One of the changes I approve of over here is that going to concerts has become an event again. In the UK, this was hardly the case; if I was free, had been generally around Birmningham, and the Dodgess could get me a free ticket I'd go.
Over here this isn't possible. For a start, concerts sell out. About half of the concerts we've been to have been sell outs, particularly those at the Esplanade with reasonably high profile players. Several of the amateur concerts have also had fantastic audiences.
The result is we plan our concerts. We bought our tickets for Yo Yo Ma about three months before the concert. Sadly, it was his Silk Road Ensemble. The one piece that really feature Yo Yo Ma on the cello was fabulous, but his comrades don't have the same attraction, by a long way!
Another concert that we looked forwards to immensely was Joshua Bell as both soloist and director of St Martins (no longer) in the Fields. The most memorable was his leading of Beethoven 7, which was taut and far more unified than any conducted version I've heard. The Mendelssohn Violin Concerto was also good (something it simply wasn't last time I heard it in Symphony Hall).
Of course we don't only go to see star names. Another concert was one that we went to earlier this week. The Dodgess' piano teacher held a concert for her students, and those of her sisters, who also teach piano. My cello teacher used to hold these concerts in her living room, we would all sit on the floor, cello cases in bedrooms, until 1 year where she held it in a friendly church. Well, these piano teaching sisters, by reputation hugely prolific do something rather more flash, hiring our the Recital Hall at the Esplanade for the evening.
And there, playing on a Steinway grand, a dozen young girls (only 1 boy, and he didn't even get to play on his own), dressed up in ball gowns (not the boy) played their pieces entirely from memory. It was all hugely impressive, the production, the dresses, the poise, the technique, the memory (one entirely noticeable lapse, but Andrea Bocelli had that in his concert, so the young girl is in the best and richest of company). In fact, the one thing that didn't shine was the music. One piece stood out; a duet by Poulenc (only to be played by the closest of friends) and really caught my attention. That and, strangely for me, a Mozart that shimmered beautifully. The contrast with the NYP concert I moonlighted in couldn't have been larger.
As for what next, well, I'm tempted to go and see Mischa Maisky the week after I'm married - that's over three months away. If we were in the country, we would probably have booked for the Berlin Philharmonic - it would be a tight call, they are hardly giving tickets away, starting at about £50, and rapidly into 3 figures - even so, it will sell out. We're also working out ways to watch or listen to the Proms - and think we have one, though whether we will get up at 2am to listen live I doubt.
Still, we're enjoying concerts here more I think. It's not that we didn't see great music in the UK; we did (notably Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Brahms, and an awesom Tchaik V). However, the anticipation really does add to the experience. It's why we enjoyed the Proms we went to, and, I'm sure, part of the reason we enjoyed Joshua Bell so much.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Model for a Day
In the 'Western World' wedding photographs only turn up several months after the wedding. This seems somewhat imperfect in many ways. Asians do things a little differently, a few months before the wedding, the couple dress up for a day, so that the photos are available on the day of the wedding. And on Sunday, the Dodgess and I had our photoshoot.
Clearly, when you move to Asia, the superstition about being bad luck to a wedding for the groom to see the wedding dress first doesn't apply. (Nonetheless, we're not taking the risk - the Dodgess will choose another dress for September). The preparation for this wedding shoot in fact started several weeks ago, when we chose dresses and go measured up. After work last Tuesday we went down to check the fitting.
After our quick half hour in the Studio in the UK, this would clearly be no problem for the Dodgess and I - we had experience. In that photoshoot we quickly did some shots with instruments, rushed a change to casual clothes, and did a shoot as a couple. This would be no problem.
On Sunday we turned up at the bridal studio in the morning, and spent the first two hours being made up - that's both of us. It was very weird - I don't make much of a habit of wearing make up. The Dodgess doesn't either, so I guess that it was weird for both of us.
