Showing posts with label mozart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mozart. Show all posts

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Ode to Otis

Every year in the Spring, the Friends of Otis Library hold a book sale in the basement of Otis Library downtown.

I absolutely love going. It doesn't matter that I haven't read most of the books I got last year, I want more. They hold a 3 day event finishing up on Sunday, which in my opinion is the best day to go.
When you walk in on Sunday, they hand you a plastic bag and you can buy as many books as will fit inside this bag for $4. What's not to love about that right?
Last year, I walked out with 12 books. This year my book haul was about the same, even picked up some German books for my mother.
But the Pièce de résistance was the vinyl records they had displayed on a center table. My father initially picked up 3 boxes (containing approx 5 records) of Beethoven from Deutsche Gramophone. I took a look at the table and was stupefied. Of all the albums that were on this table, how could he only pick up the 3 Beethovens?
Given the choice of only picking one, I had no idea which to pick. How do you choose between Haydn, Debussy, Brahms, Mozart, Bach, Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, Strauss, Schumann, Chopin, Prokofiev, and Berlioz?
I made mention that if I had a way to carry them, I would take them all. But since we had walked from our house near Norwich Free Academy down to the library, that was not exactly a plausible act.
However, one of the women working the event overheard me and offered to hold them for to get my car. So we said heck yes!
She offered us the deal of a life time 28 Boxed Sets from Time Life and Deutsche Gramophone for $26.

Now my mother on the other hand was not as impressed with our purchase because she still doesn't really love the other 6-7,000 records my father has in our living room, even after 22 years. But who cares! We just made a fantastic deal and we were bringing those records into the house one way or another.

I can't wait to listen to some of them, but first my father needs to show me how to use his record player since I've never even touched it (in fear of some disaster)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

well.. well.. well..

Looks like our concert today will truly look like a winter concert. At 2pm today in the ballroom of Harbour Towers at 461 Bank St, New London, the New London Community Orchestra will hold this season's concert including pieces from Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach, and Satie.

We are an ensemble of mixed backgrounds and musical experiences. Although every member did not study music during their secondary education, we all share a love and passion for music. Our member's vary in age from high school and young adult, to wise adults. Many members had not touched an instrument in years but it can be very much like riding a bike, one never forgets. With some practice and encouragement from our wonderful conductor, Joan Winters, we have shaped into an entertaining chamber ensemble who's goals include not only to captivate our audience, but also to bring music lessons to the children of New London.

Join us today for our concert at Harbour Towers. But please, drive carefully through this New England winter wonderland.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Just a reminder

Just wanted to remind anyone or inform anyone who does not already know, this Sunday at 2pm in New London at the Harbour Towers Ballroom (4th floor) there will be a concert held by the New London Community Orchestra.

Our program includes:

Vivaldi Concerto in G Major (Alla Rustica) Op. 51, No. 4
Bach Fugue in G minor "The Little Fugue"
Satie Gymnopedie #1
Mozart Divertimento No. 1, K. 136 I & III

I would love to provide you with some program notes, but today is the SOPA strike and many websites are blacked out and my textbook has not yet arrived in the mail. So if you will forgive me, I hope to be able to provide you with some added information soon.

What I can provide is more information on the concert specifically.

Who:
"The New London Community Orchestra is non-profit organization comprised of volunteer players and organizers. Performances are designed to offer classical music to the public, raising awareness of musical traditions, a community of musicians, and the need for music education. Funds raised through concerts and events have contributed to the creation of the organization and the start up program for after school string programs for children." - newlondoncommunityorchestra.org

When:
2:00 P.M. Sunday January 22nd, 2012

Tickets:
Free admission, voluntary donations greatly appreciated.

Where:
Ballroom at Harbour Towers
461 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320


As a member, I will of course be there. I hope to see you there!