YAY!
I got into University of Toronto, Trinity College, for Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
So, I've gotten offers from all of the unis I've applied to.
That is all... for now. XD
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Do TOK
Just because we are in IB, and the end is near!
It is such a brilliant song XD.
Anyone who's been/going through IB will appreciate this.
Do TOK - Group 4 Project, feat. Will-I-B
It is such a brilliant song XD.
Anyone who's been/going through IB will appreciate this.
Do TOK - Group 4 Project, feat. Will-I-B
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Academy Award Winning Movie Trailer
A little something that Stephen Fry tweeted about a few days ago.
Yes, the idea's been done before, many times in the recent years, with all those parody/comedy movies, etc.
However, I doubt that anyone's gone THIS far with it before.
Enjoy =)
Academy Award Winning Movie Trailer
Yes, the idea's been done before, many times in the recent years, with all those parody/comedy movies, etc.
However, I doubt that anyone's gone THIS far with it before.
Enjoy =)
Academy Award Winning Movie Trailer
Monday, March 22, 2010
Red Moon
It is just beautiful, things you can observe so late at night.
Right now, sitting outside my window, lies a sliver of the red moon.
It looks something like this:
Back in December, was the first time I saw this red moon in a long while. It was in the early hours of the morning, not quite dawn yet. The moon was full that day, and in the exact same location, I sat there, watching as the red disk slowly sank to the ground, disappearing into the horizon.
It was quite amazing. Because in the summer, I always watch the sun set, just a little west of where that moon was. They sank, the exact same way, the moon being slightly larger, and the setting of it signalled the beginning of light, instead of the end.
So this is where philosophies and ancient tales, stories passed down through generations came from...
Right now, sitting outside my window, lies a sliver of the red moon.
It looks something like this:
Photo by Chris Harvey
Except, my moon, is a waxings one (the one show in this image is waning), and it is larger, yellower/whiter along the outer edge, and its craters are much more visible. It is much better to be looking at it, photographs does it no justice.
It is visions like this, that are the driving forces behind artistic creation, behind inspirations, the romanticism in ourselves.
And I just love how, if someone in my general geographical area looks up in the right direction, they will see the exact same thing, and perhaps ponder the exact same thoughts.
So pretty...... But alas, like all beauty, it will not last. It will return again, perhaps in the same setting, perhaps in a different one. But for now, it is fading.
Back in December, was the first time I saw this red moon in a long while. It was in the early hours of the morning, not quite dawn yet. The moon was full that day, and in the exact same location, I sat there, watching as the red disk slowly sank to the ground, disappearing into the horizon.
It was quite amazing. Because in the summer, I always watch the sun set, just a little west of where that moon was. They sank, the exact same way, the moon being slightly larger, and the setting of it signalled the beginning of light, instead of the end.
So this is where philosophies and ancient tales, stories passed down through generations came from...
Friday, March 19, 2010
Arvo Part
Finally, the musician I had meant to feature all along.
I discovered one of his songs while watching the awesome tv show; Numb3rs.
He's simply, a genius.
Biography and background info
To the untrained and normal ear, listening to his songs, one could imagine him to have lived hundreds of years ago, along with the old masters. This is what I thought at first, only to find out that he is living among the contemporary musicians. (A trained music historian/person could probably tell from the harmony and styles used that he's a modern artist, but most of us have not studied in that much depth)
His music is just very... emotional and pretty.
Yup, just close your eyes and listen to this one. Feels the bells and the layers building in the depth of the spirit.
Cantus in the Memory of Benjamin Britten
I discovered one of his songs while watching the awesome tv show; Numb3rs.
He's simply, a genius.
Biography and background info
To the untrained and normal ear, listening to his songs, one could imagine him to have lived hundreds of years ago, along with the old masters. This is what I thought at first, only to find out that he is living among the contemporary musicians. (A trained music historian/person could probably tell from the harmony and styles used that he's a modern artist, but most of us have not studied in that much depth)
His music is just very... emotional and pretty.
Yup, just close your eyes and listen to this one. Feels the bells and the layers building in the depth of the spirit.
Cantus in the Memory of Benjamin Britten
Monday, March 15, 2010
Helsinki Flute Quartet
Just.. wow, sheer brilliance.
The Infinite Canon - J. Pachelbel
Air from Suite 3 - J.S. Bach
Alla Hornpipe - G.F. Handel
Must resist urge to go practice flute now (it's 12am, cannot play in fear of disturbing neighbours and family) >.<
And today's dates: death of Julius Caesar, H.P. Lovecraft, International Day Against Police Brutality, and Zeitgeist Day.
