August 2007
Greetings from South Korea!
August 15, 2007 05:59
Hello from the Gangwon Province of South Korea, where I have spent a marvelous last couple of weeks. Hyo Kang (from the Juilliard School of Music and Aspen Music Festival) founded a festival here that is THE festival in South Korea, broadcasting its concerts live on KBS and to sold-out audiences. The artists here range from Myung Wha Chung and Chee Yun, to Itamar Golan and Jian Wang among many others...in addition, the wonderful Sejong Soloists (based in NYC) serve as the ensemble-in-residence. I have had a thoroughly enjoyable time (despite my violin seams completely coming apart in this extreme humidity), and look forward to returning here...here being the northeastern corner of South Korea by North Korea and the East Sea. It has been rather therapeutic...no use of my Blackberry, fresh mountain air, and having all day long to practice...I could get used to this. There have been some stunning concerts, and I quickly became accustomed to terrific Korean food (much healthier than what I eat back in the States, by the way...) The 13-hour time difference was a bit awkward at first, but I have since overcome that. I enjoyed watching the final round of the Aldo Parisot International Cello Competition, and getting to know some of the competitors. I played Beethoven concerto last week, and have had the pleasure of playing with Evan Solomon on piano almost daily. I spent all Friday flying home (about 26 hours door to door with driving--only good part of the trip is meeting my manager for lunch in LAX), and fly to Dallas next Wednesday, as I am relocating there. Busy times, for sure. I'm going to try and make the most of my time in Cleveland this weekend, as it's my last weekend in Cleveland for quite awhile. If anyone is familiar with the ins and outs of Dallas, I would love to hear about them! Wishing everything a happy August, and until soon...
More entries: September 2007 • July 2007
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