March 2003

March 31, 2003 19:05

Hi all. It has been a long time, sorry.

Much has happened.
Well, for all of you that remember the Etude Guidence story, I got a new teacher, coincidently. She was a Lucie Robert student, and she is working me VERY hard. she is very demanding, but I am glad, after being taught by such a gentle kind man, I think I need to be kicked in the ass a bit this year, to be eloquent about it.
saw the alexander string quartet. they played shosti #8...my quartet and I were scribbling notes furiously on the program for our own work on that piece...classy, eh? They were a great group. I was amazed by the cellist's precision, especially in the solos, which seemed effortless.
Started my first two paganini caprices. feels like a rite of passage, even though I think i am playing the easiest ones. Oh well, it is exciting to feel like I am progressing in some respects. On the other hand though,I always feel like I could be practicing more each day. I am doing like 3 hours, but it never feels like enough. its not the time thats the issue, but I am just so tired after school when I put in the last hour or so, it's hard to stay focused.
Broke up with my boyfriend. Oh well. To be realistic, I dont think we would have stayed together because I am too music crazy for him. he got annoyed I think with my constant practicing and the fact I dont listen to pop music. Oh well. sad, but hey, life goes on.
Lastly, I just got a recording of the best cello piece. this girl played it this summer at the hindemith institute....chopin polonaise brilliante. Wow. It is so wonderful. Passionate, then fun and energetic. LISTEN TO it!
I get to find out which concerto I am playing for college this week at my lesson. She said Tsciak in one breath, but wienawski in another. Man, I dont want to play wienawski. Well, what ever happens, its all for the best
Going to go do some more bach
chloe

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March 17, 2003 18:59

I heard the string orchestra arrangement of the Shosti #8 Quartet. Honestly, I was angry when I heard it...I don't understand WHY it was arranged for such an ensemble. Part of the solemness of the quartet, at least when I played it, was the fact that their was only one person on each part, each carrying the melody alone, by themselves. When you put 4 more people on each part..it's less..heartbreaking, maybe. Also, the nuances were so....unarticulate...just because of the number of players.

I hate the wait in between lessons. I havent a lesson for 2 weeks, which may be my problem, but I feel so ready to play my mendelssohn for my teacher. I feel like I have made as much progress as I can, alone, and want to show him what I have done, and get some feedback. I feel ok about my playing right now. I think my location, SC, has something to do with my assuredness...just because there aren't that many violinists to compete with on this level, and so, I think sometimes I am living oblivious to the fact that small children are playing mendelssohn right now, and even though everyone else here thinks its so great, in the real world, it's not. it's depressing, but I think I have made so much technical progress. Like, I have so much control over my bow now. Anyways, Enough Rambling
CHLOE

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March 14, 2003 15:00

So, I feel like I have enough music stuff to talk about to start a blog, so here I am.

Today, I got a new student. He plays piano, but is a beginner on violin. He is 11. I get so excited when I have a new student and they stand out beacuse of how much talent they have. This kid is so intuitive. It's like he already knows how things are supposed to feel, and how he must work to produce a good sound, or keep good hand position. I think students should be treated as living, breathing, decision making little people, that need you to teach and demonstrate and educate and explain and nuture them, while also letting them feel responsible for their victories and little ideas. Often, as a young kid I felt like a ventriliquist's dummy...I did what I was told, and didn't always know why. Well, it worked, in my case, but I think we must always explain to children why we are asking them to do something, and ask how they interpret things, even if their ideas aren't right. Well, my petagogy could go on forever, but, ha, I am a young student myself. Annie Fullard called my house at 10am. She told me she enjoyed my playing at the competition, and said she would write me a reccomendation for Enore. Ah, it is so nice when someone breaks the negativity with a compliment!

Bye Guys.
CHLOE

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More entries: April 2003 •

March 2003

March 31, 2003 19:05

March 17, 2003 18:59

March 14, 2003 15:00

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