The ages of classical music and Robert Schumann

The meeting scheduled on Tuesday, 27th of July, took place at 6 o’clock, a meeting organized by Mr.Ghe.Pastia’ for the good music amateur public. As usual, the Foreign Languages Centre has been the host.

The fourth meeting scheduled for July throughout ‘The ages of music’ project’ was marked by another composition side of Robert Schumann called CONCERTO.

In the beginning of the presentation made by Mr. Liviu Topala had pointed out a few small details about what a fantasy, an overture and a concerto means.

The Fantasy  - a free-form instrumental musical composition, with a sense of improvisation and virtuosity.

 The Overture – is linked as genre to opera, but is the the preamble (summary) of a work, which represent a specific theme,  played before.

The Concerto – is a work composed for one of more soloist instruments – written in three or four parts – in which is revealed the soloist virtuosity along with the orchestra.

Being all these presented, the public could listen to the first concerto called Concerto for four horns and orchestra, where Schumann appears as a creator of an unique melodica and harmonization.

Conducted by Brett Mitchell there have been listened fragments from Manfred opera, the success of the piece being to this real talented American conductor.

Being brilliant with the creation of his works melodica, Schumann writes a few concertos for cello, violin and piano.

Therefore, Concerto for cello and orchestra interpreted by Mischa Maisky and the Boston Symphonic Orchestra, brought again in the attention of the public, serious alternations along with other joyful, the cello being almost a human presence by its tonality.

One of Schumann’s masterpieces, Concerto for violin and orchestra, interpreted by the violonist Liviu Prunaru and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bucharest, conducted by Cristian Mandeal, have given measure to the art hard to express both by instruments and for the conductor.

Schumann composes for orchestra because of his great love – his wife Clara Schumann, who saw the music and everything that means musical creation, through the great composers of that time: Beethoven, Brahms.

For piano he written a work in three parts, initially presented by Clara as musical fantasy. After four years of working, modifying and a lot of dedication, the fantasy becomes Concerto for piano and orchestra in A minor. Interpreted by Daniel Barenboim and conducted by Sergiu Celibidache the concerto meant the ending of the Tuesday evening, a time when we would have liked the local press to be present as well.

You are welcome on Tuesday, 3rd of August 2010, at 6 o’clock, same location, last meeting with Robert Schumann (referent Carmen Cazaciuc)

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

‘The ages of music’ at the second meeting

The evening of Tuesday, 20th of July 2010 was again offered by the ‘Mr.Ghe.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum for the classical music lovers.

As usual, 6 o’clock was the time of the meeting between the guests and our host- The Foreign Languages Center – which again was happy and welcoming towards its guests.

The musical moments offered last evening within the Ages of music project were a few chapters from the chamber music composed by Robert Schumann.

 The specific compositions signed by Schumann is that the piano, as an accompaniment instrument, is equal, during the play, with the instrument for which it was composed.

All five works for the music chamber presented together with video images completed this chapter really appreciated by the audience, last evening.

There have been works interpreted by major artists: Antonio Tinelli (Italy)  - clarinet, present a few years ago on the stage at the ‘Mr.Ghe.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum, Martha Argerich (Argentina) – piano and Mauricio Vallina (Cuba) – piano, Helene Grimaud (France) – piano, R. Capruçon (France) – piano and many other instrumentalists from Japan, Lithuania and Norway.

The three romances for the wind instruments were interpreted by saxophone, flute and oboe with piano as accompaniment, awaking the interest for the audience for this kind of Schumann’s specific works.

The piece for two pianos and three other instruments – two cellos and a horn – has given some color, being compared with musical mathematics, as strict and precise as warm, giving a special mood.

The concluding piece of audition and presentation evening, Piano Quintet – the most important chamber work of Schumann – in four parts (a slow one and other three moving) was piano interpreted, violin I, violin II , viola and cello by major artists of the world. 

On 27th of July, same hour, 6 o’clock, we again invite at the Foreign Languages Centre to present you other works of Robert Schumann, full of great rafinement both compositional and interpretative. (referent Carmen Cazaciuc)

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

‘The ages of music’ has no age

On Tuesday, 13^th of July 2010, 6 o’clock, by the ‘Mr.Gh..Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum’s initiative and the goodwill of the Foreign Languages Center, there has been held a special artistic event which fitted perfectly in the cultural life of the city even though this is the holiday season.

