Once again, I am extremly inspired after listening to Mu Gui Ying Gua Shuai. My dad just bought a new car. Cosy and classy. An Epicurean I am indeed, lying down, listening to the symphonic orchestra...
Once again, fond memories of SLC, 4th SUST, Esplanade concert and all those events that happened from around March to May appeareed before my eyes. For me, some songs represent certain periods of my life: Feitian (Flying Apsaras)--Sec One CO days, Mo Li Hua(Flourish of the Jasmine Flower)--SLC period, Qiu Xu(Autumn's Sorrow) and Feng by Xu Jing Xing (Wind)--post SLC period, When you hold on forever--post MAF cum exam period, Chun (Spring)--start of the year, LYDIA--July period and of course, Xing Kong (Starry Night), SYF period...just to name a few. Whenever such songs are played, I experience the deep emotions I felt and relive those past moments...perhaps its the connections that I have established between music and life.
I once thought of simply listing out the songs that remind me of the various stages of my life, yes not just secondary school. For those who participated in primary school SYF in 2000 held in NYGH, I still remember how Bian Ye Chun Hua sounds. Yeah once a melody gets into my brain its very hard to get out. If only I could do the same for my Maths.
Very often, I find myself being torn between musical realms and reality. Through music, and dizi, I have traversed many lands, experienced a thousand emotions, appreciated thought and philosophy...words are simply limiting in expressing such artistic realms...beauty of suzhou, the fantasies invoked in xinjiang, the thick, unique style of local chinese operas, the vastness of inner mongolia...
...the pride and magnanimous Great Wall, the vibrant and dynamic city of Singapore...
...the peace and tranquility of a scholar, Li Bai's sentiments and sorrow for the fall of Tang dynasty, the desire of freedom of love in a repressed society, the stoic spirit shown by the lan2 hua1 in adverse and cruel surroundings...the lost and longing of a close friend...
...adagio of life and death...the human spirit alive...
Words are limiting, too limiting.
Yet I feel the rationale side of me taking over. I was once very effusive and sentimental. Yet the realities of life have repeatedly edged and jerked me out of my somber, to stare right into its bloody face. I have become increasingly less emotional over things. Much more logical, practical and real. Rationale. Objective.
Makes sense?
The straits times writer Ignatius sums it up all too well: "In the super-efficient, no-nonsense society of Singapore, there seems to be little worth in pondering over life's fluffier questions."
Shimmering chimeras of little worth vs harsh and plain simple reality.
Having said these, it is in my belief that there is a need of some form of higher attainment, some form of pursuit and self-actualisation, in the music and arts.
If you fail to appreciate the music and arts, merely indulging in everyday pleasures of the flesh, you are a pathetic little homo sapien.
Heard that HCICO is playing the butterfly lover's concerto again :) And they are getting Ms Kong Yan Yan to solo. Well, when I first entered CHSCO this concerto was played, on the 28th April 2003 at Singapore Conference Hall. Now as I leave, there they go playing again.
Tangc told me some time back...some time in term 3. We are invited to return to play, but by then I wonder if I have the time to commit...lol
Let's see how long it takes for a caterpillar to moult, sleep and grow into a butterfly. Typically a caterpillar will get picked by a birdy if they dont grow and fly high fast enough. (ie, niaoed)
I have faith in Zhi Guang. He has proven himself to be an oustanding, competent and absolutely charismatic leader.
Just like his predecessor.
Ego bullshit.
