Musings on ballet, classical music, the violin, and life
The Classical Girl We’ve all had them. They made our faces flame as we stood there and desperately wished the ground would open up and swallow us whole. But instead we stuttered our way out of the awkward situation and prayed for time to fast forward to the day where we could chuckle about it, think, “ah, that … Read more
Editor’s note on April 28, 2016. Yet more changes announced this week. See link below. Changes, did I say? How about “Pennsylvania Ballet dumps, well, pretty much everybody who’d been in charge.” But, well, that’s an awfully long title for a blog, and perhaps a touch histrionic. And I’m not trying to be all theatrical and … Read more
Debussy’s String Quartet in G-minor is one of those pieces of music that I will listen to over and over, struck anew by the power that resides within it, its energy and originality and rich textures. The third movement, ever my favorite, seems to impart a secret message, one you must be very still and … Read more
Young girl live for dance Teacher say “now pointe shoe time” Finally dream come true Torture instrument Blame Marie Taglioni Romantic Era Pink, peach, all hand-made Burlap, glue, many layers Bring lots of money Freed, Gaynor Minden Feet on fire, toes squished and numb Soon blisters will form Shoe hard like … Read more
I have decided to quit my weekly violin lessons, after nine years. This is a daunting prospect, but it feels like it’s time. I’m burnt out; I simply can’t continue to make time for it, keep up on the material, week after week. Years back, I’d assumed that having a child move on from elementary … Read more