Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Studies in Concentration

I'm always amazed at the concentration of some musicians. Tommy Emmanuel, whom I wrote about in an earlier post is one such guitarist. It is an ability to concentrate that draws listeners into the music in a way that I can't describe, but I know it when I see it. Or better put, I know it when I hear it. I do however get almost as much out of watching these two play as I do listening to them.

Here are two of the best examples. Neither are guitarists, but I had to include them anyway. Both are studies in true grace, and there's a great deal for us to learn here. I encourage you to seek out their music on your own.

First here's jazz pianist Keith Jarrett, performing live, playing George Gershwin's beautiful "I Loves You Porgy", from "Porgy and Bess".



Next, the inimitable Vladimir Horiwitz performing Frédéric Chopin's first ballade. Watch as he pauses before playing to center himself.



'Nuff said.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

All My Rowdy Friends at NPR

Sunday afternoon I had the opportunity to play at The Williamsburg Winery for a function produced by WHRO, our local National Public Radio affiliate. The occasion was a one-of-a-kind event for WHRO's Leadership Circle Members. Making matters even more fun, the featured speaker for the day was Lynne Rosetto Kasper, host of National Public Radio's The Splendid Table show (syndicated locally on WHRO (89.5 FM) on Sunday's from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Splendid Table was named "1999 Best National Radio Show on Food" by the James Beard Foundation, and "2000 Best National Syndicated Talk Show" by American Women in Radio and Television. Scripps Howard News Service distributes Lynne's advice column, "Ask The Splendid Table." Her first cookbook, The Splendid Table is the only book to achieve the food world's twin crown, The Cookbook of the Year Award from both the Julia Child/IACP and James Beard Awards. Her The Italian Country Table was named one of the best books of 1999 by Cook's Illustrated Magazine. Lynne has written for The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Food & Wine Magazine, and Bon Appetít. Named "One of the 12 Best Cooking Teachers in America" by The James Beard Foundation, she also lectures on food and culture in Europe and America.

Beforehand I took the opportunity to have a walk around Colonial Williamsburg just when the trees were at their autumn blazing best. At the gig the setting, I thought, was perfect for my music, in a rustically beautiful hall surrounded by a whole lot of grape vines. My kind of livin'.

(Top photo with Lynne Rosetto Kasper, courtesy of Anne Peterson.
Williamsburg tree photo courtesy of the lovely Dawn.)