Oberon's Glade

Category: Blog

  • Persichetti’s WINTER CANTATA

    01

    I’ve fallen in love with Vincent Persichetti’s WINTER CANTATA which I discovered quite by chance when I plucked a CD of the composer’s choral works off the shelf at the library a couple weeks ago.

    Composed in 1964, the work was inspired by a collection of haiku (‘A Net of Fireflies‘) which Persichetti’s daughter had given him as a gift. To the intriguingly spare accompaniment of flute and marimba, the chorus of women’s voices weave a magical tapestry of wintry images. Intricate harmonies and tapering sustained notes are particularly pleasing vocal elements; the flute and marimba evoke cool air and gently swirling flakes of snow. There are eleven brief movements, and an Epilogue which draws its text from one line of each of the previous eleven poems.

    The CD, featuring the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia conducted by Tamara Brooks, may be found here.

  • Music for a Summer Afternoon IV

    6a00d8341c4e3853ef01a511e902fb970c-800wi

    Philippe Jaroussky sings Handel’s “Ombra mai fu“ from SERSE.

  • US Open Qualifying Tournament 2014 #4

    L1470420

    Above: Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka

    Friday August 22nd, 2014 – Really nice day at the US Open Qualifying Tournament. Clouds kept the heat index at a comfortable level, and there was a breeze stirring. Around 3:00 PM, a ceiling of dark clouds settled over the Tennis Center, and just as Yoshihito Nishioka finished signing autographs after his win, the rains came down. I had really wanted to see the end of Hiroki Moriya’s match and to see Tatsuma Ito, a player I realy like and whose first two matches I missed this time around. But the rains were heavy enough to send the crowds scurrying, and it was obviously more than just a passing shower. I knew that even if play resumed within an hour, it would take an additional hour or more to dry the courts. So I left, though I didn’t really want to. 

    L1470317

    I started my day watching Japan’s Taro Daniel (above) in a hard-fought match against the experienced Canadian player Peter Polansky. Polansky took the first set convincingly, and Taro was showing visible frustration and fatigue in the second set when I had to walk away so as not to miss any of Steve Darcis’ match on Court 17. I was a bit surprised to find – after the truncated Darcis match – that Taro was still playing: he had apparently pulled himself together and taken the second set, and he was just a couple of games away from winning the third. He played really well, and the crowd was loving him. After the final point, he sank to his knees in disbelief. He had to sign a ton of autographs.

    L1470376

    Above: Taro Daniel after his win

    L1470327

    Over at Court 17 (above), I was totally psyched for the Darcis match. I found a nice seat very high up with no one in my immediate vicinity and a breeze to keep me cool. Tennis heaven! Steve played a stupendous first set. His opponent Emilio Gomez of Ecuador simply couldn’t get anything going against the Darcis Machine. Gomez managed to take one game in the first set but otherwise it was all-Darcis, all the time; Steve won the first set in 23 minutes, concluding with a superb passing shot. 

    Steve won the first game of the second set and then Emilio walked over to the chair umpire and asked for the trainer. After a long wait the trainer showed up, taped Emilio’s ankle, and play resumed. But as soon as Steve finished the second game, Emilio limped off the court and retired. So Steve’s victory, however assured, was a bit bittersweet. Nevertheless, it’s good he’s into the main draw and I hope he has a success.

    L1470335

    Above: Steve Darcis of Belgium

    After watching the end of the Taro Daniel/Peter Polansky I went over to Courts 4/5/6 where four Japanese players were to be playing their matches in succession. Yuichi Sugita was over-powered by Germany’s Matthias Bachinger today. Yuichi didn’t show the same energy as he had in his previous match. He had the trainer out during the second set for his ankle; though hobbled, he was still able to play out the match. Hiroki Moriya, following his thrilling match on Wednesday, seemed subdued today as he met the powerful Swiss Marco Chiudinelli. Marco thoroughly dominated the first set, but Hiroki came out swinging for the second set and fought hard to take it in a tie-breaker. However, he could not sustain the momentum and in the end Chiudinelli was the winner.

    L1470400

    Yoshihito Nishioka (above) held the Japanese banner high with a stunning win over Turkey’s hard-hitting Marsel Ilham. Like Sugita and Moriya, Nishioka is small of stature. But he was able to answer Marsel’s blistering strokes with well-placed, authoritative hitting. Nishioka only had one patch of trouble: a long service game where he kept being stalled at deuce. But once past that it was smooth sailing for the Japanese boy. The lopsided score (6-3, 6-1) does not really reflect the threat posed by Marsel Ilhan. But the crowd was over-joyed to celebrate Nishioka’s win, and he was engulfed by fans at the end.

    L1470487

    Above: Yoshihito Nishioka signing autographs after winning his match

    The rain prevented me from seeing Tatsuma Ito; I’m following his match now on the website. 

  • US Open Qualifying Tournament 2014 #2

    L1470053

    Above: Yuichi Sugita of Japan

    Wednesday August 20th, 2014 – Today was a really good day at the US Open Qualifying Tournament. What constitutes a “really good day” at a tennis tournament? A day when the players you like…win!

