a day out and Chopin

i just came back from midvalley with tina where we watched lemony snicket's a series of unfortunate events and shopped a bit.

the movie was pretty good, very surreal at parts and humourous overall. i think jim carrey kind of overdid his acting sometimes, but the children were the real stars of the show. violet, sunny and klaus baudelaire were brought to the big screen successfully, although i imagine klaus was a bit more nerdy looking in the books. do watch it if you're into harry potter etc. really got caught out by the beginning which was anti-climactic to say the least. you will be taken by surprise. :)

also bought me a new Chopin cd, and this has to be one of the best things i v bought for myself in this year. almost nothing manages to brighten up my day as much as listening to his nocturnes, waltzes, polonaises or concertos...so much feeling compressed into those notes and the airiness of the fingers flying across the keys...the depths of sadness and poignance he manages to convey in running passages that sweep from one end of the keyboard to the other... there is joy, sorrow, excitement, meditation, reflection, peace, military zeal in his music.

i m now listening to the 3rd movement of his No. 1 Piano Concerto in E Minor, the Rondo (Vivace) which is not at all sugary sweet, but manages to convey an authentic brightness of movement...the sort of day where one gets up and has the very wonderful positive vibe that this will be a good day with much to look forward to, and much to do. the sort of day where one feels the sun shining in cheerfully and one smiles in return. not a lazy do-nothing sort of day, one with many activities and each of them pleasant and enjoyable.

it has moved on to the No. 4 Nocturne in F major. at once there is a stark contrast to the earlier mood...if one felt euphoric earlier, this is a much more reflective piece where one sits back and reflects on so many memories created in one's life. some of these memories are frightening, and can still rouse strong passions in the soul, very strong feelings that course through the veins. but ultimately peace reigns and there is a sigh of part contentment, part resignation. it is music of having made peace with the past, having learned the lessons it taught.

when i m seeking for some quiet, i listen to Chopin and instantly i feel my soul calming down even when it's in the midst of turbulence. the contrasts in any single piece of music he composed are to me a reflection of the many contrasts and contradictions in life. and i empathise with his music.

will be going back to ipoh on good Friday, and this holiday will be a good one, i m sure of it. :)

God bless and happy holidays! also have a safe journey back to your respective home towns...