Movie Negotiations

Alrighty, just got off the phone with a nice manager at Rave Theaters, Vestavia.

The movie deal looks like it will be a go (although the exact negotiation will take place with the corporate office). Movie will be determined around Tuesday--I'll let you know what the possibilities are and we'll take a vote.


Dinner that evening will most likely be Pizza in honor of the Italian composer VERDI. I'll do my best to get a salad there for Katie M. and other interested parties (via a trip to COSTCO).

Movie $$$: Price will be around $10 for a drink, popcorn, and ticket.

Possible movies:

New ROCKY
We are Marshall
Pursuit of Happiness
Night at the Museum

I like the idea of a comedy after an evening of rehearsals but Rocky, Marshall, and Pursuit are all shows that I want to see (and haven't yet).

Response has been good from the choir . . . I think it will be a great evening and possibly something that we can do at the beginning of every semester. What would you think about that?

So . . . that's the latest.

Answering questions

What's it gonna cost us?
Very little.

Do we have to pay for dinner?
No

Can we have salad too?
No.

Do we also have to pay for the movie?
Maybe

Can we skip out on the movie if we're exhausted?
Yes. But don't.

what movie will it be?
I don't know.

Can we vote?
Maybe

How many classes are we exchanging this for, and what days will they be?
Probably 4 classes. At least two Fridays.

Update: Katie will be in charge of the lockin

October 2006 090, originally uploaded by philipco.

Katie asks excellent questions. I'm putting her in charge of the details.

A Quasi Choir Lock-In and Late Nite Movie

The UAB Band Director, Sue Samuels, is a very bright woman. She came up with the idea of having a band lock-in a few weeks ago and I've been interested in the idea ever since. I used to love lock-ins . . . it was a real Baptist thing that I did growing up and even led a few in a brief stint as a full-time church musician.

I'm no good past 2:00 in the morning, however, and I don't like the idea of rehearsing on a Saturday morning. I like the FIRST part of a lock-in and not the end.

We've got the Verdi Requiem coming up, you see, and it will take quite a while to learn it. Instead of spreading it all over January, I'd like to get the bulk of it under our belt at the very beginning of the semester.

My basic idea is to rehearse on the first Friday evening of class (January 5, 2007). At the end of the night, go en masse to a movie. I'm going to call my favorite theater today to see what sort of deal might be available at midnight. (movie, drink, popcorn)

I did the movie thing with a jr. high lock-in once and it was a great experience. I'm not sure what it is that is so fun about it, but I love taking an entire group of people to the same movie. I did it for the first time with Leigh's medical school class . . . the 100-member class went to see Gross Anatomy and it was quite fun. (at least, I think that was the movie)

Possible timing of our Quasi Lock-In:

Friday, January 5
5:00 - 6:30 rehearsal
6:30 dinner (Verdi seems to dictate pizza)
7:30 - 9:00 rehearsal
9:00 break (ice cream?)
9:30 - 11:00 rehearsal
Midnight: Movie

Reading through Christmas

Books I've read since Thanksgiving (highly recommended):

1. Sex, Murder, and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis.
I don't typically read Chick-Mysteries, but I'd downloaded this one for Leigh to listen to on her new Ipod Nano. That was one of Leigh's Christmas presents and she loved it. Her other favorite thing that I put on the Nano? Andy Gibb. Read about the book here.

2. Next by Michael Crichton
A fascinating book that is quite alarming in its description of the dangers of genetic research. Read about it here. A review here.

The Los Angeles Times had this to say:
On a more abstract level, however, Crichton is surely on to something: That world is changing so fast that public education, the media and the legal system have failed to keep up, and we risk being blindsided by tomorrow's challenges to our notions of what's possible and moral.

3. Night Room by Peter Straub.
An incredible read. There is a unique twist in the opening third of the book that I will never forget. A review here.

4. The Taking by Dean Koontz
This was a good read, but not a great one. Koontz can always make things scary, that is for sure, but I didn't think this was one of his best. This review captures it well:

If you’re a Koontz fan, you’ll want to read this book even though it’s not up to his usual standards. The first half is a powerhouse of creepiness with a story line build-up that showcases the best of Koontz's storytelling abilities. But the second half will likely let you down, unless your favorite theme in Koontz's books is the transcendence of horror by uplifting spirituality.

Little Peach

Little Peach, originally uploaded by BooBear.

We are fortunate to have a photographer that helps us around our house. She gets a great photo of Claire right here.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Rest in Peace, President Ford

Today we honor the passing of President Gerald Ford with his favorite hymn, Eternal Father, Strong to Save (a link to a description of his presidency is here):

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

and kiss the feet of God

"Who knocks tonight so late?"
the weary porter said.

