there was a concert today

it was classical music, it was short, and it was at heaven.  

people came, though the room was by no means full.

the event got off to a rocky start, at least for me, personally, as i found out at about 5:10 (10 minutes after it was supposed to start) that one of the groups, an awesome string jazzish/classicalish string quartet, wasn't going to make it. i was really looking forward to hearing them, and in my head, their different sound/style was going to round out the program quite well.

but, oh well, such is life.

the concert was good...

i played first, Mozart Concerto in G, 1st mvmt. with piano... i felt bad because the piano desk is apparently very upright and it was hard to keep the piano music open.  mabel needed a page turner, but we didn't know this until too late.  besides the piano music struggle though, i think it went well. mabel follows well, and i felt good about certain things about my playing... wished some things went a little better... 

mabel played next, with 2 of Kyle Gann's "Private Dances."  i missed most of the 1st one, sadly, while talking to the next players on the program, but the what i did hear was nice, pleasing to listen to, and mabel did a fantastic job of playing opposing rhythms side by side in a seemingly effortless manner.

next was a piece called "eight" composed by chris dammann, local bad ass bass player/jazzer/composer/classicalist (you cant' say classicaler, can you?)... it was for solo cello (apparently sightread on stage by the cellist, danah boo, who did a really good job) and cymbal hit with a stick, by chris.  i got chills at one point, mostly due to watching performers who were not afraid to be completely unconventional.  chris was singing and yelling at points and the play between the cymbal hits and some crashes onto the floor, and the rhythmic banging on the cello, was wonderfully intense.

last was a man i just met tonight for the first time named leon shernoff.  he sang 3 songs by faure, and talked about each one beforehand with an obvious, natural, and calm affection for each one.  his piano playing was gorgeous and his ability to sing so well over his own playing was inspiring to hear.   i really enjoyed the songs, i want to find myself a recording...

food was eaten afterwards, good vegan treats from the following sources:

http://www.theppk.com/nomicon.html

and

http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=92

many thanks to everyone who came, and for those who did not, come next month! feb. 24th.  heaven gallery.  wicker park.  5pm.