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Music Scores

I had the opportunity to read through Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos (K. 448) with a good friend of mine, Andrew Mariano. Upon arriving home from Turkey Run with my small group (which was an amazing experience,) I gave Andrew a call for him to pick me up. We entered the music building and clumsily pushed a piano (the wheels were locked) from one practice room into another. From the very first notes, I felt bad for Andrew because of the huge difference in the levels of our respective piano technique. You could say it was like Nodame with Chiaki, except unlike Nodame, I had no talent whatsoever, though I did dodge that A# in the beginning (any Nodame Cantabile fans out there?)

After practicing for a while, Andrew and I started practicing on our own, and for him, that meant some serious literature. Among the pieces he played were Liszt's transcription of Beethoven's 7th Symphony, Debussy's l'Isle Joyeuse, and Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto. I stopped practicing on my own, saving myself the embarassment of practicing pieces in the likes of Schubert's Piano Sonata No. 16 and Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 2.

As I watched Andrew practice, I was reading along the score. There's definitely a new level of appreciation one has for a piece if one takes time to read the score. The human performer cannot perfectly replicate what the composer had in mind. What we derive from the score is subjective in the sense that the way we perceive the score is unique. Only the composer knows how the piece is intended to be performed, and to convey the piece in its perfect ideal state, the composer must adorn the score with instructive words and phrases and punctuations.

Yet still when we try our best to follow the instructions laid out by the composer, performers seem to add their own personal bias, leading to not the original interpretation the composer had intended, but their own unique interpretation. Technically, that means the interpretation is imperfect, since it failed to accurately depict what the composer wanted. True, the new interpretation may be superior (such as how I feel about how inadequate Rachmaninoff's interpretations are of his own piano concerti,) but that is not the point I want to make.

When I look upon that score, I feel joy and excitement in the fact that I'm looking at the author's personal instructions. Though we fail to interpret the piece perfectly according to the score through playing music, one cannot argue against what is written in ink. As I gaze upon the score, I notice intricacies never noticed before when I merely listened to the piece. I hear the imperfections of the performer because the score states otherwise. Reading every note, every marking, and every word, I try to hear the piece as the composer had originally intended for it to be heard.

The point is, the Bible is in a way, no different from a music score. The Word contains God's instructions and describes what He originally intended for humans to be. When we interpret the Word, due to our imperfect minds and our bias and tendency towards sin, our interpretations can come out tainted and do not accurately reflect what God was trying to say. I'm not saying that no good comes out of our interpretations, because I find myself blessed all the time when I hear insightful and meaningful interpretations from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Rather, I am trying to say that our model of Christianity is imperfect due to our imperfect human nature, in that we are incapable of fully deriving the true and perfect essence of the Word.

As we live our lives, we need to be deeply rooted within the scriptures, just as any performance must find its foundation within the score. When we merely hear the Word of God being preached to us, I think it's just like listening to a piece. Such an experience is usually great, but I think it's more crucial for us to dive into the Word ourselves. I stated previously that there's a greater level of appreciation for a piece once you read the score. There's a new sense of intimacy and awe as you read what the composer had originally intended. Likewise, there's great intimacy in studying the Word yourself, and seeing firsthand what God wants from us. There's a new level of depth as you study the Word, many things that go unnoticed when one listens to someone else talking about it.

I'm not trying to take away from the importance of going to services either. It's important to listen to what other people obtain from the Word, for just as a performer's interpretation is unique, what one gains from reading the Bible can be unique too, and I think it's important as a Christian to actively listen to insights offered by other people. Study as I might the music score, there will still be a lot of things that go unnoticed by me, a lot of which that others may have noticed. It's important for any performer to listen to interpretations of other professionals, as it is important for us to hear messages given by pastors, whom by attending seminary are in essence, professionals at interpreting and presenting the Word.

I know I haven't written in a while. I know I haven't been able to keep up with my quiet times, but just because I don't write in here doesn't mean that I've neglected my quiet time for those days. I'm still making my way through Proverbs and hope that I can share my insights here when I get the chance. After leaving the music building, I was simply thinking about this and thought I would like to share it.

Peace, good night. I am very sleepy.

