Anya’s Musings
My Somewhat Typical Weekend
It is Saturday and I am dividing my day between piano practicing and finalizing the itinerary for upcoming concerts. I have taken care of the airfare and hotel reservations for Musical Bridges guest artists; scheduled rehearsal times; arranged meals;...
Nobuyuki Tsujii – 8th Wonder of the World!
I heard about Nobuyuki at the same time I heard the shocking news that NO Russian pianists took prizes during the 2009 Van Cliburn Competition. Really? Sad me… what about our unbeatable Russian piano schools? How was it possible? If not Russians, then...
Thanksgiving – “à la russe” – Russian Style
I still vividly remember landing at JFK airport on December 29, 1989. My son, Arseni, was 6 years old and this was his first flight. His ears bothered him during the descent and he was extremely cranky. We were armed with two suitcases, my Russian-style...
A Rare Case of Less is More
Does the word MINIMALISM scare the heck out of you? I will save you time and go to Wikipedia: The term "minimalist" is often applied colloquially to designate anything, which is spare or stripped to its essentials. Well, let me tell you how it makes me...
Perfect Date and Peter Tchaikovsky
I met my husband, Robert, on Match.com. On our first date, we brought each other a musical present. He brought me a CD of Russian jazz pianists and I brought him a brochure from the Cactus Pear Music Festival. We both knew right away that this was a...
From My Favorite Pianists series, Op. 1
I am a big fan of 88.3 KPAC Classical Radio Station. Every time I drive, I turn it on with the anticipation of hearing something spectacular. If I hear piano playing with enormous expressiveness, I know…this is Martha. If the piano music sounds like there...
Drought and Old Picture Albums
We were having a drought and the constant news about fires was quite disturbing. I have lived in San Antonio for over 20 years now and have never seen a drought of this magnitude. Guest portable bed in Kerop's and Tanya's apartment…studio/living...
Silk Road Project
I saw the Silk Road Project for the first time a few years ago in Great Performances on KLRN… and it changed me forever! Needless to say, I am a big fan. This project greatly influenced my vision as Artistic Director of Musical Bridges. The magnificent...
The Magic of Jazz
To me, jazz is an unexplainable mystical phenomenon of humanity, that ultimate art of improvisation. Can you imagine going on stage (if you can imagine it at all!), without really knowing what is going to happen? Yes, there is a program, something like a...
Shostakovich and Many Tears
Have you ever cried like a baby, sitting in the second row at the symphony? Did you ever feel like a total idiot, hiding your tears from the normal people to your right and left? I did, I would not lie. I am not proud of it, but some music does it to me....
Commedia dell’Arte and Mozart and Salieri
Genius and villainy. Are the two incompatible? Hard work and lifelong dedication versus careless talent, and mediocrity malevolently overpowers brilliance. What a plot! In reality, Salieri was probably a nice guy, who got lucky and got a cushy job working...
Great Loss
“Can I stop by now?” was a question on the phone in late June. “Sure, I am home.” Sharon Romer, Vice President of the MBAW Board, walked in with her recently adopted little shih tzu and a beautiful hand made pottery dish. “This is your early birthday...
My Indian Scale
It turns out that India has classical music! I was extremely ashamed that after studying music for almost all of my life, I did not know India has Classical music. The Western European tradition that gave the world Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninov,...
In Search of Golden Toes
I heard about Elena Kunikova many years before we met. Her work is admired in Monaco, Paris, London, Tokyo, and her native Saint Petersburg. The talented missionary of elegant traditions of Russian classical ballet, critics all over the world are raving...
My hot summer so far…
An Alaskan cruise in early June was wonderful! Blankets, layers of clothes, and only 50 degrees. All of my weather complaints on Facebook were met with jealous responses from my San Antonio friends, where at the time, 90 degrees was a relief! It was a...