Tuesday, October 28, 2008

半个老师

不管是哪个世纪哪个年代,
住哪个国家哪个省份,
哪种肤色操哪种语言的人,
不少人作文簿某页,
应该散发出“我要做老师”的童真吧!

小时不解,
只知道玩耍,
不懂当老师的道理何在,
就觉得老师有种威严,
却又不时带有几分慈祥。

《我的志向》小孩了解有多少,
没人知道,
也许就是老师这份特殊的气质,
在那小小心灵的深处点亮了一道微光,
为他开辟了对未来的第一个憧憬。

小小的心灵长大了,
纳闷……
当老师有什么好?
薪资谈不上丰厚(要交补习赚取额外零用钱),
待遇算不上一流(打我孩子?等着挨告吧你),
又要受气(数学?能吃的吗?管他,我睡我的)……

唯一的好处?
跟学生一起放假。

要我当老师?
你脑袋有问题吗?

当年小小心灵深处那道微光早已灭了,
当年那份天真可爱的憧憬早已不复在,
余下的,
是被现实吞噬啃咬的,
伤痕累累的灵魂。

今天,
真正体会到为人师表的乐趣与满足感。

话说去年开始,
心理系认识的朋友就常表示要我教她钢琴,
由于各自要忙课业和其它事物,
一直拖到今年年初都没有定论。

期间不断考虑犹豫,
究竟应不应该接下这个责任?
我不是职业钢琴家,
乐理停在第五级,
连个正式的diploma都没有,
名副其实的半桶水,
怎么教?

考虑良久,
总算最后一个学期空档多被逮,
加上妳曾经有学琴经验,
不至于从零出发,
于是冒险接下这份差事,
当个“引路人”,
带妳再次走过久违的琴路。

每星期二一小时的课,
从最基本的音阶开始练起,
训练手指力度与敏捷度,
让妳抓回以往弹琴的感觉,
再学首较简单的曲目,
激活妳那迟钝的双眼,
加快看谱的速度。

期间不断地注意妳,
手指是否转对,
力度是否均匀,
节拍是否不准,
指法是否正确……

原来当“引路人”真的不容易呐,
不能时时分神不然无法纠正妳,
不断地做记录不然无法比较妳的问题……

今天意外地,
妳手指灵活了许多,
看谱也变得比较快了,
没想到才第三次“复健”妳就“恢复机能”了^^
真为你感到开心。

同时也发觉,
原来看着自己的“学生”成长是件很快乐的事,
也许他们的成长就是对自己最大的回馈吧(讲的好像我教书多年似的)!

十月要过完了,
我能够引导妳的时间也不多了,
希望在毕业前能让妳学会Canon in D,
Melodies of Life就难说了……
以后我不在就靠你自己了,
别放弃哦!
对妳有信心!

Friday, October 24, 2008

给要赴战场的你

对妳来说,明天是个重要的日子吧?就像我当初考英国皇家音乐学院第八级的文凭一样,考官还是远从英国飞过来的大人物,应该很压力吧?好几天都没在学校看到妳,原来是翘课去练舞。一个礼拜跳六天,还真是不简单,佩服妳的毅力以及对芭蕾舞的坚持。

在这里送上由衷的祝福,希望你能过关。凭着妳对芭蕾舞的热诚,我相信一定能感染到考官的。不用紧张,害怕的时候就想想我这个呆木头吧,保证你能排除万难的。加油~~~一定要过关哦!

