In June and July I was reading Kant and thinking about composers, music, families, etc. Here are my notes:
Journal March-May 2018
Comforting sign in Bonnie Thron's music studio
Self-filling watering can by Lonnie Holley ("JG Thirwell's Tumblr", Mass MOCA, 2017)
Carl's journal, 2017
I have collected my journal entries from the last year, extracting music-related, poetic, and philosophical writings, and leaving behind shopping lists, concert planning, public relations, etc. Mostly single sentences, in chronological order, about music and life. Some of them I continue to mull over. Some of them, even I don't know what I was thinking. I am posting these because some of the ideas may be useful and/or entertaining to you, and I find it helpful to have them collected in one place. Here and there I see the germs of new projects. For instance, the magic watering can image/idea led to the commissioning of new works by local composers. They are posted in three pdfs:
Concerts with Bonnie Thron
I have recently had the great privilege of performing three programs back to back in North Carolina with Bonnie Thron. Here is a review of the third program by pianist and writer Chelsea S. Waddelow. I am looking forward to repeating this program in Takoma Park on November 25.
I am especially thrilled to be performing the great Chopin g minor Sonata with her, a piece that has long been on my "bucket list". Learning, rehearsing, and performing this piece has given me a whole new toolbox for revisiting Chopin's immense body of solo piano music. Thank you, Bonnie!
Another Feature Article!
Ellyn Wexler has written a wonderful piece, "Party of Four", about Nana, Steve, Michael, and me, and our June 11 program:
Feature Article About Us
Ellyn Wexler published this terrific article about us and our upcoming March 31 concert.
Balcony View
Chrish Kresge sent this photo from the balcony at Milo.
Trout at Milo
Marilyn shot this video clip from the Trout at Milo, Saturday Feb. 18, 2017. Full house (60 guests), Richard White set a fine table, and we all consumed every bit of food and drink. The music room and living room were completely full, and there was even a crowd on the balcony.
News from Raleigh
Bonnie Thron and Bill Robinson will come up for the March 31 concert at Church of the Ascension.
Check out Bill's "Autobillography"
New Year's message
Two Winter Concerts
We are doing another concert at the lovely Church of the Ascension, followed by one of Richard White's great house concert/buffets in Bethesda.
Here is the invitation: http://conta.cc/2hxpuBU
December 10 house concert
Here is an invitation to the December 10 Takoma Park house concert.
New mp3s up
Posted some slightly edited recordings of our recent rehearsal: Beach Trio, and Brahms Op. 87.
Listen to them here.
Trio concert November 18
Here is the invitation.
The Trio plus two (Michael Vaughn, violin, Jodi Beder, cello, Carl Banner, piano, joined by Nana Vaughn, viola, and Jeffrey Howard, violin). Photo by Anya Vaughn, at Richard White's on Milo Drive.
Rehearsal photos
Mei Mei also shot a lot of great rehearsal photos.
Ascension Concert
Artist Mei Mei Chang was at the October 21 concert at Church of the Ascension. Here are some of her photos.
Concert Invitation
Here is a link to the email invitation we sent to the October 21 concert at Church of the Ascension:
Q: Will there still be house concerts?
A: Yes, upcoming in December, February, & April
Q: Why is WMV starting this new series?
A: To program music for larger ensembles and to reach a larger audience.
Q: Can we buy tickets at the door?
A: Yes, cash or check only.
Q: Is there parking?
A: Yes, there is street parking and in the Elementary School lot on Silver Spring Ave.
More photos from Mei Mei
Photos from 9.18
Artist Mei Mei Chang took some photos at the house concert:
House concert
Last night's house concert was pretty amazing. The Brahms Quartet was everything one could wish for, better than in any of the rehearsals. It felt very good to musicians and listeners alike. Matt Testa and Bobby Hill were in the audience. I posted the recording at: http://www.dcmusicaviva.org/recordings/
Mei Mei Chang took photos, which I will post later, and Marilyn got a good video clip that she put on Facebook and Instagram. Maybe I can post it here too.