I've given up the idea of posting in chronological order. I'll finish the 10 day break posts soon, hopefully, but I have been doing a lot lately and want to post about it.
I'm in the IES computer lab now waiting for workshop to start at 4:30. I just got out of a coaching with Albert. We are playing Navarra, and it's such a fun piece. It's difficult to tune but we are working through it slowly and efficiently and we sounded much better today than Friday. Barbara (our teacher and coach) is really funny and always gets the best sound out of us.
Speaking of last Friday, though, after our coaching I went home and changed. I met Charlotte at the Naschmarkt where we walked around until we decided to get Chinese food. It wasn't only Chinese, since I couldn't resist getting Bulgogi. I think the name of the place was 'Pineapple.' ha.
Then we went to the Konzerthaus to get last minute student tickets at 6:30ish. We ran into Chelsea and Westrey was there, too. We swapped seats with them because Charlotte and I wanted to sit in the Organbalkon, behind the stage. It was incredible! We sat right behind the bass section.
The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen was phenomenal! They had a small string section (only 3 basses) but it allowed them to play as a chamber ensemble more than an orchestra. The precision of the group was astounding. We were literally giddy with happiness.
They started with Coriolan Overture, which I have loved ever since we played it at Vanderbilt under Leon Fleisher. Then they played Beethoven 6, had intermission, and finished with Beethoven 7. It was the best concert I think I have ever been to.
Our favorite part was probably watching the viola section as they played. The first stand, and in particular, the principal violist, was so incredibly happy to be alive and playing Beethoven. He was smiling and laughing and having fun with his colleagues. He exhibited pure joy as he played. To a lesser extent I think you could tell all the musicians were enjoying the music and the sounds they produced were genuine and alive. They really exemplified the ideal of chamber music: many people acting as one unit effortlessly.
Dean had called me in a panic before the concert. He was running late and forgot his ID, so he wanted me to try to get him a ticket. The line was really long, but some random lady offered me a ticket and I bought it from her.
After the concert Dean showed us a nice little restaurant / bar near where he lived, and it was great catching up with him. We actually ran into him the next night.
Charlotte and I had to go back the next night. I told Eva we had to postpone our Skype time until Sunday so we could go.
Saturday I slept in, then went down to the first district to explore and just wander around. I started at Karlsplatz and went to Karlskirche. Karlskirche is a really beautiful church that's unique in that they have built an elevator inside that takes you up to the dome. You climb some stairs up and you can see 360 degrees.
Then I wanted to finally go to the Hofburg, since I hadn't even seen it yet. It's a beautiful place with gardens and several national museums, including the national library. I was going to see the Silberkammer but was told that there wasn't a lot of time and I would be rushed. I came back Sunday and really enjoyed it, plus the Sisi (Empress of Austria and wife of Emperor Francis Joseph I) museum and Kaiserappartements. I thought mom would definitely love to see the Silberkammer, with all the court silver and porcellan.
Then I wandered and found myself by the Belvedere, but it was just closing (everything here closes at 6), so I went to the Prater to ride the Reisenrad (the ferris wheel). I decided it was too dark and left. I ended up going back the next day and rode it, getting another great view of the city, this time as the sun set.
I went home and made tortellini and got a text from Charlotte telling me to hurry up. I shoveled pasta into my mouth and ran out the door. We wanted to be early to snag the best seats that were left. Unfortunately they didn't have the Organbalkon open this time so we sat on the right side on the orchestra level. The seats were pretty good but we weren't sitting together. Oh well, it wasn't a big deal.
I actually brought my microtrack to this concert and tried to record it. The Creatures of Prometheus Overture and Beethoven 4 didn't turn out so well, because my microtrack is having issues. But I finally got it to work correctly and recorded all of Beethoven 3, which sounds amazing! Charlotte had her earphones so we listened to the first movement again on the U bahn back to Hietzing, haha.
Anyway, that was most of my great weekend. I should get ready for workshop, Albert and I are playing half of Navarra in class today. I hope it goes well.
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