Priceless Wisdom

Proverbs 3:9-16 (NIV / NASB / ESV)

Wow, I was completely caught off guard by Steve's wake up call for morning prayer. I had stayed up until 5 AM last night, thinking I could sleep in today, but I had completely forgotten about morning prayer. Needless to say, I wasn't very happy to wake up at 6 AM but somehow I managed to convince myself to go. I was too sleepy to do my quiet time then. It was a struggle enough to stay awake... sigh, I must be more disciplined and aware of my schedule.

Afterwards, I picked up Jeff Ma's keyboard because I'm playing the hymn for this weekend's Sunday service. Though I've performed countless times with violin, this will be my first time I'm playing the piano for people, and needless to say, I'm very nervous. Please pray that I don't completely ruin everyone's Sunday service and for steady hands!

Last night, Grace Ro and Tiffany Wang met me at the music building to do "auditions" for new people doing hymns. I felt extremely embarrassed playing for them, not exactly sure why, apart from my abysmal playing. Regardless, I'm grateful for this opportunity to use the gifts God had given me, and whether I screw up or perform flawlessly, I should keep in mind that this is for God's pleasing.

Prior to this, I watched Up for the second time with my small group (those that were left on campus). I couldn't help but notice how attached Carl Frederickson was to his house and belongings, and how that was inhibiting him from recognizing and fulfilling something greater, which to him was helping Russell and Kevin. In that same way, I could relate in the sense that I am pretty materialistic, and that some possessions of mine do get in the way of seeing and acknowledging what's greater in my life, which is God.

I talked about this with Fei tonight, when I had met her for dinner (if I had known she would had treated me, I wouldn't have proposed to go to Chili's... so expensive). We were talking about tithing, and material possessions, and how recently God taught me a lesson in not being attached to my worldly possessions by breaking my things and making them disappear. Isn't this what the passage is talking about?

Proverbs 3 continues from the last chapter in listing the different benefits we obtain from spiritual wisdom, and this passage talks about returning a portion of our wealth to God and how the wisdom we can obtain from the Word is far more precious than anything in this universe.

Tithing has always been difficult for me, and it's an on-going struggle. Why it is so difficult, I don't know, considering that with my income, it's only about $40 a month. Yet my sinful nature always tells me that I can use that $40 to obtain something that I would want. How am I supposed to tithe in the future with a real income, when I can't even tithe $40? Sure, I may only be a measly undergraduate student with such a low income, that I may not be able to spare the $40, but certainly will not my living expenses become greater so that I could not afford the greater tithe in the future? Also, suppose I must tithe $400, then would not the temptation of not tithing be ten times greater, for the opportunity cost is one magnitude greater?

Fact is, I really need to detach myself from my worldly possessions, and grow dependence on heaven's treasures. The passage makes it clear that nothing I will ever obtain on Earth will be as valuable as what I can gain from reading Proverbs. I Kings 3:6-9 (NIV / NASB / ESV) contains a prayer by Solomon asking God for wisdom. Continuing on, it reveals that God was pleased with such an earnest and humble prayer, and Solomon was rewarded with not only the wise and discerning heart for which he had asked, but even more treasures.

Pray that I may become wise and see that my material possessions are worth nothing. I earnestly pray for the priceless wisdom that was granted to Solomon. May I realize the true worth of wisdom, and seek it before I seek anything else. In that realization, pray that I may become more faithful in my tithing, for nothing I have could have been obtained without God's grace and mercy. I will dwell on the fact that nothing I have is deserved, not even my life, so let me be all the more thankful to God for what I have, and find pure joy in returning a portion of my income back to Him.

Busy Wednesdays

Proverbs 2 (NIV / NASB / ESV)

Wednesdays are so busy... this morning, I felt sick and missed morning prayer too. Having woken up at 5:30 AM, I quickly read the second chapter and passed out.

This post is merely to remind myself, I'm still keeping to my commitment for daily QTs.

The Best of Gil Shaham

This is Gil Shaham, an Urbana-born Israeli violinist at the age of 38. He made his debut in 1989, subbing in for Itzhak Perlman, who was sick, and flew to London after one day's notice to perform Bruch and Sibelius.

Let me begin in saying that Shaham is easily my second favourite violinist, the first being Perlman. His technique is so precise that you can distinctly recognize each note in the fastest of passages. His tone is so pure and concentrated that it cuts through the air in brilliant splendor. His passion burns deep, and this is evident as one listens, especially as one watches.