(我冒着被人误会的风险在这里写祝福给你,你要是敢不过关我可是会生气的哦^^)

Sunday, October 19, 2008

大卫朵夫

今天听完音乐会后,像往常一样去Kinokuniya 的音乐部溜达,意外发现了一则故事,特在此与各位分享。
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乐器,不论是小提琴、大提琴、钢琴、双簧管、喇叭等,都是经过专业人士的精心设计而制成的。当然,乐器制作这个行业中也有排名的。论提琴制作,首推17世纪的意大利制琴家安安东尼奥.史特拉迪瓦里 (Antonio. Stradivari),现今的提琴设计是由他奠定的。史氏当年制作了很多把名琴,流传至今不论是收藏家或是音乐家,都将这些古董提琴当作是梦寐以求的“终极”乐器。至于史氏的生平,以及出自他手下的提琴有什么特别,今天暂且不讨论,因为今天的主角不是他,而是由他制作的一把大提琴。

这把大提琴制于1712年,是一位贵族出高价订做的。后来这此琴随着战乱而下落不明,百年里都不曾再出现过。一直到19世纪,才有可靠的资料显示这把大提琴在这一百年里流动于不同的贵族手中。1870年,一位年事已高的伯爵将这把爱琴送给当时俄国最具名声的大提琴家卡尔.大卫朵夫 (Karl Davydov),而这把大提琴也继承了它主人的名字,在大卫朵夫去世后被售出,于1928年辗转来到美国纽约的一家乐器商手上。

一直到1964年,正在物色高质地乐器的英国著名大提琴家杜普蕾(Jacqueline du Pre)试奏了大卫朵夫后为之倾心,于是她的干妈将它高价购入送给杜普蕾作为礼物。而杜普蕾与大卫朵夫携手录制了不少经典作品,然而好景不长,大卫朵夫“病了”。杜普蕾到了1970年,认为她无法再掌握大卫朵夫,于是换了另一把大提琴。而大卫朵夫则被送到法国巴黎的一家修琴室,一放就是十年。

当时乐坛里流传着一个浪漫的故事:杜普蕾的房里只允许一位情人存在。她的前一任情人是大卫朵夫,后来于1967年与拜伦波因(Daniel Barenboim)结为连理。大卫朵夫是把有生命的大提琴,需要主人不断的哄劝调养才会发声。杜普蕾被拜伦波因占据后,大提琴缺乏怜惜,于是渐渐失去光辉,暗淡了下来。

1972年,杜普蕾患上多重组织硬化症,退出乐坛。夫妇俩后来与刚成为职业音乐家的马友友结为好友,于是建议他去巴黎看看大卫朵夫。试奏15分钟后,大卫朵夫极受马友友的青睐,于是夫妇俩决定将它借给马友友。在马友友精心的“调教”下,“退隐”多年的大卫朵夫终于再次现世,伴随马友友在世界各国演出。

1987年杜普蕾去世后,大卫朵夫再次被拿去拍卖,马友友则享有优惠价格。当时育有两位孩子的马友友,经济情况受限,无法买下如此昂贵的大提琴。所幸一位慈善家顾及大卫朵夫的未来,希望它能继续在名家的手中继续活跃于乐坛,将大卫朵夫买下送给马友友,成全了两位“有情人”,也为世界各地的观众带来无与伦比的喜悦。

往后的日子,时间的洪流会将大卫朵夫冲向何处,没有人知道。相信大家仍然期盼这把大提琴的归宿永远都是当代最具实力的大提琴家,让它的琴声继续为音乐天地增添色彩。

Music Music Music

Going off to KLCC to catch another classical music concert by MPO in a while, this time performing works by Richard Wagner. Now this is a first time for me, listening to Wagner's pieces which also come with a soprano aside from the usual orchestra gang. Wonder how will it be, let's wait and see, hehe.

Been toxicating myself with tons of music lately... ok, I lied, it's been like what? 3 years? But recently there is an apparent change in the music I listen. Took a break from classical music and tried my ears in pop songs which I despised so much (no offense to you people out there, ask me any day any month 2 years ago and I will tell you "no I am not interested in pop songs") until a few weeks ago. This is probably due to the fact that most of my classical musics are somewhat aggressive in nature (yeah you know me, Beethoven and stuff like that), and they don't seem to be doing a good job in soothing me during my final semester. Thus, the only thing I could do is seek help from pop songs.

