Freakonomics

I heard an ad the other day on the Utah Public Radio station, talking about a special broadcast entitled "Freakonomics," a presentation which discussed the strange occurances with economics. I heard one of these specials for a minute, and it was actually pretty interesting, learning how some things in our economy really affect certain outcomes. Some outcomes which we think are going to be positive are actually negative. Anyway, I have a strong desire to start calling every type of economics, freakonomics, because I just warmed up for a quiz for about an hour in the library, only to get 10 out of 19 on my quiz!  awesome... not! Yeah, I'm not happy at all about that..

On another note, although my academic accomplishments are not quite at their acme, I am getting much more prepared for my competition in March! I played my concerto for studio class yesterday, and everyone had a lot of great compliments for me, with a handful of suggestions. After listening to the recording of Rubinstein playing the same concerto, I feel that it could be much more developed and mature, but it really is coming along, and my teacher is helping me to think of the piece in a more sophisticated manner, imagining the melodies in the piece with different instruments, working on voicing, and especially my dynamics are taking a turn for the better. They are becoming quite articulate, with the help of Dr. Bohnenstengel. The only thing that is going to make my progress better is by my own development of my theme for my piece, what I imagine this piece is portraying.

Last Friday I was able to hear the famous Andre Watts perform with the Utah Symphony, performing one of Rachmaninoff's full concertoes. What an incredible experience! It is one thing to hear a recording of a piece, but an entirely different experience to hear and see the piece in person. I enjoyed it very much. I also got to see two of my sisters and their families that weekend, which is always a treasure.

In Institute, we talked about what we treasure, and recognizing we decide what we are going to treasure, and we judge others according to what is most valuable in our eyes. I have been trying to work on having different treasures since class, a challenge he gave to us. That class is so wonderful. I am able to apply every classtime I go to.

I am turning 20 on Saturday!! I will no longer be a "teenager!" Isn't that scary! ..maybe not, maybe just exciting, but I am looking forward to it. I am going to go to Richfield, my hometown, and celebrate there!

Rondo Alla Turca

Each week to begin my piano lesson, Dr. Bohnenstengel has me listen to a recording of a perfomance, and then we discuss a little about the performance. I loved this piece, in part because I learned Mozart's "Alla Turca" over the summer, and also cause I used to try to beat the Alla Turca song on Hudson's rock band game.. but this takes Alla Turka to a whole new level, right? Great work Volodos :)

This week has been amazing. Many changes have been taking place, and I am feeling much more involved in my own life. It seems strange, but in a lot of ways I feel like I am discovering myself, like I'm getting to know myself better now!

I am seven weeks away from the Con Brio Competition in Park City, and I feel like I have much work to do on my concerto, before it will be ready for competition. I have never competed in a real piano competition!! But it is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I plan to make it everything I want it to be :)