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

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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