Jason Mraz has been a personal favourite since last week. Downloaded his albums (gosh am I late) and had a good time with them. A pity I can't find his latest one "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things" on the Net... sorry Jason I don't mean to support pirated albums, haha. I am sure "You and I Both" can have a good time together if we get to know each other, perhaps share our experience in how to "Sleep All Day", as well as the days when we have "Too Much Food" thanks to our female friends who pile the leftovers in our plates during meal time, haha. OK, somebody please stop me, I am going nuts...

Well anyway, it's true that listening to pop songs do give me a good time, yet I still go back to classical music every now and then. It's just something I can't give up, like those drug addicts who can't give up on heroine even though they are killing themselves in the progress (of course I can't kill myself with classical music, so it appears I get to live longer :p). I am always amazed at how humans can create different forms of music throughout their short lifespan. Look at Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert..... and the rest of the gang. Look at all their achievement when they were alive. Such beautiful and awesome works....

Of course apart from the composers, we can't forget about the performers as well. Most of the masterpieces are difficult to perform, and we should be thankful that there are a bunch of them who are willing to spend their time honing their skills so we can enjoy lots and lots of music, be it through recordings or live at the scene. Gosh, I wish I could be one of them. Just seeing yourself performing those masterpieces can make you proud, not to mention the awe and surprise we get to see on the audience's faces. Of course pride and success is not my ultimate goal. What I am seeking is the joy of sharing music with all of you, because I believe music is the cure to all "malfunctions" in human emotion.

Up till now, Beethoven'ts Appassionata still tops the list in my personal favourites. There are a lot of versions, and the one I am most satisfied with is Barenboim's version. Not sure how to explain to you folks, so get it from me if you are interested to know, hehe.

Sigh... wonder when I can play Appassionata.....

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In case you guys are wondering how Daniel Barenboim looks like, here's a few pics of him^^

E for English...

To be frank, I have absolutely no idea what in the world I am doing here at this time. 1.18am....... I should be in bed sleeping soundly to prepare myself for another tiring course of classes the next day. Well ok, it's not that tiring, but still it is eating up my energy bit by bit. So, shouldn't I treasure the time for some nice tranquil sleep in order to wake up in high spirit and face the challenges in the coming day? Apparently not, as I am still here fooling around.

Well, it's my first blog in English after all these years, and I have to admit it's kinda weird since I don't have to cater to English reading audiences...... unless there are some of you out there craving quietly for my literary work for no reason, haha. And the funny thing is, I just discovered I can write faster in English!!! Whatever happen to me when I blog in Chinese? All the phrases and words just won't come to me when I am using my mother tongue. Does this mean I am losing my root gradually??? Now that's scary.....

I may seem like a very free person, staying up late to surf the net for no obvious purposes, going out frequently and linger at bookshops and CD shops, going off to SS2 for my weekly piano practise, or visiting KLCC for the classcial music performances by MPO (now this is something my friends don't understand, and they may never will...) . Well like what I told my friend, I can be friend whenever I want to. The truth is, I should be busy with my FYP since I am miles and miles and miles behind. Not to mention the assignments and reports that are expected to be completed within a few weeks time. Only those with the smartest brain, or those who are insane enough can complete a feat like mine and still don't give a damn about the pile of work behind them. Clearly I belong to the latter category......

What's my plan? There is no plan. The only plan is to stay cool and enjoy my life to the fullest while facing the obstacles every day! And I better call it for the day. My eyes are close to causing a riot......

Saturday, October 18, 2008

前天朋友给我上了一堂生物课:

酶,或者叫酵素,
是人体内具有催化功能的蛋白质,
对于人体的新陈代谢扮演着重要的角色。

然而酶并非样样照单全收,
只对特定的反应物进行反应,
所谓的“锁-钥匙”模式,
确切地体现了酶的专一性。

朋友说,
只有两个相应的物质对在一起,
才能有反应;
不同的物质对在一起,
无论如何都不会看到结果。

有趣,
他居然忽略了另一个“诱导契合模式”,
酶是蛋白质,
具有一定的柔性,
因此在和底物产生反应的过程中会不断发生形变,
或者配合底物发生变化以进行反应。

所以说,
重点不在于两者是否相对应,
是否能马上看到反应;
而是两者能否互相配合,
对于彼此的需求做出变化,
才能达到必要的化学效应。

想来,人的适应能力这么强,
也许是因为酶的缘故……

好吧,叫我笨蛋!

