Congratulations to my star 6 year old Lucille.......
for obtaining a mark of 93 on her first RCM piano exam!
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
Saturday, 14 May 2016
Harp and Piano Studio Recital, Kanata
Piano
Studio Recital
Students of Sally Rowsell
Guest Harpist, SARAH VEBER
Join us on
Sunday June 5, 2016 for Harp selections from Debussy and Tailleferre, in
addition to a variety of choices from talented young piano players.
Sarah Veber
is a Loran Scholar at the University of Ottawa, currently studying harp with Michelle
Gott. She is a multiple award winner in both piano and harp, from Newfoundland.
Glen Cairn United Church, 140 Abbeyhill Dr,
Kanata
6:30 p.m. Sunday June 5
Admission at the door rowsellpiano.ca
Some of my Favorite Budapest Pictures
A few of my favorite Budapest photos:
 |
| Taken at dusk in the Castle District on the Buda ( older) side of Budapest |
 |
| Matthias Church, Budapest, Castle District |
 |
| A street at dark in the Castle District |
 |
| A view of Budapest over the Danube, taken from the Castle District |
 |
| Parliament, on the Pest ( newer) side of Budapest |
 |
| Parliament taken from the Buda side of the Danube |
 |
| Parliament again, taken from a dinner cruise on the Danube |
 |
| Inside Parliament; this was the most beautiful and ornate building I toured |
 |
| Waiting area for journalists in Parliament |
 |
| Bon voyage! The Tatras mountains of Poland are in the background |
 |
| A Boston Grand for airport patrons to try in Warsaw airport. Gorgeous! |
Friday, 6 May 2016
rowsellpiano Congratulates Piano Students in Ottawa......
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Ottawa Music Festival Participants 2016:
Sophia Qien Chen first place in 8 and under, Classical
Sophia Qien Chen first place in 8 and under, Romantic/Modern
Lucille Yang: first place in 6 and under, Canadian
Winston Yang: second place in 8 and under, Classical
Winston Yang: third place in 8 and under, Baroque
Well done, students, on our first Ottawa Music Festival experience!
rowsellpiano.ca
Ottawa Music Festival Participants 2016:
Sophia Qien Chen first place in 8 and under, Classical
Sophia Qien Chen first place in 8 and under, Romantic/Modern
Lucille Yang: first place in 6 and under, Canadian
Winston Yang: second place in 8 and under, Classical
Winston Yang: third place in 8 and under, Baroque
Well done, students, on our first Ottawa Music Festival experience!
rowsellpiano.ca
Thursday, 5 May 2016
Dessert in Budapest
For the Chocaholics and Candy Aficionados:
This Buda side shop is filled entirely with chocolate, imported from countries around the world; we even found chocolate from Canada in there!
Next in line is a candy stall in a busy tourist market area on the Pest side of Budapest.
The best Apricot Cheesecake bar none, came from this amazing dessert shop!
Salad anyone? It is parsley piled high on top of this crispy duck salad.
The food was amazing everywhere in Budapest, there was no such thing as an inferior meal.
Wine, you ask? Hungary produces its' own Tokaji in various forms, my favorite being a sweet dessert wine. As well, Budapest offers fabulous Roses.
This Buda side shop is filled entirely with chocolate, imported from countries around the world; we even found chocolate from Canada in there!
Next in line is a candy stall in a busy tourist market area on the Pest side of Budapest.
Now, how about some dessert?
The best Apricot Cheesecake bar none, came from this amazing dessert shop!
Salad anyone? It is parsley piled high on top of this crispy duck salad.
The food was amazing everywhere in Budapest, there was no such thing as an inferior meal.
Wine, you ask? Hungary produces its' own Tokaji in various forms, my favorite being a sweet dessert wine. As well, Budapest offers fabulous Roses.
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
Liszt in Budapest
Budapest is the ideal city to visit as a musician and as a lover of Liszt, both of which I am!
I was lucky to visit an apartment dedicated to Liszt:
Chickering:
My favorite is his desk and in particular, its' drawer:
How much does Budapest love Liszt?
They named their airport after him: the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
Sally Rowsell, Ottawa, M Mus (rowsellpiano.ca)
Budapest is the ideal city to visit as a musician and as a lover of Liszt, both of which I am!
