Mahler review and recount writing

I’m yet again faced with the trap of having too many ideas at once and not acting on any of them. It isn’t really a trap anymore, given that I know it’s there. Ugh, the internet is not coping with my mass video uploading, so this entry is being created offline. This I can cope with. Computer/internet power is a much lower priority than a more comfortable workspace. I’ve had plans for my workspace for a few months now. If I had gotten started on it sooner, it probably wouldn’t need as much work as it does now. There’s no video blog until I start looking a bit less sloppy.

I experienced a live orchestra for the first time last Thursday and again on Saturday. During both I witnessed Vladamir Ashkenazy and Sydney Symphony fully realise the tsunami pinnacle of Mahler’s First Symphony. I have been trying to write a review of these concerts over the last two nights, but words escape me. I have so many ideas about the concerts. Too many, you see. I want to write an essay, not a review. Maybe I’ll have the sense to just write about what happened when I pick up the pen again tomorrow.

Last night I wrote a recount of my visit to Wollongong’s shopping centre. This proved to be a good way to get material for songs and those other outlets for dark, private and depraved thoughts. I love hearing those kinds of thoughts that other people have, but I don’t trust any expressed through “becoming a fan” on Facebook. Even ironically becoming fans of things is getting old. C’mon guys, sign out and draw more attention to yourself.

Pitch lessons and Bach

I finally got to composing at around 10.30pm this evening, after returning from my first rehearsal with the Illawarra Choral Society for the year. We began hectic preparations for a performance of Bach's Jesu, Priceless Treasure and some of the chorales from his St. Matthew Passion. I also started learning some Bach pieces on classical guitar at my first lesson back this year. Why all this Bach? I see it as an important part of my musical education. What better way to learn about four-part harmony and the twelve-tone system than to analyse a Bach score? I haven't done any analysing yet, but already I am suprised with how my sight reading has improved from singing Bach tonight.

I have decided to dedicate 40 mins a day to composing. This might not seem like much, but if I didn't do this I would compose for 3 hours one day and none the next. Self-discipline has to take precedence over the delights and dangers of creative flow ("flow" is a psychological concept that is worth looking up). I didn't make much progress tonight. I got stuck on trying to work out the dynamics of one bar and when I finally got to composing the notes for the next one, my time was up and I had to force myself to stop.

I had some thoughts while listening to Mahler's 5th today. I wondered if his dramatic genius had something to do with his unique ability to synthesise vastly opposing themes and motives, so that the rivalry between them became the foundation for a movement. This could be an idea to keep in mind for both the overall structure of a piece and the orchestration from bar to bar; however, I don't think it works without having an advanced understanding of texture and detail. I have the feeling this ties in closely with visual arts as well.