Romance or romanza was the first complete piece of classical music I had learnt in my decade long musical journey. And I fell in love with it the moment I first heard it, and it continues to evoke strong feelings everytime I play it. The beauty of this piece as with many other pieces of classical music is that if you vary the tempo and volume and even the pitch, you can manage to get a different feel, a different emotional reaction, for the same set of notes.
This is a marvellous rendition of romance. The feeling the first part (in minor) evokes is that of lonliness and sorrow. Probably the sorrow of losing a dear one.
Yet the second part of romance (which is played in E major) creates a picture of sunshine and a rainbow (at least thats what comes to my mind) signifying that the thunderstorms in life are over. Its time to move on and look at life with a fresh perspective, enjoying the colours and sounds of life.
This is an easy piece to play and lots of people do play it. But the way it is played makes all the difference. This is what would separate a true musician from an instrumentalist. Here is a peppy version of the same classic.
Sounds good no doubt. But the feeling conveyed is that of a traveller leaving home for something better. He is sad that he may be leaving home for good, but is hopeful that his decision is something for good.
So much for feelings. My next goal is the Turkish march. Its going to be tough
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Life's Ironies
Lifes ironies, how they make you smile
In pain, joy or wonder.
Happiness is all we seek,
Sorrow is what we find.
People all around us
Yet lonliness troubling many
Water covering most of the globe
Yet people die from thirst
People killing themselves for wealth
And using it to keep themselves alive
These scenes are harrowing,
Some of them amusing
Some of them, divinely made
The others, not made by God
In pain, joy or wonder
Life's ironies, how they make you smile.
In pain, joy or wonder.
Happiness is all we seek,
Sorrow is what we find.
People all around us
Yet lonliness troubling many
Water covering most of the globe
Yet people die from thirst
People killing themselves for wealth
And using it to keep themselves alive
These scenes are harrowing,
Some of them amusing
Some of them, divinely made
The others, not made by God
In pain, joy or wonder
Life's ironies, how they make you smile.
Monday, January 7, 2008
being happy and sad
I'm happy for you.
You made me happy once.
T'was the sweetest thing
a person could have done.
You've found your happiness
And you deserve every single bit of it.
You made me happy once.
T'was the sweetest thing
a person could have done.
You've found your happiness
And you deserve every single bit of it.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
lost friend?
I pinged a certained someone today to ask them what their new year resolution was. The reply was " to kick you out of my life". I ask why and he says " you have a negative take on everything".
Well my friend, your observations were bang on target. But have you stopped to wonder why I was so negative? Was it only with you or was it with everyone else?
Though this new year started with a loss, and continues to do so, I've begun to gain valuable insights into the minds of different kinds of people.
I've been pessimistic in the past, my new year resolution is to be more positive.
Well my friend, your observations were bang on target. But have you stopped to wonder why I was so negative? Was it only with you or was it with everyone else?
Though this new year started with a loss, and continues to do so, I've begun to gain valuable insights into the minds of different kinds of people.
I've been pessimistic in the past, my new year resolution is to be more positive.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
One of the most memorable days
Sunday the 16th of december 2007 will be cherished in my boring life as one of the most memorable days. It was on this day that I had my first experience of carol singing, and the joy and happiness I got on that day makes me feel that life is indeed worth living.
It had been a while( about a month or so) since I had last attended the youth groups meeting. So I thought I'd just make a courtesy visit and show my face. For the past couple of weeks while I had intentionally kept away, the youth group members had been going house to house, singing carols. So when I miraculously showed up that day, I happened to get a seat beside Larrissa. Customary hi's were exchanged and then larry asks me " why weren't you coming for carol singing?". I gave a sheepish smile and told her that i was no singer. But i mumbled that I such a low voice that even I had some trouble in deciphering what was just said. Nevertheless, that days meeting was devoted to practicing some of the carols. Dennis gets a confirmation from me that this time I'm going to come along. I had nothing better to do that evening.
So all this said and done, I arrive at St. Peters at bang 17:00 hrs and lo!!! I was just the third person there. Shweta and her friend had arrived a bit earlier. It was a little hard for me to strike a conversation, as they were just acquaitances. However a clumsy effort on my part resulted in the very cliched conversation of when is it going to start, what is the time, etc etc. Larry and sherwyn turn up after a couple of minutes and that was a relief, coz i thought i could get acquainted with both of them and get a few tips from sherwyn on how to play some pieces on the guitar( shery is an exceptional guitarist). Larry, being her friendly self, again comes and strikes a very casual and light hearted conversation. After chatting with her for a bit I go to sherry and again pass some time there till the rest of the gang pours in. We would then leave for carol singing after having tea in the manipal canteen.
During the time I was having tea with the others, I was just the silent observer, enjoying the sarcastic and light hearted conversation the other people were having. I did not feel like pitching in because I felt that I am still a stranger, and that it would be out of place to poke fun at anybody there.
