Benfer

This is a painting inspired by and dedicated to Celia Benfer Benfer, a beautiful poet who lives in Paraguay. I cannot yet post it on my art blog because it is too recent (July 17, 2009) Its title is Jug With Purple Stripe. If you cannot see the jug, keep staring at it until it finds you.

I believe the objective for an artist is to always create something sincere and, at the same time, something that will appreciate in value. Like a poem, it must ring true. Like a violin, the creation should not be something that will depreciate with time. Just the opposite - like a Stradivarius violin. Some violins are not only tools of the trade for a violinist, but are great works of art as well. I truly hope this one appreciates. Wish me luck.

Joshua Bell

Joshua Bell is an American violinist born on this day (December 9), 1967. Bell began violin lessons at the age of four. Later on, he studied with Joseph Gingold at Indiana University (Jacobs School of Music), from which he graduated in 1989. However, by 1985, he had already made his Carnegie Hall (New York City) debut. He is best known for his soundtrack recording of the violin music on the film The Red Violin. Bell has taught at the Royal Academy of Music (London), MIT, and Indiana University. There is lots of information about him on the internet as well as videos on YouTube and on MySpace websites. He has also recorded most of he standard violin repertoire. He plays the Gibson-ex-Huberman Stradivarius (1713 - a notoriously famous violin.) That's not Joshua Bell on the left - I have no clue who that is but she looks French. God provides beauty in so many different forms - I am simply beyond amazed. Ciao.

Concertzender radio

To my eight readers: Good morning. If you have nothing better to do this Sunday, please send a short email to a public radio station in the Netherlands. It's called Concertzender and it is about to be shut down (despite its great success) unless people around the globe show their support. Here is the link to the station. http://www.concertzender.eu/index.php?language=en

If you just want to send the email of support, the email address is this: mening@ concertzender.nl

Thank you and have a pleasant afternoon.

Signed, the one and only Violinhunter

Film Music

Well, we played our film music concert at the Plaza Theatre last night and it was a resounding success. The public simply adored our guest conductor, John Scott. His resume is very impressive - he has worked with some of the great luminaries in the music business, especially as regards recording and film scoring.
My reward came simply in seeing that he enjoyed such a sweet and great moment of triumph at his age - he is 78. That, to me, was what made the experience memorable. During the ovation, he stepped off the podium and went around heartily congratulating the various sections of the orchestra with firm handshakes - he seemed to especially like the way the brass and woodwinds performed. He also took the opportunity to kiss Ida, Lora, Liz, Cristina, Anita, and Leslie - all of the girls closest to the podium.