(nearly) full circle and (entirely) in another hemisphere

¡Hola! I'm in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, and it's wonderful to be back. It's been almost a year since my first visit. I first came to Argentina in November 2006 as the winner of the Mirian Conti Argentina Prize (which was presented at the 2006 Juilliard Commencement). Mirian is a terrific pianist and an absolutely wonderful person, and she hosted my first trip.

What an unforgettable time I had last November! Some memorable things: watching the flight map in awe as we flew over the Equator and the Amazons; arriving in gorgeous summery weather; driving into Buenos Aires in all its bustling, cosmopolitan glory; savoring the amazing and amazingly inexpensive food from the very start (the pastas, ice cream, and anything with dulce de leche were standouts—unfortunately my vegetarianism precluded me from sampling the legendary beef!); performing in the gilded Salon Dorado at the Casa de la Cultura to a fantastic, appreciative audience; meeting the most wonderful people; enjoying a tango show (gotta love the bandoneon); frequenting the city's ubiquitous internet cafes; marveling at the European-style architecture, antique shops, and colorful street fairs in San Telmo; sipping delicious coffee at the iconic Cafe Tortoni; scoring deals on high-quality leather goods; seeing artwork by Frida Kahlo and others at Malba, which houses the largest collection of Latin American art; laughing hysterically at Talladega Nights on the flight back to the US.

My current trip (sponsored by the American Embassy) is equally exciting, albeit shorter and more jam-packed. I wish I had more time to sightsee, but I'm really enjoying my "official" duties. The agenda includes two concerts, a master class/talk, and various other events. More on this trip to come...

rain, books, and other seemingly unrelated matters

There's something simultaneously bittersweet and cathartic about summer rain. I like walking in a gentle downpour (with an umbrella, of course); the sky weeps, and I am soothed.

As for another activity I enjoy, it's reading. I've been reading voraciously lately (a rare luxury but a veritable need for me). I'm the sort of person that tends to read multiple books at once. Books are my refuge: I marvel at a flurry of fascinating facts which I will unfortunately forget in a week, escape into stories of yearning and bravery and folly, and experience "a-ha" moments which affect the way I see things within and without me.

What else? I enjoy walking around New York and I am reminded of how wondrous this city is with its capacious parks, bustling streets, innumerable restaurants, tempting shops, concealed havens, grand museums, concerts galore, and so much more. If only I had more free time to enjoy these privileges more regularly.

As it is, I choose to read.

out of the way, out of the ordinary

I'm back after a short excursion to the Catskill Mountains. Pouring rain and gusts of unseasonably chilly winds greeted me upon my return to the city, but my spirits remain undampened after this enjoyable trip.

I gave a solo recital last night at the Shandelee Music Festival, and I was touched by the audience's tremendous warmth, enthusiasm, openness, and attentiveness. Three things I deduced about my wonderful audience from their reactions and feedback: 1) people embraced the varied program and appreciated the inclusion of new music, 2) they were big fans of the Gershwin encore, and 3) they really loved the impromptu commentary I gave on the music. I've always believed in the importance of establishing a lively and organic rapport with the audience, via the music and its presentation. Also, I enjoy live concerts because of the unpredictable things that can unfold; for instance, I managed to rip the hem of my dress (these performances are never tame affairs!). The presenters, staff, and young artists were all delightful, and I got to stay in a beautiful "chateau" to boot.

It was definitely refreshing to momentarily escape the city, breathe some fresh air, lose cell phone reception, and perform music that I love for people who care.

horizon-gazing

Hello, readers. Here's a brief and rather perfunctory update: I've been extremely occupied with duo stuff as of late (I feel like an honorary Yalie and seasoned Metro North traveler at this point!) and will be abruptly switching gears tomorrow for a solo recital in the Catskills. Thereafter I will take care of all sorts of odds and ends in the Big Apple, and I hope to see two of my favorite people in the world (that is, my older sister and my niece...NJ Transit, here I come!). In the meantime I will be resuming work on my website (please excuse its current state of sparseness), looking forward to end-of-the-month trips, and braving the heat in the city. I promise a more stimulating update next time!