The DIY Chamber Concert

You know when you're just casually having Australia Day drinks, and you realise you could be a string quintet?  And then decide to have a quintet night?  And then agree to put on a concert with that same string quintet?  And do a quartet too?  On Star Wars Day?  Yeah.  So that's been my last 3 1/2 months...  Schubert, Schubert, and more Schubert.  Death and the Maiden (now known as Darth and the Maiden), and the String Quintet in C (or, 'squintet', as one of my kids read it) for 2 violins, 1 viola, and 2 cellos .

Our concert was yesterday, and as far as I can recall, this was my first time.  That is, first time performing as a small chamber group (gigs don't count here, obviously); that's not organised by someone else (such as, it's my recital for whatever will you be a backing string quartet); in which we had to do everything ourselves - rehearsals (duh), organising a venue, advertising, tickets, food, clean up.

Yes, you can only just see my head

As we had booked a 6pm concert that would go until about 8, I thought we should provide food.  Friday evening and Saturday I prepared finger food - I love my mini-muffin tins.  This was the first time I'd ever made cupcakes - I find them visually appealing but never really want to eat them.  Except for the icing.  But I figured everybody else in the world seems to adore cupcakes (ooh, more evidence I'm weird).  More than that, though, I only recently found Cake Wrecks (which I love!) and thought, I can do that.  I was right!  Not only could I successfully spell our group name (formed from our initials, ADEPA), but I did all three clefs - and, in true Cake Wreck style, I put the dots of the bass clef on the wrong side.  And only realised this after a friend put a photo on Instagram and a couple of others did the head tilt, phone turn, head tilt, eyebrow raise, then "How did they flip it without.. um... flipping it?" oops.

Anyway, the concert went well.  There were a few odd notes here and there, and my ricochet was not the most amazing ever, and I'm sorry for augmenting the C chord at the end of the first bit of the quintet.  Not all that many people showed up, but about half the audience seemed to be made up of my students and their families.   Although small in number, they made up for it with enthusiasm.  I'm pretty sure there will be more concerts to come!

The Chamber Philharmonia Cologne

On Wednesday evening, I performed with the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne.  I've seen their posters up around Brisbane for years, but never been to a concert.  But this year, I was asked to be a 'ring-in' player for their Brisbane concert.  A touring group of 4 German players, with 2 Aussies thrown into the mix for the tour, they had 3 extras for the Brisbane concert.  Plus a flautist.  We had a 4pm rehearsal and an 8pm concert.  I expected the rehearsal to last until about 7, a short break for dinner, then the concert.  No.  Rehearsal until just after 5... 

Rehearsal was more of a 'top and tail' affair, which was good in that they expected us to know this music, and to be able to count and read key signatures.  And having less rehearsal ensured my adrenaline was running for the concert.  One of the pieces was the Bach Double - I'm quite familiar with the solo parts.  I have never played the tutti parts (I was the 2nd violin tutti part for this).  I have also never succeeded in playing either of the solo parts of the 3rd movement without stuffing up rhythm.  This made me very nervous.  But it went off without a hitch.  Most of the music was well-known (Mozart, Vivaldi's Winter, some Paganini and Monti) and it was refreshing to hear a different take on these works - not to mention how inspiring it is to see and hear this music performed live, with such energy.

Dinner was at a Japanese place on Adelaide St (with a view of the cathedral).  I had the miso ramen and a chilled green tea.

If you get a chance to see these players (they have 16 more concerts on this Australian tour), I highly recommend them. 

The Camerata Concert

I am a little bit embarrassed to admit this, but... last night was the first time I went to a Camerata of St John's concert not in the cathedral.  And wow, what a concert! 

It was rather long - and even longer because we had an applauding audience.  But it wasn't one of those 'sit down and listen to a symphony' concerts.  All the works were descriptive but quite varied.  We heard the Ravel Quartet in F Major arranged into a Chamber Symphony by Brisbane violinist Gail Aitken; Four Seasons of Buenos Aires by Piazzolla, arranged by Desyatnikov; a Cuban jazz pianist (this was the wild card, and I can't actually remember which jazz standard they performed); the world premiere of Impressions of Erin, by another Brisbane violinist (now composer in Hollywood) Cameron Patrick; and Appalachian Spring Suite by Aaron Copland.  See what I mean?  A huge programme!  And all with the guest soloist/leader Dale Barltrop, another Brisbane-born violinist.

