Video Games Live was that you could hoot and holler whenever you wanted. Despite being really ill this past weekend with some weird virus, I found the energy to go wild and scream my lungs out.
I screamed my lungs out because the fusion of lights (well chosen, cool, and awesomely synched with the music), music (video game music of course!) and videos of some of my favorite games of all time, and also games I'm not familiar with, but that had amazing graphics and stories. No wonder so many people are in to gaming--the artistry of video games is simply superb, and it is indeed an art form. But that's for another blog post....
Some major highlights were video game pianist Martin Leung. He's the amazing video game pianist, who you might have seen on YouTube, playing video game themes BLINDFOLDED. He was a very nice gentleman as well a very talented one.
Another cool part of the show was Guitar Heroes. Earlier before the show there was a contest to see who the best Guitar Hero player was, and then later on he came on stage to see if he could beat a certain score level. He had to beat 200,000 points at the "Hard" level for Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion". The guy thought that was too easy, so he went to the advanced, or expert level, or whatever the highest level is. (I will admit to never having played Guitar Hero). He did really well actually, getting to around 180,000 points. The host for the show, Tommy Tallarico also played an actual guitar during the contest as well, which made it even more fun. Tallarico was the host for the show, and did a terrific job at it. He was energetic, passionate, funny--the whole lot.
I'm writing a review of the show for NUVO, and it will be out on Wednesday, so I'll post that then, and you can see how many stars I chose to give the show. In the meantime, below are some more photos of the show for you to enjoy. You can also check them out at my Flickr page. Enjoy!
Things were a bit different this past weekend though. Instead of people getting all dolled up and whatnot, people instead dressed a little more relaxed. For instance, these were the shirts I was choosing between:
and this one:
Now, why such shirts? Because of the amazing show known as Video Games Live. Here in Indy it coincided with the GenCon convention, and it was gaming heaven all weekend, at least for all the gamers around town. (I'm not so in to the new games. But I enjoy playing Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania, Super Mario Bros, etc etc pretty often. I was raised on NES. My brother also attests to the same in one of his recent blog posts. He also went to GenCon to take pictures--check them out.)
The concert was a BLAST. I don't think I've ever had so much fun at the Hilbert. I am always more than happy to be vocal at a performance (meaning when it's time for applause). I hoot and holler if I think a show was amazing, and I do get looks from time to time, but I care not. The wonderful thing about Video Games Live was that you could hoot and holler whenever you wanted. Despite being really ill this past weekend with some weird virus, I found the energy to go wild and scream my lungs out.
I screamed my lungs out because the fusion of lights (well chosen, cool, and awesomely synched with the music), music (video game music of course!) and videos of some of my favorite games of all time, and also games I'm not familiar with, but that had amazing graphics and stories. No wonder so many people are in to gaming--the artistry of video games is simply superb, and it is indeed an art form. But that's for another blog post....
Some major highlights were video game pianist Martin Leung. He's the amazing video game pianist, who you might have seen on YouTube, playing video game themes BLINDFOLDED. He was a very nice gentleman as well a very talented one.
Another cool part of the show was Guitar Heroes. Earlier before the show there was a contest to see who the best Guitar Hero player was, and then later on he came on stage to see if he could beat a certain score level. He had to beat 200,000 points at the "Hard" level for Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion". The guy thought that was too easy, so he went to the advanced, or expert level, or whatever the highest level is. (I will admit to never having played Guitar Hero). He did really well actually, getting to around 180,000 points. The host for the show, Tommy Tallarico also played an actual guitar during the contest as well, which made it even more fun. Tallarico was the host for the show, and did a terrific job at it. He was energetic, passionate, funny--the whole lot.
I'm writing a review of the show for NUVO, and it will be out on Wednesday, so I'll post that then, and you can see how many stars I chose to give the show. In the meantime, below are some more photos of the show for you to enjoy. You can also check them out at my Flickr page. Enjoy!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Mahler Mondays
So I got Alma Mahler's diaries the other day. (no, this isn't a post about our dear Gustav, but this does count as a Mahler Monday entry, because I love trashing Alma Mahler).
It reads like this:
"I am such a nasty skank. I make dumb decisions like cheating on my amazing husband who is totally in love with me. "
Seriously. Reading this nauseates me.
But this book serves many purposes, apart from just something to read--I can use it to hold one of the windows in my room that won't stay open unless it's propped up. I can also use it as a coaster, for when I have a cup of tea and don't want to put it on wood. Also, if the world comes up with a toilet paper shortage, that will be the first book I use.
It reads like this:
"I am such a nasty skank. I make dumb decisions like cheating on my amazing husband who is totally in love with me. "
Seriously. Reading this nauseates me.
