October 20, 2005 at 8:57 PM

I was having trouble getting to sleep last night. I've been rather sore and achey the last few days and my mind was just so full and cluttered with things to remember and ideas that I had that I couldn't sleep. I could actually feel the tenseness in my body and determined that I needed to relax and somehow turn off my mind so I could get to sleep. After lying under the warm covers and my cd player had shut itself off I was debating getting up and getting a hot drink to try and relax. I soon abandoned this thought after remembering that feeling of trying to stay awake from an Alexander Technique class I took while I was at Domaine Forget. I remembered that feeling of lying on a hardwood floor with my head supported by a firm sponge and feeling how my body just completely melded into the floor. It was more comfortable than just about any bed. After thinking about the class and private lesson on the Alexander Technique that I had had I remembered how to turn my mind off - the constant story or train of thought that is running in your mind constantly. Instantly, when I applied this thought process or rather lack of it, I could feel my whole body relax. It didn't take very long to fall asleep after that! I'm going to make a concious effort when I'm on the bus or just sitting around waiting for something/someone to try and do that because I feel more relaxed and refreshed today then I have felt in weeks yet I actually got less sleep last night than I've had in many days.

Well the deed is done! I'm signed up for my exam. Now I have some serious crunch time to work under to be prepared. I feel pretty good about it right now though there are definetly going to be some major challenges with this exam. The exam can be as early as January 9th and the last possible day is January 21st. I'm going to do a program I'm pretty comfortable with and excited to play but it's not just about the repertoire so it should be interesting!

Today, on CBC radio they played a work that I was very excited to hear. Delius' violin concerto played by Philippe Djokic with Symphony Nova Scotia under Georg Titner. I studied with Philippe at Domaine Forget and have heard him play live and in person so it was exciting to hear him on the radio! The Delius is a concerto I wish was heard more. It's incrediably beautiful, not very flashy or virtuosic but incrediably beautiful. Parts of it remind me a lot of the Korngold Concerto in how it's orchestrated and how the texture is. I think I'm going to have to go out and find that recording and buy it for my collection!

From Jonathan Parle
Posted on October 20, 2005 at 9:24 PM

I agree about the Delius. I really wish it was played more - it seems to come and go according to fashion. Same with the Tubin concertos - rarely heard and you have to wonder why when you hear them played well. The Sammons version of the Delius (on Naxos, coupled with the Elgar), is an especially potent and emotional performance. Although Sammons was getting on a bit when the recording was made, the musicianship really shines through. I defy anyone not to be profoundly effected when they hear the second movement for the first (or susbsequent!) time.

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October 20, 2005 at 8:57 PM

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