I was lucky to visit an apartment dedicated to Liszt:
and down the hall, to hear fabulous music coming from:
I
In Liszts' apartment, one can view many of his
instruments, to include a Bosendorfer and aChickering:
 |
| Above is a simile of Liszt's sitting room, |
and, here is a cast of Liszt's hand:
My favorite is his desk and in particular, its' drawer:
How much does Budapest love Liszt?
They named their airport after him: the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
Sally Rowsell, Ottawa, M Mus (rowsellpiano.ca)
Friday, 29 April 2016
Farkas Gabor, Piano,
with The Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
On Sunday afternoon April 10, 2016, I enjoyed an all Liszt concert at the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary, with pianist Farkas Gabor and the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (conductor Adam Medveczky) "In the Footsteps of Liszt". This concert was part of the Spring Festival, which was in full swing during my stay.
Gabor is a multi -award winner who performed in Carnegie Hall as winner of the Worldwide Audition of the New York Concert Artists and Associates in 2015/2016. He has notably won first prize in the Liszt Piano Competition in Weimar and first prize in the Bela Bartok Competition in Austria. His album, "An Evening With Liszt" earned the Prix du Disque of the Ferenc Liszt Society.
The program was extensive, consisting of solo piano selections in the first half to include Widmung, Forgotten Waltz no 1, Valse-Impromptu, Fountains of the Villa D'Este, Gondoliera, Canzonetta, Tarantella, and Hungarian Rhapsody no 12. The second half included Liszt's Piano Concertos no 1 and no 2.in E flat major and A major respectively.
What first struck me about Gabor's playing was his largely passionate, gargantuan approach to the instrument and to Liszt's music in particular.I have rarely heard such a dramatic fortissimo or idyllic pianissimo, and found it to be exciting. The music was cute, sweet, gently intimate, delicate and personal when appropriate. Passages glistened, while special moments were luscious. Gabor took numerous liberties, provided heartfelt and lush romantic gush, and offered overall a combination of poetic, grandiose, descriptive playing. Finally, he had technique to die for.
He opened interestingly with expressive splitting of the hands (Widmung), which I did not seem to notice as the concert continued.
The pinnacle of the first half which was the showy Hungarian Rhapsody no 12, had audience members swept away with drama that could have been Liszt himself at the piano.
Gabor did not play without fault. In soft passages his priority was not always rhythmic control, and I was confused in the early part of the concert with some waffling rhythmic inconsistency. Additionally, some octaves in the concertos were not clean. His expressive conviction, tremendous sound and unwavering technique made up for these blemishes, so consequently I did not mind the flaws in the slightest.
By now the audience had begun its' typical Hungarian applause style which showed appreciation to the performer with a slow rhythmic unison clap that was insistent. I have not heard this applause type before; it seemed to be the norm for Budapest who takes its' classical music seriously!
The Piano Concertos nos 1 and 2 were companioned with a pristine European orchestra, small to medium in size. Solo clarinet, oboe, flute and cello wowed the audience with duet capabilities, while the orchestra as a whole played with detail, gorgeous shape, expressive attention to harmonic changes, finesse, drama, passion, clean precision, and with perfect ensemble and support. The orchestra showcased outstanding string and brass sections and, in sum, was all one would expect from a fine European orchestra.
An additional part of the attraction of this concert was the hall, with a design to produce superior acoustics, and beauty to enhance listening pleasure. The pictures below will give you some idea of its' architecture.
1.side view from the first balcony,
2. view from the front main hall,
3. view of the stage from the first balcony.
Next up is Beethoven and Rachmaninoff , stay tuned!
Sally Rowsell, Ottawa, M. Mus ( rowsellpiano.ca)
with The Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
On Sunday afternoon April 10, 2016, I enjoyed an all Liszt concert at the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary, with pianist Farkas Gabor and the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (conductor Adam Medveczky) "In the Footsteps of Liszt". This concert was part of the Spring Festival, which was in full swing during my stay.
Gabor is a multi -award winner who performed in Carnegie Hall as winner of the Worldwide Audition of the New York Concert Artists and Associates in 2015/2016. He has notably won first prize in the Liszt Piano Competition in Weimar and first prize in the Bela Bartok Competition in Austria. His album, "An Evening With Liszt" earned the Prix du Disque of the Ferenc Liszt Society.