We then went back to church and were trying to figure out who goes in whose bike or car. I was felix's backseat driver for the rest of the evening. Even felix seems to be a very quiet person, and so our time both on the bike and off it seemed to be like a story of friendship blossoming in a silent movie.
The carol singing began at about 6 in the evening. Visited lots of houses. However, with all the fun and excitement around, I somehow felt left out and, like in the canteen, was just listening and enjoying the light humour that was going around. At this point, Larry comes up to me and asks " Why are you so quiet? Are you feeling alone? Maybe its because you are new." And then proceeded with some kind of conversation.
To me it was a really touching gesture. something which no one in my entire life has done before. It made me feel that love does exist in this crazy world. Thanks larry...thanks a lot.
Another event which i really liked that day was dennis' doggie samantha. She was so charged up to see so many people around, she just kept jumping and rubbing and playing and wagging all around, more often than not, spilling the eats and drinks on us.
It was 11.30 by the time we finished. I returned home and had a very good sleep. I just loved the enthu and bonding between dennis, roger, sherry, larry, sujay and vivian. They sure are a very very special group and true friends.
Cheers.
It had been a while( about a month or so) since I had last attended the youth groups meeting. So I thought I'd just make a courtesy visit and show my face. For the past couple of weeks while I had intentionally kept away, the youth group members had been going house to house, singing carols. So when I miraculously showed up that day, I happened to get a seat beside Larrissa. Customary hi's were exchanged and then larry asks me " why weren't you coming for carol singing?". I gave a sheepish smile and told her that i was no singer. But i mumbled that I such a low voice that even I had some trouble in deciphering what was just said. Nevertheless, that days meeting was devoted to practicing some of the carols. Dennis gets a confirmation from me that this time I'm going to come along. I had nothing better to do that evening.
So all this said and done, I arrive at St. Peters at bang 17:00 hrs and lo!!! I was just the third person there. Shweta and her friend had arrived a bit earlier. It was a little hard for me to strike a conversation, as they were just acquaitances. However a clumsy effort on my part resulted in the very cliched conversation of when is it going to start, what is the time, etc etc. Larry and sherwyn turn up after a couple of minutes and that was a relief, coz i thought i could get acquainted with both of them and get a few tips from sherwyn on how to play some pieces on the guitar( shery is an exceptional guitarist). Larry, being her friendly self, again comes and strikes a very casual and light hearted conversation. After chatting with her for a bit I go to sherry and again pass some time there till the rest of the gang pours in. We would then leave for carol singing after having tea in the manipal canteen.
During the time I was having tea with the others, I was just the silent observer, enjoying the sarcastic and light hearted conversation the other people were having. I did not feel like pitching in because I felt that I am still a stranger, and that it would be out of place to poke fun at anybody there.
We then went back to church and were trying to figure out who goes in whose bike or car. I was felix's backseat driver for the rest of the evening. Even felix seems to be a very quiet person, and so our time both on the bike and off it seemed to be like a story of friendship blossoming in a silent movie.
The carol singing began at about 6 in the evening. Visited lots of houses. However, with all the fun and excitement around, I somehow felt left out and, like in the canteen, was just listening and enjoying the light humour that was going around. At this point, Larry comes up to me and asks " Why are you so quiet? Are you feeling alone? Maybe its because you are new." And then proceeded with some kind of conversation.
To me it was a really touching gesture. something which no one in my entire life has done before. It made me feel that love does exist in this crazy world. Thanks larry...thanks a lot.
Another event which i really liked that day was dennis' doggie samantha. She was so charged up to see so many people around, she just kept jumping and rubbing and playing and wagging all around, more often than not, spilling the eats and drinks on us.
It was 11.30 by the time we finished. I returned home and had a very good sleep. I just loved the enthu and bonding between dennis, roger, sherry, larry, sujay and vivian. They sure are a very very special group and true friends.
Cheers.
Phase II
On the IT boat did I start sailing
Happy and boisterous about the new beginning
But alas, these ghosts, they keep haunting
Keeping me neither awake nor sleeping.
Yet the battle continues, never ceasing
At every fall, my resilience increasing
This is phase two, will it have an ending?
Happy and boisterous about the new beginning
But alas, these ghosts, they keep haunting
Keeping me neither awake nor sleeping.
Yet the battle continues, never ceasing
At every fall, my resilience increasing
This is phase two, will it have an ending?
Me and You
You give me your humanity, I will give you my divinity
You give me your time, I will give you my eternity
You give me your bonds, I will give you my omnipotence
You give me your slavery, I will give you my freedom
You give me your death, I will give you my life
You give me your nothingness, I will give you my all
You give me your time, I will give you my eternity
You give me your bonds, I will give you my omnipotence
You give me your slavery, I will give you my freedom
You give me your death, I will give you my life
You give me your nothingness, I will give you my all
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