Three kings stood at the gate,
each with a crown on head.

The serving man bowed down,
the Inn was full, he knew.
Said he, "In all this town
is no fit place for you."

A light in the manger lit;
there lay the Mother meek.
This place is fit.
Here is the rest we seek.

Come, come.

They loosed their latchet strings,
so stood they all unshod
"Come in, come in, ye kings,
and kiss the feet of God."

Choral Works for Lent (church)

I'll post a little work here that I did over on the Choralist list:

My Short request:

1. work for church
2. lasts about 20 minutes and
3. have 6-7 different movements
4. along the lines of two Vivaldi works: Gloria (2004)and Magnificat (2006).

Short answers from the community:

Bach: Passions
Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri
Caldara: Stabat Mater
Charpentier: Le reniement de St. Pierre
Dubois: Seven Last Words of Christ
Faure: Faure's Requiem
Gawthrop: Dan Gawthrop's "Behold What Mystery"
Gretchaninoff: Alexander Gretchaninoff's "Passion Week", opus 58
Handel: Passions
Haydn: Seven Last Words of Christ
Hopson: 'Tenebrae - A Service of Darkness' by Hal Hopson
Martin: "Song of the Shadows" by Joseph Martin
Mignemi: "MYSTERIUM INCARNATIONIS" Giuseppe Mignemi
(You can free download http://www.giuseppemignemi.it/index_english.htm or direct http://www.giuseppemignemi.it/MYSTERIUM%20INCARNATIONIS.htm)
Mozart: Requiem
Rutter: Requiem
Schutz: Seven Last Words H. Schutz
Smith, Lani: A Service of Shadows Lani Smith
Stainer: "The Crucifixion" (John Stainer)

Full Original Question:

The big Christmas service is complete for this season. Our biggest
successes over the years have come with two Vivaldi works: Gloria (2004)
and Magnificat (2006).

I'd like to do something along those lines during Lent and I'm looking for
suggestions.

My ideal work for church lasts about 20 minutes and have 6-7 different
movements. Three or four would be accessible works for the choir and the
other 3-4 go to solos, duets, trios, etc.

I've already consulted the ChoralNet archives and I'm interested to see what
other recommendations there are out there. I'd be glad to do a compilation.

Previous suggestionsfrom
this list include:

"The Crucifixion" (John Stainer)
'Tenebrae - A Service of Darkness' by Hal Hopson
Dan Gawthrop's "Behold What Mystery"
various passions by Bach, Handel
Alexander Gretchaninoff's "Passion Week", opus 58
"Song of the Shadows" by Joseph Martin
Seven Last Words H. Schutz
A Service of Shadows Lani Smith
A Service of Darkness Lani Smith
Faure's Requiem
Stainer's Crucifixion
Rutter's Requiem
Mozart's Requiem
Dubois Seven Last Words of Christ

Thanks to all who contribute.

Full answers from the community:

I have composed a suite of 5 pieces to chapel "MYSTERIUM INCARNATIONIS"
You can free download
http://www.giuseppemignemi.it/index_english.htm
or direct
http://www.giuseppemignemi.it/MYSTERIUM%20INCARNATIONIS.htm
Merry Christmas
Giuseppe Mignemi
Via G. Grasso, 20
95013 Fiumefreddo Sic. (CT) - Italy
www.giuseppemignemi.it

Scott Gillam to me
show details Dec 21 (18 hours ago)
Dear Philip,

How about Haydn's Seven Last Words of Christ? This is probably an easier
setting to learn than the Schuetz setting of the same text, although I'm
personally not familiar with either work. We rent up to 42 copies of the
Haydn (G. Schirmer edition) (a) $1.50 per copy plus postage.

Another outstanding possibility is Charpentier's Le reniement de St. Pierre,
a haunting 11-minute work with solos and keyboard and basso continuo
accompaniment. We rent up to 76 copies of this piece (Presser edition) (a) 75
cents per copy plus postage.

We also rent both the Vivaldi Gloria and Magnificat that you mention in your
email.

Check out our on-line catalogue, which has added over 60 selections in
recent months, for more possibilities.

If you wish, I can put your name on our list to receive once-yearly advance
notices when the catalogue is revised.

Best wishes for the holidays,

Scott Gillam
NAS Choral Music Rental Library
www.nasingers.org

MLycanclef(a)aol.com to me
show details Dec 20 (2 days ago)
Buxtehude, Membra Jesu nostri

Best wishes,

Mary Lycan
mlycanclef(a)aol.com

Hi:
Instead of some 'work' - - put together a work (as long as you are not using orchestra - - which would be then a nightmare!)

Do a movement that fits your group from different masses or works.