The program was extensive, consisting of solo piano selections in the first half to include Widmung, Forgotten Waltz no 1, Valse-Impromptu, Fountains of the Villa D'Este, Gondoliera, Canzonetta, Tarantella, and Hungarian Rhapsody no 12. The second half included Liszt's Piano Concertos no 1 and no 2.in E flat major and A major respectively.
What first struck me about Gabor's playing was his largely passionate, gargantuan approach to the instrument and to Liszt's music in particular.I have rarely heard such a dramatic fortissimo or idyllic pianissimo, and found it to be exciting. The music was cute, sweet, gently intimate, delicate and personal when appropriate. Passages glistened, while special moments were luscious. Gabor took numerous liberties, provided heartfelt and lush romantic gush, and offered overall a combination of poetic, grandiose, descriptive playing. Finally, he had technique to die for.
He opened interestingly with expressive splitting of the hands (Widmung), which I did not seem to notice as the concert continued.
The pinnacle of the first half which was the showy Hungarian Rhapsody no 12, had audience members swept away with drama that could have been Liszt himself at the piano.
Gabor did not play without fault. In soft passages his priority was not always rhythmic control, and I was confused in the early part of the concert with some waffling rhythmic inconsistency. Additionally, some octaves in the concertos were not clean. His expressive conviction, tremendous sound and unwavering technique made up for these blemishes, so consequently I did not mind the flaws in the slightest.
By now the audience had begun its' typical Hungarian applause style which showed appreciation to the performer with a slow rhythmic unison clap that was insistent. I have not heard this applause type before; it seemed to be the norm for Budapest who takes its' classical music seriously!
The Piano Concertos nos 1 and 2 were companioned with a pristine European orchestra, small to medium in size. Solo clarinet, oboe, flute and cello wowed the audience with duet capabilities, while the orchestra as a whole played with detail, gorgeous shape, expressive attention to harmonic changes, finesse, drama, passion, clean precision, and with perfect ensemble and support. The orchestra showcased outstanding string and brass sections and, in sum, was all one would expect from a fine European orchestra.
An additional part of the attraction of this concert was the hall, with a design to produce superior acoustics, and beauty to enhance listening pleasure. The pictures below will give you some idea of its' architecture.
1.side view from the first balcony,
2. view from the front main hall,
3. view of the stage from the first balcony.
Next up is Beethoven and Rachmaninoff , stay tuned!
Sally Rowsell, Ottawa, M. Mus ( rowsellpiano.ca)
Saturday, 23 April 2016
St. Lukacs Thermal Bath and Swimming Pools, Budapest, Hungary
In line with staying in optimal health as a practicing musician, I write this post!
I've recently returned from an amazing holiday in Budapest, Hungary, and one of the highlights of my trip was a visit to St. Lukacs Thermal Bath.
Preceding this visit, a tour of The Aquincum Museum and Ruin Garden ironically set the background for my spa day.
The Aquincum Museum includes open air archaeological findings of a Roman settlement dating from 2 A.D.
http://visitbudapest.travel/arts-entertainment/budapest-museums/museum-of-aquincum/
Among the ruins was the formation of 24 public baths, used for " being well" and " feeling good", as well as for personal hygiene.
Water (for the baths) came from the naturally occurring thermal springs of Budapest, which made the area an attractive place to settle.
The typical Roman Bath system consisted of a cold water bath, a warm room, and a highly humid hot water room. Floor heating helped heat the water and area, and exercise areas and rest areas were part of the set up and recommended wellness habit.
I found this to be fascinating information which supported my idea that the Romans were great architects and overall quite resourceful and intelligent people.
St Lukacs Spa
I headed to St. Lukacs Spa last Wednesday morning, with the intention to stay about an hour. When the gal behind me in the line up ( from New York, working in Budapest for a year), suggested as a newcomer I stay the day, I took her advice.
St. Lukacs is an authentic Hungarian Spa, with buildings arranged in a circular C fashion. There is a courtyard in the middle of the buildings with decorative grounds and ornate statues. The exterior building itself is a washed yellow shade.
http://www.lukacsbath.com/
Once I was changed with my clothes locked away, I set out for the thermal pools. St Lukacs is famed to have the most medically effective waters in Budapest ( there are numerous spas in Budapest) whose waters have multiple benefits, among these benefits aid for joint degeneration and for low calcium concentration in bones.