Then we put on our best clothes, and the photos started. Our photographer alternated between classical set poses, and more relaxed shots. Which was fine to start with, and then he started going 'Change'. So we'd move and he'd say 'done already, change'. How many different ways are there to stand/sit/kneel with each other? The photographer couldn't pronounce my name, so simply referred to me as 'and some'. I clearly haven't been referred to as handsome often enough - cos I never reacted.
After about 30 poses, we were sent back to change - from the evening gown, to the 'indoor' gown. And from my black suit to my white suit (with specially bought white shoes). And we were back in front of the camera - different background (now black), and we were back to the posing. Except that we couldn't repeat any of the previous 30. He then moved us around and used props and some natural lighting to get some variation.
Then, another change of clothes into traditional Chinese Dress, and a yellow background. All of this before we had our lunch, which we eventually ate at about 3pm. Just before our final wardrobe (and make up) change. Then we were taken to part of Singapore's waterfront for some outdoor shots. We got a few 'congratulations' from onlookers, and an awful lot of stares. But I think we got some really nice shots. And we definitely ended up rather jealous of SLR cameras.
The truth is, posing isn't all that easy - there is quite a bit to think about - sit up striaghter, can't show too much neck, your not showing enough neck, you're looking at the camera, now look away, sit up straighter, now look back, look into each other's eyes, don't smile, kiss, not like that - too much tongue, not enough tongue, sit up straight, sit up straighter, don't laugh, smile, don't smile, sit up straighter. Change, do something different.
By the time that we got back to the studio we were both quite shattered. We had previously toyed as to whether to go to a second outdoor location, but chose against. As we had over 300 poses, I think we'll have the require 30 that are good. Whilst I don't think that bimbos (models) really earn their money at all, I wouldn't really want it as a job.
I'll add some of the proper pictures when we have them, but in the meantime, here's a sneak preview of the Dodgess in her evening gown:
Clearly, when you move to Asia, the superstition about being bad luck to a wedding for the groom to see the wedding dress first doesn't apply. (Nonetheless, we're not taking the risk - the Dodgess will choose another dress for September). The preparation for this wedding shoot in fact started several weeks ago, when we chose dresses and go measured up. After work last Tuesday we went down to check the fitting.
After our quick half hour in the Studio in the UK, this would clearly be no problem for the Dodgess and I - we had experience. In that photoshoot we quickly did some shots with instruments, rushed a change to casual clothes, and did a shoot as a couple. This would be no problem.
On Sunday we turned up at the bridal studio in the morning, and spent the first two hours being made up - that's both of us. It was very weird - I don't make much of a habit of wearing make up. The Dodgess doesn't either, so I guess that it was weird for both of us.
Then we put on our best clothes, and the photos started. Our photographer alternated between classical set poses, and more relaxed shots. Which was fine to start with, and then he started going 'Change'. So we'd move and he'd say 'done already, change'. How many different ways are there to stand/sit/kneel with each other? The photographer couldn't pronounce my name, so simply referred to me as 'and some'. I clearly haven't been referred to as handsome often enough - cos I never reacted.
After about 30 poses, we were sent back to change - from the evening gown, to the 'indoor' gown. And from my black suit to my white suit (with specially bought white shoes). And we were back in front of the camera - different background (now black), and we were back to the posing. Except that we couldn't repeat any of the previous 30. He then moved us around and used props and some natural lighting to get some variation.
Then, another change of clothes into traditional Chinese Dress, and a yellow background. All of this before we had our lunch, which we eventually ate at about 3pm. Just before our final wardrobe (and make up) change. Then we were taken to part of Singapore's waterfront for some outdoor shots. We got a few 'congratulations' from onlookers, and an awful lot of stares. But I think we got some really nice shots. And we definitely ended up rather jealous of SLR cameras.
The truth is, posing isn't all that easy - there is quite a bit to think about - sit up striaghter, can't show too much neck, your not showing enough neck, you're looking at the camera, now look away, sit up straighter, now look back, look into each other's eyes, don't smile, kiss, not like that - too much tongue, not enough tongue, sit up straight, sit up straighter, don't laugh, smile, don't smile, sit up straighter. Change, do something different.