Praises aside, I think the one thing hindering him is the fact that he doesn't ever get rough with his playing. He handles his pieces so delicately and precisely that there is no grit to his playing. This usually isn't an issue, until he tackles a piece such as Bartok's second violin concerto. I have a recording of Isaac Stern's Bartok, and I consider it by far the definitive interpretation. Stern plays with such authority and knows when to get down and dirty. There's a rough texture to Stern's interpretation and when paired with perfect technique, one cannot help but beg for more.

Shaham's interpretation, on the other hand, is so clean cut (as is the orchestra's performance,) to the point where it's absurd. Bartok's music is folk music-derived, so shouldn't it be a bit coarse and crude? It's not like the opening bassoon solo in Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, where Stravinsky added all those ornamentations to force the melody to be primative.

Regardless, Shaham is a top-notch world-class violinist, and here are what I consider to be his top three recordings.

#3 - Camille Saint-Saëns

Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in D minor, op. 75

II. Allegretto moderato - Allegro molto

Link

This movement has two faces, the first of which is light, almost elegant. Already here you can hear Shaham's great precision and how calculating he is with his right hand. Isn't his spiccato fantastic? The production is very intimate, I feel, as you can really get the sense that Shaham and his collaborator Gerhard Oppitz are really in tune with one another. As if the first section isn't dazzling enough, the movement kicks off into an allegro molto where it speaks volumes more for Shaham's technique. The synchronization between him and Oppitz is just fantastic, especially in the dazzling finale. How can one not fall in love with Shaham after listening to this?

#2 - Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35

II. Romance: andante

Link

So I've made it clear Shaham can play fast, and he can do it well. However, it's always the slow pieces that really seem to showcase one's skill. I really have to praise the London Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of André Previn) for its sensitive touch, from the very first Gmaj7 chord. After the eight introductory measures, one has no choice but to lose his or her breath with Shaham's first D. It pierces the pristine air with such clarity and lightness that it stirs something deep within. As the movement develops, so does Shaham's tone, waxing and waning as Korngold dictates on the score, with the orchestra in perfect harmony. Even the poco meno section leading up to Avanti! is done with such precision, one cannot hope for more!

#1 - Sergei Prokofiev

Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, op. 19

I. Andantino - Andante assai

Link

This is the recording that got me hooked on Shaham. Friends, this is the definitive interpretation of Prokofiev's first violin concerto. The way he handled Prokofiev really makes me wish Shaham would do Walton. I get very excited thinking about how Shaham's Walton would sound, which I would like to believe would surpass Heifetz's Walton (though would that be too much to ask?). Shaham is so disciplined in that he holds back his emotions in the beginning melancholic theme until Prokofiev deems it appropriate to get excited. The middle section is so well calculated and really captures Prokofiev's sarcasm and wit perfectly. Every accent and stacatto is accounted for, and the ending will simply melt your heart in how bittersweet it is. Mr. Shaham, this is a BRILLIANT performance of Prokofiev's first!

Ironic Fates

Proverbs 1:8-19 (NIV / NASB / ESV)

Biblical wisdom can seem to be counter-intuitive yet never fails to yield surprising results. For example, in Luke 14:12-24, a parable of a great banquet is told. Those famaliar with this parable will know that at the end, the parable teaches us to be humble and that when we lower ourselves that we will be honoured and recognized. It would seem that one initially loses, but then eventually wins.

These verses in Proverbs show that the opposite is true, in that when one initially seems to win, in the end he or she loses. The verses show sinners that seek the blood of others and waylay harmless souls, yet in the end, they yield their blood and waylay themselves.

Whenever we pursue our sinful desires, in one aspect I think it's because we have a false sense that we will be better off if we give in to them. Whenever I do something questionable according to the scriptures, I always find myself appealing to my worldly logic, and try to justify my own sins. Fei, in Bible study last night, said something insightful, in that it's terrifying that we can even distort scripture to justify our sins. That really made me realize that we really are fools, in that we think our reasoning is above the commandments in the Word, and that by yielding to our fallacy-ridden reasoning, we believe that we will reap better rewards.

In a sense, we could reap rewards, but only rewards that will last in our lifetime. In the end, when our bodies expire, those rewards will disappear, and when we come before God to be judged, those worldly treasures described in verse 13 will not matter. This plunder that we hoard, is described as ill-gotten, and that it will ultimately lead to our demise. This counter-intuitive truth is ironic, in that though we believe we are well off, we are the exact opposite.