Chemically, the water consists of calcium, magnesium -hydrogen- carbonates, chloride, sulphates, "alcalia" ( perhaps they mean alkali), and a large amount of fluoride. When you walk in the bath area, you smell sulfur quite strongly.
The plan according to the Romans, is to alternate hot water with cold water, so I started with the lowest temperature hot water pool at 32 degrees celsius. Other pools were 23 degrees (cold water), 36 degrees, and 40 degrees. I gradually made my way to the 40 degree pool, with dips in the cold pool which apparently thickens your skin. There are fountains for drinking the thermal water, which is also supposed to be beneficial if consumed.
It was a busy spot at 9 a.m. on a weekday!
I next headed outdoors for a swim in one of two extra large swimming pools. After several laps a local worker blew his whistle repeatedly to tell me to leave the water. It seems I was not wearing a bathing cap, and it was mandatory!
After finding a cap elsewhere in the spa and swimming a little more, I then climbed up some narrow outdoor stairs to discover a roof top fitness center, and carried on to the very top to hang out on the sun deck.
I found another indoor pool where a water gymnastic session was in progress following which I wandered back indoors.
I had decided to book a 20 minute massage, therefore while waiting for my massage I visited once again the 40 degree pool.
It was hard to find my way easily in the spa (and I got strange looks from the locals when I asked for directions in English), yet after going in circles for a time I finally found my massage room. Here I received the best shoulder, neck and back massage of my life. I am unsure the type of massage, but I guess it to be a combination shiatsu, swedish, and Thai.
Sauna Wellness Center
In the second phase of my spa day, I went into the Sauna Wellness Center, where I sampled all the many saunas and extras. This area was fairly deserted ( it was past lunch time by now) which suited me fine.
After finding what I would call a freezer room, I lay for a while on a heated Roman bench, which provided soothing heat from below to my whole body. Next was a steam chamber; very hot steam surrounded my body here, which infiltrated my pores and lungs.
Following was a salt crystal sauna, which is essentially a sauna with high heat that emits salt crystals into the air. I was unaware of the salt compound while I was in there, and found it soothing and relaxing. Salt of course is useful for detox purposes. The Spa also houses a Himalayan salt wall and a salt chamber.
Upstairs I found an infra red sauna which started at 40 degrees celsius and gradually reached about 55 degrees during my 45 minute stay. Across the way was a Finnish sauna with temperatures at 80-90 celsius, and finally there was a naturalist sauna which needs no explanation.
I finished my sauna fest by soaking my feet in a cold shallow pool, kept cool partially by ice cubes which cascaded down in waterfall fashion.
After a 6 hour stay, I headed back to my hotel on the tram, a very happy, relaxed, and well detoxed individual!
Such a spa visit I would estimate to cost hundreds of dollars.
On that day my visit, to include the massage, cost about $30.00.
Next post, Budapest concert reviews., Stay tuned!
In line with staying in optimal health as a practicing musician, I write this post!
I've recently returned from an amazing holiday in Budapest, Hungary, and one of the highlights of my trip was a visit to St. Lukacs Thermal Bath.
Preceding this visit, a tour of The Aquincum Museum and Ruin Garden ironically set the background for my spa day.
The Aquincum Museum includes open air archaeological findings of a Roman settlement dating from 2 A.D.
http://visitbudapest.travel/arts-entertainment/budapest-museums/museum-of-aquincum/
Among the ruins was the formation of 24 public baths, used for " being well" and " feeling good", as well as for personal hygiene.
Water (for the baths) came from the naturally occurring thermal springs of Budapest, which made the area an attractive place to settle.
The typical Roman Bath system consisted of a cold water bath, a warm room, and a highly humid hot water room. Floor heating helped heat the water and area, and exercise areas and rest areas were part of the set up and recommended wellness habit.
I found this to be fascinating information which supported my idea that the Romans were great architects and overall quite resourceful and intelligent people.
St Lukacs Spa
I headed to St. Lukacs Spa last Wednesday morning, with the intention to stay about an hour. When the gal behind me in the line up ( from New York, working in Budapest for a year), suggested as a newcomer I stay the day, I took her advice.
