Wow, quite an ordeal getting there... I feel for you! Was it weather-related? I'll remember to avoid China Southern! But I am sure things will get better from now on, and your music-making will only get sweeter. Have a great time, Howard and Maggie!
Thanks, Howard, for such an entertaining entry! I had so much fun reading it! And that photo of the food - you mean that thing that looks like a bridge is ribs??? No wonder I am hungry just looking at it! I hope your Mozart Requiem will be videotaped and we'll get to see it when you come back to Canada. Looking forward to the next instalment of yours (and Maggie's) journals....
Best, Joseph
Bravo Howard! This is the most enjoyable of all your blog entries so far! Loved the story about Xi'an. Which domestic airline did you fly? I flew to Xi'an from Beijing in 1985 on the now-defunct CAAC - then the only airline in China. Had my terrific sightseeing trips and all that, then was trapped in that city for two days because of "inclement weather"... The Xi'an airport at the time was still quite primitive and frankly a bit of a nightmare, and perhaps they didn't have "instrument landing" at the time! Glad to hear your trip was totally painless. And what a coup to meet the farmer/author! All best, Joseph
Dear Howard,
Thank you so much for the wonderful account of your trip to the Miao people. I found myself deeply moved by their story. When we say "music is the universal language" - it really rings true in a situation like this. I'll bet this experience will stay with you for the rest of your life. I envy you! I hope we'll get to hear them singing Hallelujah in the future! All best,
Joseph
Thanks Howard - a truly wonderful post! Your comment of "...Buddhists are right, Rachmaninoff has come back to us in the form of Sun Jinja..." Wow, talk about high praise!!! Now I wish I could hear her. It's Sunday morning in TO as I read this, and the food pictures of the banquet is making me hungry :)
Best,
Joseph
Thanks Howard, for your epic-scaled post. It seems that there was more drama off-stage than on! Too bad there wasn't a full performance of the Mozart Requiem. And that Alfredo! I guess the tenorial temperament is the same anywhere in the world. From reading your post, does that mean the emergency tenor that flew in to save the show never got to sing? I feel sorry for him...a bit of a loss of "face". Thanks for such an entertaining read! Best, Joseph
Dear Howard and Maggie,
How nice to be reading your travelogues once again! You have to keep doing this every spring :-)
Have a great time in Kunming.
All best,
Joseph So
Pentatonic Overload - oh this is hilarious! But at least it is not Serialism Overload... I am not a musician so please correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you get the feeling that pentatonic music is all very predictable? Sort of like Rossini - you press a button and it keeps going! You can almost fudge it. About the National Song, see if you can ask them for a video or a tape - that would help.
Toi toi toi to your upcoming grand concert!
Best,
Joseph
HI Howard and Maggie,
I've been reading your blogs out loud to my family and we are roaring with laughter. Hilarious! Thanks for the great entertainment!
No comment
22 February 12 at 11:26pm
1
Cool blog Howard! Safe flight.
02 March 12 at 8:45am
2
Wow, quite an ordeal getting there... I feel for you! Was it weather-related? I'll remember to avoid China Southern! But I am sure things will get better from now on, and your music-making will only get sweeter. Have a great time, Howard and Maggie!
18 March 12 at 1:45pm
3
This post wins for best title! I'm very much enjoying yours and Maggie's accounts of your adventure in China. Glad to hear you're well!
28 March 12 at 10:00pm
4
Thanks, Howard, for such an entertaining entry! I had so much fun reading it! And that photo of the food - you mean that thing that looks like a bridge is ribs??? No wonder I am hungry just looking at it! I hope your Mozart Requiem will be videotaped and we'll get to see it when you come back to Canada. Looking forward to the next instalment of yours (and Maggie's) journals.... Best, Joseph
04 April 12 at 7:43am
5
Great photos and stories! Thanks for making it seem like we're there with you. Lynda
18 April 12 at 12:39pm
6
Bravo Howard! This is the most enjoyable of all your blog entries so far! Loved the story about Xi'an. Which domestic airline did you fly? I flew to Xi'an from Beijing in 1985 on the now-defunct CAAC - then the only airline in China. Had my terrific sightseeing trips and all that, then was trapped in that city for two days because of "inclement weather"... The Xi'an airport at the time was still quite primitive and frankly a bit of a nightmare, and perhaps they didn't have "instrument landing" at the time! Glad to hear your trip was totally painless. And what a coup to meet the farmer/author! All best, Joseph
30 April 12 at 12:59pm
7
Dear Howard, Thank you so much for the wonderful account of your trip to the Miao people. I found myself deeply moved by their story. When we say "music is the universal language" - it really rings true in a situation like this. I'll bet this experience will stay with you for the rest of your life. I envy you! I hope we'll get to hear them singing Hallelujah in the future! All best, Joseph
07 May 12 at 6:32am
8
Hi, Howard and Maggie, I've very much enjoyed reading both of your blogs. You certainly know how to "buy the time" to the fullest. Great stuff! Tom
27 May 12 at 12:01pm
9
Thanks Howard - a truly wonderful post! Your comment of "...Buddhists are right, Rachmaninoff has come back to us in the form of Sun Jinja..." Wow, talk about high praise!!! Now I wish I could hear her. It's Sunday morning in TO as I read this, and the food pictures of the banquet is making me hungry :) Best, Joseph
10 June 12 at 9:39pm
10
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! Have a great last few weeks. Your cheeks will be sore smiling for all of the pictures! See you soon. Lynda
21 June 12 at 2:45pm
11
Thanks Howard, for your epic-scaled post. It seems that there was more drama off-stage than on! Too bad there wasn't a full performance of the Mozart Requiem. And that Alfredo! I guess the tenorial temperament is the same anywhere in the world. From reading your post, does that mean the emergency tenor that flew in to save the show never got to sing? I feel sorry for him...a bit of a loss of "face". Thanks for such an entertaining read! Best, Joseph
26 March 13 at 4:17pm
12
Dear Howard and Maggie, How nice to be reading your travelogues once again! You have to keep doing this every spring :-) Have a great time in Kunming. All best, Joseph So
06 April 13 at 8:45am
13
Pentatonic Overload - oh this is hilarious! But at least it is not Serialism Overload... I am not a musician so please correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you get the feeling that pentatonic music is all very predictable? Sort of like Rossini - you press a button and it keeps going! You can almost fudge it. About the National Song, see if you can ask them for a video or a tape - that would help. Toi toi toi to your upcoming grand concert! Best, Joseph
06 April 13 at 11:46am
14
Wow! Fascinating to hear :) You can do it, you can do it, you can do it!
19 April 13 at 9:04pm
15
HI Howard and Maggie, I've been reading your blogs out loud to my family and we are roaring with laughter. Hilarious! Thanks for the great entertainment!