April 2004

April 28, 2004 17:07

In the time its been in my repetiore, I've performed the Saint-Saens Violin Concerto with 3 professional orchestras, 1 amateur orchestra, in master classes with Robert Chen and Dave Taylor of the Chicago symphony, in auditions for Tanglewood and Aspen (and got into both with it) and with teachers of two conservatories of music in Brazil. And yet, when I go to play only the first movement for about 10 people at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, all of it goes out the window. Granted, there were a few spots that I can settle for (the first page, I have to say, was pretty ok), but I still can't beleive that all my runs were completely shot and that last string-crossing-y section was... well... let's not talk about it.

I suppose there are better days to be had. It is certainly a good thing that I didn't take up the triangle, though; if I didn't have the violin around sometimes I think I would have nothing to keep me humble....

On a better note, I know exactly one person who will be joining me in my adventures at Tanglewood this summer. The only problem is that he's a pianist, and he's in the college division so the chances that I will actually be seeing him are extremely slim. However, its a comfort nonetheless. I also heard (but I'm not sure, so let's keep it on the down-low..) that Midori is playing (and giving master classes...?) two days after I turn 16 this summer, so I'll hold my breath for that. If it happens it will make up for the fact that I'm working my a** of this spring to get enough money to pay for my lessons while I'm there. Everyone cross your fingers!

Oh. Mendelssoh. Yuck. Why does everyone want to hear Mendelssohn? If it were up to me it'd be ALL about the Shostakovich concertos....

Elena

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April 23, 2004 12:29

OK.

I beleive that I am due for an entry in which I am not in a bad mood. Today, so far, is looking good. On a non-violinistic note, we finished our pig dissections in biology today, which has been the highlight of my week... almost. Anyway, somehow I managed to retain enough information about the internal organs of a fetal pig to get a perfect score on my lab practical. Horray!

In further news, I have orchestra concerts all this weekend. THANK GOD I declined the offer to go to states, because I really could not have dealt with that right now. I also had a few revelations yesterday during our marathon all-day dress rehearsal:

1. There are not many times that I have contemplated suicide while playing violin. I beleive rehearsing Ravel's Bolero is the only one.
2. Never, under any circumstances, appoint a concertmistress who takes off her shoes and rests her feet on her violin case during rehearsal.
3. Never ever ever tell yourself that you will wait until after rehearsal to eat.
4. Do not play Mozart's Bassoon Concerto.
5. I can't wait for summer and Tanglewood.
6. It is impossible for me to miss a week of lessons and remain sane.
7. Probably some other things but I was in the midst of thinking about my creative writing piece that I also had to write last night. (Its about the creation of music!)

Well. I'm going to have to get off the topic of last night's rehearsal because as you can see it was a tad scarring. I just hope the concerts tonight and tomorrow afternoon and evening go better.

On another note, we performed the trio on wednesday and it was fantastic. Courtney recently bought a new cello and it sounds AMAZING! And we're having so much fun as a group, which obviously is a very good thing. There's still some things to work on, but then again, there will always be more things to think about artisticly speaking. I'm just glad this experience has worked itself out nicely, because the whole ordeal was kind of slapped together last minute. So we'll just see how it works out on May 2nd, which is our first actual concert, all the others have been like free gigs in the halls and whatnot. So I'm really excited.

Prokofiev is going fabulously. Although I think I'm going to need to give it a rest for a year or so because I want to do it for college auditions, and I'm not going to start seriously nailing that rep until like junior year. I'm not really sure what I want to do right now... maybe like Vieuxtemps or something... we shall see. I'm open to suggestions, although I've already done the Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Lalo, Bruch, Mozart(s), and Saint-Saens. Maybe Dvorak or something? I don't know... I'll have to do some more listening. No problems there!

I think thats sufficient for today, and I even left off on a good note!

Elena

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April 20, 2004 12:46

Got into Aspen. Too bad I can't go.

I need to inherit a couple milion dollars right about now. Or at least enough to cover my lessons and my summer adventures in music-making. I REALLY wanted to go... Competition money just isn't doing the trick anymore.

Poop.

Elena

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April 13, 2004 13:47

Today, it would seem, is an exceptionally ordinary day. What should one make of a drizzly Tuesday? Why, practice of course. And at all costs stay away from earthworms....

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April 9, 2004 14:26

Wellllll it has been an entirely uneventful week. Which, I admit, is better than an altogether BAD week, so I will try to avoid complaining as much as is humanly possilble.

I've been sick since last Saturday and it is showing no signs of mercy. I was actually absent from school, which hasn't happened for YEARS. It was really boring. *Note to self: Don't get sick.*

Well I haven't been to orchestra either which makes me feel even wierder (for lack of a better term) than not going to school. It feels like I have so much time, and quite frankly it's making me nervous. But now I have to go catch up on some lost practice time.

Ciao
Elena

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April 5, 2004 12:29

TANGLEWOOD HERE I COME!

*happy dance*

Things are looking very good.

Now I can sit back and not have to check the mail every day until I do college auditions. Which isn't for another two years anyway. But *phew* what a releif.

Gracias a Dios!

That's it. I think I'll go have a victory practice before my trio coaching tonight.

Elena

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April 2, 2004 15:34

Janis Joplin is my hero (her music at least. Maybe not the whole overdose thing). Or one of them at least. Whoa. Sometimes there are certain artists that just make your jaw drop. This is definitely one of them. (If you can't tell, I'm currently trying to expand my musical horizons past classical music). I actually grew up with classic rock, so I know an awful lot about that, and I must say, when I'm not practicing violin I'm playing guitar (electric). But other than that, there are so many different types of music that are so incredible and I think classical musicians tend to be a little snobbish about their musical knowledge and whatnot (not to offend anyone!). Anyway, I've really gotten into jazz, blues, punk, grunge, mo'town, soul and latin music. Nice eclectic mix I think. Nevertheless, classical music will always be my No. 1 passion. :)

A contemplative Elena

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