Yesterday I was at the British Embassy's Remembrance Day service.
It's nice that a colleague let me know about it.
The Canadian Ambassador was there with his felt poppy as opposed to the British paper poppy.
I don't know why, but this service felt more recent.
Less about the past and more about the present.
I have a close friend who will be going to Afghanistan. There are stories of dead Canadians coming home from the war.
I jump on any moment I can to think of others over myself.
Sad times, but important to remember them.
We wouldn't have the freedoms we have if it weren't for the past.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Cool week
It's been a pretty cool week so far.
Monday morning I met fellow Canadian and opera director Robert Carsen. Very cool. I've been wanting to meet him for a couple years now and it was a bit like meeting (albeit in the opera world) a superstar. He is directing all over the world and acclaimed productions.
Monday evening I saw the National Ballet in the main hall.
They performed 3 works by choreograher Nacho Duato.
As has been happening lately, I kind of drifted off for the first, but was wide awake for the next two.
It was great.
Lately I'm becoming a fan of early music and the second piece was choreographed to music set by Arcangelo Corelli and Alessandro Scarlatti. There was something beautiful about contemporary movement and sets combined with traditional music.
The fluidity and athleticism of these dancers is incredible. It's like they're floating sometimes. Also the ladies apparently weigh no more than a feather, they way they're tossed about.
The third installment was called White Darkness, coincidently the same nickname as Dave "Downtown Dee Brown" Pritchett.
This one wasn't as stunning as the the middle piece however the unique bit of visuals were the lighting and the fact that white powder, (sugar) was tossed onto different parts of the stage. Different patches that were lit as they flowed down from above the stage.
The photo from above is of the final image as this dancer is covered as the curtain comes down to haunting music of Karl Jenkins.
Tuesday was a concert in the main hall of counter tenor Andreas Scholl. He was accompanied by Concerto Copenhagen. They were incredible. They played as one player and I got a taste of more early music as the entire evening was Handel.
Andreas Scholl had a beautiful sound. It was a bit interesting when he pulled out (what I thought to be a prop) from behind his back for one aria, but it was his music.
Tonight I came back from an interesting performance. I saw an animated film that won an Oscar for best animated short film in 2008, Peter and the Wolf or Peter og Ulven. It was shown as the opera orchestra played a live accompaniment of Prokofiev's music. Kind of like those Star Wars concerts.
It was very cool and such a wide variety of performances in just a week.
Incredible.
Monday morning I met fellow Canadian and opera director Robert Carsen. Very cool. I've been wanting to meet him for a couple years now and it was a bit like meeting (albeit in the opera world) a superstar. He is directing all over the world and acclaimed productions.
Monday evening I saw the National Ballet in the main hall.
They performed 3 works by choreograher Nacho Duato.
As has been happening lately, I kind of drifted off for the first, but was wide awake for the next two.
It was great.
Lately I'm becoming a fan of early music and the second piece was choreographed to music set by Arcangelo Corelli and Alessandro Scarlatti. There was something beautiful about contemporary movement and sets combined with traditional music.
The fluidity and athleticism of these dancers is incredible. It's like they're floating sometimes. Also the ladies apparently weigh no more than a feather, they way they're tossed about.
The third installment was called White Darkness, coincidently the same nickname as Dave "Downtown Dee Brown" Pritchett.
This one wasn't as stunning as the the middle piece however the unique bit of visuals were the lighting and the fact that white powder, (sugar) was tossed onto different parts of the stage. Different patches that were lit as they flowed down from above the stage.
The photo from above is of the final image as this dancer is covered as the curtain comes down to haunting music of Karl Jenkins.
Tuesday was a concert in the main hall of counter tenor Andreas Scholl. He was accompanied by Concerto Copenhagen. They were incredible. They played as one player and I got a taste of more early music as the entire evening was Handel.
Andreas Scholl had a beautiful sound. It was a bit interesting when he pulled out (what I thought to be a prop) from behind his back for one aria, but it was his music.
Tonight I came back from an interesting performance. I saw an animated film that won an Oscar for best animated short film in 2008, Peter and the Wolf or Peter og Ulven. It was shown as the opera orchestra played a live accompaniment of Prokofiev's music. Kind of like those Star Wars concerts.
It was very cool and such a wide variety of performances in just a week.
Incredible.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Super Saturday
Today I went to see the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, who are also known as KORK.
This was an amazing concert.
They played,
Cello: Jan Erik Gustafsson
The whole ensemble played as one. It's really amazing when you see everyone on the same page. They just know where to go and what they have to do.
The cellist was incredible.
I don't go to too many orchestra concerts, but I'm glad that I'm seeing what I am.
I know that there is live music in Toronto, but the fact that this is a regular occurance here in Oslo and the fact that it was jam packed of people for a Saturday afternoon is incredible.
