"The Children of Chabannes"

I seem to be in a movie phase, but as we tend to watch many Netflix rentals at home, this is no surprise to me, nor friends and family that know us. Tonight, my husband and I watched a wonderful documentary called "The Children of Chabannes". Just when you think there simply can't be one more movie about Jews being rescued during the Holocaust, along comes another gem to surprise your brain and elevate your spirits. And, we can always make room for a movie about decent human beings - after all, this world in many ways has not yet learned the lessons of the mid-twentieth century.

The movie tells of a small, isolated agricultural community in southern France, in the region of Creuse. There, a remarkable group of people led by Felix Chevrier, sheltered some 400 Jewish children (from Germany and Austria) who were "released" by their parents for safety, as their parents were sent east to a certain death. The very notion of giving up one's children under any conditions is almost unthinkable, but that these parents were able to separate during a time of war speaks volumes about their courage. With the help of the children's aid society (OSE), these children came to be sheltered by decent and nurturing French men and women who ultimately would serve as surrogate parents. The townspeople, having little to no previous exposure to Jews, and no access to the anti-Semitic railings of the Parisian newspapers, were able to retain their humanity and saw only threatened children in need.

They attempted to provide as normal a life as possible, integrating the Jewish refugee children with those of the local town. The children went to school, learned French and survived with relative comfort until the Vichy government stepped up its round-up efforts in mid-late 1942. Unfortunately, six teenage boys fell victim to one such round-up. Two of them survived multiple concentration camps but the other four never returned. After this devastating experience, the childrens' protectors vowed to do everything they could to disperse their charges to safer private homes and/or ferry them across the border into Switzerland. As a result, many survived the war, though they would never be reunited with their parents.

It was most gratifying to see that Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, Israel has honored these brave individuals who put their own lives on the line for doing something that seems humanly basic: protecting the young and innocent. We heartily recommend this well-done documentary.

Unfortunate Formula

Although $12.50 isn’t a vast amount by any means, I wish I had both the money and the time I’d spent watching “Black Swan” back. Unfortunately, the perceived formula for successful films in Hollywood today is a strange one. Movies don’t seem to have a straightforward plot line anymore – today’s directors want them to have an “edge”. In the case of Black Swan, it is laced with horror, hallucinations and lesbian love scenes. I will deal with the altered version of the ballet’s choreography later.

As things turned out, I had not intended to watch this movie in the theatre. I did not have a strong enough interest in it and was content to wait to view it on Netflix. But as it was a rainy day and my husband and I could not get in to see the movie of our first choice, we fell back on Black Swan instead. The feeling of the settling for next best is not a consoling outcome, but we tried to make the best of it. Being an afternoon matinee, the theatre was not even 1/3 full. Once the movie began, as with most these days, the volume of the music hit us over the head like a sledge hammer. Not a great way to start. But it was the troubling multitude of messages that the story included that turned us both off. Having been a professional dancer myself, for a short while, I could identify with the life that was depicted, to some degree. But, the movie’s story line accentuated some the public’s perceptions of a ballet dancer’s life and outright distorted other aspects, making the viewer almost uneasy as the story developed.

Natalie Portman, in the lead role, does an excellent job in this otherwise Twilight Zone-ish story, even if her character is lacking the confidence a successful dancer needs to get to the top. Dancers with timidity simply don’t get ahead in the dog-eat-dog world of ballet. That aside, she is beautiful to watch on the screen and has done considerable homework in preparing for this role. Her carriage and movements are well executed, though many of the shots and scenes that involve detailed pointe work are executed by a professional dancer that doubles for her. But viewers may feel somewhat nauseated from the dizzying camera work that prevails throughout much of the film. I suppose one of the “techniques” that directors use when shooting a film where they want to convey the illusion and not too much detail, is to keep the cameras darting about. Well, it may cover up the finer details but it is infuriating to watch. Many of the scenes come across as a blur and I didn’t like it at all. I could have used a dose of Dramamine.

I felt that the story itself had potential and they didn’t have to Hollywood-ize with the horror sub-plot. Today’s moviegoers apparently want all the whiz-bang effects as well as watching a movie that includes scenes with bi-sexual and homosexual overtones.

