Busy busy week
This past week has been pretty busy. Activities have included: Teaching for a colleague who was away (family), it was Les's birthday,
there was a thank you party for volunteers by the Church, I went to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's celebration of Mozart's 250th birthday, and returned to big band/swing dancing. I went to the gym 6 out of 7 days this past week. The choir sang some wonderful pieces today, including Be in My Seeing. Okay, I just wrote this down. Now, I must prepare for tomorrow's lab.
Mozart's (*not* Shostakovich's) 250th Birthday
Yesterday was Mozart's 250th birthday celebration. There was a concert at Chatham College, as well as a big celebration at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
After work, I took a short nap, paid my Kaufmann's bill, and met Marissa, William, and Marissa's parents, Les and Cherie for dinner at the Oyster House in Market Square. We enjoyed many of the house specialties "family style:" fish and chips, oysters, crabby cakes, and their chowder. Marissa noted that when she left from work that there were hundreds of people in black and gold pouring into Heinz field, and we turned our eyes to the TV screens positioned at either side of the restaurant, as the Steelers pep rally began. It was enough to briefly interrupt Les's story about disseminating correspondence across a school district.
I met up with Anjali for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's celebration of Mozart's birthday. We were entertained in the lobby by young Michael Tseng, who played various piano works (including some lesser-known pieces) with technical skill and emotional aplomb. We found our seats, Pinchas Zukerman conducted, and we were treated to Exsultate, jubilate, a motet by a teen-aged Mozart for soprano and orchestra, K. 165 (K.158a), sung by Arianna Zukerman. The motet took easy flight with Ms. Zukerman's deft handling of the vocal and emotional range, from the beginning exsultate, jubilate to the glorious alleluja at the end. Mozart's concerto #22 in E-flat major for piano and orchestra, K. 482, with Yefim Bronfman at the piano, was a delight for the ears and the soul.
At intermission, we had a chance to meet some of the artists. I obtained a Shostakovich CD with Mr. Bronfman at piano (see photo below).
The evening concluded with a performance of Mozart's symphony #41 in C Major K. 551--his "Jupiter" Symphony. What a remarkable way to end an evening with Mozart!
Labels: Bronfman, Mozart, PSO
Miss Saigon
This past Saturday Marissa and I went to see Miss Saigon at the Byham Theater. I had a great fifth row seat, thanks to PittArts. It was a packed theater, so Marissa sat in right orchestra. The story of Miss Saigon is based on Madam Butterfly. The production was wonderfully produced by the local theater group, Pittsburgh Musical Theater. There was a review of the production in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this week.
I'd not seen Miss Saigon prior to this performance, but Marissa had seen several productions, both on Broadway and otherwise. The role of the Engineer was wonderfully portrayed by Paul Binotto, as was the role of Kim, by Jihyen Park. The rest of the main characters produced strong vocal and acting performances. 
Some of my friends and acquaintances were in the musical--Irna, the former FAAP president, and her girls; as well as Enrique. It was great to visit with them and their families after the show and to get the girls' comments on performing.
100% Centennial, Carnegie Mellon University
This Friday was the opening of the 100% Centennial Show at the Regina Gouger Miller gallery on the Carnegie Mellon University campus. I thought the gallery might be in the CFA building, but I was deftly directed by Hilary Robinson, the CFA Dean, to the Theater Arts complex. I saw one of my former students, Dave, who is working in the Volz lab in the School of Public Health, at the door, preparing people for exit interviews. Also, I ran into Roberta from the Carnegie Museum of Art, and was introduced to Fran from the digital studio at CMU. I met some of the Volz team from the School of Public Health at Pitt, who were raising awareness of environmental pollutants by using fish as indicators of environmental health.
The third floor of the exhibit is a compilation of artwork from museums and private collections. I saw a Borofsky piece and a piece by Raymond Saunders, as well as pieces on loan from the Carnegie Museums...A thoughtful combination of realistic, abstract, and conceptual works. The second floor was loaded with pieces like an 19th Century salon: Two- and three-dimensional works on the walls, suspended from the ceiling, and on the floor. There was the presentation by the Volz team, complete with dissected fish, a microscope to examine the various organs, and recipe cards for preparing species of fish which are various indicators of environmental health. I found William, Marissa, and Charles, and we met up with Chris, Patricia, and their daughter Elizabeth. We toured the galleries a bit longer, found two pieces by Chris and Patricia (appropriately displayed side-by-side), before we took leave of our friends for dinner out.
