RSS
 

Archive for the ‘music’ Category

Singing with Harvard

27 Apr

And thus, my journey with the Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus ends with a Requiem, literally. Faure’s Requiem, to be precise. And if you don’t get it, a Requiem is the music set for a funeral. How interesting.

At the rehearsal just an hour before the concert at Harvard University’s Sanders Theater

We also sang Psalm 42 by Mendelssohn, a piece that I think has some of the best choral melodic lines ever… at least in my opinion. Mendelssohn always has lovely melodic lines anyway.

It was a pleasure, too, singing under the baton of Dr. Dr. Leong. (Dr. Dr. – because he has two doctorate degrees… one in neuroscience, and one in choral conducting!). And just in case you don’t get the joke, Dr. Dr. is just a funny nickname given to him because of his two phds!

This reminds me of something random… For my funeral, I’d like the choir – whoever is in it – to sing “It Is Well With My Soul” :)

 
2 Comments

Posted in boston, music

 

Time For Miracles

30 Nov

I enjoyed the movie, and loved the theme song at the end when the credits were rolling. Adam Lambert, impressive.



 
No Comments

Posted in American Idol, film, music

 

One Day More

30 Nov

Today is Monday.

Tomorrow is Tuesday.

Tomorrow is Tuesday, my last day of class for the semester! And then I have until December 11 to pass up my final assignment which is my thesis on Handel. And then I can sleep late, wake up late, and dance in the snow (if it snows).

I have lots of work to do, but I need to wait till the last minute to do it, or else I’d feel guilty starting so early.

Tick tock,
domluk1

 
No Comments

Posted in Life, music, studies, weather

 

Can you Handel a Messiah?

30 Nov

messiah_postcard_A6_front

Handel’s Messiah is one of my favourite works in classical choral music. I don’t really know why I like it. It doesn’t have the catchiest tunes, and neither does it have the best arrangements. Still, it is one of those works in music that has stood the test of time, and passed with flying colours. The famous Hallelujah Chorus comes from this work. And my favourite melismatic motifs come from For Unto Us A Child Is Born, found in Part I of Messiah. If you don’t know what I am talking about, and you are in Kuala Lumpur, then the poster above is for you.

I performed Messiah with the Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus recently too. My first time in a real tuxedo. Tuxedos are not very common in Malaysia somehow.

DSC01249

If you are not in Kuala Lumpur, I wouldn’t be surprised if Handel’s Messiah will be performed somewhere near you. It is, after all, something that is presented during the Christmas season every year without fail.

And don’t forget to get up on your feet when you hear the Hallelujah Chorus!

(From wikipedia)
In many parts of the world, it is the accepted practice for the audience to stand for this section of the performance. Tradition has it that King George II rose to his feet at this point. As the first notes of the triumphant Hallelujah Chorus rang out, the king rose. Royal protocol has always demanded that whenever the monarch stands, so does everyone in the monarch’s presence. Thus, the entire audience and orchestra stood too, initiating a tradition that has lasted more than two centuries. It is lost to history the exact reason why the King stood at that point, but the most popular explanations include:

  • As was and is the custom, one stands in the presence of royalty as a sign of respect. The Hallelujah chorus clearly places Christ as the King of Kings. In standing, King George II accepts that he too is subject to Lord of Lords.
  • He was so moved by the performance that he rose to his feet.
  • He arrived late to the performance, and the crowd rose when he finally made an appearance.
  • His gout acted up at that precise moment and he rose to relieve the discomfort.
  • After an hour of musical performance, he needed to stretch his legs.

All we like sheep,
domluk1

 
2 Comments

Posted in music