Glenn Gould Goldberg Variations (1981)

I guess this is a little surprising somebody who knows my music taste.

The other day, I watched Glenn Gould's Goldberg Variations (1981) on TV out of a whim. It was so attractive that I bought its CD right after I watched it. Surprisingly, I'd never had the very popular CD.

Glenn Gould was a Canadian pianist and released his debut album "Goldberg Variations" in 1956 from CBS record. After the dazzling debut, for the first time in a quarter-century, he reviewed his first record and decided to rerecord it.

This new recording of course, is taking advantage of new Dolbey digital recording system. So the sound quality has been more improved than the 1955 version. Amazingly, his technique has never broken down at all. So, every single tone is precisely and beautifully controlled.

I think that the his first recording is filled with something like youthful zest. On the other hand, the second recording is like somebody who has retired and is looking back on its old fulfilling life. This new performance brings me solace and support.

Would you like to listen this Glenn Gould's new Goldberg Variations if you'd like to get free of the modern routine living?

Hurried Hamburger Soup

Cooking oil 5mL
Lean ground beef 454g

Chopped onion 250mL
Beef stock 1.25L
can of mixed beans, rinsed and drained 540mL
can of diced tomatoes (With juice) 398mL
Coleslaw mix 250mL
Elbow macaroni 125mL
Chili powder 5mL
Garlic powder 2mL
Pepper 2mL

Heat cooking oil in Dutch oven or large pot on medium. Add beef
and onion. Scramble-fry for about 10 minutes until beef is no longer
pink. Drain.
Add remaining 8 ingredients. Stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium.
Simmer, partially covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until
macaroni is tender. Makes about 10 cups (2.5L).

César Franck violin sonata

I think that I fortunately came upon many good classical CDs this year. So, I should review all the CDs and introduce those to you.

Now I'm into César Franck violin sonata which is performed by Alfred Cortot and Jacques Thibaud. César Franck(1822-1890, Belgium) is not so popular as a classical music composer. Maybe it's because of his much fewer main works than other composers'. But his violin sonata might be the greatest one of 19th century. Because of the phenomenal popularity, the sonata was arranged for some other instruments such as cello, flute and solo piano. Franck composed this sonata for his violinist-friend, Ysaÿe as a wedding present.

I feel this song is filled with love. You can picture a concrete vision of love from this music. It's mostly unrealistic but you will be attracted to the imaginative scenes immediately.

By the way, I think what modern people lost is the fertile imagination like that. Now, people in developed countries are taking an advantage of the excessive information society, aren't they? I guess people used to create many stories and told them to friends, kids and their family to entertain.

This performance was recorded about 80 years ago. Pianist, Cortot and violinist Thibaud both are great storytellers. You cannot help imagining old European life styles and the scenery by their performance.

土鍋炊き込みご飯

●材料(4人分)
お米　3合
鶏肉　200ｇ
にんじん　1/2本
乾燥しいたけ　20ｇ
油揚げ　2枚
ごぼう　100ｇ
ゴマ　少々

●タレ
しょうゆ　大7
酒　大3
みりん　大4
だしのもと　少４

1.お米を研いで　土鍋に入れる　30分待つ
2.材料をこまかく刻む。しいたけと鶏肉は作っておいたタレに漬け込んでおく
3.材料を土鍋に入れて　強火で炊き込む
4.沸騰したら、火を弱めて微弱にして5分まつ
5.火を止めてさらに5分間蒸らす
6.ゴマを全体にふりかける

Monaco GP 2009

I watched Monaco GP with SONY 40 inch-TV at friend's place today.

Monaco GP stands out prominently as colorful seaside street course in F1. In this qualifying, both Force India showed strong potential and reached the Q2. And one of Force India, Fisichella came in 9th at the race. Though it actually is a tough race, both Brawns are keeping in tip-top shape.
Last winner, McLaren is still suffering from a protracted slump. On the other hand, it seems Ferrari is getting over stagnation.

Personally, I was impressed by the scene that Button was running several blocks toward the podium after the race.

a guitar

I finally got a guitar!

Now I just started memorizing the chords and those fingerings.
I'm a beginner at the moment.
But I hope I can improve soon!

The Golden Week has just started!

The Golden Week has just started! This golden week is kind of busy for me. In the beginning, I have Mike's piano lesson, Inaken's art exhibition and Dan and Kana's wedding. After those, I will stay home in Shizuoka for three days.

By the way, I'm now seriously thinking of buying a guitar. The other day, I researched a lot about guitars with a friend after the piano lesson. I found that there are a lot of kind of guitars and the price range is very wide. So it seems it's very hard to pick one. Maybe, I should go to a music shop and try some. I like a guitar which has mellow sound and sharp attack.