The other interesting fact about this ensemble is that they rotate their conductors. They choose the conductor best suited for the concert repertoire.
This was an amazing concert.
They played,
- J.S. Bach (arr. A. Webern): Fuge from Musikalisches Opfer BWV1079
- Robert Schumann: Cello Concerto in a-minor, op. 129
- J. Brahms: Symphony no 2 in D-major, op. 73
Cello: Jan Erik Gustafsson
The whole ensemble played as one. It's really amazing when you see everyone on the same page. They just know where to go and what they have to do.
The cellist was incredible.
I don't go to too many orchestra concerts, but I'm glad that I'm seeing what I am.
I know that there is live music in Toronto, but the fact that this is a regular occurance here in Oslo and the fact that it was jam packed of people for a Saturday afternoon is incredible.
The other interesting fact about this ensemble is that they rotate their conductors. They choose the conductor best suited for the concert repertoire.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Brass Chamber concert
Tonight was a brass chamber orchestra concert.
All brass.
Some Gabrielli, Grieg ... good times.
There was a 10 piece group, an 8 horn group, a brass quintet and a 15 piece ensemble.
For me, it was the little things that weren't there.
The cut-offs, the entries, the team play.
As soon as you play in a small group, you are extremely exposed. You can't cover your mistakes because you're the only one playing.
Also, if 5 of you start together and even 1 jumps the gun, than it's both noticeable and fixable. All it takes is the concentration, focus and ability to share with one another.
Same with the cut-offs. It's almost an anticipation. You also must be extremely controlled in both your breath and your instrument.
Crazy eh?
I'm loving the different experiences.
Also, another cell phone went off. Man, what's the deal with that eh? Why haven't people yet figured out that you have to turn off your beepers. It's such an easy thing to do and such an annoyance and embarrassment when you don't.
All brass.
Some Gabrielli, Grieg ... good times.
There was a 10 piece group, an 8 horn group, a brass quintet and a 15 piece ensemble.
For me, it was the little things that weren't there.
The cut-offs, the entries, the team play.
As soon as you play in a small group, you are extremely exposed. You can't cover your mistakes because you're the only one playing.
Also, if 5 of you start together and even 1 jumps the gun, than it's both noticeable and fixable. All it takes is the concentration, focus and ability to share with one another.
Same with the cut-offs. It's almost an anticipation. You also must be extremely controlled in both your breath and your instrument.
Crazy eh?
I'm loving the different experiences.
Also, another cell phone went off. Man, what's the deal with that eh? Why haven't people yet figured out that you have to turn off your beepers. It's such an easy thing to do and such an annoyance and embarrassment when you don't.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Dance festival is over.
The end of the Oslo dance festival has arrived.
Tonight I took in the final performance When Clarity Visits - Carte Blanche. This was The Norwegian National Company of Contemporary Dance, who closed this years festival with a premiere by the choreographers Guy Weisman and Roni Haver. They have backgrounds from the Batsheva Ensemble and Ultima Vez. The choreographers artistic language, communicates through concrete and abstract images, creating a fresh, daring and surprising logic.
I've seen quite a bit of dance in the past two weeks. I must say that this was a very interesting one as well.
It was the journey for the team through different phases of childhood. Growing up and memories of growing up.
Above all, I felt the team atmosphere of this ensemble. Each and every one of them were on the same page and they were all working as one.
I think as soon as performers are willing to share the experience with each other and with the audience, then we are witness to something special and unique.
That rare opportunity where we show up and anything can happen. We're all rooting for each other and there is an energetic union.
It's pretty cool. This group had some cool designs and costumes.
I tell you, my eyes are being exposed to things that I just haven't seen before. It's very cool and I'm really soaking this whole experience in.
Creative ideas are just buzzing all through my brain. Lets get it on.
I've seen quite a bit of dance in the past two weeks. I must say that this was a very interesting one as well.
It was the journey for the team through different phases of childhood. Growing up and memories of growing up.
Above all, I felt the team atmosphere of this ensemble. Each and every one of them were on the same page and they were all working as one.
I think as soon as performers are willing to share the experience with each other and with the audience, then we are witness to something special and unique.
That rare opportunity where we show up and anything can happen. We're all rooting for each other and there is an energetic union.
It's pretty cool. This group had some cool designs and costumes.
I tell you, my eyes are being exposed to things that I just haven't seen before. It's very cool and I'm really soaking this whole experience in.
Creative ideas are just buzzing all through my brain. Lets get it on.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Library
I went to the Olso public library.
You see, I'm an avid user of the public library system.
In Toronto for instance, you can get any book you want in their system delivered to your nearest library.
It's great!
I was looking for a specific play before I left and didn't get around to finding it.
Before ordering it on Amazon, I thought, "what about the library here?"