I had a fabulous seat in the Conservatorium Theatre: A1.  Yep.  Even the guy on the door who took my ticket commented I had the premiere seat.  I do generally prefer to be a bit further back, but I think because it's such a small group I didn't feel I was just getting first violin sound, and it was so close you could see them breathing.

As another new thing - I actually bought some of the promotional merchandise during the interval.  I'd had a sneak peak during the week and couldn't resist.

Outfit #57 - Special Occasions

Outfit details:

Skirt and Jacket: Portmans.  Top: Dotti.  Stockings: Target.  Earrings: from Eumundi Markets.  Shoes: Hot Options.  (Top photo by Jeannie, who called out 'happy birthday!' before every photo - hence the big grin.  She also said I looked like Coco Chanel, but I'm not sure Coco would have worn the Nordic knit print stockings).

Today my brother played a solo lunchtime concert in St John's, so a few of us went in to listen.  Unfortunately he began the concert by having everyone sing me happy birthday.  Fortunately that was the only rendition I had to hear today.  While he was warming up, Jeannie and I had coffee (at Reception), and I took a photo of the beautiful counter mentioned in Monday's post.

Because I went to the concert, I only had 3 students to teach at school plus the string group, so I didn't take my violin.  This meant I could wear longer-than-normal earrings - these are just a tiny bit too long to wear when playing, they knock against the violin as my head moves.

Photos today are obviously from outside the cathedral.  Just before I took the earring photo I could see someone across the street taking a photo of the cathedral.  Then another, and another - cue small tour group.  Yippee.

Well, not the shoes.  Still not a huge fan of these shoes.  I like the height, and the shape of the front, but the block heel... meh.

So many photos today!  I think the top pic would be this:

When I was a kid (and, admittedly, on many occasions since leaving home), birthdays meant croissants for breakfast.  This morning I made my special breakfast of porridge with dark chocolate and marmalade.  Grating the chocolate inevitably produces some excess, which then goes on top of the coffee.  And, because I could, I had breakfast in bed.

Outfit #32 - Numbers

Outfit details:

Skirt: Sunny Girl (op shop).  Top: Ambra (bamboo).  Black and white top (below): Limited Editions (Target).  Shoes: Pulp.  Earrings: made by me.  Necklaces: from Jeannie, and op shop.

I was originally going to wear the black and white top during the day, and a long-sleeved black top later... But the weather was a little warmer than I expected.  Thankfully, the black and white top is low-maintenance.  It was squashed in my bag all day but came out looking fine at 5:15.  I love clothes like that.

I was especially happy with these shoes today.  It was their longest day in a while, with a lot of standing and walking.  Why a long Thursday?  Tonight was the first school concert of the year, and the group I just took on had its first performance.  After 3 weeks of fairly great behaviour from most of them, even the good ones were a little nuts with excitement.  Unfortunately, their pre-concert behaviour was ... enough to warrant a talking-to from another teacher.  Fortunately, they then kept it together (mostly) for the rest of the night. 

Even better, they played superbly well.  Not perfect, but close enough - much more together than I've ever heard them, more in tune, they even included contrast when we got to the smooth rich bit.  For kids who have been mostly playing their instrument since last year (and in a whole class at that), I'm impressed.

I received many comments today - the button detail on the skirt, just general "You look really pretty today", and one kid even sat next to me in the concert so she could stare at my beads and then fiddle with them.  I got a teensy shock at first when she reached across me to touch the necklaces. 

I bet you're wondering about the Numbers title of this post.  32 is my favourite number (it's outfit #32).  I think it is the best number that exists, for so many reasons.  And Outfit #32 occurs on May 10 - 10/5 - ooh, both of them are good numbers also.  If I'd realised this sooner I might have done more with it... But, I like black, and white, and there are green beads on one of the necklaces.  I love numbers.

Tequila and Extra Musings

Sunday.  Sunday was a big day.  I finally returned home after 11pm and decided not to do a blog post.  This is still, I think, a good thing.  Posting anything on the internet when super tired, not to mention slightly tipsy, is not on my list of things to do.

