Beethoven’s 2nd movement of his 7th symphony is absolutely special. This is liszt transcription of it.

Today’s Canada’s National Day Celebration at Raddison hotel. Which used to be sheraton hotel.

Still the same Kawai baby grand I played last year. The sound is mellow and not as bright. But that suits some quite songs like Nocturne.

Right after school, I came back and prepared. Then I reached there at around three. I warmed up with some funny jingles and started playing till Four.

I received a T-shirt and a big Jug Bottle of Maple Syrup. Gonna have pancakes anytime soon now.

Alright people, I’ve just reached home last night after A 5 day long holiday.

Firstly, my family and I reach Johor Bahru and reunited with my grandparents. They were absolutely delighted to see us because its been many many years since my mom step foot in Johor Bahru. It was also our first time there and we only see our grandparents once a year.

The food there is wonderful! Its not everyday you come across food like that. But of course, people living in Johor Bahru finds it OK. On the second day, we reunited with our Great Grandmother.

I just had such an amazing time meeting up all my unknown relatives from my mother’s side.

Then it was Singapore. As soon as I reached Singapore I could tell it’ll be a nice trip.
The buildings are tall and it is super clean. Cleaner than what people say.

The main mode of transportation was the SMRT or the Trains. Its always crowded and everyday few hundred thousand people use ONE station in and out.

In Singapore, the food is just as awesome as it is in Johor. Not only that, the environment we sit in makes eating enjoyable.

We had to walk everywhere we go, but that was the joy of traveling in Singapore. Experience would be different if you just drove around town.

Everyday my parents and grandparents brought me to a different music school to practice in.
First it was a Yamaha Music Centre. Which was not at all like a music centre.

Second it was still a Yamaha Music centre but this time it was really nice. They had an OK showroom and multiple studios. I’m just not satisfied with the piano I practiced on.

Third was my favourite. Cristofori’s Music School in Singapore. The showroom Outside was already stunning. They had a model of a half built piano to show you the internal structure. The showroom inside was full with pianos. It took some time to walk from the entrance of the School to the studio I’m practicing in. At first I was practicing on a Cristofori Upright. Then I was brought to the Recital hall where I could practice on the Seiler Grand.

It was like the golden piano. Such that I’ve never played before. It gives you the WOW feeling.

Fourth was another Cristofori school.

Then it was show day. At Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore.

The halls were huge and empty. Giving you that nice feeling. ( it doesn’t echo).

The library was really cool. I played on the Steinway Baby Grand.

It wasn’t AS stunning as the Seiler grand. But overall I enjoyed it really much.

I had a R&B remix of the Canon in D by pachelbel. It was entirely computer made sounds.

Today I decided to test my sister’s laptop’s mic. It was pretty much clear. No static sounds, the violin could be heard so well. So I asked her to record canon in D phrase by phrase. I combined it to with the R&B remix. Now it sounds a lil bit better.

So I’ve found out a way to record violin audio. It’ll help me in the future.

And I’m going flying to Johor Bahru at the end of this week. Then singapore , then drive to Melaka and many other states of Malaysia.

Below is a short essay I got from another blog

Yesterday I finished my second year of studying Maths at the University of Manchester. This year has been the hardest I’ve ever worked for anything and I think one of the major reasons I’m still (relatively) sane has been the company of Classic FM during those seemingly endless hours writing differential equations etc.

I find the music played has a soothing effect which enables me to focus my concentration on the work in front of me. I don’t claim to be particularly knowledgeable in this field, I’ll leave any expert analysis of the symphonies of Haydn to Al, but I know what I like.

The first CD I ever got was The Planets Suite by Gustav Holst and is still, after all these years, my favourite composition. Other favourites include Vaughan-Williams’ ‘The Lark Ascending’, Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’, Pachelbel’s ‘Canon’ and pretty much anything by Beethoven and Mozart. This list is by no means exhaustive; there are many more pieces I like, many I don’t know the names of!

Listening to Classic FM for so many hours means that, inevitably, I discover new pieces. The one I’d briefly like to mention is ‘Parce Mihi Domine’ by Cristobal de Morales. It is one of the most relaxing pieces of music I’ve ever heard – I highly recommend you give it a listen if you don’t know it.

I’m sure most of you know that Classic FM broadcast a request programme every weekday from 1pm for two hours. During the January exam period I decided I’d send in a request by email (Venus by Holst since you ask). It wasn’t played during the show so imagine my surprise when the following morning a member of the Classic FM team phoned me and asked if they could play me a piece on the show later. I explained that I had an exam that afternoon so he said he would try me again the following day. True to his word he phoned 24 hours later but said they couldn’t play Venus as it had been on air recently. I suggested about 6 or 7 pieces and finally they said Beethoven’s ‘Emperor Concerto’ would do nicely. I was then asked to imagine I was speaking to the presenter (Jamie Crick) and introduce myself, explain briefly where I was, what I was doing and what I wanted to hear. Hence, my debut on national radio was a bit of a disappointment – not much of a request show if they wouldn’t play any of my first 6 or so choices. Also the illusion of a live show was shattered as my ‘speech’ was recorded over 5 hours before it was broadcast. If you’re interested a recording of my 15 seconds of fame is here. I sound very confused as I’m not actually talking to anybody! Obviously you have to be my ‘friend’ to hear it…

Also, as this is a music blog – allow me to briefly talk about another style. Listening to ‘The Complete Banker’ by The Divine Comedy makes me laugh – laughter gets you through tough times! The song is inspired by our glorious financial community who have done us proud. Opening line:
“Can anyone lend me £10 billion quid? Why do you look so glum? Was it something I did?” And later “That’s just me, the complete banker, I’m a conscious free malignant cancer on society” – sheer genius in my opinion!

In conclusion music plays a vital role in my life, especially during a stressful examination period.

I got it from http://profalexander.wordpress.com/author/profalexander/