A few months ago, on two separate occasions I was listening to the classical radio station and heard this amazing pianist. On both occasions I thought, "Wow, this pianist is so amazing!" Which, in my opinion, was a strange thing to think just because if they're on the classical station they should always be good. Anyway, both times the pianist was this fellow named Lang Lang and he really just blew me away.
I was really excited when I found out that Lang Lang himself was coming to perform with the Houston Symphony on my birthday weekend! I'm trying to shift birthday/Christmas gifts to giving or getting experiences instead more stuff to cram in our apartment. I read an article once about how people get more pleasure out of an experience than a physical gift because they relive the experience in their mind. It's a journey for me, because I think my love-language is probably presents, but I really was excited to get tickets to Lang Lang for my birthday. I had no idea he was such a super star! I feel a little late to the game and kind of like a groupie now.
It was a very fun night. He had three performances and was playing a different Beethoven concerto on each night. Unfortunately, on the only night we could attend, he played the 2nd concerto. It was beautiful, but I could have use a little more Sturm und Drang. I mean, it's Beethoven!! According to the program notes (and my ears) it is one of the most mild of his concertos. There was only a small chamber orchestra accompanying him, and so I really felt like I missed out on that huge Beethoven emotion and passion. It was okay, though, because Lang Lang was excellent and Ryan and I both thought that he would very passionately wave his fingers and hands in the air and examine them at times during the performance.
I chose this picture of Lang Lang because it epitomizes a Wikipedia quote about him - half classical musician, half rock-star! Ryan wondered if that meant that the dress for the occasion should be ripped jeans and a blazer. Lang Lang wore what appeared to be a leather suit (Ryan and I are in dispute about whether it was leather or pleathor or something else, but for all intents, it was no regular suit material).
Here is a photo of us at the concert. 32 years old!
Just for fun, here is a photo of us on my 26th birthday! Ryan got us tickets to go to Madam Butterfly. Aging gracefully?
Aging gracefully- you can say that again! You look amazing! And not to turn the spotlight from you on your special day, but Ryan's hair is looking rather dapper itself. I wish I could put a little surfer figurine on his forehead so it could get barreled.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I think one of Ryan's mission companions to say of his hair, "That wave's so big, I could surf it!"
ReplyDeleteFun birthday! I saw an interview with Lang Lang once, and he was a little freaky in that setting - lots of makeup and very quirky personality. This is a little unrelated (Asian performer + Houston arts scene is the connection), but have you seen the movie Mao's Last Dancer? It's based on the true story of a Beijing ballet dancer who came to perform with the Houston ballet back in the early 80's. It's an amazing film and story.
ReplyDeleteMe too. . .not to steal your birthday thunder, but I love ryan's hair. . .looks a little like Conan O'brien (whom I love) in that picture! You guys are the cutest couple :O) And your little Willa is so stinkin' cute.
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