St. Lukacs is an authentic Hungarian Spa, with buildings arranged in a circular C fashion. There is a courtyard in the middle of the buildings with decorative grounds and ornate statues. The exterior building itself is a washed yellow shade.
http://www.lukacsbath.com/
Once I was changed with my clothes locked away, I set out for the thermal pools. St Lukacs is famed to have the most medically effective waters in Budapest ( there are numerous spas in Budapest) whose waters have multiple benefits, among these benefits aid for joint degeneration and for low calcium concentration in bones.
Chemically, the water consists of calcium, magnesium -hydrogen- carbonates, chloride, sulphates, "alcalia" ( perhaps they mean alkali), and a large amount of fluoride. When you walk in the bath area, you smell sulfur quite strongly.
The plan according to the Romans, is to alternate hot water with cold water, so I started with the lowest temperature hot water pool at 32 degrees celsius. Other pools were 23 degrees (cold water), 36 degrees, and 40 degrees. I gradually made my way to the 40 degree pool, with dips in the cold pool which apparently thickens your skin. There are fountains for drinking the thermal water, which is also supposed to be beneficial if consumed.
It was a busy spot at 9 a.m. on a weekday!
I next headed outdoors for a swim in one of two extra large swimming pools. After several laps a local worker blew his whistle repeatedly to tell me to leave the water. It seems I was not wearing a bathing cap, and it was mandatory!
After finding a cap elsewhere in the spa and swimming a little more, I then climbed up some narrow outdoor stairs to discover a roof top fitness center, and carried on to the very top to hang out on the sun deck.
I found another indoor pool where a water gymnastic session was in progress following which I wandered back indoors.
I had decided to book a 20 minute massage, therefore while waiting for my massage I visited once again the 40 degree pool.
It was hard to find my way easily in the spa (and I got strange looks from the locals when I asked for directions in English), yet after going in circles for a time I finally found my massage room. Here I received the best shoulder, neck and back massage of my life. I am unsure the type of massage, but I guess it to be a combination shiatsu, swedish, and Thai.
Sauna Wellness Center
In the second phase of my spa day, I went into the Sauna Wellness Center, where I sampled all the many saunas and extras. This area was fairly deserted ( it was past lunch time by now) which suited me fine.
After finding what I would call a freezer room, I lay for a while on a heated Roman bench, which provided soothing heat from below to my whole body. Next was a steam chamber; very hot steam surrounded my body here, which infiltrated my pores and lungs.
Following was a salt crystal sauna, which is essentially a sauna with high heat that emits salt crystals into the air. I was unaware of the salt compound while I was in there, and found it soothing and relaxing. Salt of course is useful for detox purposes. The Spa also houses a Himalayan salt wall and a salt chamber.
Upstairs I found an infra red sauna which started at 40 degrees celsius and gradually reached about 55 degrees during my 45 minute stay. Across the way was a Finnish sauna with temperatures at 80-90 celsius, and finally there was a naturalist sauna which needs no explanation.
I finished my sauna fest by soaking my feet in a cold shallow pool, kept cool partially by ice cubes which cascaded down in waterfall fashion.
After a 6 hour stay, I headed back to my hotel on the tram, a very happy, relaxed, and well detoxed individual!
Such a spa visit I would estimate to cost hundreds of dollars.
On that day my visit, to include the massage, cost about $30.00.
Next post, Budapest concert reviews., Stay tuned!
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Projecting Ease
"There’s no better way for us musicians to make our audiences receptive than to project ease and enjoyment from the stage.
What’s more, by embodying ease, we help dispel any nerves.
Lighten your touch
Technical freedom comes from allowing rather than forcing. When you’re on stage, trust in your preparation. As you get louder, for example, get looser. Foster a sense of lightness in everything you do."
To read the rest of this fine article, click below:
http://musiciansway.com/blog/2010/07/projecting-ease/
What’s more, by embodying ease, we help dispel any nerves.
Lighten your touch
Technical freedom comes from allowing rather than forcing. When you’re on stage, trust in your preparation. As you get louder, for example, get looser. Foster a sense of lightness in everything you do."
To read the rest of this fine article, click below:
http://musiciansway.com/blog/2010/07/projecting-ease/
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