2010.2.13-14. Winter Olympic's O-Zone

Visit the O-Zone in Richmond on 2/13. Drizzle and chilly. Not many people. Not much to see.
New Year's eve dinner with relatives (total 11 at the table).

Sunny and warm on Sunday. Joined crowds for more Olympic setups in Vancouver. LiveCity Downtown: a large screen showing live competition, a couple of wii-like, but really bad computer sports games, some computer info screens, some old skis used in Olympics. Took a picture holding the Olympic torch. Long lines and small venues.) Outside, 3 guys were tumbling on trampoline. One wears snowboard, one skis, one just socks. They were awesome. Vancouver Art Gallery is open for free. There's a temporary exhibit of Da Vinci's anatomy drawing and manuscript, borrowed from Queen Elizabeth's collection. That's well worth the visit. Top (4th) floor of the gallery is devoted to B.C. for the Olympic crowds. Its computer animation touch screens are quite interesting. Outside the Gallery, BC premier Gordon Campbell was taking pictures with visitors. So I also joined in and took a photo with him. In the evening, strolled by the waterfront to check out the Olympic flames, and the 5 loops. Again, lots of people.

2010.2.11. Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 1

Seattle Symphony with Stephan Jackiw.

Barber: Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, Op. 23a
Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14. Stefan Jackiw, violin
Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (arr. by Schönberg)

The first movement of Barber's violin concerto is absolutely beautiful. Our young star loves to show off and makes too much unnecessary facial and body movement. He played a solo Bach as encore. Pretty nicely done. The other discord Barber's piece requires a huge orchestra including a piano and harp. 4 guys on percussion. The stage is filled to the rim. Schönberg's Brahms is louder and more colorful. No piano. The first 3 movements all start with power and end with tenderness. The last movement is short and joyful. The house is only half full. A pity.

2010.2.10. River Why

Book It Repetory Theatre presents James Duncan's novel River Why. A coming of age story of a fishing maniac in Poland area. Quite poetic. Almost no stage. Good acting. Certainly brought the story to life.

2010.2.7. Seattle Symphony musically speaking concert.

Busoni: Suite from Turandot, Op. 41.
Schumann: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97, “Rhenish”

My first time to this series. Gerard Schwarz spent 15 minutes on each piece, pointing out the musical phrases and imagery it's trying to convey, as well as some historical background of the composer. Educational to non musically trained people like me. 2nd movement of Schumann's No. 3 is very fitting for its title: pretty and flowing.

2010.2.5. The Sleeping Beauty by PNB

Music:        Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Op. 66, 1889)
Choreography:      Ronald Hynd (after Marius Petipa)
Staging:           Ronald Hynd, Annette Page, and Amanda Eyles
Scenic and Costume Design: Peter Docherty
Lighting Design:   Randall G. Chiarelli
Duration:          3 hours
Original Premiere: 1/15/1890; Imperial Ballet, St. Petersburg, choreography by Marius Petipa
Hynd Production Premiere: 1993; English National Ballet
Aurora:            Mara Vinson
Prince Lucien:     Seth Orza 
Lilac Fairy:       Carrie Imler 
Carabosse:         Jonathan Porretta

Sumptuous costumes and stage set. A big production: close to 100 dancers. Our Aurora is not pretty, but her pose is very stable. Our Lilac fairy can loose 10lb if not more. The cat dance is fun. The kids are cute. 3 intermissions: too long.