30.11.07

Fame

I had a meeting with the director of my programme this evening and I told her about my intention to leave the programme. Of course she asked me which school I am going to. When she heard the name of my school, she immediately said, "What? Why this school? Why? It is located in the middle part of the USA. Why do you choose this school?"

Almost all the people I have met ask me the same questions. They always think that the schools in the middle part of the USA (except for U of Michigan) are not good. Some of them even look down on those schools because they are not famous. They always ask me why I don't choose those top music schools such as Juilliard, Oberlin etc. I think these people are very ignorant as they only care about the fame. I always believe that not all students in a famous school are good. For studying music, the most important thing is to find a teacher that you can work with. Of course, it is true that famous schools have more good teachers. However, that doesn't mean these teachers suit you. Some professors in the top schools assume that the students all have a good foundation and they don't work with the students in a very detailed way. They spend much time to work with the best students at school. It always turns out that those students who are not the best are being "neglected" and they are not able to gain much knowledge. Apparently, they have a nice certificate when they graduate but they don't really play their instruments very well.

I don't have a good foundation and I think those top music schools don't really suit me at this stage. The undergraduate course is the most suitable time to build up a good foundation before promoting to graduate school. There is still a large room for improvement on my techniqus and musical expression. Besides, I met a good teacher when I went to music camp. This professor is very supportive in my admittance to his school. I don't think I should apply for other schools just because of their fames. Not only I will offend the professor, this will also give him a bad impression of Hong Kong students. I can't predict whether I will have a good school life at this university. Yet, I believe that I need to try before I have to do something that displeases a professor. If I really don't like this university, still it won't be too late for me to transfer to another school after year 1 because I am younger than most year 1 students.

Indeed, in the USA, people don't really care whether you study at a famous school for undergraduate. Graduate school is a lot more important. But sadly, most Hong Kong people don't understand the relationship between the ability of a student and the standard of a school. They only care about the fame.

Is fame really that essential?

23.11.07

I am 16 going on 17

Tomorrow will be my birthday.

My classmates celebrated my birthday with me in advance this afternoon. We had a birthday cake for lunch instead of canteen food. One of my friends composed a "Birthday Song" which was dedicated to my 17th Birthday. It was a duet for piano and violin. This song was premiered in the "birthday party" and my friend played the violin part by himself. It was my first time to receive a composition as a birthday gift and it was very special to me. I also received presents and greetings from my other friends as well.

The "birthday party" was held in a hurry as we had less than one hour for lunch on Friday but I was very happy. I felt sorry for the boys as one piece of cake for lunch was not enough at all.

I am looking forward to tomorrow. The age, 17, reminds me of the song "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" from the musical "The Sound of Music".

Song: Sixteen Going On Seventeen
Music: Rodgers and Hammerstein

(Rolf)
You wait little girl
On an empty stage
For fate to turn the light on

Your life little girl
is an empty page
that men will want to write on

(Leisl)
To write on

(Rolf)
You are 16 going on 17
Baby its time to think
Better beware
Be canny and careful
Baby you're on the brink

You are 16 going on 17
Fellows will fall in line
Eager young lads
And grueways and cads
Will offer you fruit and wine

Totally unprepared are you
To face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken

You need someone
Older and wiser
Telling you what to do
I am 17 going on 18
I'll take care of you

(Leisl)
I am 16 going on 17
I know that i'm naive
Fellows I meet may tell me I'm sweet
And willingly I believe

I am 16 going on 17 innocent as a rose
Bachelor dandies
Drinkers of brandies
What do I know of those

Totally unprepared am I
To face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared am I
Of things beyond my ken

I need someone
Older and wiser
Telling me what to do
You are 17 going on 18
I'll depend on you

19.11.07

Elgar . Rostropovich

Some time ago I tried to find a recording of Rostropovich playing Elgar Cello Concerto but I couldn't find it. I always thought that he didn't record this concerto until my cellist friend borrowed the CD to me this morning.

Literally, I was a bit disappointed with Rostropovich's recording. I don't mean that his playing was not good but I just felt a bit weird when listening to it. As I am not up to the standard to criticise Rostropovich's playing, so I would just say that I don't like his style. Perhaps this concerto is not suitable for Rostropovich to play.

It is good to hear different cellist's playings. However, I definitely won't recommend Rostropovich for Elgar Cello Concerto. Du Pre is still my first choice.

10.11.07

A conversation

I have theory class every Friday. We mainly focus on counterpoint in this semester. Counterpoint is a very complicated topic and there are lots of rules to memorise. Therefore, the teacher has to go over the previous assignments with us one by one. This morning, same as usual, I went out to the teacher's when she called my name. She started a conversation and her prologue was definitely a big surprise to me.

Teacher: Your perfume smells very nice. What brand is it?
Me: ...... Uh... Anna Sui.
Teacher: Really? Which fragrance?
Me: I can't remember. Secret Love? Or Secret Magic? hould be something like that, haha.
Teacher: Haha, I see. I'll have to buy it when I go to duty-free next time.
Me: Well, I didn't buy it. It was a gift actually.
Teacher: That's perfect!! It'll be even nicer to have more!!
Me: Haha, yeah......

Later when I got home, I checked the package of the perfume. It should be Anna Sui Secret Wish Magic Romance.

2.11.07

New pieces

The student recital is over. I can say goodbye to the three accompaniment pieces and my Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody. I was satisfied with my overall performance. Of course, there is still a large room for improvement for the Liszt. It is a very difficult piece, both technically and musically. One of my schoolmates said that I had chosen an excellent work. Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No.6 is not a very long piece but it consists of contrasting elements and it is very showy. That's why it is quite good to play it in a small recital.

I don't have to practise the Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody temporarily. It is time to start working on the new solo and accompaniment pieces.

1.Beethoven Sonata in E major, Op.109
2.Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85, 1st and 4th mvt
3.Paganini Introduction and Variations on a theme from Rossini's 'Moses'
4.Tchaikovsky Pezzo Capriccioso
5.Mendelssohn Violin Concerto