The chosen place and the audience allowed commemorating the composer and pianist, Robert Schumann, one of the leaders of the German romanticism of the nineteenth century’s beginning.

The project, started this year, on July, by the ‘Mr.Gh.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum, is called ‘The Ages of music’- auditions and presentations and aims to meet weekly with those interested in good music.

The first part of the project marked Schumann’s personality, whose birth we celebrate this year 200 years from. 

Schumann, the composer and his work were marked by auditions and presentations of several voice clips and piano interpretations of great exception. Thus, the public has experienced special moments hearing and seeing the great pianist Vladimir Horowitz, Ukrainian-born American musician, Helen Grimaud – piano and Thomas Quasthoff - baritone.

It was, therefore, an hour and a half of music and information about the life and the artistic work of Robert Schumann, while the public – adults and youth, could find out what an artistic work and a lied means.

So, every Tuesday in July, we are welcoming everyone who is interested in classical music, at the same hour – 6 o’clock - in the same warm and welcoming place, the Foreign Languages Center.

Translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

Musical auditions at the Foreign Languages Center

Starting from July 2010, the ’Mr.Ghe.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum initiates a project called ‘The Ages of Music’ with auditions and presentations. 

It will begin on Tuesday, 6th of July 2010, 5 o’clock, at the Foreign Languages Center of ‘Duiliu Zamfirescu’ Vrancea County Library, with the presentation of Robert Schumann whose birth we celebrate 200 years from.

Composer and pianist, representative of the German romanticism from the beginning of the nineteenth century, Schumann is not only a great musician but a leading intellectual of his era.

We invite people from our city on Tuesday to join our first activity called ‘Schumann, the piano creation and the lied as genre from the cycle ‘Schumann – the composer and his work’.

Director,

Valentin Gheorghita

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

And so this is how we appeared in the ’Adevarul’ newspaper …

John Korst and Anamaria Catanoiu,  on top of 5 tones of books

‘Adevarul’ newspaper

VIDEO   A retired American postman collected 90,000 books for the children from Romania.

*Extract from an article published on the adevarul.ro website.

Ana Jitarita

17 hits

Tuesday, 29^th of June 2010

The American John Korst wants to continue his ‘mission’ in our country

A retierd American postman sent to Romania in the last six years, nearly 90.000 books in English, donated by his fellows from St.Louis. From Sibiu to Brusturoasa (Bacau), from Pechea (Galati) to Reghin, the books sent by John Korst help the Romanian students to improve and learn better the language of Sheakspeare.

16 tones of books for three libraries

The biggest project that John Korst was involved in has included three public libraries and required a donation of over 16 tones of books.

One third of them, about 10.000 volumes, have been reached to Vrancea County Library, the rest being divided between the libraries in Baia Mare and Suceava. With this impressive background of English books, three years ago, the institution from Focsani, founded the Foreign Languages Center.

A gold mine

‘The volumes are very good quality and cover all the areas. There are expensive encyclopedias, valuable old books, dictionaries and important titles from sociology, psychology, literature and critical thinking.’ said Anamaria Catanoiu, the Center’s coordinator.

For the impressive amount of books, the institution from Focsani has reserved an entire section. ‘We have not yet made an estimate value of the volumes. We must first finish the inventory in order to have an accurate picture of the donation. However, we are talking about several hundred million clearly. But, if it comes to judge by the value of the books, this is a very expensive gold mine.’ mentioned Anamaria Catanoiu.

The head of the Centre said also that American ‘model’ is followed, in the recent years, also by Romanian donors. Recently, the library has received a donation of 700 volumes of Romanian literature from a private person.  

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

The ages of music and the last summer meeting

August started with the last part of the chapter called SCHUMANN from ‘The ages of music’ project, begun by the ‘Mr. Ghe.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum.

Therefore, on Tuesday, 3^rd of August, 6 o’clock, the Foreign Languages Centre was as usual the meeting place for those who, even though is holiday, have answered to our invitation.