I did like the use of the ballet’s music throughout the movie as an appropriate accompaniment. But as I mentioned earlier, the volume in the theatres is simply too loud. It gets to a point where it not only hurts one’s ears but it is so loud that it ruins the effect. As for the choreography, it left much to be desired. The story line is one of a leading New York ballet company putting on a “new version” of the classic Swan Lake. For the record, I’m not big on “new versions” of classics. A classic is a classic for a reason … because it will live forever and therefore shouldn’t be tampered with. Yes, I know, everyone has put his stamp on it, from modern to jazz to an all male gay version. The problem though with this choreography was that it truly looked ridiculous. It wasn’t believable and didn’t fit within the story line. But once again, the camera did so much whizzing and darting around to “cover” for the non-dancer actresses that it was most annoying. I won’t say anything more about the plot in case you want to see it but think twice before you lay down $12.50!

A Necessary Movie

One has no trouble coming to logical and just conclusions about the perpetrators of evil in any war, but rarely do we think about their children, who are left to live with an awful legacy. That is the foundation for this moving and complex film. Titled “Inheritance”, it aptly describes the proverbial baggage that is handed off, in this case, to the daughter of one of World War II’s most monstrous participants – Amon Goeth. As commandant of the Płaszów concentration camp in Kraków, Poland, he was feared as someone who tortured and killed Jews regularly.

After viewing Steven Spielberg’s now famous movie, “Schindler’s List”, Goeth’s daughter Monika is confronted with the image and legacy of her father and must somehow come to terms with reality. Through no fault of her own, she endeavors to make sense of the past by reaching out to one of the survivors of the camp. It is an extraordinary action which is met with equal compassion by Helen Jonas-Rosezweig – Goeth’s Jewish slave servant during his time at the camp.

I was quite moved by the bravery on both their parts and though not an easy movie to watch, it is a very necessary documentary which serves to remind us not only of the mistakes of the past but of the redemptive possibilities for the future. I highly recommend it!

The Least We Can Do is Say Thank You!

As a volunteer at the Bob Hope Hollywood USO - LAX, I see these men and women as they pass through the Los Angeles Airport. It is an honor to be able to thank them for their selfless service. Because of them, we sleep securely and wake knowing they are on the front lines protecting our freedoms. Please go to this site and send them a thank you - it's the least we can do for the sacrifices they've made. Thank you!

Truly Amazing Times

I was out for my afternoon walk, not too long ago, on a lovely Fall day in Los Angeles, and I made an observation that almost struck me with the weight of the proverbial ton of bricks. I don’t know why the realization had not occurred to me before, but it wasn’t until just that moment that I felt quite connected with our time. I observed how so many people were walking around, going about their lives, but connected to music of their choice with electronic ear “buds” securely snug in their ears. I just hadn’t realized how pervasive it is. And then, it started me thinking. The ideas and questions rushed through my mind at an exciting pace.

I too was connected to my electronic device that day, listening to my favorite classical music. Somehow, classical music brings out even more beauty in the sky and scenery. I ventured a safe bet though, that most people probably listen to music of the harder (or harsher) nature. But be that as it may, I marveled at the amazing technology that permits us all to take our inspiration and motivation with us. It calms us when we are nervous, inspires us when we are searching for that spark and pushes us when we are uncertain. That so much wonderful music is literally at our fingertips is a wondrous thing.

It was not all that long ago that I remember carrying, what now seems like, a rather bulky Walkman CD player. I recall how I had to keep it steady so as not to impact the mechanism inside which required a certain level of stability to operate uninterrupted. And of course, prior to that, there was the bulkier Walkman cassette. Going back any further than that seems utterly prehistoric.

Then, my thoughts drifted to the realm of “what would they think?”. I tried to imagine what the great composers might think of the notion that we could hear their marvelous creations anytime we wanted. We did not have to hope to be invited to an exclusive music soirée in some secluded, private salon, nor did we have to purchase an expensive ticket to a long-awaited concert. All we have to do is merely hit PLAY and we are transported to another world. The technology almost seems magical yet it is within reach of so many. That in itself, is the beauty of capitalism and the free market which has served us well. Oh, how I do love this time in which we live!