The Infinite Canon - J. Pachelbel
Air from Suite 3 - J.S. Bach
Alla Hornpipe - G.F. Handel
Must resist urge to go practice flute now (it's 12am, cannot play in fear of disturbing neighbours and family) >.<
And today's dates: death of Julius Caesar, H.P. Lovecraft, International Day Against Police Brutality, and Zeitgeist Day.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Scale of the Universe
A little link that a friend of mine sent us a while ago.
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/525347
It is very fascinating.
Of course, the values are going up exponentially in relation to one another. Literally, it would not make sense for the distance between atoms to be further apart than people between people. Relatively, yes, literally, no.
And it does leave you wondering... and be in awe, of our universe, our existence.
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/525347
It is very fascinating.
Of course, the values are going up exponentially in relation to one another. Literally, it would not make sense for the distance between atoms to be further apart than people between people. Relatively, yes, literally, no.
And it does leave you wondering... and be in awe, of our universe, our existence.
Philip Glass
Phew it's been a long week. But no worries, because it's time for March Break!!! Yeah!
I was going to feature another musician, however, lately I have been distracted by another one. So the intended will have to be posted later.
Now, introducing: Philip Glass
He is one of the most well known modern classical composer of the 20th century. Specializing in what we call art music and minimalism. Compared to some of his modern counter parts, I think his music would be one of the easier ones to 'get into', when being introduced to modern classical music. This is due to his more harmonious melodies, and wider use of consonances. More pleasant for the conventional ear than some other composers.
Personally, I think his music is just absolutely beautiful and breathtaking to listen to. Unlike my previous features, with complicated melodies and harmonies and counter harmonies and dynamics and master of all musical techniques. Glass uses simple melody and rhythmic repetitions to pull you into his music. They invoke intense/or just simple emotions, without using all of that extra flare. And it's extraordinary, how something so simple, can bring about so much. Because some of the piano pieces are so simple, it sounds so pure and brilliant and clean, there's room to enjoy each note. Most importantly, it's just so very pretty.
Though, as all musicians come to learn, what sounds easy and simple to do, often, isn't.
Some song recs:
Glassworks - played by Branka Parlic
I just simply love the songs from this series.
The Hours - played by Branka Parlic
Excerpt from Einstein on the Beach
This one's a rather fun/interesting one. I don't remember where I heard this from, but apparently, the counting in the background was not originally planned. Due to the numerous time signature changes, the orchestra had to count out the beats. So, he incorporated the counting in the the song.
The Metamorphosis - played by Branka Parlic
And of course, The Metamorphosis. This is one of my favourite piano pieces from him.
(A funny story, I was writing an essay on The Metamorphosis, by Kafka, the other day while listening to this song. At the time, I did not realize that I was listening to TM by Glass, and I thought to myself; "this song really suits/matches what I'm writing about....." Then realizing, that no duh, because the song is made for the novel. Shows you how well this song captures the book)
Birthdays for today: Georg Philipp Telemann, Johann Strauss Sr., Albert Einstein! (Hehehe, Einstein on the Beach XD).
And alas, Pi day!!!
I was going to feature another musician, however, lately I have been distracted by another one. So the intended will have to be posted later.
Now, introducing: Philip Glass
He is one of the most well known modern classical composer of the 20th century. Specializing in what we call art music and minimalism. Compared to some of his modern counter parts, I think his music would be one of the easier ones to 'get into', when being introduced to modern classical music. This is due to his more harmonious melodies, and wider use of consonances. More pleasant for the conventional ear than some other composers.
Personally, I think his music is just absolutely beautiful and breathtaking to listen to. Unlike my previous features, with complicated melodies and harmonies and counter harmonies and dynamics and master of all musical techniques. Glass uses simple melody and rhythmic repetitions to pull you into his music. They invoke intense/or just simple emotions, without using all of that extra flare. And it's extraordinary, how something so simple, can bring about so much. Because some of the piano pieces are so simple, it sounds so pure and brilliant and clean, there's room to enjoy each note. Most importantly, it's just so very pretty.
Though, as all musicians come to learn, what sounds easy and simple to do, often, isn't.
Some song recs:
Glassworks - played by Branka Parlic
I just simply love the songs from this series.
The Hours - played by Branka Parlic
Excerpt from Einstein on the Beach
This one's a rather fun/interesting one. I don't remember where I heard this from, but apparently, the counting in the background was not originally planned. Due to the numerous time signature changes, the orchestra had to count out the beats. So, he incorporated the counting in the the song.
The Metamorphosis - played by Branka Parlic
And of course, The Metamorphosis. This is one of my favourite piano pieces from him.
