The Quest for the Perfect Chai...

I know I won't find a coffee shop like Polly's.  I have come to terms with that.  I have found some pretty cool locations, although none of them are as easily accessible as Polly's.  A few cool environments.  A few places I could go to and hang out and do work for a couple hours.

But alas, not one chai the way I like it.  I like sweet chai, which means it really is not a chai.  And even here in Iowa, apparently they want to make it like a real chai.  Spicy.  Maybe it's not extremely spicy, but it all has a spicy enough after bite.

I believe we have tried seven or eight coffee shops now in the area.  Looks like I'll have to go to a coffee shop for their teas and environment.

There are a few places I would like to check out, located in the town I will be working in.  Great!

I will be paying close attention to any coffee shops that will be opening.

Berlioz Requiem Moments

Let me talk about some moments in the Requiem.

Berlioz wrote some pretty heavy moments.  I'm going to try to decipher what a few of my favorite moments are at this point in my studies, which is just the beginning.

I love the first tenor entrance.  How difficult is that to keep in tune? (rhetorical question)  I love every time that motif comes back.

To do this piece, the men have to rock.  Truly rock.

I love the opening theme of the Dies irae.  It comes back often throughout the Requiem, but I like it.  I am sure I will learn more about the motif soon- especially because I'm about to embark on the research portion of the Requiem.

Then the four brass bands!  What a bombastic but thrilling touch!

So far, the theme that is the most likely to get stuck in my head is the Lacrymosa.  Even typing that makes me want to hum it.

And finally, my cheap Dover score says that the tenor solo is optional.  No, it is not.  The Sanctus creates the beauty of this Requiem.  The Sanctus is the place where the tears of beauty happen.  It is so beautiful.  The first time I heard it (when I was studying for my comp exam), I stopped what I was doing and just listened.  I breathed in the Sanctus.  Beautiful tenor solo.

Those are the moments.  This is a huge piece.

Slow Revisions, Berlioz Start

My revisions are slowly coming along.  I am now within the target word range of the article I am submitting for publication.  I wonder how much the editors will chop out.  Will it be printed "as is" or will they cross out a lot of things?  I say a lot in the paper and I hope that it's not a lot of words that are not concise.  I wish I had access to the rest of my research notes, but they are packed up in Iowa City.  If I get a chance to pull the notes out and revise one more time before I submit, I will.

I am reading a new book, since I finished the book about women in opera.  It's a baseball book.  Interesting, easy read.  I will also enjoy reading a book about choral stuff once this is finished.

I also think I'm going to start my study of Berlioz.  I have not finished Brahms, but the Berlioz is so huge and I need time to process and really understand the music.  So, over the next few days, I may try to get an easy start on Berlioz.  Some research, some listening, marking the big moments, understanding where the music is going... nothing crazy yet, but the beginning things that at least help me internalize the music.

So, expect some posts are Berlioz.