At the end of the show, one of the musicians said that you've got to flow with your soul. I just returned from the Esplanade, after watching a recital. The title of the program is Harpercussion. There were only 3 musicians playing on different instruments, namely the Harp, Flute and the Cello. I got drawn to the recital because of the cello. I have somehow fallen in love with the sound of the instrument and I'm planning to learn it after my exams in May. :)
Tonight's recital was a different experience from the many performances that I have watched so far. They featured pieces from the "modern century" and played a total of 4 pieces and an encore piece. It wasn't even pieces from the classical or baroque century where the music might ring a bell. It was the first time listening to these pieces tonight. Also, it was the first that I saw a person playing the harp, really interesting. The harpist challenged all the possible ways of playing the harp on her first piece that lasted 25mins; a solo piece of hers. Another first was having a cello played right in front of me at such close proximity. The performance was at the recital studio which was very enclosed and could only seat up to 250 people. The acoustics were great and no sound system was needed. That was the best part of the recital! Everything was pretty much LIVE and very real. :) The cellist who was playing is Natasha Liu (you can view her myspace profile at http://www.myspace.com/junyanliu) I was randomly surfing people's myspace account and I saw hers. I was intrigued by her display photos and the fact that she plays the cello and is based in Singapore and the UK. She looks good playing the cello, not only that, she sounds great on her instrument! Great control and tone quality coming from her. I wonder how much does her instrument cost to be able to produce that kind of a sound. Anyway, she will be having another performance in Singapore at the end of June. If you're interested, do look out for her. :) Needless to say, the flautist was very good as well. They are all VERY professional.
About the pieces, it isn't the kind of music that is very easy to appreciate (at least for myself). I always felt that music from the classical, baroque, romantic period or 20th century are music that I would need much more time to digest or appreciate. Its just amazing how music can be so diverse yet they are all under a single category and each has its own colour to it. Each portrays a different picture and is apt for different occasions. Music is wonderful and amazing. I hope that I would be able to discover more insights into music as time goes by. Although I could not very much identify with the music tonight, the sound of it was sufficient pleasure. :) It was a joy to hear the trio... harp, flute and cello. I'm looking forward to Natasha Liu's next performance in June.
Thanks Xingyu for accompanying me to the recital... My music and arts khaki.
-LeB-
Friday, February 29, 2008
How Diverse O Thy Music...
You're currently listening to...
A rather new canto song by Sandy Lam. About 1yr ago I borrowed Sandy Lam's then new album from Echo. The song I uploaded is the best song I like in that album. She is a fantastic singer, versatile, has a great tone, control and expression... its very soothing listening to her. One of the old time singers who is still going strong... Hope you enjoy the song.
Today I went to the esplanade to do some studying and revision. I'm glad I managed to revise a little. A rather fruitful day :) After I studied, I went shopping for a while. Then I went into creative... And... I got myself new speakers for my computers! Yeah... so now, I'm listening to music played through the new speakers. It looks cool and definitely sounds much better than my previous. :) Hopefully in the future when I have my own home, I would have my own home studio... Emm... Wanting to be an audiophile.
A thought I had while studying...
*How nice it would be to be listening to great music, having good food/deserts and admiring a beautiful scenery in the joy and comfort of good weather*
Almost like a dream. Music, Food and Travel... Wahah
-LeB-
Sunday, February 24, 2008
A Somewhat Mundane Life...
These days, I have been feeling that life has been rather mundane. :( I'm in the midst of my mock exams and I have fallen sick, not a very good time to be sick. I have been doing quite a bit of studying. Finally feeling like a student after several months in university. However, my mind has been wondering... Wondering about what my future holds and what lies in it. I feel I am lacking... Lacking in so many areas; as the saying goes... Jack of all trades and master of none.
My schedule last week was packed with revision after revision and teaching. Besides that, I spend my time exercising in order to de-stress... I can hardly find time to do things that I might want to do. No more upcoming gigs and I haven't been hanging out with friends. So lifeless... Sometimes I am so busy and with so many things that I want to do, I feel zombie-fied. Well, I should at least be thankful that I am studying and that is something useful. Hope I'll do well in my exams and the exam days will be over soon...
On a lighter note, just after my mock exams, I'll be leaving for Krabi! What an apt timing... :) Looking forward to it. Hope to become more tan! And be white no more!
Meanwhile, I got to discipline myself... Discipline is good although sometimes tough...
-LeB-
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
寂寞公路 by 伍思凯
Below are the lyrics of the song that is currently playing on my blog. A simple melody with minimal instruments probably 2 classical guitars, the song has a greatly influenced folk style with an acoustic arrangement. I love the song for its simplicity, the emotions expressed in Sky Wu's vocals, the melody that is so touching and the lyrics. If I am not wrong, he wrote this song when he was in the States reflecting his love story. The vision that I depict while listening to this song is one that is on the streets of America, in its cold weather and just admiring the scenery, enjoying the moment yet missing someone. A great song!
说好和你一起流浪
失约的我独自飞翔
窗外景物不断地变换
提醒我背叛的心慌
说好不让你再流泪
迷惑的我不知是错是对
下雪街头独自地行走
握不住一杯温热的咖啡
New York, Dallas, Los Angeles
寂寞公路每站都下雪
想念、等候、流逝的梦
寂寞公路每寸都伤痛
Sunrise, Moonshake, Heartbreaker
寂寞公路每段都下雪
冷漠、激情、点烟的手
寂寞公路哪里是尽头
-LeB-
Warning!~!~!
