Isaac Stern Good Will Visit to China

Last evening, I watched and listened to a video entitled, "From Mao To Mozart: Isaac Stern in China." It is a documentary that garnered all kinds of prizes and praises as the best documentary of the year (1980). I quote the following from the cover of the video: "In 1979 Isaac Stern accepted an invitation to visit China as an official guest of the government. Accompanied by his family, Mr. Stern spent on month traveling through China learning about the vast country and meeting the Chinese people, "first as musicians then as friends." Mr. Stern met with musicians from all over China. He held master classes. visited schools, coached young people, and worked with orchestras, as well as staging public performances. Wherever he went, he was received with great warmth and enthusiasm."
Along with everyone else that has watched this documentary, it would be difficult to overpraise this film. As Archer Winston, from the New York Post, commented: "Superb... Not To Be Missed." What particularly amazed me was the high level of performance of the students who were studying music. It seemed they were children and yet, the way they played, I would have regarded them as child prodegies. Both Stern and his piano accompanist were clearly impressed by the level of performance of so many of the students.
Throughout the film, what moved me was watching Isaac Stern, a master teacher as he is a master performer, instruct each of the young musicians (as well as a full orchestra), how to play their music with more passion. Stern exuded passion in his playing. He commented that the instructions that students received from their teachers did not stress the importance of playing with passion. He made the playing of whoever he instructed, be it a single student or a orchestra, come alive, with passion. I strongly recommend that the reader of this posting give themseles a treat by watching this documentary. Check your local library to obtain a copy or try Netflick.

Schenectady Symphony - Raffaele Ponti Conductor

On April 26, 2009, the Schenectady Symphony gave a concert with guest conductor Raffaele Ponti. Watching him leading the orchestra, the first time he had conducted this orchestra, was an exciting experience. He "danced" his role as a conductor; his body revealed what he expected the players in the various section of the orchestra to perform, i.e. play softer or louder, etc. His conducting wowed the audience who gave him a standing ovation. All the great conductors have a style of their own; some are very physical in their conducting, while others barely move their baton around to cue in the orchestra. Watching this conductor, you knew how and when he wanted the various sections of the orchestra to respond and they did. Even when the orchestra accompanied a soloist, his conducting was the focus of my eyes. Watching him move his body throughout the performance put me in mind of watching a balle or modern dance perform. I would go to see him perform whatever he played know that he evoked from the orchestra their best effort.

Gestalt Therapy Principle

One of my trainers in a Getalt Therapy program I was enrolled in said the following:
"People want to continue to do what they are doing and get different results. As long as they continue to do what they are doing, they will get the same results. To think otherwise is "magic".
One example that comes to mind is the "magical thinking," of those who continue overeating and expecting not to put on weight. Following the above insight: "As long as you continue to overeat, (over time), you will put on weight and get fat. To think otherwise, that you can eat however much you want and not put on weight, is "magical thinking." This principle applies to any other habit we may have.

Senior Soccer Players

This morning, I watched a soccer match in which my son participated. I was amazed at the agility of the players, all fifty years or older. What struck me is how physical the sport of soccer is. With each play, you risk being injured. Yet, each player gave it their all cheered on by their fellow players. I was also surprised at the skill many of the particpant demonstrated and their spirit in participating all out. I also made note that there were no obese players among their ranks. I ask myself is it worth the risk they take? It must be for they return week after week and give it their all. Bravo!

Recent Insight

I recently was made aware of the writings of Nightingale who devoted his life to the study of wisdom. He identified what he considered a crucial theme "We become what we think about most of the time." I applied this insight into my own life and found it extremely revealing. What if you applied this insight into your life?