By the time that we got back to the studio we were both quite shattered. We had previously toyed as to whether to go to a second outdoor location, but chose against. As we had over 300 poses, I think we'll have the require 30 that are good. Whilst I don't think that bimbos (models) really earn their money at all, I wouldn't really want it as a job.
I'll add some of the proper pictures when we have them, but in the meantime, here's a sneak preview of the Dodgess in her evening gown:
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A Meeting with Kobayashi
Ok, so this post will not make that much sense to those of you who haven't seen The Usual Suspects. If you've not seen it you should; for one, you'll understand this post, but it is also a very good film (the Dodgess and Mother are excused; neither of you will enjoy it)
For those of you that are somewhat sketchy on the plot of The Usual Suspects, Kobayashi is the lawyer for Keyser Soze, who knows all the background of the key gangsters. He is typified by a somewhat gaunt face and distinctive European accent. And during work this week, I had a meeting with him.
I mean, not actually with him, but with his aural and visual clone. At the start of the meeting I had the deja vue feeling about a gent called Max, who is a concrete launching gantry guru. And about half way through I suddenly remembered Kobayashi. So similar was Max in manner, portrait, and sound, to Kobayashi, that I expected him suddenly to produce a manilla envelope with mugshots of me, and say 'Mr Vinter, lazt year, you vorked vith C Spencer. Zat you vere unavare zat you vere vorking vith our competitors iz ze only reason I can be lenient and leave you to leeve.'
I just about managed not crack up in the meeting - but only just about!
For those of you that are somewhat sketchy on the plot of The Usual Suspects, Kobayashi is the lawyer for Keyser Soze, who knows all the background of the key gangsters. He is typified by a somewhat gaunt face and distinctive European accent. And during work this week, I had a meeting with him.
I mean, not actually with him, but with his aural and visual clone. At the start of the meeting I had the deja vue feeling about a gent called Max, who is a concrete launching gantry guru. And about half way through I suddenly remembered Kobayashi. So similar was Max in manner, portrait, and sound, to Kobayashi, that I expected him suddenly to produce a manilla envelope with mugshots of me, and say 'Mr Vinter, lazt year, you vorked vith C Spencer. Zat you vere unavare zat you vere vorking vith our competitors iz ze only reason I can be lenient and leave you to leeve.'
I just about managed not crack up in the meeting - but only just about!
Friday, June 11, 2010
6 Months in the Same Place
I took an early lunch today. The purpose was to be able to attend a meeting at 1.30. In the UK this would not have been particularly unusual. I would just have my lunch hour starting at 12, and ending at 1. Out here things are rather more controlled at lunch. At 12.30 the office empties as if evacuated by a bomb threat. And it fills back up as rapidly at 1.30. If you leave for an early lunch people look as if you have 3 heads (not that I have much experience of having 3 heads).
My two colleagues joining me at the meeting were horrified by the concept of having to take an early lunch. They whinged almightily at the disruption to their dietary routine. At which pointed out that in the UK, a 1.30 meeting would almost certainly mean leaving mid-morning at best, and no lunch at all.
It then suddenly occured to me that I have spent almost 6 months in the same place. I actually have no idea when the last time I did that was. Maybe a decade ago during my A levels? Centrainly not since I left school. My footloose lifestyle was at its worst in 2008 when I was working in South Wales, I only twice managed to spend 7 days in the same place - both times I was on holilday (once in Sydney, once in Vancouver - it was a good year for holidays!), and I totalled 100+ nights in hotels. In 2009, it was marginally better at 75 nights, but the hotels were distinctly inferior!
I have to admit I prefer staying put. I can actually plan things in my evenings, and be reasonably certain that I will be a) around and b) not too tired to enjoy it. I also enjoy eating out again. The Dodgess and I treat ourselves perhaps once every 2 weeks to a reasonably nice dinner out. And whilst I don't exactly cook a lot, it's nice not to be solely eating in restaurants.
I won't actually make 6 months all in the same place. I fall short by 4 days as I head over to Indonesia with a dozen colleagues from work. I'm beginning to think it's about time!