    L1470045

    Today started excellently with China’s Di Wu (above) scoring an impressive victory over Gerald Melzer of Austria. Di Wu dominated the match with his steady play, slowly wearing down his opponent. Patience and surety of technique kept the Chinese boy on the path to victory. The 6-2 6-2 score says it all.

    L1470049

    Above: Di Wu signing autographs after his match

    L1470101

    A new face from Korea, Hyeon Chung (above), convincingly beat Argentina’s Augustin Velotti. Hyeon Chung, rather gangly and loose-limbed – and sporting some funky sunglasses – kept his opponent under control and was enthusiastically supported by a large contingent from New York’s Korean community.

    L1470062

    Yuichi Sugita (above) played an exciting match against Germany’s Tim Puetz. Yuichi had opportunities to close out the first set sooner than he did, but his patience paid off. In the second set. Tim Puetz put up a strong battle, with some rowdy vocal support from the German fans, but Yuichi never lost his cool and he prevailed in the end, playing some beautiful tennis along the way. Rather reticent throughout the match, Yuichi let out a celebratory whoop when he scored match point.

    L1470086

    Above: Yuichi after the match

    L1470122

    Yuki Bhambri (above), the tall player from India, took an early break from the Lithuanian Laurynas Grigelis. But Grigelis broke back and the match progressed with some very exciting rallies and fantastical shots from both players. They seemed well-matched in the first set – it seemed it could go either way – but then Yuki took the edge. He sustained his high level of play throughout the second set, giving Grigelis few chances to make any headway. A strong victory for the Indian.

    L1470146

    Above: Yuki Bhambri

    L1470108

    I don’t get to watch many women’s matches at the Open; there are so many male players I try to follow, plus – to be honest – women’s tennis at the qualifying level is not always exciting. Today I did watch China’s Qiang Wang (above) fighting hard to sustain a win over Russia’s Evgenia Rodina in a three-set match buoyed by good audience particpation.

    I hadn’t been over to the corner courts (4, 5, and 6) on Tuesday and I was surprised today to see the renovations that have taken place since last Summer. The three courts are streamlined, with new scoreboards, seats that don’t over-heat as the sun beats down on them, and added “mezzanine” seating at each end of the court.

    One funny thing happened: the girl at the food stand misunderstood me, thinking I wanted a beer. She asked for ID! I said, “I need ID to buy a diet Coke?”

  • US Open Qualifying Tournament 2014 #3

    L1470263

    Above: Steve Darcis at the US Open Qualifiying Tournament 2014

    Thursday August 21st, 2014 – Another great match from Steve Darcis at the US Open Qualifying Tournament today as the Belgian player eliminated the popular American Michael Russell. Steve showed off his impressive style yet again, hopefully heading to the main draw after tomorrow’s final qualifying round.

    Michael Russell broke Steve’s serve early in the match but Steve broke right back. There were some great shots being exchanged, and Steve was coming to the net quite a bit, usually with good results. Despite some fine moments, Michael could not overcome Steve’s aggressive and technically sturdy momentum. 

    L1470294

    Over on Court 6, Japan’s Hiroki Moriya (above) – who played in the 2012 US Open – bounced back from losing the first set to Ruben Bemelmans of Belgium and played two very strong sets to clinch a place in the qualifying finals. Hiroki pulled off one incredible shot as he and Ruben tangled at the net. An enthusiastic crowd of Japanese fans gave Hiroki vital support throughout the match.

    On Wednesday, as my horoscope accurately predicted, I was on an energy high. Today it seemed to have evaporated. The sun was baking the courts and I had a long space of time to wait til my next anticipated match. Between the heat and the crowds, I grew restless, walking from court to court.

    L1470298

    I stopped to watch Gastao Elias (above) of Portugal play a set. Eventually the heat got to me and I decided reluctantly to leave. Checking in at the website later in the evening I found I missed several of my heroes chalking up wins: Tatsuma Ito, Di Wu, Yuichi Sugita, and Taro Daniel all advanced, with Rajeev Ram still playing.

    I’m planning to go to see the final qualifying matches on Friday, though rain is predicted. It’s a long trek from Inwood to Billie Jean’s place, so we’ll see what the morrow brings.

    It’s a bit odd that the heat defeated me today: I have been at the Open on far hotter days in past seasons. As someone who used to savour the heat and who spent many summers sunbathing devotedly, I’ve done a complete volte face since turning 64. Now I love the cold, the ice and the snow. Winter can’t get here fast enough.