The last past of Schumann’s auditions – presented by Mr. Liviu Topala – was dedicated to componistic creation called SYMPHONY.

As a form, symphony (symphonia) means ‘together’, the ancients giving this name to a singing in public group musicians. Also, the choirs who were singing in octave were called in Ancient Rome, symphonics. In a manuscript dating from the fifteen century discovered in Leipzig, this term is referred for indicating a musical instrumental composition. For the seventeenth century, the musical composition called commonly known as ‘symphony’ is an instrumental prelude of a lyric work, a genre developed at the same time in Italy, especially in Florence.

The author generation of this ‘gallant style’ from the eighteen century which will determine the transition to the classic style, includes several strong reactions regarding the aesthetics of baroque music. The basis of the symphony is made by Haydn, who created this musical genre in four parts in a well - defined form. The first part is really fast, the second part is favorable for the rare tempo, the third part is a form of minuet (dance) – for Haydn and Mozart – and the forth part is the closing part of musical ideas and of the exposed theme. This last part has either a sonata form, rondo (dance), where the theme is repeated and developed. Talking about the third part, Beethoven – the first romantic – comes up and changes from minuet to scherzo (joke) – making it much moving.

The symphony is a work in four parts written strictly for orchestra, Robert Schumann fulfilling his musical creation with this genre, (being more bounded) as his wife desired. Schumann’s symphonies are abounding in melody and color, being still less dense comparing to romantic symphonies.

There have been listened four symphonies, first – inspired from Beethoven’s symphonies – being exuberant and joyful and interpreted by the Symphonic Orchestra of Zurich, conducted by David Ziman. The second symphony full of harmony, in a warm and rare tempo has been presented in the beginning of the fourth meeting. The third symphony (being written by Schumann as the last one) was listened with a rare and very old videotape. This one was written as an order in 1850, when the Bishop of Koln, became Rhenish (Renania) after the name of his region. The last symphony is the most valued and has been built hardly by Schumann after four years of theory, audition and many studies.

The fourth symphony delighted the public because it was interpreted by the Symphonic Orchestra of Vienna, conducted by Leonard Bernstein. The great music man – conductor, composer, pianist and pedagogue, Leonard Bernstein is mostly know for his concerts – a lesson that made his appearances on the screen to be the most desirable and pleasant.

You are welcome on Tuesday, 14^th of September 2010, at 6 o’clock, same location, to meet with other composers who have made music an instrument good enough for your hearts.

Have a nice holiday! (referent Carmen Cazaciuc)

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

We “officially” have a free film Club

Director Teodora Fintinaru speaking

Watching movie

Librarians

Beginning

Anamaria and Sorin

Opaque curtains, a projection screen, a video-projector and even popcorn: this is how the first and only free film Club in Vrancea was inaugurated. 

Along with 30 spectators whom had the pleasure of watching the marvelous movie “Farenheit 451”, screened after Ray Bradbury’s book with the same name, we’ve inaugurated what we hope to be an alternative to the non-existing cinema in our city; this appears to be highly appreciated and encouraged.

After the inauguration of the “Film-fan Club” blog (http://clubulcinefililorfocsani.wordpress.com/), the classic generic of the “Telecinemateca” show, broadcasted on TVR1, opened the movie. After that, librarians, students and teachers enjoyed for 2 hours the story of books banned and burnt in an imaginary future.

At the end of the movie, the spectators were invited to taste the famous popcorn, always associated with movies, and for some chit-chat.

The event was described by Sorin in an article in the “Monitorul de Vrancea” newspaper; we thank the author and the whole news-staff on this occasion for letting us post the article on our blog.

We welcome you thus every Thursday at 5.30 pm to watch and comment on classic movies from Sorin Tudose’s and Vrancea County Library’s collection.  

Article written by Anamaria Catanoiu, The Foreign Language Center coordinator

Monitorul de Vrancea

The film-fan club, a unique project.

