Bobby Chen in concert

On Sunday (Aug 24th), Bobby Chen appeared at Dewan Jubilee Perak at Shah Alam. He gave a one and a half hour piano recital. His repertoires are:

1) Beethovan - Sonata Op. 13 'Pathetique'

2) Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet: 10 pieces for piano Op.75

3) Schubert - Impromptus Op. 90

4) Chopin - Nocturne Op. 9

5) Chopin - Ballade Op. 23 No.1 in G minor

Actually, I didnt know about this concert until last Friday. It was very last minute, but I decided to attend since it's such a rare occasion to see Bobby Chen in Malaysia. Thanks to Xin Ying that I knew about this concert. (No posters at UPM .. ish..!)

Anyway, I have a few complains about this concert. Not about Bobby Chen's playing of course. But a few unsatisfactions that I really need to voice out! I had a difficult and painful time watching this recital. Very PIK CIK! Again, not Bobby Chen's fault...

1) The venue

Not suitable for piano recital. The auditorium is big and grand, however it's too big for a piano recital. Many seats were spoilt and the place is not well-maintained. This place can be very good if the people in charge made an effort to improve it. But, I still think, this hall is better for theatre work rather than piano recital. Oh ya, forgot to mention the time of this concert. It's 4pm in the evening! Weird! First time i heard matinee concert is at 4pm. weird!

2) The piano & audio system

Since the auditorium is big, it makes sense that the piano should be bigger! They only provide a medium grand for poor Bobby Chen. (approx. 5 feet 7?) How to project his sound la?! Well, at least a concert grand la! kiam siap.. some more this event is organized by.. Y****a.. haih.. So since the piano sound is not well projected, they did an amazing job by putting mics to enhance the sound. I think (based on the knowledge that I learned from music technology class) the placing of microphones is incorrect and does not aid the enhancement of sound. During the first half, piano sounded thin and weak. But, I think they did something with the equalizer, so second half sounded better.

3) The audience

This is the WORST PART of the whole concert. I don't understand the organizers actually. They do not remind the audience to switch off mobile phones, to remain seated during the concert unless emergency and to keep quiet! I understand that many local people do not have enough exposure and understanding towards classical music. I completely understand this. However, they should at least know the ethics of being an audience?! The most basic manners should be respectful towards the performer. During the entire concert, children and adults were walking in and out of the hall and creating unnecessary noise. They were talking and fumbling around. This actually disturbs the performer's concentration and mood A LOT! (Not only audiences, even the organizers/people in charge were doing this too! For goodness sake, manners! You don't do that in cinema, do you?) Many times I noticed Bobby Chen felt uneasy, annoyed and distracted due to the audience's disturbance. But, I should admit that, all this while he is very gentleman and patient! For me, I will be absolutely furious and pissed off.

Another thing is, the audiences keep on clapping for every movement. haih. You know there's 10 pieces in Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. They clapped for every single one. *pengsan* Their applause sounded more like 'oh, faster la, finally finish! har, got some more ah?'. Not sincere at all! And I hear children saying: very boring la.. (Of course la, this kind of music only aunty like me will listen) Luckily Bobby Chen understood that his fellow Malaysian friends are not so 'cultured' (Sorry, I have to say like that, but it's a fact).

Anyway, after babbling so much on the negative points of this concert. There sure are some good ones. Well, of course Bobby Chen's playing was superb. He has a sensitive touch and beautiful tone. Personally, I thought played romantic pieces very well. I don't really like his Beethovan 'Pathetique' compared to the other repertoires he performed. He sounded timid and shy, unlike Beethovan's moody personality and contrasted dynamics. I love the Romeo and Juliet suite by Prokofiev. Very interesting work. I've heard the orchestra version, but this is the first time I've heard the piano version. Gonna find the scores! Then, he played Schubert and Chopin. I enjoyed the second half much better than the first half. (Partly because I went in front to a better view and better sound seat.) Bobby Chen's fingers and glide across the keyboard swiftly and rapidly like a gust of air but the sound were as sparkling as crystal and as flow as water. Incredible finger technique and strength. I think he is more specialized in romantic music.

This is the second time I've heard Bobby Chen. The first time was at MPO two years ago. He played Rachmaninov's 32 variations on a theme of Paganini. He has a good tone and control, but shy. I guess, this is his personality. He is really nice when I walked up and talked to him. Very polite, but he said "I've got to bend down a bit" while taking photograph with me. HMPH! hehe. Yala, I'm short ... ;(

Very tired after complaining and grumbling about the concert. I'm glad that I attended and thoroughly enjoyed Bobby Chen's playing. Like I mentioned, although this event was not so formal, and many parents brought their children for 'exposure'. In my opinion, experience and exposure are vital, however, choosing the right concert/event is equally important! In addition, manners is another chapter we have to learn in our moral studies.

Lastly: poor Bobby Chen ...

Underdeveloped ideas

Do you write blog because you want to release your inner thoughts?
Or is it just jotting down daily routines?