Notre Dame Choir--Tour 2006
Well, it turns out that Rachel was one of the main alumni organizers for the Notre Dame chorale that visited this past Saturday as part of their 2006 Winter tour. I had a chance to hear the Notre Dame choir at the six o'clock evening Mass at the Cathedral, as well as at the concert following the Mass in Synod Hall. The program included the Hallelujah chorale (Beethoven); a selection of seasonal carols, including The Holly and the Ivy, two versions of In dulci iubilo (from an early/16th C. Berlin manuscript and from B. Gesius); three Schubert lieder translated into English and arranged for chorus, including a Goethe poem; Schumann lieder translated and arranged for chorus (including the same poem); Cantique de Jean Racine (Faure); and selections from Handel's Messiah.
The chorale presented a consistently well-blended, silken smooth sound. The accompanist, Paivi Ekroth, did a superb job throughout the evening. In addition to directing the choir, Alex Blachly had arranged some lieder for the chorus. They had invited chorale alumni to join them for the Handel selections at the end. About half a dozen of them emerged from the audience, Rachel included.
I had a chance to briefly chat with Rachel before and after the concert. She was busy all afternoon with chorale members, finding hosts for all the choir members, and attending to other administrative tasks. I took leave as she and Don, the Cathedral music director, began to chat after the concert.
After the performance, a small group of us went out for dinner and drinks at the Union Grill. Brenda, our favorite waitress, served us. Barbara from Pastoral Council joined the choir/music group for dinner. A comfortable, relaxed evening ensued where we discussed topics as diverse as pets and their characteristics; to contemporary liturgical music and its composers; to teaching and students' opinions.
St. Paul's Cathedral Centenary--Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh
This Wednesday evening the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra launched the inaugural concert for St. Paul Cathedral's Centenary celebration. They performed to a packed Cathedral, which seats more than a thousand. I was joined by my parents, and William and Marissa.
After some brief introductory remarks, including some by Bishop Donald Wuerl; Sir Gilbert Levine deftly conducted the evening's presentation of Haydn's Creation, which had not been presented in Pittsburgh for several decades. The symphony was accompanied by three soloists; Janice Chandler-Eteme, Stuart Neill, and John Relyea; and by the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, who collectively provided the necessary vocal power for this piece within the Cathedral's gothic space. There were breath-defying vocal passages by the soloists. Ms. Chander-Eteme was enchanting; she projected even the highest notes through the arching, vaulted, sacred spaces of the Cathedral. Mssrs. Neill and Relyea filled the Cathedral spaces with their strong tenor and deep bass tones, respectively. All the musicians held us in rapt attention throughout the evening, and the audience applauded only for the major parts; as we restrained our applause for the particularly difficult passages.
In all, the evening was wonderfully enjoyable--Maestro Levine conducted the world-class PSO, accompanied by the gifted soloists and the Mendelssohn choir in the wonderful space of St. Paul's Cathedral; which was full of the appreciative, standing ovation audience.
I saw my friend Rachel in the choir...perhaps I will see if she will be going to the Notre Dame Chorale's Mass and concert tomorrow evening.
Marissa's Birthday 2006, Mozart's Birthday Party 2006
Today is Marissa's birthday. We have a lot of activities planned for the festivities! I am excited.
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Before dinner I went to Mass at the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish. There was a choral creche in front of the building next door, and the church was decked out in lights and garlands all the way to the highest cupola. There was an altar with the Infant Jesus, and a creche. I had hoped to listen to the Polish Christmas concert afterwards, but only heard the first few numbers, all sung in Polish. The first piece included dancing by this year's winsome debutantes and escorts. Then, it was time for dinner.
Dinner was at a great Italian restaurant, Legends at the North Shore. We had a bianco pizza for appetizer, and a selection of pastas, parmagianas, calzones, and seared ahi tuna for dinner. Gift opening was between courses. William and Marissa went afterwards to see the IMAX version of the newest Harry Potter movie.
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After dinner, I went to a Mozart's Birthday party replete with fare: German classical piano music by the hosts, Bob and Mariann; predominantly German (and EU) hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and desserts; and free-flowing wine and laughter. Church choir members were there; Bob's sister was there, as were her long-standing friends Mayor Maggie and Neighbor Aber from the Mister Rogers show.
The evening's music program included Bob and Mariann playing on their 90-year old Sohmer piano:
Mozart's Sonata in F (K. 497) piano four hands
Bach's Toccata in E minor
Mozart's Sonata in F (K. 332)
Schumann's Arabesque (Op.18)
Bach's Siciliano arr. for one piano four hands
Brahm's Hungarian Dance #6
The program was bookended by snacking and socializing. There was a tour of their home, including old (and older) portraits and daguerrotypes of family members. There was even a watercolor of the hosts. A highlight of the evening for Jessica, Erin, and me was meeting Maggie and Chuck from the Mister Rogers show. 