Reviving an Old Passion

How often in life do we get a second chance to follow a passion of ours? Mine came only just recently. To be more precise, it was August 17, 2010. Anyone that knows me well, or has read my prior blog about my love of ballet and classical music, knows how much each of them means to me. That I had to make a choice between these two artistic outlets so early in my life was difficult. I would remember that sense of loss. As I looked back at a life path that did not afford me an opportunity until much later on, I regretted the lost time. After the somewhat abrupt conclusion of my dance career at the tender age of 21, my life took a traditional turn toward marriage and raising a family. Thirteen years later, that marriage would dissolve and I would pick up the pieces and move on, to start my life anew. Throughout the seemingly long duration in-between, I never lost my love of the piano. It wasn’t until after I had comfortably settled in to my second and final life relationship with Peter, that my heart began to beat again with a strong desire to resume my piano studies.

It is strange how events in our lives gel at just a precise moment when everything comes together in that perfect harmony, triggering an action. That was what happened one evening when I was doing a search online for a piece of music at Apple’s iTunes store. Over the years, I had built a respectable collection of classical music, ranging from Bach to Prokofiev. Initially, this collection was comprised of LPs, then cassettes, and finally CDs. My desire to acquire beautiful pieces never ended. I was continually amazed when I would discover a piece I had not heard. Having one’s ear caught by a magnificent sound always renews my admiration and love for the genius that created it and the musician that was reproducing the sound today. But there was something quite special about this magnificent movement, written by Robert Schumann. It seemed to speak to me, almost beckoning me to come back to the sound I had always loved.

I began to imagine having a piano in our 2 bedroom condo and wondered if it would even be possible. Living in an apartment building has its limitations and the issue of noise was certainly one of them. I wasn’t sure how I would get around this, but was not going to let it dampen my spirits. I looked up the location of a well-known piano store in our area with which I was familiar. Walking into their showroom was a delightful experience just in itself – to see all the magnificent pianos. I had no idea what to expect with styles, manufacturers, prices and sizes. I asked a lot of questions and was fortunate to work with a superb salesman. Not only did he guide me through the variety of choices, but we clicked as friends through the process of exchanging information on my ability and music background. As much as I wanted to have an acoustic piano in my life, I realized that the size and space issue was insurmountable. I’d also have to limit my practicing to reasonable hours so as not to disturb neighbors. For those that may not know me well, I am a serious nightowl and do my most productive work (needlepoint, writing and now practicing) after midnight. This would definitely present a problem. But my salesman offered a solution: one of Yamaha’s digital pianos, the Clavinova, is entirely electronic and could be either muffled in volume or I could mute it entirely by connecting headphones.
It also had a much smaller “footprint” which blended in our living arrangement more suitably. This was a fantastic way around my major hurdles, not to mention that I was extremely impressed with the quality of sound produced by an electronic version. I could tell the slight difference, but it was minimal and not enough to deter me from going forward with the purchase. My timing was propitious as well being that many units were marked down for their summer sale. I felt as if the stars were truly in alignment for me.

The next task was to find a piano teacher. Once again, Mark, my salesman, offered invaluable assistance. He pulled out a list of vetted instructors in my area and marked the ones with whom I would be most compatible, in his judgment. Though many instructors will come to your home, I wanted someone in my area for convenience, as well as being able to play their piano in their home. This would allow me to remember the “feel” of an acoustic piano. There is a difference in the touch of the two very different systems – an acoustic piano works off of vibration, with the hammers hitting the strings and then having the sound reverberate off the soundboard of the instrument. Once again, I highly recommend viewing the movie “The Making of a Steinway: L1037” which shows the creation of a piano from the cutting of the wood to being tested in its final stages before going on the showroom floor.

I lucked out and found someone within my neighborhood who is a good fit for me at this point. I had my 3rd lesson today and have successfully completed my first two assigned pieces. We essentially have picked up where I left off and will strengthen weaknesses as we go forward. In the meantime, I couldn’t be happier with my decision to recapture a dream and passion of mine. But unlike my childhood experience, I have a much fuller appreciation as an adult, and almost feel a sense of urgency now that I have resumed this pursuit later in my life. I am looking forward not only to the joy of each coming musical accomplishment but also to having that glorious sound in our home. Peter says it makes him happy to hear me practice and conquer each piece. I intend to make the most of this second chance!

