Words Don't Come Easy

I finished my interview yesterday. 

Frankly, I wasn't sure whether I had enough time to prepare. I had two very busy weeks before this week and travelled to the US and back. To be honest, my slides were only finalized two nights before the day, one day to practice and adding a last-minute slide the night before which turned out to be one of the most discussed slides.  

Stars must have been aligned for me this week.

The most amazing thing from this experience is that the support and encouragements shown by the people I know. My current colleagues (some of them interviewers) and my ex-colleague who offered to help me prepare the interview. 

Thank you, G, N, C, M, J, T, F and D, your belief and kindness meant a world to me. 

Words by F.R. David

Words don't come easy to me

How can I find a way to make you see I love you

Words don't come easy

Words don't come easy to me

This is the only way for me to say I love you

Words don't come easy

Well, I'm just a music man

Melodies are so far my best friend

But my words are coming out wrong

Girl, I reveal my heart to you and

Hope that you believe it's true 'cause

Words don't come easy to me

How can I find a way to make you see I love you

Words don't come easy

This is just a simple song

That I've made for you on my own

There's no hidden meaning you know when I

When I say I love you honey

Please believe I really do 'cause

Words don't come easy to me

How can I find a way to make you see I love you

Words don't come easy

It isn't easy words don't come easy

Words don't come easy to me

How can I find a way to make you see I love you

Words don't come easy

Don't come easy to me

This is the only way for me to say I love you

Words don't come easy

Words don't come easy

Dear Darlin

The drums and the violins, feeling very pumped after listening to this!

Dear Darlin was co-written by Olly Murs, Ed Drewett and Jim Eliot.

One of the kind

Freddie Mercury, how can you not admire (and for me, love) someone who gave it all in? A Great Pretender maybe, but who isn't? With time, most of us have protective shells grown around us, even if some of us are smart enough to avoid the bad crowd. True talent is like fire in an active volcano, you know it when you see it. There is no way to hide it.

Yes he is flamboyant, outrageous, uncontrollable and perhaps some find offensive, but he is also exuberant, indomitable, innovative and pushing the boundaries. He's a first-rate composer, a spirited performer and a mysterious person of contradictions. That last bit matters nothing to me. I could enjoy his music as much with my eyes closed.  A rock star who loves opera, I found that out from the Documentary, A Great Pretender. That's why he wrote songs for Montserrat Caballé with whom he held highest esteem. Barcelona was born, what a groundbreaking and unforgettable album. It was the first time a rock star performing alongside with an opera singer. And it's truly magical. It feels powerful and yet so harmonious. The melodies are energetic, elegant and simply beautiful. It's my favorite.

Look beyond the exterior, if you could. Listen to his music with eyes closed, if you would. Let the unstoppable energy and sheer joy of his work flow through your inner self. I hope you would then appreciate Freddie's so much zest for life and truly one of the kind, inimitable talent, Freddie Mercury, the world is richer and less boring because of you. Thank you.

Mon coeur qui bat

My beating heart.

It's only too often that I am reminded how fortunate I am here where I am today. I should not take it for granted but sometimes the dark side of me got a little bit carried away. I know what I have is really special, at least to me. Therefore, I am really grateful for anyone who tolerates me regardless.

La Vie En Rose by Patricia Kaas

Et dès que je l’aperçois

Alors je sens en moi

Mon coeur qui bat

----------------------------

And from the things that I sense,

Now I can feel within me

My heart that beats.

Donde Voy

I first learned the song from the English version sung by Chyi Yu, a folk song melody combined with a waltz tempo. Marvelous. The original in Spanish was performed by Tish Hinojosa and later by Linda Rondstat, both are wonderful.

By the way, how can someone be so gorgeous like Monica Bellucci?

Here are a few more of my favorite things

Domenico Zipoli Adagio per oboe, cello, organo e orchestra

Tommaso Albinoni Oboe Concerto No. 2, Second Movement in Andante

Serenade For Winds; K 361; 3rd Movement 

(You know I like everything by Mozart, right?)