I was really only vaguely tipsy.  One glass of wine, and tequila.  I had never had tequila before, so this was an unexpected New Thing.  It was very nice tequila, provided by an authentic Mexican.  We were having tacos so this just enhanced the Mexican experience. 

But this was the very end of Sunday.  Writing Saturday's post about Idiocracy, I meant to add something about the whole kids thing.  I thought I might just edit the original post, but then there was so much more.  I found out on Saturday evening about a Customs House concert on Sunday.  Not on my original plan for Sunday, I was hesitant to go along...but I knew I would appreciate it if I went, and regret it if I didn't.  I just made it in time after church, and I was very glad my brother had saved me a seat.  All 3 Shostakovich string sonatas.  I was familiar with the cello sonata (played brilliantly by Patrick Murphy and Liam Viney); it was my first hearing of the violin sonata (played by Graeme Jennings and Anna Grinberg) - if this had been my first exposure to Shostakovich I would have been put off, but I think I need more education in this work; and the viola sonata (played by Yoko Okayasu and Grinberg) - again unknown to me, but so beautiful.  I was close to tears near the end (and I wasn't the only one).  A 2 hour concert, so good for my soul, my brain.  Near the end of the viola sonata I had a quick look around the audience - this is one of my concert habits - and had an epiphany of sorts.  Each of us in that room, although mostly separate, were all a part of this experience.  No matter our individual stories and what had led us to that moment, we were all connected.

Now back to Idiocracy.  In Saturday's review, I felt I missed a fence-post moment.  The movie portrays a society in which less-educated people reproduce more (a lot more) than more educated people.  This is the movie - not me.  As the 3rd of 4 children, with intelligent and well-educated parents, that would be hypocritical as a start.  Just in the last 2 weeks I've found that 2 separate couples, already each with a young daughter, are expecting a second child, and this news thrills me.  Every time I've become an auntie I'm over the moon.  I love teaching, and believe that every child is a gift, special, unique.  When people have children, whether planned or by accident, because they love each other - I have no problem with that.  When people have children because they don't have anything better to do, or because they can get more money from the government - this I find problematic.  When a child is neglected in love or education or care - this saddens me greatly. 

After the concert (at which there were a few kids, some who enjoyed it, some who were bored), I was in the queue for the bathrooms in front of a friend I don't often see.  "Anna! I love your blog!  What's your inspiration?"  I often have this conversation.  I gave my standard answer - last year was boring, I did the same things every week, so this year I'm trying to be less predictable.  But an alternative answer could be, because of Idiocracy.  By doing all the same things, my brain shrivels, synapses slow, I become a less capable person in every respect.  Generations of boring people result in the society found in the movie.  Which makes me so much more determined to do different things and live less predictably.

Mexican Baked Fish

This coming Thursday (May 3), Viola Man and I are performing in the cathedral.  We are playing some duets for violin and viola, and he's also playing some duets with a double bass player.  We had a play-through last week, and thought another rehearsal would probably be a good idea.  I also owed him dinner, so last night he came to my place, I cooked him dinner and we practiced our duets.

A few weeks ago I was flipping through some recipe books for inspiration and came across this dish - as yet uncooked by me.  As Viola Man is originally from Mexico, this dish seemed an obvious choice for dinner last night.  I halved the quantities so I wouldn't be eating this for a week, but the quantities below are the original, which serves 4, from Jill Dupleix's Good Cooking: the New Essentials.

Recipe:
Heat the oven to 200C.  Rub 4 thick, firm white fish fillets (180g each, skinned), with 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and set aside.

Finely slice an onion into rings.  Cut a sweet red pepper into strips, discarding the core and seeds.  heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a frying pan and cook the onion for about 10 minutes until soft and pale.  Add 1 garlic clove, finely sliced and cook for a minute.

Add a 400g tin of chopped tomatoes, the red pepper, and 150mL water, stirring.  Add 10 pitted green olives, 1 tablespoon salted capers (rinsed), 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno chillies, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and 1 bay leaf.  Cook gently for 10 - 15 minutes until the sweet red pepper is tender.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan and sear the fish fillets for a minute on each side, then transfer to an oiled baking pan.  Spoon the sauce on top and bake for 15 - 20 minutes until the fish is cooked through, depending on thickness.  Scatter with coriander leaves and serve with rice.