白头发

最近朋友总说我白头发多了,
没概念什么叫多什么叫少,
所以照照镜子,
还不就是满头略带褐色的黑发,
间中夹杂着一两跟白银细弦,
很多吗?

再看看镜中的自己:
驼着背,
目光呆滞,
还是原来的自己,
如果真的白头发多了,
至少我还认得镜中的自己。

耸耸肩不知道也不想理,
继续过我的生活,
继续算剩余的天数。

白发多了又如何?
有时间不如整理思绪想一下音乐,
做一下论文,
看一下即了灰尘的小说,
或者盘算一下毫无头绪的未来……

反正这头白发的来源自己知道,
不需要烦也不需要怕,
遗传加频频用脑,
头发被漂白是很自然的事,
无需大惊小怪去惊动这个忙得不能再忙的现实世界,
对地球村做出史无前例的记者招待会。

我不是模特儿,
白发多了也不至于毁了自己的形象,
砸了自己的饭碗,
吓跑自己的女友(也没女友给我吓,哈哈),
吓死全世界的生物。

我不是名人,
白发多了也不会让我成为焦点,
不会让我成为传奇,
不会让人纳闷我是长时间受气还是什么的白发魔男……(语无伦次矣)

当然我绝对不是受气,
这点各位不用怀疑,
不用自责(如果有人愿意的话,哇哈哈)
真的不是受气,
就只是想了很多,
如是而已……

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说句实话,这篇部落格想表达什么,我也毫无概念。只是纯粹把心中的想法写出来,想什么写什么,一篇简单……甚至可以说是“简陋”的
劣作……

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

消化不良

久闻贝多芬的第三交响曲《英雄》(Eroica)是个革命性的作品,颠覆了以往古典派的曲风,开创了浪漫派创作风格。当年贝多芬的原意是想将此交响曲献给拿破仑,没想到拿破仑后来自己称帝,贝多芬眼看连拿破仑这样一个伟人都屈服于权力的诱惑,一怒之下硬是将拿破仑的名字从谱里面撕出来,改名为《英雄》,献给自己心目中的拿破仑。

几个月前从一位和我一样热爱古典音乐的朋友那里拿了《英雄》来听听,不知是因为指挥还是交响乐团的关系,一直听不出什么特别的地方,表现不出贝多芬的气势,有所欠缺。失望了一阵子,没想到几天前搜索贝多芬另一个作品《埃格蒙特》序曲时,意外发现另一个下载古典音乐的管道,而且同时间还找到由已故著名指挥家卡拉扬 (Herbert Von Karajan)指挥的《英雄》,真是踏破铁鞋无觅处,得来全不费功夫。

音乐一开就展现出卡拉扬独特的风格,完全顾及到贝多芬的作品应该有的气势,乐团在他的带领下,强而有力的演出一次又一次地冲击我的听觉,震撼人心。大师果然就是不一样,光是气势就足以制服听众。与此同时,又展现出乐曲中应有的柔情部分,所谓的刚中带柔就是指这个了吧。第一次听卡拉阳泉市的作品就不得不佩服他了,不愧是在乐团活跃了将近70年的巨匠。

然而,听完了以后却有种不安的感觉,好像消化不良似的。也许,卡拉扬已经考虑到所有的细节,一一表现出来,让我在以时间内无法全盘接受,结果……无法消化了,哈哈。有空要坐下来仔细品尝这首《英雄》,虽然不知道这是哪一个版本(他总共录过四次贝多芬的交响曲),但光是这一首已经足以展现它的大师级程度的实力。卡拉扬,佩服佩服,还得多谢你让我经历如此特别的消化不良。