Classical Masters

"Without music, life would be a mistake." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Welcome to Classical Masters.

Yay, great idea! After a ten year sabbatical away from the keys, I picked up my studies in classical piano last year. I finally worked up Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# minor to almost performance level; I started in when I was around thirteen and subsequently quit piano in high school. Oops. ;)

Unfortunately, my technique still needs a lot of work after so long an absence and I'm battling horrible stage anxiety. I probably won't ever play publicly, but I'm content just to play at home.

Thanks, Shine. I figured a "lounge" type of group can't be a bad idea. Gather all the timeless works of the masters in a relaxed setting for all the heathens to listen to, share, and enjoy.

So, welcome to you, and Adriana and Helm. If you wish to add a video (to what will soon become a rich archive of classical video playlists), you may post the url here on the comment wall.

Glad to meet you all. And nice to meet a fellow Rachmaninov fan. :)

*Sigh*

Hey, there Jaume. Good to see you again. :)

Thought I might miss the entire opera season this year, but I had a last minute invite to Le Nozze di Figaro this Saturday just passed. For some reason I've been grinding my teeth for two weeks, but somehow Mozart and comic opera were the ticket to relieve whatever is causing my stress for a while.

Surprisingly Canadian cast (nothing wrong with that, mind you). Good performances all around, but Rhoslyn Jones, to me, was the stand out. Second time I've seen her in that theatre (mediocre acoustics imo), and she really has presence and power to her on stage.

This is her in La Bohème, though opera live and opera on youtube are unsurprisingly worlds apart.

I've never been to the opera, but I'm hoping to find a performance when we move to Austin this summer. Opera singers amaze me; I can't even hold a tune over a simple scale, lol.

Yes, do this! Opera is like being part of a threesome, sandwiched between the aesthetic beauty, grace and charm of theatre and the penetrating sensuality of music.

When it comes to personal relationships I'm a pretty faithful guy, but when it comes to the arts I'm kind of a... I guess 'slut' is the word. If only I had more money for more tickets and time for performances.

It's not uncommon for newcomers to be disappointed by their first experience at the opera house. There are so many components to a performance (the score, the libretto, the orchestra, singing, acting, mise en scène, scenery.) One failing is sometimes enough to spoil the fun.

Lol, Kris, opera slut!

Good point, Jaume; I'll have to keep in mind not to dismiss the experience if it doesn't live up to some ideal in my head.

I'll really excited about going to the ballet for the first time, as well. Last winter I kept reading about the Ballet Austin's Nutcracker performance but never had a chance to make it to the city for a show. Ooo and I just noticed that they are performing "The Magic Flute" next May.