My two colleagues joining me at the meeting were horrified by the concept of having to take an early lunch. They whinged almightily at the disruption to their dietary routine. At which pointed out that in the UK, a 1.30 meeting would almost certainly mean leaving mid-morning at best, and no lunch at all.
It then suddenly occured to me that I have spent almost 6 months in the same place. I actually have no idea when the last time I did that was. Maybe a decade ago during my A levels? Centrainly not since I left school. My footloose lifestyle was at its worst in 2008 when I was working in South Wales, I only twice managed to spend 7 days in the same place - both times I was on holilday (once in Sydney, once in Vancouver - it was a good year for holidays!), and I totalled 100+ nights in hotels. In 2009, it was marginally better at 75 nights, but the hotels were distinctly inferior!
I have to admit I prefer staying put. I can actually plan things in my evenings, and be reasonably certain that I will be a) around and b) not too tired to enjoy it. I also enjoy eating out again. The Dodgess and I treat ourselves perhaps once every 2 weeks to a reasonably nice dinner out. And whilst I don't exactly cook a lot, it's nice not to be solely eating in restaurants.
I won't actually make 6 months all in the same place. I fall short by 4 days as I head over to Indonesia with a dozen colleagues from work. I'm beginning to think it's about time!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
What is the best amateur music?
If you believe the reviews of a couple of orchestras that I've played in then I have been part of 'one of the best amateur orchestras in the UK', and in Singapore, an 'amateur orchestra you would have to search long and hard to find an equal for'. These reviewers are, of course, solely judging the quality of the performance, in a broad comparison with performances of full time professional orchestras. And from a music perspective I tend to feel that the higher the standard the better.
On the other hand, particularly with the last orchestra I played with in Birmingham, although the music was generally good, occasionally fabulous, and on rare occasions pretty dire, the atmosphere of the orchestra was not quite so brilliant. There was a covert war amongst the cellos against the leader. We would typically play to 1/4 full audiences, so to make up the money the orchestra's soul was sold to go and play concerts hundreds of miles away. Things got worse after I arrived here; they went away to do one concert and thought the organisers were doing the publicity, the organisers thought the orchestra were. The audience was smaller than the cello section...
Compare this to the orchestra that I guested with last night. From Nanyang Polytechnic, the orchestra is formed of players who have only played for perhaps 3 years. The Dodgess and I turned up to the first rehearsal we were required for, 2 nights before the concert, and our hearts initially sank. The ability of some of the players was worse than mediocre. The music was all pop.
But, the players were loving the music. Loving being part of an orchestra. When rehearsal finished early, the other cellists went off to practice, while the Dodgess and I went for an ever so slightly guilty cake. The concert was far from perfect from a music perspective. But all the players were proud to be playing. The audience was a packed house; for the orchestra yesterday a concert is a rare enough event to get everyone out for.
And what's more they were delighted to have the help from the Dodgess and I. All the cellists were keen to talk to me, and, somewhat surprisingly, madly keen to take a photo with me; a concept that I can't quite grasp...
Similarly, just before we left the UK, the Dodgess performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the orchetra that my Mum plays in. Even she would admit it's not the most accurate orchestra in the world, however the orchestra again loved the music. And the audience again, was packed.
Whilst I think playing in these orchestras on a week in week out basis would drive me crazy, playing with NYP did turn out to be fantastic. I certainly enjoyed this concert more than the bad Birmingham concerts, probably even the mediocre ones! There is so much that orchestra could learn about making a concert an event; both for the players and also for the audiences!
On the other hand, particularly with the last orchestra I played with in Birmingham, although the music was generally good, occasionally fabulous, and on rare occasions pretty dire, the atmosphere of the orchestra was not quite so brilliant. There was a covert war amongst the cellos against the leader. We would typically play to 1/4 full audiences, so to make up the money the orchestra's soul was sold to go and play concerts hundreds of miles away. Things got worse after I arrived here; they went away to do one concert and thought the organisers were doing the publicity, the organisers thought the orchestra were. The audience was smaller than the cello section...