For instance:

Kyrie: chant
Gloria: Schubert
Credo: Haydn
Sanctus: Faure
Agnus Dei: Robert Ray (Gospel - slow)
Benedictus: (some Renaissance composer)

you could throw in:
Dies Irae: Mozart
Lacrimosa: Mozart
Dona Nobis Pacem: Bach b Minor

etc. etc.

This way, you could pick and choose those that are accessible to your choir and they'd have the benefit of learning the music and styles of different composers/eras.

Peace.
Happy Holidays.
Richard Garrin
www.richardgarrin.com

Just a brief comment. Requiem settings are to remember the deceased, especially in the Fall, beginning with All Souls Day on Nov. 2. I would suggest not doing them during Lent...
the theology just doesn't fit.

For the singers of songs

Don't miss this story.

The composer stumbled across Neruda's poems in an airport bookstore and found their tender and searching stanzas to be a perfect gift for husband and wife. Sadly, just over a year after the songs' May 2005 premiere -- and less than eight months after this live recording was made -- Hunt Lieberson died at 52.

The set's final song, "My love, if I die and you don’t--," offers a clear-eyed tribute to everlasting love. But it's hard not to be moved listening to Hunt Lieberson's gorgeous, smoky voice, as well as her unsentimental approach to music that already aches with yearning and loss. Neruda's last line -- "But love, this love has not ended: just as it never had a birth, it has no death: it is like a long river, only changing lands, and changing lips" -- perfectly complements the composer's gently rocking rhythm. His descending four-note theme feels like a gentle lullaby, as he slowly rocks his dear wife to sleep.

Download Chopin Nocturnes Free

The story I found here:

"You don't have so much of a career now," I say, when I meet the Russian pianist Andrei Gavrilov. In 1974 Gavrilov was the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Tchaikovsky piano competition, aged just 18. He was a protege of the great Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, and a superstar in the 1980s. In 1990 he had a recording deal with Deutsche Grammophon and the world at his feet - or, rather, his fingertips.

That was then. It's been all downhill since - a story of abandoned concerts, loss of confidence, the end of the DG deal, a broken marriage. It was a personal and artistic implosion, though which fed which is hard to say. I asked a friend, who knows his musical onions, what Gavrilov meant to him. Nothing. He was too young. Gavrilov hasn't made any recordings since the mid-90s, and he hasn't played many concerts either. He was history.

From today's Guardian interview with fallen superstar Andrei Gavrilov, and the article allows you to download new recordings by him of seven Chopin Nocturnes.

A newer new look

Ok, after two somewhat negative comments on the new blog look I'm trying something else. This one retains the structure of the old but gives some new colors. I was getting tired of that other look.

Comments, anyone?

(and please, notice that we have the ability to do LABELS now)

Triplets say Merry Christmas

December 2006 046, originally uploaded by philipco.

A new look

Blogger finally allowed me to make the switch to the new version. I'm pretty sure I was one of the last group because I have over 800 posts . . . so it was a bit more complex. Let me know what you think about the new version (I can always switch back to the old look). Expect some more changes as I get used to it.

Daniel Pinkham (1923-2006)

Daniel Pinkham (1923-2006)

From his website:

Dan passed away peacefully on the morning of 18 December, 2006.
A memorial service will be at 2 pm on Saturday, the 20th of January at King's Chapel, 58 Tremont Street in Boston.

There will be a reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Pinkham Endowment for Music
King's Chapel House
64 Beacon Street
Boston MA 02108

Daniel Pinkham Scholarship Fund
New England Conservatory of Music
290 Huntington Avenue
Boston MA 02115

Suspect Detained--Let's Hope He's Not a Music Teacher

I don't know if you've heard about the horrific murders of prostitutes in England lately, but they are now holding a suspect:

Police hunting a suspected serial killer following the murders of five prostitutes in eastern England arrested a 37-year-old man on Monday and cordoned off a group of houses.

The man was arrested at his home in Trimley St. Martin, near the port of Felixstowe, Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull said in a brief statement to reporters. He declined to say where the suspect was being held.

I'm waiting for the news that he is either a music teacher or minister any day . . .

God smiled upon me yesterday

I was driving along yesterday morning not expecting anything and I saw it: a new sign beside the construction project very close to my neighborhood. At first, I couldn't believe my eyes . . . it was too good to be true . . . yet it was.

A STARBUCKS is coming to my neighborhood. Less than a mile from my house.

And there's more . . . .

It will be the biggest in Birmingham . . . and it will have a fireplace.

I already have a name for it: my new remote office.

Bill Clinton Kills Santa

wow.

Festivus for the Rest of Us 2006

You only THINK you know about Festivus. Here's a video explaining more.