I like - John Field

John Field was born in the late Eighteen century and active throughout the almost first half of the century after. Already famous at his life time, he was influential to other bigger familiar names such as Chopin, Brahms and Schumann. His music is not as embellished or technically demanding as Chopin's or others, but that's part of his charm. His music is great at relaxing my mind and allows me to enjoy the sheer beauty of one's creation.

Nocturne No. 1

Nocturne No. 12

Nocturne No. 2

Nocturne No.5 

I like - Muse

They created and sang the London Olympic 2012 Game official song, remember?

Survival

I am a classical musical buff but their music has cast a magical spell on me. I don't seem to be able to stop listening to them. It shows (again) that good music (or art) is beyond genres. 

Here are a few more which capture my heart.

Neutron Star Collision

I Belong To You (A genius stroke starting at 2:18)

Resistance

Can't Take My Eyes Off You

I love Muse.

I like - Au fond du temple saint

Au fond du temple saint performed by Andrea Bocelli and Bryn Terfel

Also known as the "friendship duet" from "Les Pêcheurs De Perles/The Pearl Fishers" by Georges Bizet.

I think the tone suits the spirit of Christmas quite well, don't you?

Happy holidays, my friend.

The Light of the World

One of the memorable paintings from the Pre-Raphaelite exhibit in Tate Britain.

painted by William Holman Hunt (1853–54)

Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me". 

I thought of this song, In The Bleak Midwinter, when I saw The Light of the World. Then I just discovered that the words are from Christina Rossetti's poetry, another pre-Raphaelite movement contributor beautifully set by Gustav Holst. Perhaps its more than just a coincidence.

Till we find our place

Circle of Life

Music by Elton John

Lyrics by Tim Rice

From the day we arrive on the planet

And blinking, step into the sun

There's more to be seen than can ever be seen

More to do than can ever be done

Some say eat or be eaten

Some say live and let live

But all are agreed as they join the stampede

You should never take more than you give

In the circle of life

Its the wheel of fortune

Its the leap of faith

Its the band of hope

Till we find our place

On the path unwinding

In the circle, the circle of life

Some of us fall by the wayside

And some of us soar to the stars

And some of us sail through our troubles

And some have to live with the scars

There's far too much to take in here

More to find than can ever be found

But the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky

Keeps great and small on the endless round

I like - Chang Yu Sheng

If you are in your 20s, you probably don't have a chance to know this talented music artist from Taiwan, Chang Yu Sheng 張雨生. Had been very active in the university singing scenes, he shot into fame by winning the Best Singer (and the Best Performing Group) in the island wide Pop music competition in 1988. And his illustrious albeit regrettably short career as singer, song writer and producer started from there.

His music accompanied me many late nights during my high school years. His resounding voice pierced straight through midnight silence and straight into my heart during times when I had only textbooks, a yellow lamp and my little muddled head with me. Growing up in an environment where listening to pop music was openly discouraged, as a rebellious, confused and cheeky teenager, I dived into the world of pop music directly, without any hesitation. Chang Yu Sheng's music was with me from the beginning because I felt he was talking to me, about something that mattered to me.

And I still do.

Here are a few of my favorite. But, really, you ought to listen to all his collection, to appreciate how diverse and talented his music was.

"音樂倘若源自心靈，不過"誠實"而已。" -- 張雨生

I like - Mozart Piano Sonata K331

Among all classical music pieces, the ones listened with the highest frequency in the household are those by Mozart. His music has the ability to take me to a stress free marshmallow wonderland where you can be as free as a bird, as stubborn as a donkey, as still as a tree, or as happy as a puppy, a world which is up to me.

My favorite Mozart sonata is performed by Barenboim. Unfortunately, it's not available from youtube. Instead, please enjoy Ms Uchida's fine version on this much loved sonata of mine.

Your Song

"My gift is my song and this one's for you"

I like - Sergei Rachmaninoff

Possibly one of most favored composers by the movie industry. I am not surprised. Every time I listen to his work, a set of images quietly surface up in my head without a fail. His music is always full of emotions, complex, layered, direct and unforgettably beautiful.

Here is his Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 19: Andante (3. movement).

Winter wonderland

Are you ready?

Oh yeah.

