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I have just looked at the date on my last post and realized that it has been exactly a month since I last wrote. The long break was certainly unintentional - more likely a sign of my state of transit and, at least partially, a lack of internet during my weeks in China. Since my last tour of China had been 10 years ago, I was most interested in making comparisons - noting progress and changes - for better or for worse. The streets that were once filled with bicycles and pedal vehicles of all sorts are now as congested with cars as any western city. Bikes have been updated with motors and the food vendors on the streets are now electrified - I didn't see a single open fire. Rice cookers and electric steamers have replaced open coals.

Our audiences in China seemed genuinely enthusiastic; it did appear that there were more middle class listeners ( though I can't be sure) than 10 years ago. The concert halls were full, the audiences appreciated our light programs, but applauded most for our renditions of Chinese folk songs. It was a good tour.

After ten days of Chinese culture, it was very comforting to arrive in Berlin again - home . . . familiar surroundings and friends and my own empty refridgerator! The euphoria of being in Berlin didn't last long, though, as I very quickly decided to make a trip to my childhood home in western New York State. I have been here for a week now - here I have the exquisite privilege of coming home to the village and the house I grew up in. I can sit in the living room with my father and brother, sleep in the same bed I knew as a child and immerse myself in the surroundings I have known for my whole life. This is home. This is fantastic.

And, as much of the east coast of the USA digs out from a large snowstorm, we, in western NY, bathed in sunshine today and witnessed a spectacular sunset. (This may very likely be my next subject for a watercolor . . .)

Winter Sunset in Wellsville

Musically the past weeks have been dominated by the programs we presented in China - lots of "Blue Danube" and Strauss polkas . . . but also Beethoven 8. This symphony undoubtedly doesn't have the weight of the 3rd, 5th or 9th, but is still charming, full of contrast and lots of fun to play. I'm convinced that Beethoven must have chuckled while composing it. I have chosen another recording with Bernstein (he is definitely my favorite) this time with Vienna. I really enjoy watching Bernstein's expressions while conducting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cITK6WgZj4M  It may also be worth noting that this orchestra was one of the last to retain its "all male" status.

There isn't a female to be seen in the whole orchestra. Things have changed since 1970!

24 December 2015

The stockings are hung by the chimney, the gifts are all wrapped and the sun is setting already on this spring-like Christmas Eve in Berlin. The weather has been so lovely this month, it is more like April than December. I'm wondering if the southern hemisphere is also experiencing such crazy aberrances in the seasons. Santa will be putting some roller blades on his sleigh tonight!

We will have our Christmas celebration this evening - our small family here in Berlin - and, via Skype, those in New York, too. The wonder of internet certainly has made contact over the miles so much easier. I am thankful for that. We will take time out from our otherwise constant state of "hurriedness" and "business" to enjoy the day, the year and each other before we all bustle off to our next duties. These times are so rare and so special.

Speaking of which, this message will also serve as my New Year's wishes to you all, since I will be spending the next two weeks on tour. I'll be entertaining  Chinese audiences with Beethoven 8 and other classics instead of concerning myself with ways to serve leftover turkey. (There is never any leftover stuffing, is there?) My holiday dinner will be whatever the airline serves. . . . hmmmmm.

No matter how you are spending this weekend - celebrating Christmas or otherwise - I send warmest greetings from our house to yours and wishes for a peacful, healthy and creative New Year.

I will leave this year with one last musical offering. The third symphony of Camille Saint-Saens is not particularly Christmas music, but does still have all the ingredients for being such. On top of a full orchestra there is also piano 4-hands and organ contributing to the joyous noise. Here is a recording of the last movement (actually the whole symphony is worth a listen, too)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmo30e15Bzg
And, here is another link solely from the perspective of the organist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzCN83XLZco   An audience rarely gets to appreciate the fact that the organ console is somewhere other than in the midst of the orchestra. The organist seldom has eye contact with the conductor and has to rely on other tricks to stay synchronized. . . in this case, he has a video camera and one can see how he counts! Fascinating.

"Music gives a soul to the universe,

wings to the mind,

flight to the imagination

and life to everything."

PLATO

Merry Christmas to all!

Advent

Now that Advent is upon us, the first snowflakes have fallen and my first Christmas market is history, I have dug out my musical favorite for the season. As soon as I hear drums and trumpets announcing the first measures of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, I know that the holiday season is officially opened. My own recording of all six cantatas is a rather old rendition by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, but for simplicity's sake, I have chosen a newer rendition that is a bit leaner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggm0SZCWKZo   It is interesting to hear how our ideas of musical interpretation have changed over the  years. (Don't worry, I won't get into the music theory of it all!) Do have a listen and enjoy Bach's masterpiece. No matter which interpretation, it is a timeless treasure.

Here are also a few impressions of last weekend's Advent market at the Liebenberg castle.