Went to the esplande on Sunday for Yusheng, japanese food and some great deserts. Together with the music family, we ate non-stop! The above is highly recommended! The fluffy-ness and crisp of the begian waffles, topped with the chilled vanilla ice-cream combined with a pinch of sour berry sauce is the best combination yet! The sweetness is just sufficient and not too much. It will leave you wanting for more. I'll give it 4.5stars out of 5. Its from Max Brenner's @ esplanade. Its also a nice place to chill out. Do give it a shot if you're itching for it now! I'll have it again real soon!
-LeB-
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Gig @ Singapore Arts Museum 150208
My last performance was... just yesterday, Friday, 15th feb. Wendy and I teamed up to give a performance at the Singapore Arts Museum for Feng Zhen Jie's art exhibition. His art works are widely publicised throughout the island. Due to time constraints, it was one of the most anxious gigs ever done. We didn't do much preparation before hand, or rather, I was unprepared. Sorry Wendy...
Right here, I want to thank the people around me who have trusted in me and given me so many opportunities. Indeed, I am very blessed. And sometimes... many times, I feel so inadequate. In so many areas. I thank God too... I really need to step up!!!
About the performance, we had expected the usual set up of speakers, mics, plug-ins. But this time round, it was different. The performance was held in a small section of the art gallery and there were no speakers around. Thus, Wendy had to sing without a mic... but it was good... Wendy has huge lungs... Wahaha. Before we officially started, we were doing some warm up and walked in a guy who came to complain. He complained to Jamie, the co-ordinator. Speaking in some weird accent-fied English, he mentioned that in an art gallery, there shouldn't be much noise or music playing. One should enjoy the art pieces in peace. That dampened our mood. In my opinion, I think he's so narrow-minded. The purpose of our performance at the art gallery was to collaborate art and music together, and the idea behind it is brillant! So because of the place and happenings, our performance was very formal. Wendy sang well, but I missed quite a couple of notes :( I got to keep practising till I feel the keys of the keyboard or piano a part of me...
What was nice was that at the end of it, there were 5 people who stayed throughout our performance. However, 2 of them were organisers for the event. 1 of them is my friend! And 2 others were total strangers. I really thank the 2 strangers for staying throughout and appreciating our efforts! Thanks Xingyu for coming down also! 1 of them also commended us and its really nice and heartwarming :) I remember that her name is Doreen. Maybe we'll cross each other's paths again. Its nice receiving compliments...
During performance...
Solo shot me!
Solo shot of WendyMAMA!
The art "appreciators"... Spot Xingyu in the crowd. Wahhah
The team for the night... Mother and son duo
-LeB-
Monday, February 11, 2008
Local Pop Duo, Seven
If you are listening to the songs on my blog now, you are listening to a local pop duo, Seven. Its a husband and wife team. And their album was out in (if I'm not wrong) 2003. Thats sometime back. A trademark of theirs is that the guy in the duo has long white hair. Anyways, I really love their music, their sound, harmony and compositions. Sadly, they only had 1 album. Their songs give a sense of freedom, something different and fresh :) And they remind me of property commercials, somehow. Both have nice voices and they blend well together :) Well, hope whoever is listening would enjoy it too...
-LeB-
A short update on... Chinese New Year Happenings~!~!
The first 4 days of the Lunar New Year have passed, its time for me to get back to my books and do some studying. This Lunar New Year was mostly the same with a few additional activities :) First, there was the Echo Instructors Gathering where we had a lot of food and yusheng... The yusheng was the best! Secondly, I did a performance together with Edmund at the Singapore Arts Museum on 初二 kicking off the year's Xinyao performance at SAM. It was fun! :) Lastly, met up with the church peeps for some board games at Minds Cafe, we laughed so much that we nearly lost our voices... Pictures below!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Pineapple Tarts Baking Session~!~!~!
Last Sunday I met up with 3/5 of the evofus gang for a pineapple tarts baking session :) Thanks to Xuan's idea and opening up her place and letting us use the oven. As Jasmine said, its fun! and not only that, we felt that its a very homely thing to do. And I like that feeling. Doing something homely with your close friends. These bunch of friends are so closely knitted to me that they are more like a family. I can see and hope to see that 20 yrs down the road, we would have our kids playing with one another, visit each other's homes, still do things together... And we could still bake together! Our baking sessions are so rare that they occur 4yrs once? Yeah... thats the frequency of it. Sadly. We should try and do it more often :) Anyway, the outcome of the pineapple tarts were good! :) I like them. Ha... But the crust was a little hard, more like pineapple biscuits.
Discipline... and a total lack of it...
its been a month since the year 2008 began. has it been a good start for the year, an average or a bad start? time flies. indeed... it hasn't been a very good start for the year. many things i set to do or accomplish but i fail to achieve them. maybe its because i do not write them down also. i should set to do something about them. my exams are coming and boy do i have plenty to revise upon. may God grant me the strength, wisdom and DISCIPLINE to study. i need to be focus. FEBRUARY WILL BE A DIFFERENT MONTH. starting this date 04 FEB '08.
-LeB-