The new song is coming along – it’s a Gavotte, by Martini – there is a theme with about seven variations – the theme is definitely coming along, and I’m pushing through the variations. Yesterday I reached the spot where I can play through the whole thing, more or less. I’ve barely begun to memorize […]
A few weeks back I wrote about The Minnesota Orchestra’s goodwill tour of Cuba – the musicians gave two concerts in Havana and participated in other educational programs while on the tour. Learning of that excursion was my first exposure to the organization. The Orchestra has gained some acclaim for its recordings – two are […]
Alma Spreckels was the sugar queen of San Francisco – she married well from extremely humble beginnings, and quickly became one of the leading ladies of the city, widely influential in creating culture as well as in fighting for working San Franciscans – her likeness now sits atop a pole in Union Square. She amassed […]
Pause is a project in San Francisco that seeks to create innovative public spaces. The Exploratorium, a science museum in the city, is responsible for the installation we happened upon during our visit last weekend, at the intersection of Market and Yerba Buena. It’s a two-piece sound-based installation that requires its viewers to participate – […]
My memories from when I played the violin as a child are limited and specious – I very much wish my recollections of those third through sixth grade years were stronger. But one thing that sticks well in the brains of humans is anticipation, and as a youngster, I definitely remember anticipating this important thing […]
I’ve been traveling with friends, so my last post was 6 days ago. I also haven’t played since last Wednesday’s lesson, when Teacher left with my bow to take it in for re-hairing and repairing. We returned to Chicago Monday night, so yesterday morning before work I headed out to the suburbs to get the […]
Teacher was heading out to the burbs to see the luthier yesterday, and she generously offered to take my bow along. I’m so grateful – it saves me a trip out there! I needed to get the grip re-wound, as the leather has deteriorated with age and is splitting. The wire wrapping is also starting […]
I’m thrilled this week to be reading of a special tour The Minnesota Orchestra is currently undertaking. The ensemble has, as of yesterday, become the first American symphony to travel to Cuba since the lifting of the travel ban recently. I have always loved goodwill diplomacy of the type musicians and athletes are sometimes able […]
An octave is an interval in music. The concept forms the basis of Western music’s notation – A B C D E F G A – 8 notes. In this example, A and A are an octave apart. Though we don’t know which “As” I’ve specified, we can know that, if written in ascending order, […]
Very few restaurants provide dinner music – I’m not sure if it used to be more common or not. While music can be loud, and one of my complaints about restaurants can be ambient noise levels that make conversation difficult, I enjoy the presence of live music when it’s done well. Last night after a […]
Ryan Libel 