 

 It was a good weekend  - for the visitors and vendors, too.  This coming Sunday, I'll be standing outdoors at another market here in Berlin (Mexikoplatz). It can be a chilly event, but, having grown up in New York State, I learned the benefits of heavy boots and long underwear at an early age. And I do enjoy the interaction with all the visitors, customers and friends at these markets.

I send my wishes to all for a joyous and blessed Advent.

The Best Plans. . .

A week ago I was in the midst of rehearsing Dvorák's 7th  Symphony  - a truly  wonderful work full of exuberance and drama. It is my favorite of all the Dvorák symphonies,  unfortunately performed too seldom. So, I was very happy to have the chance after many years to reacquaint myself with this work. With all of Dvorák's beautiful melodies in my mind,  I had also developed a mental outline for a corresponding blogpost full of colors inspired by the rich harmonies and rhythms, especially in the symphony's  third movement. This recording my not be the best of them all, but I chose it because the conductor, Jose Serebrier is married to a distant cousin of mine - a shirttail relative! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAvQJB6P9sg

And then came Friday evening and the events in Paris. . . . I won't dwell on this subject here; we have heard the news and listened to the editorials and politicians and read the many facebook comments. It is over, but the effects will be with us for a very long time.

My art selection this week isn't something new - I rather wanted to choose a painting that exudes calm peace. I hope the world can find it, too.

Winter Cranes

November in Liebenberg

Schloss Liebenberg

Indian Summer may be an American phenomenon, but we here in Germany are experiencing  a wonderfully mild and extended autumn that is every bit as beautiful as those in New England; it is pure luxury to be able to leave  winter coat and gloves in the closet in November. The geraniums and asters in my window boxes are still producing blossoms and defying the calendar. Until yesterday there were even several half ripe strawberries in my sunniest window garden; I was entertaining thoughts of  homegrown strawberries on Thanksgiving . . . until the local squirrel found them. I hope he enjoyed this unexpected delicacy.

On one of the sunny afternoons this past week I took a drive just north of Berlin to visit Schloss Liebenberg. In one month's time, the courtyard of this little castle will be transformed into a beautiful Advent market with stands offering all sorts traditional decorations, handicrafts, art (yes, KlangArt, too) culinary treats and music.

It was not the typical November afternoon!

The fresh air, mild temperatures and glorious colors have had their effect on my watercolor palette,  too. Where I ought to be concentrating on snowmen, angels and winter scenes for the upcoming Advent market season, I've instead spent my time painting the warm tones of autumn sunsets and foliage.

Autumn in the Air

As I was leafing through an old calendar today, I ran across something I had scribbled on the page - a thought from John Cleese that was important to me then - and no less pertinent today.

"Nothing will stop you from being creative so effectively as the fear of making a mistake."

Right!

October Glow

I think the forces of nature have had a conference and decided to concentrate all their efforts on this last day of October and make it the most fabulous of autumn events. The bluest of blue skies and sunshine galore have made the last show of colorful leaves a real painter's dream. Even the maples (that theoretically do not turn red here in Europe) have done their best to prove science wrong. Needless to say, my afternoon walk was pure joy. The temperature is even mild enough that I could enjoy browsing through a neighbor's yard sale - I love these little treasure hunts and forays into remnants other worlds. The follow up is, of course, bringing the new acquisitions - a book or a basket or a little dish - home and making them fit into one's own surroundings.

Autumn Aspens

Just a week ago, the tables were turned as I was at the midpoint of Open House weekend in my KlangArt studio - a grand event, made so by the many friends, art lovers and customers who took the time to drop by for a visit. There were many interesting conversations as well as comments on my artwork and my architecturally distinctive apartment. As an artist, the most rewarding moment of such an event comes when someone expresses interest in a specific painting - enough to want to buy it and be able to look at it and rediscover it daily in their home. . .  to make it fit into their own personal world.  My heart smiles.

My closing thought comes as I listen to the daily news on the radio:

       "The job of an artist is to offer a sanctuary of beauty to an otherwise ugly world."
                                                                                                             Jeff Goins

Between Day and Night

Open House in October

The days really seem to fly by. I know, it is a common plaint that there are never quite enough hours in the day . . . . ahh. . . I'm thinking, though, that just yesterday it was late summer and today the calendar says mid October - and I still haven't had the opportunity to go for a long walk in the woods and shuffle through the fallen leaves. I'm reminded of years of raking, cleaning up the garden, even burning leaves at streetside and kids jumping into leaf piles. Memories are wonderful, aren't they?

Outdoor activities have been kept to a minimum this week in Berlin for a couple of reasons. First, the weather hasn't been cooperative and, more relevant for me, preparations for the upcoming open house in my studio have kept me busy.

OK. . . .This chaos in the studio is merely a sign of the creative process (please don't laugh). By Saturday it will all be orderly. In the meantime, there is a lot of painting, matting and framing to be done. This is my labor of love - not to be traded for anything. I can only hope that my endeavors connect with the visitors in my studio this weekend. Amen.

Herringbones

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If you are in Berlin this weekend, you are most welcome to drop by the studio; all are welcome. It will be a grand event.