Joan Lippincott at the von Beckerath
Joan Lippincott performed a program of Mathias, J.S. Bach, Mozart, Copeland, Messiaen, and Widor this evening at St. Paul Cathedral. She masterfully showed off the instrument through flawless, seamless runs and selection of pieces that highlighted various stops/voices of the organ.
Karina and I spoke with Fred, Judi, Jessica, and Nancy at intermission. After the concert, Nancy, Karina, and I met Ms. Lippincott. We were thrilled by her music and Nancy purchased the latest J.S. Bach CD for her to sign. I expressed to her that I had heard her practicing yesterday mid-afternoon and about half a dozen to ten people had entered the church to pray when they were struck---held rapt---by her organ playing. We showed her our appreciation for her playing.
We circled around back to the narthex exit to talk to Doug, Judi, and Don. I made the joke William had made to me, "I'm able, so no cane!" and jockeyed around behind Don's back (because I could).
We walked Nancy to her car, and Karina and I were happy to get a ride home, too.
We had a chance to talk to Ken about their experiences sending Emily off to school.
Labels: Bach, Choir, Church, friends, games Superbowl, Mozart, music, organ, St. Paul Cathedral, talent
PSO Music Director's Talk, 19 February 2009
I went to a talk by the PSO music director today after physical therapy. Some various concepts Honeck presented during his talk:
[It takes] courage [to be faithful],
"I choose to be either hot or cold [in my faith life]....I like hot soups, so.."
He stated that he is fortunate in his position at the PSO, as he has the opportunity to pray for ~20 minutes before a performance with other musicians.
Sacraments are important to him and his family: Penance, and especially the Eucharist..."you can pray and sing in your home, but you cannot receive the Eucharist: [That is a good reason to go to Church.]"
He has a healthy respect for Maria.
He cannot imagine a "life without belief---no."
In response to questions:
Even if you spend one minute per day in prayer in Church, or in Eucharistic Adoration, [it is still a regular meeting with God], it is still a step-by-step process [as opposed to a sudden event to build one's faith].
Even "Mother Teresa had a forty-year darkness."
"Trust God will do things for me...will take care of me."
"One gets dressed [in an outwardly fashion] for [the concert]...in tuxedo, tails, shoes, etc. [Why not] get dressed for God [in an inner way]?"
"Put God in the middle of your life, then you will have everything."
Has he experienced persecution due to his faith?
Those with different, opposing views "don't accept [my views], but in [their] inner heart, they accept it."
He spoke of John Paul II meeting Kissinger.
He addressed a scientific study on music that heals better [Bach and Mozart]...and pondered whether there is a music that "doesn't heal, [as] many young people are depressed."
When asked about pieces he likes, he mentioned that it is difficult to answer that question, but that Mozart, Mahler's 2nd, Strauss Valses, and Bach and Mozart [were moving].
In short, a fascinating program.
Don and I chatted before and after the program, and we saw Fabiola, Karina, and Kristen there, too.
Labels: Church, Faith, Honeck, international culture, Mahler, Mozart, music, philosophical, PSO
The Grapes of Wrath, Les Triplettes de Belleville
After work, I went to an opera lunch hosted by Annabelle and Linnea of Pitt Arts. Opera Lady (Beth Parker) was there, as was Ricky Ian Gordon, who wrote the music for The Grapes of Wrath, playing this season at the Pittsburgh Opera. We were treated to a number of musical selections from this opera/musicalische, as well as lunch trays of sliced meats and cheeses with salads. Roberta and I chatted before the luncheon, were joined by Ethan, and enjoyed talking to Ricky after the talk. It turns out he knows and has worked with a family friend, J.
Soon after I drove to physical therapy for about an hour of exercises with the physioball and the usual pool exercises. It always feels like flying in the pool! I stopped by the library and picked up a number of DVDs and VHS tapes to watch. Before and after dinner I watched The Triplets of Bellville, a movie that Susan E. recommended to me. Absolutely lighthearted and suspenseful at the same time!
Labels: art, Atlantic Ocean, Carnegie, cinema, dining, dog, exercise, library, Mozart, opera, pool, water exercise
Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass 2008
After singing noon Mass in the choir this afternoon, Mom and Dad told me we were invited to Phyllis and Gene's celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary this year at a diocesan-wide Mass at St. Paul Cathedral at three o'clock.
The diocesan choir sang, Debby and John W. cantored, Don played at the organ, with many of the acclamations, psalms, and hymns were written by Fr. Jim Chepponis. They also sang Ave Verum by Mozart, "Now Thank We All Our God," and a postlude, "Trumpet Voluntary."
We made our way to the basement social hall for cookies, punch, and coffee.
~~~~
We celebrated Ornella's birthday with her and a group of choir and Choireland friends at the Grill restaurant on Craig Street. We had a fun time, and sang "Happy Birthday/ Buon/Feliz Compleano" to her three times.
Labels: Birthday, celebration, Choir, Church, diocese of Pittsburgh, friends, Ireland, Mass, Mozart, Pittsburgh, St. Paul Cathedral, Zubik
a morning email
My mom forwarded to me this video, the link is at the end of my email, after the tilde~~
*FOR my low-vision friends-
The video takes a couple of moments to load in another "tab" in your window. Please be patient.
Please excuse the occasional background piano music during the show.
This video is of a Korean talent show called Star King in which this 5-year-old blind and wholly untutored pianist plays tunes that she hears for the first time (she could do this since age 3). She also accompanies singers in their own key. Then she sings and plays piano at once, a song with beautiful words that include 'You were meant to be loved...and you are receiving that love all the days of your life...all your life.' Finally, there is the 'scoring' process of many talent shows, and she sets a record for the talent show---95.
What a lovely talent!
~~~
Here's the video
Have a blessed Sunday!
Labels: Blind, children, international culture, Mozart, music, talent
Holy Week 2008--Good Friday 2008
After a bout of the flu, I returned to work Good Friday. This was followed by delivering candy to my colleague Elia, some photocopying, and attendance at St. Paul Cathedral of the Good Friday Passion of the Lord, celebrated by Bishop Zubik. As my friend Tina, indicated, we get to hear Don sing
Eli, Eli, lama lazabhtani?
[God, why hast thou forsaken me?]
as part of the responsorial psalm (Ps. 30, Chrysogonus Waddell, O.C.S.O).
The Gospel acclamation was by Proulx, and the Passion Narrative was read with
Jesus Remember Me (J. Berthier).
This was followed by veneration of the Cross, accompanied by
Were You There (Spiritual)
Jesu, Salvator Noster (R. Farrell)
O Vos Omnes (G. Croce)
Then by Communion, accompanied by
Attende Domine
De Profundis (W.A. Mozart).
I was particularly pleased with the fullness and the balanced sound of the choir. I sat at the break in the pews at the new addition on the east side of the nave, on the center aisle. Hearing De Profundis was a treat, as the last 5-10 measures always seem they should be reminiscent of Christ's last breaths and heartbeats.
I saw my friends after Mass, Dan from ceili dancing, a neighbor who appreciated my reading, and I congratulated Matt on his participation in the Passion reading. My friend invited me to a fish fry, which I did not attend due to my so-recent recovery from the flu.
Labels: Choir, Church, health, Mozart, Pittsburgh, St. Paul Cathedral, Zubik
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
