A Korean folksong

This a beautiful piece from Korea. It is a national jewel and Julian Lloyd Webber does an incredible job. Sadly this was not released on North American versions of the Cello Songs CD. As I wait for Iris's return this is very dear to my heart.

Dr Draw @ Taste of the Danforth

Even with the rain and the lousy sound quality out front, this was amazing from the side. A really enjoyable set, inspiring and offered new ideas for me in my cello playing.

The Mission

I discovered this beautiful piece by Ennio Morricone today from the movie The Mission. Earlier I met with one of my international students to do some English practice. She shared that she had been talking with one of my colleagues. When asked she shared that she related to me as a teacher and as a friend, then a pause and she said as a mother. I smiled because I knew as father was impossible. Other's in the past have said grandma etc.

When my 'ma' passed away years ago I decided that her caring nature and values for neighbours and strangers was something I really wanted incarnate. Perhaps that is my mission.

Beauty and sadness

Sometime I come across something on youtube that I really like and Sifei Wen's arrangement and performance of the theme from Schindler's List is in that category.

It is very precise and maybe perhaps could have been a little more free in timing but still something of beauty. I had a little scare this week when I couldn't see properly because of bright lights in my eyes. For 2 days I was a little worried even though they went away because perhaps there was damage or I might need an operation. Still I'm OK but tired from worrying. I think because I realized for the first time there isn't anyone to look after me if I get sick or disabled. Anyhow I'm OK for now and enjoy Sifei Wen.

more mellow and more relaxed

These guys are doing what I really would love to have the chance and freedom to do. Very mellow and funky at the same time. I'm perhaps a little on the overly focused and people don't really understand me. God grant me more music in my life.

electronic cello

I suppose I'm interested in a lot of different things but at core cello is important and music is a focus for the deepest parts of me. I wish I could play more and this odd performance expresses one interest area.

I have found my trust in the activity of God especially in the person of the Holy Spirit continues to grow and ministry changes with more looking and watching and less trying to make things happen. Their improvisation is mellow and unforced a natural conversation.

gritty and real

Life is both light and darkness. I have been reading Mike Pilavachi's For the Audience of One. It says everything I have issues with and one is the need for worship to be able to lament, to cry and feel sad and down. We need to face the tears of life. At the same time I am astounded by The Shack by William P. Young which I recently completed. There are many who find it distasteful and even demonic because it undermines some very cherished ways of seeing God. But perhaps it is our pre-judgments about God that affect even our willingness to be open to God and our way of seeing the world.

The cello can and should sometimes sound sweet or melancholically sad or even griity and a tiny bit angry.

enjoying the cello

I'm trying to enjoy my new cello but still unhappy both with the sound, my own limitations and finding people to interact with me creatively. What can you do with a cello and violin? Well small is beautiful simply and yet vibrant.

I'm needing musicians willing to think and play outside the box. My own spiritual life needs this as well otherwise things become stale, dried and without life.

cello singer

Ken Oak Band just caught my ears somewhat unconventional but yet I love his lyrics singing and playing. Somehow even in heartache there are always moments of joy if only we look for them. I wonder...

Julie-O

I've just fallen in love a cello piece written by Mark Summer of Turtle Island String Quartet. He's quite a cellist in the alternative style. This weekend brings a lot of stress with Thanksgiving lunch to organize and co-ordinate. My Friend Brian has been bailing me out and stopping the boat sinking. I'm beginning to think I need to escape to a happier less stressful world found in this piece of music.

The blessing

A few months ago I received a dream gift. My late honorary god-father left me money in his will. I was able to at last buy this exact instrument though I play it with a harness so I can walk around more like Marston Smith. This Frenchman demonstrates a wide range of possibilities.

Enchantment

For years now I have watched from a distance this cellist Marston Smith. Some months ago I heard someone use what I used to say when I was a choir conductor. The importance ot knowing "how to milk a melody" - how to squeeze everyounce of goodness out of a tune. From my favourite Japanese drama Nodame Cantabile how to enchant a listener. It is the movement of body and looking right,it is having passion and soul. Marston is what what you need to be an enchanter of audiences.

At the end of August I spoke at a conference and very much prayed that what I had to say would move people. I was wondering about everything this last week with disappointments and now I remember something important. I got feedback one evening from a couple talked to me and it was thrilling even now to see them move closer to God in a short time. Thank God.

some more strange cello

I've been playing my cello with a guitar distortion pedal. I'm not as good as this guy but I've been having a little fun and realizing the pleasure of playing again. This incredible musician shows that actually it is much more soul than technique. He has both. Life has its ups and downs but I keep going and trying to enjoy the moments.

Golden Oldie - Julian Lloyd-Webber

Being a cello fan I prefer this to the electric violin piece played by Jenny Bae called Beethoven Virus. Paganinni somehow seems preferable to a more mediocre Beethoven. Sometimes new isn't necessarily better



Want to see what I'm comparing this to? (click here)

The Trout Piano Quintet

This is one of my favourite chamber pieces. As a young cellist, I was lucky to spend a few summers and music courses playing the Trout. We were not in this league but it's such a fun piece and it taught me so much about ensemble playing.This just an incredible line-up of names Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak Perlman, Jacqueline Du Pre, and Pinchas Zuckerman

Japancakes

Hailing from Athens, Georgia, Japancakes - on paper - sound like they’d be your worst sonic nightmare: at their outset they were performing full 45 minute gigs using only a D chord. eoghan at cluas.com

Ever since I came across their early cd If I could See Dallas, Japancakes' brand of ambient music has held my attention. It is extremely mellow and almost generic and reminds me of Phillip Glass. I should say I actually like Phillip Glass a classical minimalist composer. I should also say to date I haven't found anyone else who likes him! I still like Japancakes because of their meditative quality. The presence of cellist/keyboardist Heather MacIntosh has also kept my interest.

Anyhow here's their myspace account where you can hear some of their recent audio tracks issued (click)
See what you think.

Romance

From my main blog you might know cello is the instrument to which I am deeply attached. Probably the Elgar concerto is one of my favorite works and Du Pre is in my top few performances. Just feel the emotions being squeezed out and the lyrical lines singing above the intensity.

Jorane -French Canadian vitality

I'm been able to see Jorane live twice and both were incredible experiences of stage presence and incredible abandonment to the music. This clip captures some of that for me.

Dead Children in Newspaper

Cold Fairyland, a Shanghai band has interested me for quite a while. They bring a significant fusion of ideas and musical styles, almost protest.