Lucky

In the last few years, I haven't been able to play my violin quite as much as I would like. I decided a little while ago that I really wanted to practice once a week at the bare minimum. It's not much, but it at least allows me to pick up some old pieces and have music in our home. We decided we'd like to turn Sunday nights into family music nights. Our hope is that one day, all of our children will be able to sing and play together, and beautiful music can fill our home.

Problem is, I often get distracted and forget. Dan, thankfully, has a much better memory than I do. After we'd finished dinner a couple of Sundays ago, Dan requested that I play my violin while he did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. He says that it was really for him, because he really wanted to hear me play, but I think he was also just being nice and encouraging me to do something I love (while he did the chores, no less). Either way, wow, am I grateful for a husband who is so supportive, and who makes my life so much more full.

Change of Heart

I blogged a while ago about how I typically prefer singers of the national anthem to not put too much interpretation into it. But a couple of months ago, we visited the "official" flag exhibit at the National Museum of American History, which I've always loved. This time, though, I was struck by a little piece near the end of the exhibit that briefly discussed how different individuals and groups through the decades have brought new interpretations to the Star-Spangled Banner, and thus made it their own, much like America become the adopted nation of a variety of different races, ethnicities, religions, etc.

This sort of changed my mind a little about different renditions. I suppose musically I still prefer more "straight" versions of the anthem, but it makes me happy that others can bring into it the emotion and love they feel for our country. I think it is pretty fantastic that it can become familiar and comfortable and a true anthem for each individual. I'm grateful for that message. Now I just wish performers would do the fourth verse.

Or maybe this is just my way of admitting my secret love for David Archuleta.

If I were to marry a voice...

Whew. Friday. I'm sad to say that this week has been completely overwhelming. It's not terribly often that I feel that way, and even less frequently does my pride let me admit it. But hoo boy, this week totally kicked my trash. Don't get me wrong - it's been awesome. We got to host one dear friend from out of town, spend time with another, had a couple of awesome swim workouts at the gym, got to some awesome parts in Harry Potter, may have found a place to live, and got to eat at 3 (!!) fabulous restaurants (really, it's unusual for us to even eat out once for dinner during the week). I was productive at work and got to play my violin and came back with probably over $150 worth of awesome specialty food from a work food show I attended.

And I am totally pooped.

Dan jokes that whenever I am stressed, I read through my planner before bed. Much as this seems completely oxymoronic, doing so actually helps ease the stress. Instead of reminding me of all I have to do, it lets me organize what I need to do and plan a time for it, and it releases me from worrying about remembering it because I know it's already been recorded in my trusty planner. Call it The Crazy.

In any case, on my (very lengthy) drive home yesterday, I totally relaxed for a moment when a gorgeous voice came on my iPod. And thus, I bring you:

Voices I Would Marry!

In no particular order,

1. Michael Buble. His gorgeous, dusky, rich voice definitely makes the cut. The aforementioned song was him singing "My Grownup Christmas List." Now, let me make clear that I'm usually adamantly opposed to listening to Christmas music outside of the Thanksgiving-New Year's window, but I consider this an exception because that's not really the point of the song anyway, and because his voice is such that, to quote Randy, he could sing the phonebook and it would be awesome. Despite the fact that he was singing about wanting to cure the world's ills, well, Sa-WOON!
2. Gary LeVox. Lead singer of Rascal Flatts. My goodness, he has one of the clearest and most controlled voices I've ever heard. It is just gorgeous. His runs are seriously spectacular. I love the uncut versions of their songs because even then his voice is pretty near flawless. And seriously, how could you not love a voice that sings about a grandma?
3. David Archuleta. Okay, okay, bring on the mockery. I can take it. Seriously, though, go youtube his performance of "Imagine" or "When You Believe." That kid has some serious pipes. And his pitch is well, just wow. He is spot on .
4. James Taylor. 'Nuff said.

Who owns your voices of glory?

On the Stars and Stripes

Let's just start out by saying that Jennifer Hudson is awesome. She's beautiful, has enough 'tude to keep things interesting, and, obvi, this gal has some pipes. She has a voice that I like - it's big without being aggressive, and she has a phenomenal amount of control. That's one of the things I love most in a singer.

That said, I just didn't love her rendition of the national anthem on Sunday. To me, this is about something so sacred, so moving, that I just don't want someone to belt it. I most admire those who have every capacity to belt, but don't. I love when individuals sing it and it leaves you thinking, "Wow, I love those words and the heroes of this early country. I love that it was, in fact, the enemy's fire that allowed this symbol of success and freedom to be seen through the night," instead of, "Yeah!!!! That singer is awesome!!!" I'd even allow that showing off has its place; this, however, is not it. Mind you, being reverent does not always mean being quiet, but to me, it does mean being thoughtful and not getting in the way of the song itself. On that note, it drives me crazy when everyone starts clapping before the end of it!

Regardless, I did still tear up round about the last line. I thought I'd make it the whole way through for once. Um, apparently not.

PS - Was anyone else as sad for the Cardinals as I was? :(

Mann Center

Back in May, I got an email announcing that the Mann Center was giving away tickets to most all of their Philadelphia Orchestra concerts over the summer. Happy day! Needless to say, I immediately obtained the maximum of 4 tickets to every single one that was available. So we now have a summer full of fun and free concerts!

Last night was the first of our 2008 outdoor musical adventures. One of my favorite things about the Mann is that it's outside and you can bring a picnic and relax and if you wanted to just fall asleep while listening to beautiful music, it would be okay. I never really got offended when people fell asleep in my orchestra concerts (namely, my mom :)) because I figured if the music were bad, it wouldn't lull them into a sweet slumber. Anyway, so last night, we went with our dear friends Jen & Audrey in celebration of Jen's second-to-last night in Philadelphia. We took salads and drinks and fruit and it was delightful.

As the season opener, it was an incredibly diverse program, but it came together in a unique and wonderful way. First up (after the national anthem, obviously...which is actually one of my very favorite part of Mann Center concerts) was Copland's Appalachian Spring. Glory of glories. Oh my. I love Copland in general - he's probably my favorite composer - but listening to the outstanding Philly Orchestra performing him on a simply stunning evening was breathtaking. I actually looked up at the perfectly dusky clouds and commented to Dan that if those clouds were to have music, that would be it. Wow.

Next was the phenomenal Yo-Yo Ma playing Saint-Saens' first cello concerto. I'd never heard him perform before, and boy was it incredible. His tone and control and precision were all flawless.

After intermission was Musorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain and Stravinsky's Firebird suite. Both have fond memories, as Dan & I studied the first in our History of the Symphony class years ago (cue Fantasia), and the Orchestra played the latter in a concert to which I took my parents.

Anyway, this post is probably really boring to read but I pretty much adore the Mann/the Philly Orchestra/music in general so clearly I had to detail it out.