I like - Morita Douji (森田童子)

I discovered Douji san in early 90s, a Japanese music artist and song writer. There is not much known about her, if you don't read Japanese. Even if you read Japanese, there is not much. Douji san released her first album in 1975 and a few more 10 years after. There is nothing after 1983, no news, no music, as if she has disappeared from the earth.

I like the tinge of folk style in her music. She sings as if she is reading a story, slowly, quietly and attentively. I am ambivalent about the fact that I don't understand Japanese. True, if I had read Japanese, I may understand her music completely different. However, I quite like the fact that her music directly talks to me, touches me and communicates with me in anything other than words.

I don't know why she stopped so suddenly, with just six albums. I know I would have liked to follow her music development, but I understand sometimes we prefer doing things on our own.

Our failure (ぼくたちの失敗)


The Last Waltz (ラスト・ワルツ)

I like - Phantom of the Opera

The first time I knew about Andrew Lloyd Webber was his musical on Phantom of the Opera. I was in complete perplexity when I heard the music first time. I was like, what is this? How can it sound like classical but with lots of digital keyboards, electric guitars and rock-n-roll drum beats? The music is absolutely wonderful. Rich, exuberant and yet terrifying at times, dramatic this second and turning somber next. Just one sound and you know what's coming on stage. The whole show is a theatrical wonder. The eye-catching and ever-changing costumes, stage design and special effects are enough to have audience full attention from start to finish.

What I like more is the fact that underneath this gorgeous and lavishly composed music, chandelier crashing down from the opera house dome ceiling and an intricate underground waterway labyrinth, lies a very simple story.

It's a story about love.

It starts rather complicatedly as it's a triangle relationship. A young, beautiful and talented soprano (Christine), a dashing gentry (Raoul) who is enamored with Christine, and the shadowy figure (Phantom) with half of his face burnt so badly that he has to wear a mask and who has been secretly coaching his star in his heart, Christine. All these years feeling misunderstood and shunned by the people overground, Phantom finally found someone who sees beyond his burnt face and cherishes his musical talent. Beneath the emotionless mask lies a tender heart, yearning for love. And he also falls in love with Christine, helplessly.

The secret betrothal between Christine and Raoul has enraged Phantom. Feeling betrayed, Phantom kidnaps Christine to his underground hide-out. Raoul follows suit but gets trapped by the device set up by Phantom. Phantom threatens to kill Raoul if Christine tries to escape.

It's not who you are underneath, but what you *do* that defines you.---Batman Begins

Eventually he lets Raoul go, both Christine and Raoul. Phantom has learned how to love a person, the way that Christine has shown him, that true love is unconditional.

It's great to be given unconditional love. It's sublime if you can give it back.

Learn to be lonely



____________________________________________________________

ps. This is something I have wanted to write for a long time. I know that no matter how much time I spend writing and polishing this piece, there is no way I could describe fully how moved I am about the story and do justice to the depth of Gaston Leroux had intended. Therefore, this is simply a document to remind me of what I feel about this magnificent combination of music and novel.

I like - Annie Lennox

Isn't she just mesmerizing and beyond words?

I came to know her rather late, in my early 20s. I have to thank my boyfriend (now my husband) for introducing her to me. I was hooked before finishing the end of the first song I listened, Sweet Dreams.

After that, she has been the one for me.

I once saw her singing on a small stage with just a piano on the side. I suddenly realize what a great singer is. A real music artist does not need of flashy outfits, complicated dance moves, background singers and lights that blind your eyes, in order to signal his/her presence. As soon as the first sound out of Annie's mouth, you are no longer in control of your thoughts. Annie takes over, like hypnosis. She dictates where your mind goes and how you feel. You will be completely under the spell of her voice. You try to follow her sound so closely as if you are afraid losing your way in a big forest. When she finishes her last word of a song, you are suddenly snapped out of the altered conscious state. I can almost hear a sigh inside, realizing that it's just a dream, that I was with her on a journey of bewilderment and amazement and now it's all over. She has vanished without a trace.

That's how I feel about her.

Annie Lennox - Why?




Annie Lennox - Don't let it bring you down