Compare this to the orchestra that I guested with last night. From Nanyang Polytechnic, the orchestra is formed of players who have only played for perhaps 3 years. The Dodgess and I turned up to the first rehearsal we were required for, 2 nights before the concert, and our hearts initially sank. The ability of some of the players was worse than mediocre. The music was all pop.
But, the players were loving the music. Loving being part of an orchestra. When rehearsal finished early, the other cellists went off to practice, while the Dodgess and I went for an ever so slightly guilty cake. The concert was far from perfect from a music perspective. But all the players were proud to be playing. The audience was a packed house; for the orchestra yesterday a concert is a rare enough event to get everyone out for.
And what's more they were delighted to have the help from the Dodgess and I. All the cellists were keen to talk to me, and, somewhat surprisingly, madly keen to take a photo with me; a concept that I can't quite grasp...
Similarly, just before we left the UK, the Dodgess performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the orchetra that my Mum plays in. Even she would admit it's not the most accurate orchestra in the world, however the orchestra again loved the music. And the audience again, was packed.
Whilst I think playing in these orchestras on a week in week out basis would drive me crazy, playing with NYP did turn out to be fantastic. I certainly enjoyed this concert more than the bad Birmingham concerts, probably even the mediocre ones! There is so much that orchestra could learn about making a concert an event; both for the players and also for the audiences!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
East Coast Park
It has been a while since I had the time to go down to East Coast Park in the evening. For once today, I not only finished work not too late, but also had dinner not too late, and because I had eaten so much the nearer attraction of the swimming pool wasn't really so much of an attraction.
So, with a choice between sitting at home and feeling guilty about not doing my chartership reports, or going and having a stroll along East Coast Park, the answer was obvious.
East Coast Park is a narrow strip of mostly re-claimed land which runs along the entire southeast coast of Singapore. I believe you can get all the way from Changi Airport to the centre along it. It's also ten mins walk from where I live.
It is the sort of place that doesn't really exist in England, certainly not in the land-locked suburbs of Birmingham. The park is fully lit to make it nice in the evening, and has a range of restaurants, hawker centres, and bars. They also provide camping grounds, BBQ pits, and fitness equipment. This evening I only walked out onto Bedok Jetty, the aim was to take some nice shots of the area, some of the better ones are below:
This is Bedok Jetty, which stretches out a couple of hundred metres into the sea
The view of town from the jetty. The circle thing in the middle is the Singapore Flyer, which is a version of the London Eye (just a bit taller).
A bit more detail on the centre. The three towers in the middle are Marnia Bay Sands, which is a new casino resort... Looks quite nice, but also looks quite a rip off
Looking seawards you don't see miles of sea. Merely miles and miles of ships. This caused problems two weeks ago when two of them collided and spilled 2,500 tonnes of oil. Although the beach did aparently go quite black, and appeals for assistance cleaning animals, and it made the whole country stink like a petrol station, the beaches seem to have recovered quite well. Somehow I don't think the same can be said of BP's little embarrassment in the Gulf of Mexico...
The beach is just beyond the other ECP; the East Coast Parkway, which allows me to play tricks with the Dodgess' camera and get some cunning blurred shots of cars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Those of you with even slight interests in photography will probably realise that these shots are taken with the aid of a tripod and long exposures (1.5 to 4 seconds in fact). This fiddling around with cameras has all happened within the 18 months or so, and comes from one of the best presents (probably the best present) I've ever given. I'd noticed that the Dodgess like to experiment with photos, and so I bought a slightly advanced camera which allowed such messing around
The camera was a 25th birthday present to the Dodgess. I picked it up on my way to catch a plane with her to the USA and by the time we had gotten back over 1000 pictures had been taken. The total is now well over 6000.
It has been very succsesful partly because it has not only captured but also made events. Most memorably, having set up a beautiful tripod shot of the Eiffel Tower reflected in the Seine, from the portal to the Alma Tunnel (of Princess Di infamy) with river traffic flowing beneath the Tower's fairy light show started. Whilst we had a nice position next to the Seine, it was the optimal position, at Place de la Trocodero.