  • Esser madre è un inferno

    Zilio_823

    Elena Zilio sings “Esser madre è un inferno” from Cilea’s L`ARLESIANA: LINK 

  • US Open Qualifying Tournamement 2014 #1

    L1470009

    Above: Belgium’s Steve Darcis

    Tuesday August 19th, 2014 – Steve Darcis played an immaculate first set at the US Open Qualifying Tournament today. The Belgian is one of my favorite tennis players; I first encountered him in 2007 when he played in the Qualifiers and secured a position in the main draw. He has been ranked as high as #44 (in 2008) but his successes have been counter-balanced by injuries that have kept it from attaining his rightful place in the tennis world. He has everything: serve, return-of-serve (really on today!), depth, variety of shots, great court coverage, and agility at the net.

    Throughout the first set today there was virtually nothing Spain’s Inigo Cervantes could do to keep the steam-rolling Darcis at bay. As the second set started, Cervantes seemed newly energized: his powerful serve began to work more impressively and there were some great rallies. And also some vocalism: both players loudly questioned line calls – Steve at one point rushing towards the chair umpire yelling “Jamais! Jamais! Jamais!” – and a bit later Cervantes smashed his racquet to the ground in frustration. Darcis had Cervantes at 5-4 and was serving for the match but he couldn’t close it out. They went on to a tie-breaker where Darcis finally prevailed.

    Earlier, Go Soeda – a great favorite of mine and ranked #2 among the qualifiers – played his usual gorgeous game. But Oscar Hernandez’s power and grit were too much for Go to handle. The opposite happened when Ireland’s Louk Sorenson, a powerful and almost brutal player, took the first set from Portugal’s Gastao Elias. Thereafter Elias seized the upper hand, grinding down Sorenson’s stubbornly sturdy game with craftiness and finesse and going on to victory.

    L1460993

    Above: Gastao Elias

    Sorenson is a player who grunts emphatically every time he hits the ball. God help us if he and Azarenka ever team up for mixed doubles.

    Growing weary of the crowds, I decided to head home a bit earlier than I had originally planned.

  • For Today

    45581_171554936332677_509960770_n

  • Margriet de Moor’s THE STORM

    5ccf90319b6a933a8a1704350a23e81f

    The Dutch novelist Margriet de Moor has written some of my favorite books, including THE VIRTUOSO and THE KREUTZER SONATA. First published in 2005, her novel THE STORM revolves around a catastrophic event of nature which took place on January 31st, 1953: a massive, towering wave of water – driven by hurricane-force winds – crashed into the Dutch coastline, reducing the dikes to rubble with ensuing great loss of life and property. A quarter of the Netherlands’ land mass was effectively wiped off the map.

    In de Moor’s novel, Armanda has persuaded her sister Lidy to take her place at a party for Armanda’s godchild in the town of Zierikzee. In turn, Armanda will stay home, caring for Lidy’s two-year-old daughter Nadja and accompanying Lidy’s husband to a party. The sisters look so much alike and Armanda thinks this “switch” will be a charming diversion for both of them. But what neither sister can know is that Lidy is headed for the center of the oncoming, deadly storm.

    The plan goes forward; having driven thru heavy rains and winds, Lidy arrives at Zierikzee. It isn’t til later, on leaving the godchild’s party, that she realizes the life-threatening force of the storm, and that she is right in the midst of it. As the flooding commences, Lidy and a random group of strangers find refuge in the attic of a farmhouse the lower floors of which are under water. As the group deal with the delivery of one woman’s baby, the storm continues outside unabated. Back at home, news of the diasater begins to reach Armanda, her parents, and Lidy’s husband Gjoerd.

    The group huddled in the attic survive overnight and it seems next day that the flood waters might be receding just a bit; they hope for a rescue boat to come by. But a second assault of wind blows in off the North Sea and in a hair-raising moment the foundation of the house gives way. Lidy and the others are plunged into the vastness of the turbulent waters, clinging to random bits of flotsam. All hope is lost.

    For Armanda and Gjoerd there now begins a long period of time communicating with officials and going to the various recovery points, hoping to claim Lidy’s body. But all leads are false: Lidy’s name remains among the missing.

    Always somewhat attracted to one another, Armanda and her brother-in-law begin an affair out of sheer loneliness. As the months pass by and hope fades for ever finding Lidy, Armanda and Gjoerd decide to marry: Gjoerd needs a wife and little Nadja needs a mother. (It will be years, in fact, before Nadja discovers Armanda is not her real mother.)

    Things settle into a routine and the story might have faded away in a haze of memories when, some twenty years after the disaster, Armanda receives a call from the police: some remains have been found buried in the mud near the Osterschelde. Examination of the bones have led the authorities to believe they have a possible match to Lidy in terms of height and age. Also pulled from the mud along with the remains was an eroded piece of decorative metal: de Moor had subtly planted this clue for the reader. Though Armanda herself would never be certain that these bones were indeed long-dead sister’s, she accepts it as fact and along with Nadja watches as Lidy’s coffin is lowered into the grave.

    The novel’s final pages are so evocative, but I won’t spoil the ending for you. THE STORM is a very moving and well-written story.

  • Mirella Freni sings ‘Son pochi fiori’

    Freni

    Mirella Freni sings the aria ‘Son pochi fiori‘ from Mascagni’s L’AMICO FRITZ.