Musical Experiences 2/4

RUTH SLENCZYNSKA: "MAKE A PIECE YOURS - THEN PLAY IT!"

rhapsodydmb

Mar 222 min read

RUTH SLENCZYNSKA: "MAKE A PIECE YOURS - THEN PLAY IT!"

In the waning days of Women's History Month, Madam Ruth Slenczynska is a worthy topic. If you don't know her, please take a moment to...

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MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE: ALONDRA DE LA PARRA - SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY'S NEXT MUSIC DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR?

rhapsodydmb

Mar 214 min read

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE: ALONDRA DE LA PARRA - SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY'S NEXT MUSIC DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR?

I dare you to watch this video "La Maestra" all the way through, and not smile. You have a special treat in store! You will likely...

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DEAR FRIENDS: WOULD YOU PLEASE SPEAK UP FOR WOMEN IN MUSIC IN SAN FRANCISCO & YOUR CITY?

rhapsodydmb

Mar 193 min read

DEAR FRIENDS: WOULD YOU PLEASE SPEAK UP FOR WOMEN IN MUSIC IN SAN FRANCISCO & YOUR CITY?

In case you, like me, want relief from weeping in despair about the non-status of musical women in 2024, check out this beyond-hilarious...

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MORE THAN BACKGROUND MUSIC: THE "BOX-IFICATION" OF BLACK AND WHITE THINKING

rhapsodydmb

Mar 165 min read

MORE THAN BACKGROUND MUSIC: THE "BOX-IFICATION" OF BLACK AND WHITE THINKING

British pianist, composer, and piano teacher Simeon Walker seems to have his head screwed on right. He says that: "... box-ification of...

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rhapsodydmb

Jan 244 min read

THE "LAST ATTEMPT" or "THE BEST"?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.(1)

My high school piano, a Baldwin Acrosonic, and the "going steady ring I gave her. One person responding to John Holt (American author...

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FOUR MAGICAL CONTIGUOUS DAYS OF MUSICAL HEAVEN ! - Part I of II

rhapsodydmb

Jan 236 min read

FOUR MAGICAL CONTIGUOUS DAYS OF MUSICAL HEAVEN ! - Part I of II

Amit Peled ,* cellist pictured on Sunday just past performed "Koi Nedrei Op. 47" (aka "All Vows") by German composer Max Bruch. The...

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"YA JUST GOTTA LAUGH" - MAINLY AT YOURSELF IF YOU'RE A PIANO STUDENT!

rhapsodydmb

Jan 174 min read

"YA JUST GOTTA LAUGH" - MAINLY AT YOURSELF IF YOU'RE A PIANO STUDENT!

"Everyone has a belief system ("B.S."); the trick is to learn not to take anyone's B.S. too seriously, especially your own." - Robert...

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"LONELINESS" - A SERENDIPTOUS MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSE

rhapsodydmb

Jan 97 min read

"LONELINESS" - A SERENDIPTOUS MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSE

In this second week of the New Year, yet another message from the universe has come to my attention: a call to contemplate "loneliness."...

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rhapsodydmb

Jan 56 min read

IS THE FIRST THE BEST?

My November music-themed birthday party table decorations; photo courtesy of guest Grace Hueunemann. Thelonius Monk always said that the...

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CONSTRAINTS AND CREATIVITY: MATISSE AND THE SIX-FOOT POLE

rhapsodydmb

Dec 30, 20238 min read

CONSTRAINTS AND CREATIVITY: MATISSE AND THE SIX-FOOT POLE

Matisse painting. Lessons sometimes come in waves; one serendipity leads to another and we no longer can avoid recognizing what is right...

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EMBRACE "GOALS" - ESCHEW "RESOLUTIONS" and CONCENTRATE ON "THE GOOD"

rhapsodydmb

Dec 23, 20236 min read

EMBRACE "GOALS" - ESCHEW "RESOLUTIONS" and CONCENTRATE ON "THE GOOD"

New Year's Resolutions represent the ultimate folly as far as human beings and my personal experience go. I've learned not to bother;...

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NO EASY TASK TO MATCH STUDENT TO TEACHER: Finding Luxury Together!

rhapsodydmb

Dec 3, 20236 min read

NO EASY TASK TO MATCH STUDENT TO TEACHER: Finding Luxury Together!

" ...it is no easy task to match up the right child with the right teacher, even with the best of intention. " So says piano teacher...

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SLIDING SEAMLESSLY PAST ESSENTIAL TRUTHS*

rhapsodydmb

Nov 17, 20237 min read

SLIDING SEAMLESSLY PAST ESSENTIAL TRUTHS*

Somehow this picture reminds me of "essential truths." My very first class and first day of law school in 1970, was contracts. Women then...

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rhapsodydmb

Nov 14, 20237 min read

MY EIGHTY TRIPS AROUND THE SUN*,***

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.(1)

What could be better than music -- and a magician -- and a belly dancer -- to celebrate my Armistice's Day 80tieth birthday party --...

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MUSICAL REINVENTION AFTER CHANGE OR RETIREMENT -- SOMETIMES BY OTHERS!

rhapsodydmb

Oct 12, 20233 min read

MUSICAL REINVENTION AFTER CHANGE OR RETIREMENT -- SOMETIMES BY OTHERS!

Intended or unintended periods of major change that are inevitable throughout our very-human lives can result in beneficial -- or...

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rhapsodydmb

Oct 6, 20237 min read

A.I. IS NOT ART !

The Unclear Future? (See fall 2024 see my subsequent blog on the invasion of AI into the creative process, like it or not! Artists –...

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FINDING ONE'S SONIC PLACE IN THE MUSIC WORLD

rhapsodydmb

Sep 23, 20235 min read

FINDING ONE'S SONIC PLACE IN THE MUSIC WORLD

DAVID GEORGE HASKELL has written a lovely book about music -- or better said, about the aspect of music that involves the ears, the...

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HARMONIZING THE WORLD: My journey with 432 Hz continues...

rhapsodydmb

Sep 21, 20233 min read

HARMONIZING THE WORLD: My journey with 432 Hz continues...

When I'm playing my favored new style of pieces these days, i.e., simple , lyrical, and slow, I sometimes just stop dead upon hearing a...

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rhapsodydmb

Sep 17, 20234 min read

THE DIGNITY OF "TRIVIAL LITTLE PIECES"

If famed cellist Pablo Casals could do it – so can I! While Vivian Mackie was studying cello with Pablo Casals in Spain in the early...

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THE DUCHESS HAS A NEW "SOUND OUTFIT"! (Which do you like best?)

rhapsodydmb

Sep 6, 20236 min read

THE DUCHESS HAS A NEW "SOUND OUTFIT"! (Which do you like best?)

As promised in the earlier blog post a few days ago, The Duchess has a new "sound outfit!" Bay Area piano tech David Amendola was kind...

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A soft place to land to read poetry & stories about music & share our love of piano adventures!