By Sorin Tudose

The new project of the “Foreign Language Center” – “The Film-fan Club Focsani” was launched yesterday at the headquarters of the institution. At the event, librarians, students and teachers took part, willing to find out more about this unique club. Those who took part in the project prepared everything in such a way that it made it look like a cinema. Soundtracks, a projection screen, a video-projector and also a vast collection of books regarding the film world assured an atmosphere worthy of such an event. “The proposition of creating such a club was unique but we asked from the very beginning to create something more than just a cinema. We wanted it so that the viewers could talk among themselves after the end of the movie, to exchange opinions because all those things will lead to a wide horizon”, said Teodora Fintinaru, director of Vrancea County Library.

Anamaria Catanoiu, the coordinator of the “Foreign Language Center” also said that such a club is a very good idea, especially because we don’t have a cinema in the city. “We want from this film club to show its members valuable pieces of the film industry and to familiarize them with specialty terms, with the values of the seventh art. Also, we want to attract the community towards <books> through this club because many movies will be played and they could compare them with the inspiration source”, declared Anamaria Catanoiu. The idea of this club came from a film-fan from Focsani who was a member of the “Film-fan Club Iasi”, located in the “Cultural Center” in Copou park and which turned five years old not long ago.

After the members found out all the information about the club and its blog (http://clubulcinefililorfocsani.wordpress.com/), they all watched the movie “Farenheit 451”, a screening after Ray Bradbury’s book with the same name. This happened after the nostalgic generic of “Telecinemateca” was played and the older guests remembered their childhood. The participants were pleasantly surprised by the movie but also by this idea which is meant to bring a new vibe to the county cultural space.

The film enthusiasts can now meet every Thursday at 5.30 pm at the headquarters of the Foreign Language Center. Two movies from every great director of the universal movie industry will be played. Next Thursday they will play the classic movie of Richard Brooks “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” with Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor. The movies belong to the library’s own collection as well as the initiator’s collection. The club is open to everyone regardless of age and is free because it is created with a cultural-educational purpose. For the feeling of a group membership the library will create personalized badges for every interested person. (Sorin Tudose)

Translated by Ovidiu Panaite - volunteer

The inauguration of a cinema-club at the Foreign Language Center

The inauguration of a free cinema-club for all ages is one of the unique activities and surprises that the Vrancea County Library offers during the “Librarian’s week”.

            Thursday, the 22^nd of April, at 1pm, at the Foreign Language Center the inauguration of a new free cinema-club will take place and also the blog will be launched and the first movie will be played.

          The initiator of this unique project in Vrancea is the journalist Sorin Tudose, a young cinema-enthusiast, who wanted to make one of his dreams from college come true. The project, along with its partners the County Library and the  POTPOURRI Association from Focsani, is a very complex one because of its educational and formative component which make it unique and tends to become more than just “watching a movie”.

            After the inauguration, the first official movie, “Farenheit 451”, a “classic” gift, from 1966, will be played for the genre enthusiasts, but also for the librarians; also, the blog “Focsani film-fan club” will be launched (http://clubulcinefililorfocsani.wordpress.com/).

            The club is free for everyone.  The meetings will be held every week, on Thursdays, at 5.30pm, at the headquarters of the Foreign Language Center; the club is open for everyone, regardless the age.

            “Sorin Tudose’s idea was well-received because it is a unique project for our county. The idea is very good also because, for the moment, there is no active cinema in our city. We want to re-create the atmosphere present in a cinema, but our purpose is a more profound one; to be educational and formative, not just for the viewing. We want to teach them about the cinematic art and we do this starting with the book, the original novel. The library has all the necessary resources to permit the club’s members to form a correct and complete view over the seventh art”.

The schedule of the National Librarian’s week in Romania continues at all the library’s sections with a series of events:

Thursday, 22^nd of April, 12pm, in the youth section, Earth Day will be celebrated by the parents and children of the No. 6 Kindergarten Focsani; they will be bringing fish for the library’s aquarium under the coordination of educator Oancea Valerica.

Thursday, 22^nd of April, 2pm, at the headquarters, the presentation of the collections and services for the Pedagogical Highschool “Spiru Haret” will take place under the coordination of prof. Ion Stanel and Marcu Livia, library’s collaborators. 

Written by Anamaria Catanoiu, Foreign Language Center coordinator

Translated by Ovidiu Panaite - volunteer