I asked Janne and Bo and they hooked me up with a library card.
I went in search of some Victor Hugo plays.
Their online catalogue said I was good to go.
I arrived and somehow managed to find the French section. However, the book wasn't there.
Did I mess up? Did I read a wrong Norwegian sign?
As it turns out, I didn't. I asked for assistance and the guy went looking in the upper attic.
My eyes became saucers as he returned with a book that looked more like an opera prop.
"Found it. I don't think it's been used in a while, and take a look, it was published in 1883!"
I picked up this relic of a book in great condition from him. The brown tea stained pages were crisp and had a different texture to books today. I felt like I needed white cotton gloves.
"And I can take this out?"
"Sure!"
I felt like a criminal as I walked up to the check out counter with Bo's library card.
I just passed over both book and card to the lady and smiled my suavest grin possible.
She spoke something in Norwegian.
"Excuse me?" I replied as beads of sweat formed on my forhead.
"This is the return desk, if you're checking out, it's over there."
Phew.
Got the book with the check out guy, I'm assuming, saying in Norwegian that the book was VERY old looking.
Who doesn't love the public library system.
You see, I'm an avid user of the public library system.
In Toronto for instance, you can get any book you want in their system delivered to your nearest library.
It's great!
I was looking for a specific play before I left and didn't get around to finding it.
Before ordering it on Amazon, I thought, "what about the library here?"
I asked Janne and Bo and they hooked me up with a library card.
I went in search of some Victor Hugo plays.
Their online catalogue said I was good to go.
I arrived and somehow managed to find the French section. However, the book wasn't there.
Did I mess up? Did I read a wrong Norwegian sign?
As it turns out, I didn't. I asked for assistance and the guy went looking in the upper attic.
My eyes became saucers as he returned with a book that looked more like an opera prop.
"Found it. I don't think it's been used in a while, and take a look, it was published in 1883!"
I picked up this relic of a book in great condition from him. The brown tea stained pages were crisp and had a different texture to books today. I felt like I needed white cotton gloves.
"And I can take this out?"
"Sure!"
I felt like a criminal as I walked up to the check out counter with Bo's library card.
I just passed over both book and card to the lady and smiled my suavest grin possible.
She spoke something in Norwegian.
"Excuse me?" I replied as beads of sweat formed on my forhead.
"This is the return desk, if you're checking out, it's over there."
Phew.
Got the book with the check out guy, I'm assuming, saying in Norwegian that the book was VERY old looking.
Who doesn't love the public library system.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
10 days...
Ten days here in the big Oslo.
"Hyggelig å treffe deg!" is being tossed around like noones business and I can actually pronounce that and convince strangers that for a split second I am Norwegian.
Not bad.
I'm staying in a great flat with a new roomate until the end of October. He's been very gracious considering that I didn't know him before I arrived.
Oslo is a great city. It's population is 500, 000 people. It's climate is very much similar to Canada's.
It's very remiscent to Toronto.
The weather is crisp and frigid and not too too cold yet. I'm holding out on the winter jacket until it just gets too unbearable.
It's a 10 minute walk to the opera house and it's a great little walk into work each day.
The great thing about Norwegians is that they're all so polite. Every, and I mean everyone is anxious to say hello and ask you questions and try out their English. Again, very similar to Toronto.
Fanciulla is a great show that is hardly done enough. There are so many other Puccini operas that are standard and sell tickets, so that makes it extremely difficult.
I have a nice little desk and all the coffee I can drink.
Every Sunday is a day off almost all over the city. Today I went to the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park with my tour guide Janne and we were treated with some cutting, colourful sunshine.
So far so good. Just wish certain people could be here with me.
Ha det bra!
"Hyggelig å treffe deg!" is being tossed around like noones business and I can actually pronounce that and convince strangers that for a split second I am Norwegian.
Not bad.
I'm staying in a great flat with a new roomate until the end of October. He's been very gracious considering that I didn't know him before I arrived.
Oslo is a great city. It's population is 500, 000 people. It's climate is very much similar to Canada's.
It's very remiscent to Toronto.
The weather is crisp and frigid and not too too cold yet. I'm holding out on the winter jacket until it just gets too unbearable.
It's a 10 minute walk to the opera house and it's a great little walk into work each day.
The great thing about Norwegians is that they're all so polite. Every, and I mean everyone is anxious to say hello and ask you questions and try out their English. Again, very similar to Toronto.
Fanciulla is a great show that is hardly done enough. There are so many other Puccini operas that are standard and sell tickets, so that makes it extremely difficult.
I have a nice little desk and all the coffee I can drink.
Every Sunday is a day off almost all over the city. Today I went to the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park with my tour guide Janne and we were treated with some cutting, colourful sunshine.
So far so good. Just wish certain people could be here with me.
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