The Dodgess decided that we simply had to record this event from the optimal position, so off she shot over the Seine, with the camera. I followed dragging the tripod (a bit of an exaggeration, it can hardly be described as heavy) and we ran like paparazzi down Rive Gauche.
We didn't make it, the fairly lights turned off as we reached the foot of the Eiffel Tower, 3 minutes from the Optimal Position. Not to worry, a quick enquiry established we had an hour to recover, have a drink, take a few more shots. They are among my favourite photos so here are a few:
The fairy lights taken from the sub-optimal position near the Alma tunnel.
One of the photos taken whilst waiting for the second set of fairy lights to come on
Another photos that would never have been taken without the mad dash for fairy lights
And finally, a version of fairy lights from the optimal (almost) position at Place de la Torcadero.
So, with a choice between sitting at home and feeling guilty about not doing my chartership reports, or going and having a stroll along East Coast Park, the answer was obvious.
East Coast Park is a narrow strip of mostly re-claimed land which runs along the entire southeast coast of Singapore. I believe you can get all the way from Changi Airport to the centre along it. It's also ten mins walk from where I live.
It is the sort of place that doesn't really exist in England, certainly not in the land-locked suburbs of Birmingham. The park is fully lit to make it nice in the evening, and has a range of restaurants, hawker centres, and bars. They also provide camping grounds, BBQ pits, and fitness equipment. This evening I only walked out onto Bedok Jetty, the aim was to take some nice shots of the area, some of the better ones are below:
The view of town from the jetty. The circle thing in the middle is the Singapore Flyer, which is a version of the London Eye (just a bit taller).
A bit more detail on the centre. The three towers in the middle are Marnia Bay Sands, which is a new casino resort... Looks quite nice, but also looks quite a rip off
Looking seawards you don't see miles of sea. Merely miles and miles of ships. This caused problems two weeks ago when two of them collided and spilled 2,500 tonnes of oil. Although the beach did aparently go quite black, and appeals for assistance cleaning animals, and it made the whole country stink like a petrol station, the beaches seem to have recovered quite well. Somehow I don't think the same can be said of BP's little embarrassment in the Gulf of Mexico...
The beach is just beyond the other ECP; the East Coast Parkway, which allows me to play tricks with the Dodgess' camera and get some cunning blurred shots of cars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Those of you with even slight interests in photography will probably realise that these shots are taken with the aid of a tripod and long exposures (1.5 to 4 seconds in fact). This fiddling around with cameras has all happened within the 18 months or so, and comes from one of the best presents (probably the best present) I've ever given. I'd noticed that the Dodgess like to experiment with photos, and so I bought a slightly advanced camera which allowed such messing around
The camera was a 25th birthday present to the Dodgess. I picked it up on my way to catch a plane with her to the USA and by the time we had gotten back over 1000 pictures had been taken. The total is now well over 6000.
It has been very succsesful partly because it has not only captured but also made events. Most memorably, having set up a beautiful tripod shot of the Eiffel Tower reflected in the Seine, from the portal to the Alma Tunnel (of Princess Di infamy) with river traffic flowing beneath the Tower's fairy light show started. Whilst we had a nice position next to the Seine, it was the optimal position, at Place de la Trocodero.
The Dodgess decided that we simply had to record this event from the optimal position, so off she shot over the Seine, with the camera. I followed dragging the tripod (a bit of an exaggeration, it can hardly be described as heavy) and we ran like paparazzi down Rive Gauche.
We didn't make it, the fairly lights turned off as we reached the foot of the Eiffel Tower, 3 minutes from the Optimal Position. Not to worry, a quick enquiry established we had an hour to recover, have a drink, take a few more shots. They are among my favourite photos so here are a few:
The fairy lights taken from the sub-optimal position near the Alma tunnel.
One of the photos taken whilst waiting for the second set of fairy lights to come on
Another photos that would never have been taken without the mad dash for fairy lights
And finally, a version of fairy lights from the optimal (almost) position at Place de la Torcadero.
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