Matthew 6:19-21 clearly states that these worldly treasures will be susceptible to things like rust and thievery, but that our heavenly treasures will be untouchable. If our hearts lie with our treasures, then is it not clearly wise to accumulate as much heavenly treasures as possible? If our hearts are stored within the worldly treasure, when they wear down and turn to dust, so will our hearts, leading us to our own destruction.

I pray that regardless of how enticing sin may be, that I would have the wisdom to deny myself the worldly gains in order to accumulate spiritual wealth. May I find rest in the fact that Jesus will help me fight against my sinful urges, that he will give me power and the conviction necessary. Do not let me fall victim to sin and become waylayed by myself. Do not let me put my hopes into my worldly goods, for when they perish, so will my soul. Rather, let me put my faith in God knowing that He will reward me with everlasting gifts in heaven.

Spiritual Enlightenment

Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV / NASB / ESV)

I'm thinking that Mondays are going to quickly become my favorite days of the week, as far as summer is concerned. My coservant Steve Xia picks me up for morning prayer. We go every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday together, and though it's hard to get up at 5:45 AM, I really think the benefits obtained by starting the day off with morning prayer surpass my feelings of tiredness from waking up so early. Fei Zhao, my leader, and other members that made it out join us as we pray for the upcoming day and our small group. Steve drops me off at Wesley for CFC summer school and I get to serve cute adorable little kids, and after that, I go to work. My break involves going back to summer school and cleaning up, but serving with friends redeems the fact that I'm wiping down tables. If anything, I do get fed lunch, and after cleaning, I return to work.

After working, I go to Bible study, which is really challenging and stretching my faith. It's no longer as simple as explicating a passage from the Bible, but rather, questioning what comes out of our mouths to see if what we say is really what the Bible is trying to tell us. There's a lot of emphasis on applications, and this was especially true tonight.

Last night I was in one of those provocative mental states, just thinking about what I wrote last night, about how I wanted spiritual wisdom. From tonight's Bible study, I realized that spiritual wisdom can be reflected through our character. It is clear to me now that I need to study the Word harder, pray more earnestly, surround myself with accountability partners if I even want a chance in changing my character.

As it was previously stated, I think that gaining spiritual wisdom is one way in which our character can change for the better, and last night I decided for my quiet times, I was going to begin meditating on the book of Proverbs. Morning prayer turns out, right after the mini-sermon, to be a great time to do a quiet time.

These opening verses of Proverbs immediately makes clear the purpose of this book. Among the many benefits are attaining wisdom and discipline and acquiring a disciplined and prudent life. Proverbs already sounds pretty exciting, right?

There are a couple things I wanted to point out, the first of which is the emmphasis on how young people are emphasized in the fourth verse. It really shows that as young people, we do lack knowledge and discretion. Like I said last night, it's getting easier for me to think that I'm all-knowing, that I've experience most there is to life, yet I'm still an undergraduate student in college. I haven't even stepped out into the real world! I am much more foolish than I think.

Proverbs, I feel, will help me explicate other passages of the Bible because verses 5 and 6 state that through studying Proverbs, I will acquire wise counsel to help me understand other proverbs, parables, sayings, and riddles. That further emphasizes the importance of diving into Proverbs before tackling more difficult books in the Bible. I feel that by reading into Proverbs, granted I study it earnestly and whole-heartedly, I will undergo a spiritual enlightenment that will bring new depth, meaning, and significance to the Word.

These teachings of wisdom are potent, in that even the most simple-minded will benefit and become wiser. However, we need to be wise enough in the first place in knowing that we must have God in our hearts and fear him. To fear God is the first step towards gaining wisdom, and it is the only way we receive further wisdom. With all that said, I'm excited to study Proverbs.

I pray that the Lord opens my heart to invite him and have him dwell within me, my eyes so that I may see the depth of his wisdom contained within the Bible, and my ears so that I may be continually listening for his words of wisdom and instructions as I live each day. God's power is amazing, beyond human understanding, so may I learn to fear and respect him, lest my daily studies bear no fruit, for fearing God is the step towards obtaining wisdom. May these words not simply pass through, but really dwell within me so that the lessons learned become an integral part of my identity and character, that I may live my daily life according to the instructions contained within the book of Proverbs. By living according to the Word, may I be an example, acting as the light to show others God's wisdom and glory.