Recounting

Over the past week, I attended two performance that I have been looking forward to for a long time.

Last friday, I went for the performance presented by the Orchestra of the Music Makers featuring Gabriel Ng playing Elgar Violin Concerto. This is one of my favourite violin concerto and I really like how the themes are repeated all throughout the different movements, creating a distinct character for each movement but all deeply intertwined. The performance was warm and expressive. Gabriel Ng played Bach's Sonata in C, Allegro Assai as his encore piece and this really blew me away. His playing was so poetic and full of expression, though in a subtle manner that was really fitting for the piece. There was a sense of happiness in the playing and I felt really happy listening to it (though I thought I should never play this piece again as it is an insult to it). The orchestra performed Pictures At An Exhibition after that and also Nimrod from Engima Variation by Elgar for the encore piece. When the strings came in for Nimrod, it was beautiful and soothing (I was reminded why string instruments always hold a special place in my heart). The song conveyed a sense of hope and resilience; it was very touching.

The second performance was by my Alma Mater, Anglican High School. The school's choir has always been very good- even before I studied there. However, the real reason why I looked forward to it was because my friend was performing. The choir's performance was excellent and their voices totally carried me away. You could tell that they were really putting in their effort for the singing and the musical presence that the choir carried was good. I loved how the different voices blended together and became one resplendent voice. AHS has once again upheld tradition by producing an excellent choir. What made me even happier was seeing how she was so happy with the good performance by her choir - she totally deserved it for all the effort put in. This would stay as a very memorable performance.

Coincidentally, the last performance I watched before I enlisted was 2 years ago by AHS choir as well. Their most recent performance is probably the last performance I will watch before I finish my service as well, of which I can hardly wait for its coming.

Terrenus

Drifting amongst the clouds.

Ego Sum Vitis Vera

'I am the vine, ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit;

for without me ye can do nothing.'

John 15:5

Quasi Flos Caducum

'For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.

The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever...'
1 Peter 1:24-25

Esse Quam Videri

Exhausta.

Pluvia

The grey sky greeted me this morning and dark billowing clouds soon joined its presence. There was a sombre feel to the start of the day. However, underlying the dark tone was a tinge of anticipation; it was an air of expectation of the rain which was to come.

The lovely cooling wind turned chilly and the sounds of windows shutting soon filled the neighbourhood. It was not long before the rain came. My senses captured the sound of rain falling on the ground, the howling wind through my balcony's door and the droplets of rain carried by the wind like waves in the ocean. Gazing out through my window, I enjoyed them all.

As I prepared myself for the tasks at hand, I played Arvo Part's Spiegel Im Spiegel through the speakers. The poetic music complemented the rainy background: adding tone and colours to the atonal and dull falling raindrops, and warmth amidst the cooling weather.

There is always something beautiful with life at its simplicity.

Gaudium

'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.' 3 John 4

Grateful.