But this book serves many purposes, apart from just something to read--I can use it to hold one of the windows in my room that won't stay open unless it's propped up. I can also use it as a coaster, for when I have a cup of tea and don't want to put it on wood. Also, if the world comes up with a toilet paper shortage, that will be the first book I use.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Mahler Mondays
I carry around with me, in my heart, in my soul, a DISEASE. You might carry it around too---it can be contagious. Sometimes this disease tries to attack you, only to be fought off vigorously. Then other times when it hits you, you're OUT. What disease am I speaking of?
MAHLERIA.
What's interesting about this disease are the strains of it. Much like mono, there are many different forms of it, and what's scary is that you can have more than one.
I went in to the doctor the other day, with my iPod on, listening to (what else) Mahler 6 (Bernstein, Vienna Phil) with the score in my left hand, and a baton in my right. I was flailing my arms everywhere, I was pointing to my invisible orchestra, all the while moaning about life, it's meaning, asking about God, Heaven, the little animals, and so on and so forth. The doctor looked at me, with my crappy four pattern, and my desperate questions and my brooding and depressive episodes (that had no real origin) and declared I had two major strains of Mahleria. It was like a fatal hammer blow to my heart. And two of them!
I carry the F.A.M. Syndrome (Kaplaneria Psychosis). Due to my Fanatic About Mahler Syndrome, I sit around and daydream that I am at an orchestra rehearsal, at the Hilbert Circle Theater, just observing the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Mario Venzago is conducting Mahler 6 (I doubt he ever will though) and he knows what a fan I am of Mahler. In this fantasy of mine he calls me up to take a swing at conducting, and lo and behold I am a fountain of conducting talent---I am called the conducting reincarnation of Mahler himself!!! I go on to get an agent and conduct all the major orchestras around the world. 60 minutes interviews me. Gustavo Dudamel and I are best friends. I give Daniel Barenboim conducting lessons. I'm also Dean of the School of Music at IU. I maintain homes in several cities. I am the sh*t.
At the same time, I am inflicted by the "Romantics" strain of Mahleria, aka Hypochondrus Maximus. When I am not daydreaming of my success as a conductor, you will find me wringing my hands while listening to the last movement of Mahler 6, convinced that the last hammer blow will kill me. I am often in tears within 2 seconds of hearing the intro of Mahler 9, and am begging death to take me, because life on earth---why live it? What is the purpose of it? I'm dying anyway, of some heart condition, so just take me now death!! Spare me!!
I try to deal with this disease. It just keeps growing though. My CD collection is bursting, my scores are piling up, my conducting fantasies are becoming more frequent.....oh my. This virus, it is coursing through me! It is incurable. I will have this forever, it will never leave my blood.
What's the solution to this? (more cowbell?) I have no idea. I just know I must accept the fact that I cannot be cured of this.
NOR DO I WANT TO BE!!
MAHLERIA.
What's interesting about this disease are the strains of it. Much like mono, there are many different forms of it, and what's scary is that you can have more than one.
I went in to the doctor the other day, with my iPod on, listening to (what else) Mahler 6 (Bernstein, Vienna Phil) with the score in my left hand, and a baton in my right. I was flailing my arms everywhere, I was pointing to my invisible orchestra, all the while moaning about life, it's meaning, asking about God, Heaven, the little animals, and so on and so forth. The doctor looked at me, with my crappy four pattern, and my desperate questions and my brooding and depressive episodes (that had no real origin) and declared I had two major strains of Mahleria. It was like a fatal hammer blow to my heart. And two of them!
I carry the F.A.M. Syndrome (Kaplaneria Psychosis). Due to my Fanatic About Mahler Syndrome, I sit around and daydream that I am at an orchestra rehearsal, at the Hilbert Circle Theater, just observing the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Mario Venzago is conducting Mahler 6 (I doubt he ever will though) and he knows what a fan I am of Mahler. In this fantasy of mine he calls me up to take a swing at conducting, and lo and behold I am a fountain of conducting talent---I am called the conducting reincarnation of Mahler himself!!! I go on to get an agent and conduct all the major orchestras around the world. 60 minutes interviews me. Gustavo Dudamel and I are best friends. I give Daniel Barenboim conducting lessons. I'm also Dean of the School of Music at IU. I maintain homes in several cities. I am the sh*t.
At the same time, I am inflicted by the "Romantics" strain of Mahleria, aka Hypochondrus Maximus. When I am not daydreaming of my success as a conductor, you will find me wringing my hands while listening to the last movement of Mahler 6, convinced that the last hammer blow will kill me. I am often in tears within 2 seconds of hearing the intro of Mahler 9, and am begging death to take me, because life on earth---why live it? What is the purpose of it? I'm dying anyway, of some heart condition, so just take me now death!! Spare me!!
I try to deal with this disease. It just keeps growing though. My CD collection is bursting, my scores are piling up, my conducting fantasies are becoming more frequent.....oh my. This virus, it is coursing through me! It is incurable. I will have this forever, it will never leave my blood.
What's the solution to this? (more cowbell?) I have no idea. I just know I must accept the fact that I cannot be cured of this.
NOR DO I WANT TO BE!!
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