(A funny story, I was writing an essay on The Metamorphosis, by Kafka, the other day while listening to this song. At the time, I did not realize that I was listening to TM by Glass, and I thought to myself; "this song really suits/matches what I'm writing about....." Then realizing, that no duh, because the song is made for the novel. Shows you how well this song captures the book)
Birthdays for today: Georg Philipp Telemann, Johann Strauss Sr., Albert Einstein! (Hehehe, Einstein on the Beach XD).
And alas, Pi day!!!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
I is deathly sick.
And has been sick for the past week...
Short post today, and so amusement will come from this brochure of the exhibition:
VANITÉS, at the Musée Maillol in Paris.
It seems really interesting, will do some type of a follow up post later, as I feel like joining the exhibition at the moment.
http://www.museemaillol.com/
http://www.museemaillol.com/pdf/annonce_vanites.pdf
Also coming up sometime this week, my birthday (which is tomorrow), review on Jazz Night last Thursday, and more music.
And has been sick for the past week...
Short post today, and so amusement will come from this brochure of the exhibition:
VANITÉS, at the Musée Maillol in Paris.
It seems really interesting, will do some type of a follow up post later, as I feel like joining the exhibition at the moment.
http://www.museemaillol.com/
http://www.museemaillol.com/pdf/annonce_vanites.pdf
Also coming up sometime this week, my birthday (which is tomorrow), review on Jazz Night last Thursday, and more music.
Monday, March 1, 2010
200
Today marks our dear Frédéric Chopin's 200th birthday.
Love him, or hate him, he is still one of the most brilliant musicians of all time.
When I was much younger, Chopin did not make much sense at all. His songs seemed quite boring, and are only to be played because adults seemed to enjoy his songs. But over the years, as I grew up and have (hopefully) matured somewhat, I think I have finally come to an understanding, or at least, my interpretation of him.
As it turned out, he is not boring at all! Nor is it extremely depressing or sad, as some would describe him. No, his music is filled with passion, with such colourful and at times heart breaking chord progressions and melodies. Sometimes with subtle peacefulness, then such fury! Like a fire, an unquenchable fervour, infatuation, excitement, raw emotions that run through your veins. I love his build ups, with the stretto/cresc./ritenuto/con fuoco combination that just seems to forever build up the emotions, the pressure.... Until, suddenly, it is all released, into quiet peacefulness, drifting on such sweet harmonies, lulling you like the calm rocking of the sea, like warm afternoons on the grassy knoll, under the shade. It is absolutely breathtaking. This is romanticism at its finest.
Here are some of Chopin's piano pieces, though I don't know how well one can truly enjoy them, without playing these pieces, feeling the harmonies and vibrations of the notes beneath one's fingers.
My uncle's favourite song in the whole world: Etude op.10 no.3
Nocturne op.9 no.2
This one is relatively easy, and quite possibly overplayed by RCM students, but I absolutely just love this one: Nocturne op.19 no.72
A piece that I'm currently working on; the Revolutionary Etude, op.10 no.12
And at last, the poem about Chopin's defenestrated piano:
Fortepiano Szopena by Cyprian Norwid
http://colecizj.easyvserver.com/ponorfor.htm
Love him, or hate him, he is still one of the most brilliant musicians of all time.
When I was much younger, Chopin did not make much sense at all. His songs seemed quite boring, and are only to be played because adults seemed to enjoy his songs. But over the years, as I grew up and have (hopefully) matured somewhat, I think I have finally come to an understanding, or at least, my interpretation of him.
As it turned out, he is not boring at all! Nor is it extremely depressing or sad, as some would describe him. No, his music is filled with passion, with such colourful and at times heart breaking chord progressions and melodies. Sometimes with subtle peacefulness, then such fury! Like a fire, an unquenchable fervour, infatuation, excitement, raw emotions that run through your veins. I love his build ups, with the stretto/cresc./ritenuto/con fuoco combination that just seems to forever build up the emotions, the pressure.... Until, suddenly, it is all released, into quiet peacefulness, drifting on such sweet harmonies, lulling you like the calm rocking of the sea, like warm afternoons on the grassy knoll, under the shade. It is absolutely breathtaking. This is romanticism at its finest.
Here are some of Chopin's piano pieces, though I don't know how well one can truly enjoy them, without playing these pieces, feeling the harmonies and vibrations of the notes beneath one's fingers.
My uncle's favourite song in the whole world: Etude op.10 no.3
Nocturne op.9 no.2
This one is relatively easy, and quite possibly overplayed by RCM students, but I absolutely just love this one: Nocturne op.19 no.72
A piece that I'm currently working on; the Revolutionary Etude, op.10 no.12
And at last, the poem about Chopin's defenestrated piano:
Fortepiano Szopena by Cyprian Norwid
http://colecizj.easyvserver.com/ponorfor.htm
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