Yukie Nishimura (西村 由紀江) - 101st marriage Proposal (101回目のプロポーズ)

Yesterday I ended watching "101st Marriage Proposal", another Japanese Drama Series I did mention you earlier. The series itself, maybe is not very ambitious and don't lead you to serious thoughts, but is enjoyable as hell. I didn't realize while watching that the music needs to be considered separately.
I could say there are 2 "main themes". "SAY YES", song by Chage & Aska and Chopin's Etude e major (op. 10, no. 3). Several times, both compositions appears in important moments of each episode. Although I'm dissapointed, because we have not been informed (or all in Japan know that, so there is no need to say such an obvious thing..?) that this Etude is Chopin's, our Polish (ahhh, I had to say that) composer, work. Here it mainly is played in arrangement version for orchestra and piano. Fortunately, this arrangement is really great and enjoyable. As well as all 13 tracks on the Original Soundtrack, this one is arranged by Yukie Nishimura. She is a 43 years old pianist, quite popular in Japan. It seems that she also is able to create scores. She really inspired me in "101st Marriage Proposal". It is a bit differential soundtrack, but still, the biggest role plays the piano (probably she performs in all those tracks). I could call it "jazzy-classical" but I'm sure not only that you can hear.
The tracklist contains 13 tracks:

01 - 昼下がりのキャンパス
02 - SAY YES (Instrumental Version)
03 - TATSURO
04 - 昏 昏
05 - 夢を追いかけて～薫のテーマ～(Piano Version)
06 - 風の贈りもの
07 - マリオ・ストーリー
08 - Deja-Vu (New Version)
09 - 更紗のベール(Piano Version)
10 - 「別れの曲」Etude, Op.10,No.3
11 - FLYING BIRD～飛鳥～
12 - 夢を追いかけて～薫のテーマ～
13 - 7月1日のニュース

I must admit, I didn't realize this work to be so good, even yesterday, before I started to listen to it. Probably when I was watching, I was too much concentrate on the story itself and too less in music. I don't think using so many times this beautifully Chopin's "Farewell" etude is a right thing to do, though. I don't want to say someday "I'm fed up with this track". However.. Even though it was used so many times, I did not get bored of it, what means (I think so) it will be special for me forever.
Unfortunately, on this OST there is no vocal (=original) version of "SAY YES" singed by "Chage & Aska" jpop singers. Even though I'm classical music lover, I like it. jpop always remains in my heart as the best pop on the world. As most of songs of this genre, this one is very rhythmical. Words fit to drama and excellently replenish it when it is needed. But let me return to discuss the album.

It begins with jazzy "昼下がりのキャンパス", very climatic, unfortunately it is rather not my style. The Piano and guitar are in the foreground, percussion instruments or bells also appear. Lather is "SAY YES" instrumental version for orchestra. No much need to say, it is nice.
"TATSURO" offer us a sudden change of the climate comparing with previous track, and returns to the style started in the 1st. To be honest with you, I can hardly remember it.
"昏 昏" is replenished with saxophone (I really like saxophone, especially solos) in drums and organs in background.
"夢を追いかけて～薫のテーマ～(Piano Version)" is another, emotional tracks, very slow and polite.
Then again, we returns to jazzy style. Listening "西村由紀江" I feel like I'm o the beach, seriously. "西村由紀江", the next one, reminds me of festival. But don't get me wrong - both of them are fun and it is pleased to listen to them. Then it comes... "Deja-Vu (New Version)". There is a need to say more about this. I couldn't earlier imagine I may find something that epic in a drama OST like that. However, I really mean that. It is epic and its epicness reminds me about RPG titles, especially for SNES. In the second part of it, I even feel like I'm listening to Chrono Cross Original Soundtrack (Yasunori Mitsuda), so if you love him like me, please, try it out. I hope you agree. For me, 08 is definitely the best.
"更紗のベール(Piano Version)" - this time we return to emotional piano.
"「別れの曲」Etude, Op.10,No.3" I gave you my impressions about it already. And I will say it again - very  valuable arrangement. If you like Chopin, try it out.
 I cannot not remember "FLYING BIRD～飛鳥～". It appears only one time in the Drama and the scene when it is played is a one of the most funny. It is like in "Rocky". It shows Tatsuro doing his best to be the winner. It also contains other cocaines behaviors. While that all, this song is played - very dynamical, strong drums and piano, with electric guitar.
"夢を追いかけて～薫のテーマ～" Can you believe there is also... something like choir? Because it is only humming, I don't know if I really can call it a choir, but anyway, it is amazing! Harmonica take a big part i this track too, as well as, of course, piano. Later comes guitar and in the critical moment of this composition, everything is calmly combined. Humming ends the 5 minutes beautifulness. Awesome!
So, sadly, we came to the end in order to hear an  outstanding but shortly piano performance, "7月1日のニュース", a perfect ending for this album.