I forgot the coriander leaves for garnish and don't usually eat rice... and I forgot to turn off the oven (youch! expecting a massive power bill now).  But the flavour was good (although not as much kick as I expected), it's really easy, and we didn't need to resort to calling the local pizza place.  Phew.

For those Brisbane readers: free concert, Thursday May 3, 11:30 am, St John's Cathedral.  Duets by Halvorsen, Beethoven, Piazzola and more.

QSO Matinee

To be honest, I did not even know that QSO did matinee concerts on Thursdays.  But, they do.  A series called "Morning Masterworks", this one was "QSO Plays Elgar".  I only found out about this because my brother was called in as a casual, and then was issued with some complementary tickets, and I don't work until after lunch on Thursdays...  Free concert!

I arrived at the concert hall just before the 11am start, and discovered that my seat (18) was right in the middle.  And everyone else had already taken their seats.  Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me, so sorry, excuse me.... The other thing about sitting in the middle (and near the front) is that it looks like the whole orchestra is staring at you.  I had to keep reminding myself, they're looking at the conductor, they're just turned that way, the stage lights mean they can't see anything really.  Still, it was a little unnerving.  Also unnerving was the woman to my left turning her head several times during the harp concerto.  I know she must have been looking past me, but it really felt like she was staring at my nose.  I resisted the urge to return fire.  And, out of the 8 cellists, I could only see 7 - guess which one I only saw during a page-turn?

It has been a really long time since I've been to a concert at the QPAC Concert Hall.  I picked up a program but didn't really need to look at it.  This is what years of musical study has achieved.  I saw that it would be a Haydn symphony, a harp concerto, and Elgar's Nimrod Variations.  For the Haydn, I could predict the basic layout of the movements, and it was a bit like seeing well-known people as every expected bit happened.  Same with the harp concerto (played by Marshall McGuire).  Except, for most of that I was thinking of The Emperor's New Groove and the dress/robe argument.  And trying not to giggle.

Ah, Elgar.  It's been several years since I've heard Nimrod, and I don't think I've ever played it.  He really knows how to write a heart swell.  It was really something. 

Some orchestras, you get the feeling the players have all done this a thousand times, they're just playing the notes so they can go to the bar for a drink (for example), it's just a job.  Today, this group of players were, mostly, really into it.  The expressions on their faces and the movement of their bodies described a passion for this music that I wasn't expecting, to be honest, but really appreciated.  Although it felt really decadent to be at a classical music concert, late morning, on a weekday, to see and hear people living a passion was very inspiring.

Outfit #12 - Bonus! - Staff Concert

 Tonight was the school's annual Music Staff Concert.  I can humbly say, it was pretty spectacular (as it always is).  I can't really imagine wearing something other than black to perform, so the black dress came out again.  I love these shoes (I know I say that a lot, but still...).  They may look dainty and uncomfortable, but I've worn these for 14 hour days and still felt human.  Stiletto, but a mini platform, a strap to keep things in place, a cute little bow.  These photos were taken once I returned home, but I think it's the camera rather than the tiredness that's the cause of the red eyes.  Although, this was the least scary of the lot.

Outfit:
Dress: Hot Options.  Shoes: Pulp Noir.  Earrings: silver roses.  Hair clip: ???  Violin: made by Arthur John Parkes.  It's a long story, but he's now a bishop.

Obviously, the concert was not in my living room.  And I never actually play in this exact spot, ever, because there's a wall. 

I work with really talented people.  Not just great teachers, but really skilled performers.  We should be charging $50 a ticket minimum!  It's a bargain at gold coin donation.  I was part of 3 things, as well as the (unrehearsed) group staff thing at the end.  5 of us on strings accompanied our Head of Music and a singing teacher in 2 parts of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater.  3 of us performed the last movement of the Brahms trio for French horn, violin and piano (agh!  written in a key that's great for horn, not for violin).  And 2 of us performed the Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia duo, on violin and viola.  This was the 2nd time I've performed that piece, and thankfully it went much, much better this time.  The last time, my E string slipped near the top of the last page, and I just could not foresee success for those ridiculous runs.  I had to stop, retune, and then start up again - it really ruined the mood.  This time, all strings stayed put, the music (mostly) stayed on the music stand, and after the first couple of bits my arms and brain calmed down.  And because I apparently have a smile fixed to my face whenever I'm performing, no-one could tell the nerves were there.  Success!