Farewell, Maestro

Claudio Abbado has held a special place in my heart since high school when I first watched a DVD of him conducting the Lucerne Festival Orchestra play Mahler Symphony No. 5. I had never heard the piece before, and I had never even heard of Abbado. From the very first trumpet notes I was completely and utterly taken. I had never connected with an orchestra piece so quickly and entirely. Abbado led the orchestra with such beauty and finesse that I was awestruck. The music was alive and the musicians seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves. To this day Mahler’s Fifth remains a favorite, and Claudio Abbado a conductor that I respect and admire. 

Farewell, Maestro. You shall be missed. 

For a full write-up check out Allan Kozinn’s words over at the NYTimes.

Let's talk about theme songs

Before I get to the point of this post I need to make a little confession. I have been watching Ally McBeal. On Netflix. Late at night. Whilst eating Milanos. Yes, you read correctly. I am watching a show from the 90’s about a lawyer who sees nonexistent dancing babies and seems to fall or get hit by elevator doors at least three times per episode. But despite the predominantly questionable content of this show it has made me think a lot about the importance of theme songs. 

At one point in the show Ally’s shrink tells her that she needs to pick out a theme song for herself. This song needs to be something upbeat and conjured up whenever Ally is feeling low or unsure of herself. This sounded a little kooky at first, but after some consideration I am totally in. 

In the early fall Hannah showed me this awesome app called Songza. It makes playlists for you based on the activity that you are doing. I have had good (nay, amazing) gym mixes, lazy day/lounge mixes, and crazy dance party playlists all given to me via my phone/iPad! Once in the early fall after an andPlay rehearsal Hannah and I put on the ‘Walking on Sunshine’ mix. The first song was Jackie Wilson singing (Your love keeps lifting me) Higher and Higher, and I fell IN LOVE. This is the song that my brain plays for me heart when it is feeling a bit heavy. It never fails. It turns me into a smiling/dancing machine! 

What is your theme song?

andLinks

Sometimes I like to get on my computer in the mornings while drinking my green (or purple) smoothie and first cup of coffee. I have a tendency to get caught up in the black hole that is the internet. I start by reading this amazing article on chocolate chip cookies and a man’s journey to finding the best recipe, and somehow end up an hour later watching a Beyoncé video. Why does it always end with a Beyoncé video? Here are some other things I like...

Learn some new words with these cute animal illustrations!

Moscow mules. Homemade ginger beer? Copper mugs? Count me in.

I love this article that Meaghan Burke wrote on the Dead Language blog. So insightful, and just an overall great read.

I am drooling. And looking for malt powder. And prepping my bundt pan.

The psychology of reality tv. I may occasionally love/hate watch The Bachelor.

Yum. Potstickers. Who wants to come over and make these with me? 

Get your Jane Austen-nerd on!

Speaking of Beyoncé, read Nico Muhly's review of her new album!

HAPPY 2014!

Oh my! I can't even believe how quickly November and December have flown by! A new year is always so exciting and full of possibility. I think about the year that has passed and how different things are now from how they were at the end of 2012. I love resolutions and always make WAY too many for me to keep, and I recognize it, but  continue to do it. I feel like I am striving towards a goal, and even if it is impossible for me to write a letter every week, travel more, stop biting my nails, run every day, read three books a month, volunteer at an animal shelter, knit a pair of socks, become more like Martha Stewart, and practice my thirds and tenths every day, I still like writing them all down and doing a little more of all of those things during the year. 

andPlay has some exciting concerts this coming year, and I always look forward to the intense rehearsal periods. What could be better than hanging out with a dear friend and playing fun music?! This year I am resolved to make an andPlay tour happen. It will be lots of work and planning, but a tour would be the perfect way to kick off the fall semester running! I will keep you all updated (I am so sorry for my long radio silence--nothing since our October show!). 

I am looking forward to a 2014 full of friends, sparkles, and new music! xoxo, M