As Jessica aptly stated to Maggie, "I feel like you're my aunt!" Many of us brought the people from the Mister Rogers show into our living rooms more often than our own aunts and uncles. We discussed the show, the impact on their lives, Fred Rogers, multigenerations watching the show through time in my family, meeting the show's people in person, and the Pittsburgh Children's Museum.
We concluded the evening with a Sousa March; and afterwards, Jessica, Erin, and I took leave.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Museum of Art
Today my friend Jen and I went to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Museum of Art. I saw Roberta and other museum and library friends whom I had not seen for a while. We visited the travelling exhibit, The Bog People, first. It was quite interesting, sponsored by Canadian, US, Dutch, and German institutions. The exhibit was more multi-language accessible. And Hey! There was even an area where we could use the tools of the forensic scientist to determine demographics of a "body" found in a bog. Team Gray did pretty, pretty well!
We went in the "strativator" to travel to bedrock, and then wondered how Dinosaur Hall would look once renovations were completed. I took a detour into the gift shop to buy--gifts!
We then visited the 17th and 18th Century presepio, a creche scene which has a small town surrounding the main characters. Finally, we visited the trees erected by the women's committee in Architectural Hall. Entranced by the blue lights, Jen and I had our photo taken next to the poem tree about the poet's mom holding the kite string. Jen took my photo with the trees: one bedecked in butterflies; a tree about"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," which had cut paper snowflakes; and the tree with the kite poem. At dinner that night we talked about our own home Christmas trees and how they are decorated.
I am proud that my tree is from Alexander's department store in New York and that it is the same tree that Wawa, Joycee, and I had when we were toddlers. The tree is bejewelled in ornaments from various stages in my life--some dough ornaments which I had made and painted as a youngster, and some that were made for me by people who care for me. I have ornaments from my parents for each Christmas, including the filigree glass dance slippers which sparkle in the strings of lights. This year, I have added the music box from the director of music at Mercy Hospital's choir, Dan. There are more ornaments than there is space on my humble tree, but I do my best to make room on the tree.
After dinner of Thai food, Jen and I walked to her car by Carnegie Mellon University; then went to the Cathedral to light candles, to pray, and to marvel at the Christmas decorations which I never have time to see after Mass. I noted that there were several types of palm plants around the creche, as there would be when Jesus was born. The conifers looked sparkly in their lights, and the altar and the marble sculpture behind the altar were surrounded by poinsettiae. Such a lovely way to end a pleasant afternoon.
Charles' Birthday 2005
On Charles' birthday 2005 he did not get together with his friends from high school (Wawa and me). He really didn't want to celebrate on the day; didn't want to make an occasion of it. stet...
Wawa and Marissa had just closed on their new home in Point Breeze North, so we got some takeout Chinese food from the place Shia-Pih had recommended to us, Tasty. We enjoyed the meal with the movers, Lance and his buddy. Lance remembered me from the Science and Technology department days at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. We talked about how he used to work in the basement of the library(!), his former coworkers, and that many people believe the place to be haunted.
Earlier that week, Kelly and I were dancing around Wawa and Marissa's living room with wood floors. It is a lovely older home that chose them, with stained glass windows of Continental landscapes.
After dinner I went to Fred's party in East Liberty. A number of other choir members, as well as Adam, were at the party. Delicious hors d'oeuvres were served. Fred is a collector of original two-and three-dimensional art pieces, many of which were made by clergy. A group of us went on a tour of his bathroom, which is a shrine to his academic accomplishments. We heard selections of Handel's Messiah produced by Quincy Jones, and pondered what we would be singing later in the ecclesiastical year.
Winter Flower Show 2005
This past Wednesday I met some friends to enjoy the live music and the Winter Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory. Jen and I met up with Maggie Mae and Ken. We ate dinner then enjoyed the live brass music for a while before exploring the winter flower show, both indoors and out. The night was clear, and the stars and planets were out in full force.
We all enjoyed the discovery garden, and the Japanese garden, and we were thrilled by the lights. The multi-colored fountain was replaced by a large Christmas tree, with polar bear statuary surrounding it. Rather dramatic, in their black-and-white world. The night included stamps for the kids (and kids at heart); storytelling; and a meeting with a field mouse, who was surprised to see us invading the nocturnal habitat.
Christmas Day 2005
Christmas Day 2005 was a nice, mellow day. After singing in choir at church for the noon Mass, my family got together and also took time out to relax.
