Sado-san Sustains

We played Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony last year at HPAC, but it isn't the same piece this time.  In Sado-san's hands it is transformed to a state I can hardly recognize.  If it weren't for my own handwriting on the page, I would doubt my memory.  It's always a pleasure to have his passion on the podium.  I think we are really lucky to have him as our Maestro.

This week we begin an all-Russian program of Glinka, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky.  And it will be our program for a two-week tour that we begin next week.  Our section leader commented to me on how it can be hard to sustain passion for such an intense program after playing it so many times.  But then he added, "I think Sado-san will keep us going,."  And I think I agree.

Return to the Library

It was only by accident that I found the library last week on my bike.  When I tried to retrace my path today to return my book, it seemed to have vanished into the hills of Takarazuka like Brigadoon.  Luckily, it was on a rail line, which is conspicuous and can be followed, once found.  I just had to run into the Hankyu line.  I couldn't give up.  I had to return my book:  we're going on tour and I don't know how to renew it online.

The wind was hard and cold, and all the hills went up (both ways) but I finally made it there.  My determination to deposit my book and head home dissolved as I felt the warm peace of the library; I think it is a common denomination across all cultures.  Time ceases to exist, one is welcomed and enticed to let curiosity lead as it pleases.

I headed to the children's section because there are pictures there, which I can understand.  I walked through and looked at the different sections of interest: "Outer Space," "Animals," "Math," "History,"  "Picture Books,"  and "Books for Reading Practice."  I found several books for teaching Japanese braille.

I walked through the adult sections and went to the area I had found last week that has international books.  Bilingual editions and about a dozen books in English.  There was a cookbook that looked interesting, books on becoming accustomed to Japan and various aspects of the culture, some poetry, some language, several shelves of various things.

Nothing for now.  I cannot return a book within the next two weeks and so will have to suspend my curiosity and intrigue for the time being.

It is such an incentive to learn Japanese to be surrounded by all these objects that have things to say.  Somebody wanted to say something and they put it in a book and I'm not doing my part on the receiving end of things.  My incomprehension also makes me realize how amazing it is that we are able to learn to read.  I suppose my ability to read English is amazing, but I've come to take it for granted.  I cannot read the vast majority of the books in this Japanese library.  They have thousands of symbols that are, and perhaps always will be, foreign to me.

But the feeling of possibility is still there.  That quiet excitement and welcome of a library, where it seems that anything is possible.

Japanese Sports Radio

Listening to sports radio in Japanese doesn't make it any more incomprehensible than it is in English.  There is something strangely comforting about this.  The sound of a ball hitting a bat, the cheering crowd, the excitement in the announcer's voice.  These are all things I can understand in any language.  From a distance, all things are equal.  We win, we lose.  The feeling of an experience.

But I would still like to get closer here.  I would like to be a shade closer to understanding, to belonging, if ever that could be possible.  I wonder what path leads to that place.

Piano Concertos and April

Sometimes a piano concerto is so beautiful that I'm disarmed and forget that I have to play.  Sometimes spring is so beautiful that I forget there is a thing called "cold."  But years of concertos and years of seasons have taught me the nature of April and that one should always count.

This Week's Conductor

Our conductor this week has an endearing humility in the midst of a great deal of score study and musical vision.  "Maybe it is my problem, but could you help me phrase here?"  "Would you mind starting at alphabet (letter) B?"  I don't think we really have the ability to say no, nor would we want to do so.  He presents himself as someone who deeply respects the music, the score, and the composer he is representing.  And he presents himself as one who struggles with his own technical limitations in conveying the richness his concept.  Preparation and rehearsal carry his ideas, though his conducting is not without passion.  To be humble in one's work.  To work with one's limitations, asking more of them and strengthening those strengths that can help towards the desired goal.  Another musician on the podium from whom to learn.

Welcome to New HPAC Office Members

The new members of the office introduced themselves to us today in front of the orchestra.  Just a name and a bow and a job title and we're off to a new beginning.  The start of April, the start of the new year.    

Shyukugawa Ohanami

Another day of spring, another day of flowers.  Today a picnic with the HPAC crowd and hundreds of other people at Shyukugawa, one of the most picturesque places to view the spring flowers.  

lots of picnickers 

the under which we sat

Shyukugawa River

exit in the evening

some of the HPAC crew