Dr Foo said: don't force yourself to think of what to blog; instead blog when you are inspired.

Right. But I have lots to babble, tons of ideas. But, the problem is developing and organizing my ideas which is the difficult part. Although I haven't update my blog for about a week, but I have several underdeveloped postings. Not because I don't have ideas, its just that, whenever I'm typing half way, usually I'll end up falling asleep in front of my laptop. hehe..

Anyway, I'm glad that my life partner is doing good with her new blog. Go, phungy!

There are many news to update.. haih.. I guess I really have to sit down and write. I will.. soon..
(As usual, my best attribute is procrastinate)

I mean it, i will be back!!!

The Archer (November 22 - December 21)

Sagittarius is the ninth astrological sign in the zodiac. Sagittarius is classed as a positive or masculine, extrovert sign; its element is fire and its quality is mutable. Sagittarius is ruled by the planet Jupiter.

The symbols for Sagittarius are the hunter and the centaur. This sign symbolizes the search for wisdom; this is the sign of the philosopher and the explorer. They have an appetite for learning and travel. Such people prefer to be footloose and fancy free, however should they become involved in a relationship they make it as enjoyable and as much fun as possible. Normally they are very gregarious, but they will be glad to find the time for that special relationship.

They concentrate all their attention on whatever they are doing at the moment, and seem to see no other way but theirs until their effort is made. They are often the great workers; such people never seem to tire until they drop with fatigue. They would rather learn on their own, through travel and experience, than endure structured classroom environments and routine work assignments. These people are usually successful in business, but never feel themselves confined to any one line. They follow the rule if they have been successful in some one thing there is no reason whatever that they must follow it through life.

To have an open minded and intellectual curiosity means that these people are willing to learn about other people in an effort to understand them, while being trusting and open. High spirited and congenial, they are a gifted conversationalist, a wonderful storyteller, and a born entertainer. Nearly all of them are devoted to music. They often make brilliant musicians. It is also writing, publishing, TV, communications and enterprises where there are many representatives of this sign.

These people are, however, inclined to go to extremes in all things, and make sudden decisions, or change their minds rapidly, for which they may have regrets, but they are too proud to acknowledge their error. One of their great difficulties lies within relationships. They are completely able to be faithful to two people at once.

The men of this Sign nearly always marry on impulse and regret it afterwards, but they are too proud to show their regrets and too conventional to appeal to the courts for assistance, so they often pass for models of married happiness even when they are the most wretched. The women born in this Sign are, as a rule, the nobler of the two; they love to make their husbands successful and will sacrifice everything to that end. They are usually great church-goers. On the other hand both men and women when they settle down they usually treat themselves strictly. They refuse to let the relationship get stale and always look for ways to bring excitement into the union.

Such people, in general, are representatives both beginnings: strength, because it is a survival mechanism and a weakness because are vulnerable to the demands and influence of others. Frank Sagittarius does not hesitate to give an honest opinion, which can seem tactless.

They venerate law and order and make the best of mothers. People born in this period, even when successful, should never cease to be actively employed inactivity for them would mean despondency and an early decay.

In the Sagittarius' character there are combined such qualities as reliance, affability and courtesy. People who were born under this sign come along with the people easily, but it is much more difficult for them to become close friends.They do it very very cautiously. The Sagittarius usually loves sports, nature, traveling , to learn and to win . The Sagittarius likes all doing in the company surrounded by close people. His mind and body are both requiring constant intellectual, emotional and physical loading.

Friends
They are the nicest friends in the zodiac. These people are not a meet-for-coffee friend. They are doers and they make the best travel companions. Their most lasting unions and friendships would be made with people born from March 21 to April 19-26, and July 21 to August 20-27, or in their own period.

Health
They will be more inclined to suffer from rheumatism than from any other disease, also from a delicacy of the throat and lungs, and skin troubles. Physical problems, however, are apt to be the result of unrestricted diet or an over-indulgent pursuit of other pleasures. Sagittarians are also subject to an overpowering urge to gamble, which can be ruinous for some. They also, especially in their latter years, suffer from the nervous system.

Color
Their most suitable colors are all shades of violet and mauve and violet-purple.

Positive Traits

Optimistic , freedom-loving, Jovial, good-humoured, honest, straight forward, intellectual, philosophical, witty conversationalist, idealistic, reliable, ambitious, energetic, versatile, adventurous, independent, generous

On the dark side
Blindly optimistic, careless, irresponsible, superficial, tactless, restless, temperamental, impatient

Ideal Careers
Teaching, the law, theology and religion, politics, public relations or advertising, anything related to travel, arts, science, medicine and research.

Likes
Travel and adventure, honesty, justice and law, freedom, meaning, intellectual compatibility, taking risks, socializing.

Dislikes
Routine and chores, being constrained, being tied down, being forced to do things, being doubted, having to explain oneself, being forced to make promises, being bothered by little details.