Maybe this album is not a masterpiece, but I wanted to show you that... We can still find much great music nowadays. Even if music scene is getting worse, it doesn't trouble me, since I'm not into commercial and I'm doing my own discoveries.

Speed Reading - First day "Why is it worth to increase Speed Reading?"

Since I have to write, why not on the Blog?
I finally had to start my Speed Reading course. Ok, I did earlier already, but it didn't work. Why, you ask? Hmm... let me say... After few weeks, I eventually resigned training it. The "program" of this daily Speed Reading was on some part composed by me, so maybe it was not really good to keep doing it. I didn't feel there was any big progress at all (there was slightly better, but nothing more). Obviously, I was doing exercises recommended in the Internet, due to this, Polish site. Since today, I'm gonna be completely serious and start my training with a course, which tells me everyday what I should do. And you know what? Even though I won't have much time, I simply have to find it for that. Why I want to learn such an ability... Well, I'm going to write just in a moment. Every of lessons is actually a .pdf file. After the first one I opened, I read its content and they tell me to write at least 20 benefits, which I will attain thanks to Speed Reading.
Let it begins.

First day "Why is it worth to increase Speed Reading?"

When you mention about reading, first thing I think about is that I definitely should read more than I do. So many books and articles wait for me and often I don't know which ones to pick up. There are so many informations and sources from where you can get them. If I'll be able to read them fast, then why not to check them "all" (sources) or at least, many of them? If it really works, I guess it is gonna be possible (it is of course not like I'm reading slowly, not at all.). I will have more free time for my hobbies and passions. So, generally, I could have more time for this what I really love.
I can get better notes in the school, but, rather I should just say, I can expand my knowledge (about...besides of this what is important, also of this what I simply want, right?). Maybe then, I could have a bigger chance to get on my dreamed studies (what after that... Just don't ask me now). Naturally, if that would be the case, I may be smarter and more intelligent (sounds incredible for me, eh?). Then who knows, maybe I could lead longer and more interesting conversations with others.
By showing my knowledge, other people might see me in a better light, appreciate me. I can't correct others and surprise them.
All of that leads also to money, you must agree. It is very important to have a knowledge in many, different and various fields of science.
Now, maybe it will create a better future to me. You may laugh, however... Why don't try it out?
I don't think I can read 2000 words per minute now. Maybe it won't help me to find happiness, but what if it does? There is only a one problem, though. I wonder... I wonder if I can stop training it after some time.
Well, we will see how it will be.
I don't think I made 20 benefits in my statement. But is it important? I was writing more generally, I don't think there is a need to keep on this "rule".

That's the first lesson for now. I don't think I will write reports about others, but surely I will mention about this "project" yet. I hope I can motivate myself enough to keep doing it.

Busy, busy, busy week. But actually, I've found a little time today to tag few of Mahler's works (Symphony 2 and 3 + some other works which will be performed in Poznań Philharmonic. Bach Suite - Mahler's arrangements of Bach themes? Interesting...). Unfortunately, today Inter lost its match in Champions League with Bayern 0 - 1, San Siro. What I want to say is that... That was just a big unhappiness. They shouldn't lose, maybe they shouldn't win, but definitely draw would be a fair score. I really am sad about that.
I'm going to watch another episode of 101st Marriage Proposal.

What is the title for?

Hello again, my dear audience. At this point, I'm not sure if now I'm gonna write much, since I don't know how big pain it will cause me (or maybe not anymore, at all, from the beginning it is completely nothing serious).
Today on my Facebook wall (I actually don't use it very much, not  even for what I should, like writing, sharing and so on, as other people. I just "like" some profiles in order to get interesting news for me and that is my main reason to be signed there) entry by Danny Choo appeared with and information that he (probably himself) has uploaded a first season of "Culture: Japan"...digest edition. Digest Edition? So that odes mean, it is like a one episode about the whole first season (I don't actually know how many episodes there were...)? I'm sad to realize there probably won't be it full with English subs. It is a pity...

Danny Choo

Before that, there was only a pilot. I'm going to watch it as soon as possible, since I still didn't.
I guess it won't be that easy to stop talking about it now...because you want to know what that all is exactly about and who/what is Danny Choo, right?
First of all, you must visit his site. Personally, I do sometimes read/watch(there are many photos) articles and some of them are really curious. If I do remember right, once you enter this site, there are hints as to what you should do as a new visitor. Anyway, please, check it out.
Here are the pilot episode and  Season one: Digest Edition:

Nobuo Uematsu

What else? Ergh... There are so many things else... However, I can't write about everything, right?
Let me tell you about Symphonic Odysseys - Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu, a Symphonic Video Game Music Concert which takes place on 9 June this year in Cologne, Germany. Since 2007 in this this kind of concerts are in progress. Aggregating, there were 3 of them already. SO is gonna be the 4th one. When a couple of months ago I heard that SO will be fulfilled with Uematsu's compositions I felt disappointed. It is not like I'm not anymore, but... His music is really great, if only good arranged. I don't know what they will gonna do though, to be this concert "special". There are SO MANY arranged/orchestrated projects of (well, especially Final Fantasy music and there will be more than that... But we all knows it is the most popular jRPG series, so I assume it will take the most important part in this event as well) his music with released CDs/DVDs, such as, for example Distant Worlds (I really recommend it to check out)... I like it, I like it, however... I wished they could give a chance to someone other, equally good composer, which is unknown and should be more respected.
 

A photo from "Tour de Japon" concert.
 Beautifully and moving, one of my favorite DVDs.

         

   

     

Why did I mention about it? I'm planning, both with my On-line friend to buy a ticket for it. They were already sold, but few days ago, they announced that there will be an additional concert at 15 p.m. So, after all, there will be 2 of them, one at 15 pm. and later at 20 p.m, ok. So we still have a chance to buy tickets, since they will start selling them on 1st March.
Now, there is a main question... Can I go to Cologne? I think I will know the answer tomorrow. Please, wish me luck!
I would like to write a lot yet, but I simply can't. I don't have a time and my finger hurts as hell.
Maybe later, someday, I will write about Symphonic Fantasies, Symphonic Legends or even Symphonic Shades... Maybe. I let you to looking forward to it.

The end of Nerdy life

As you maybe guessed, I don't have that much free time anymore. My Winter Holidays ended yesterday/today and now I won't be watching movies that often. Probably writing posts on the Blog would be harder too (and quality of their will be lower). But don't you worry, I'm not putting on my arms that much. My daily routine is that everyday I MUST watch an episode of Drama/anime(rather not...lately) or... just anything to watch.

Before Winter Holidays I started with 101st Marriage Proposal, another enjoyable Japanese Drama. It is thanks to a certain person whose recommendations I always believe. No different is this time. Although this Drama is trying to be both, funny and serious, I, generally, rather find it to be enormously funny. This night I watched 3rd episode of it I can admit that I didn't laugh that much (watching alone at least) since much time. I'm also very happy to see there Eguchi Yosuke. Currently, he probably is my favorite Japanese actor. I know it is really strange to say, but I think he really...really is good (strange as for Japanese actor and their playing). I loved him in "Hitotsu Yane no Shita" and this "love" keep growing. I hope there are more Dramas with him in a main role.

Eguchi Yosuke

About what is that "101st Marriage Proposal"? Hoshino-san (Takeda Tetsuya) is an old, not handsome, not rich, not intelligent and not talented guy, but sincerely and with a pure, gold heart. He wants to get married in order to change his boring and unhappy life. Hishano has gone through 99 omiai (arranged dates with the intention of marriage if the date goes well) and in his 100th try he meets Yabuki Kaoru (Asano Atsuko) and this time, even though she rejected him already, he won't give up that easily. That's very interesting, because she is a cellist playing in an orchestra. So imagine how happy I'm about that. Every time I see orchestras and musicians I get excited. She has a bit complicated life, unfortunately. Her husband passed away just before her wedding and it seems that she still can't forgot him, after 3 years (he was a pianist, mhmhmh...). Don't you think it is a Drama for old geezers or something, that certainly is not the truth. In the main story also appears young people.
Generally... It is a lot of fun. As for now.

Chopin: The Women Behind the Music

Just a while ago I ended watching "Chopin: The Women Behind the Music", a documentary movie directed by 
Rupert Edwards, where the main person discovering an issue is the pianist, James Rhodes.

James Rhodes on the middle, on the right - Natalya Romaniv,
an opera singer, who helps him in connecting Chopin's music
with voice

As the title goes, its topic is about how Women inspired Chopin in composing his music. Shortly I say - he was just in love in Woman('s voice). He had a lot of relationships with Opera's singers (Women, obviously). And that really is true, hearing many of Chopin's compositions today, we must own much them.
I was surprised that his last request, before dying is to hear Woman's voice, not piano or nothing other. Of course I recommend to watch it, if you only feel you need to know more about Chopin.

When again I have an occasion to return to this genial music... I just feel that... I could listen to it my whole life and never get boring of it... Boring, nah... I will never even understand its greatness. Also, I finally realized how great composition is Polonaise-Fantasie in a flat major, op. 61. You really just... Have to use to this composition... Listen it multiply times and finally... Feel that...emotion... I can't describe.... I'm just not able to describe that in words.
Check out the interpretation of Ingolf Wunder, the unofficial winner of 16th F. Chopin piano Competition:

If you are familiar with this piece, you will gonna cry, if not - Well... I can't really say.