Stumbled on Beautiful Music

One of the many things I am deeply grateful for in this lifetime is being able to appreciate and enjoy classical music. I remember as I was growing up and forming my personality, likes, dislikes, preferences etc., that I was drawn to the classics as a young child. This budding interest began when I started my ballet lessons at the tender age of six. That was the first time I ever heard the music of Chopin. It was played as accompaniment for the classes I took once a week. Not long afterwards, my mother took me to see the Bolshoi Ballet perform Swan Lake. That exposed me to the music of Tchaikovsky and marked the moment when I fell hopelessly in love with ballet. It is not uncommon for many young girls to become enamored with ballet, but I quickly determined that that was the path I wanted my life to take. It was that same year for the holidays that I received my first phonograph player with some of my mother’s classical LPs as well as the set “Leonard Bernstein’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”. I must have played those records all day long, just adoring the sounds that I heard. They introduced me to Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Chopin and Tchaikovsky. It was if a giant gate swung open and I was ushered into a secret and beautiful world full of amazing sounds. My imagination and my heart were instantly fueled and have remained so ever since.

The road of classical music discovery, onto which I had ventured, would be a glorious one. While continuing my ballet studies through late elementary school and into junior high, I was also taking piano lessons. As far back as I can remember, I recall seeing my mother play the piano in our home. I will forever link one of Chopin’s beautiful waltzes with her. Naturally, it was a love of mine as well, but I had to make a decision on which performing art I’d place emphasis. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I have large hands and long fingers, perhaps ideal for piano. But they also know that I have long legs, which are exceptionally well-suited for ballet. I had studied piano from the age of ten at Interlochen National Music Camp for 3 summers and had wonderful memories and experiences at that exceptional cultural haven. It was not an easy choice, but I decided to pursue my love of ballet.

My choice to dance certainly did not cut me off from the music I loved. Many times, I would hear a new piece in ballet class – we were fortunate enough to have live accompaniment by a piano player who selected wonderful excerpts for our ballet combinations. I couldn’t wait to run to the library so I could rent the full recording of those pieces and hear them performed professionally. Each weekend, I heard a new composer and expanded my musical repertory knowledge. Those were the days when everything was on LPs and I learned to endure the scratches and skips that came with that territory. Another lovely memory is one of having done a final exam project in my 11th grade Humanities class about the life and music of Tchaikovsky, for which I received an A. It was a perfect symbiotic relationship between dance and music and I felt as if I were in heaven.

This passion has never waned throughout my life. I continue to enjoy discovering new pieces of music to this day. Matter of fact, when Peter and I travel, one of our greatest joys is securing tickets to a symphony, ballet or opera. We have been fortunate enough to hear a performance of the world-famous Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, Germany, to see Aida performed at the Vienna State Opera House as well as taking in ballets in both London, England and Sydney, Australia. An interesting experience occurred not long ago when we were traveling through Switzerland. I had switched on the radio in our hotel room while staying in Lausanne. It happened to be on a classical station that definitely caught our ears and our attention. We really liked the assortment of music and were sad when it came time to leave. I said to Peter, I wished we had a station like that in Los Angeles … that played such a wonderful assortment of classics. We learned that that station was available via the internet through live streaming. You cannot imagine how happy we were. Now, I have your attention, right? For those that would like to check it out, simply navigate to Radio Swiss Classic.

Well, the piece of music that brought me to write this blog is still playing in my mind. I stumbled on it quite literally as I was doing a general search for something else. Those are the miraculously serendipitous moments that I just love! The piece is by one of my favorites: Robert Schumann. It is his Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26, the Intermezzo section (IV) that inspired me to write this entry. If you have iTunes, you can hear it through that platform, otherwise, click here to access the short 2 minute, 6 second clip. Simply click on the PLAY symbol next to #4 Intermezzo. Tell me THAT isn’t glorious! As a postscript to this blog, I wanted to include the YouTube performance onto which I initially stumbled. You will be equally impressed with the young Japanese pianist that performed this beautiful piece. Her name is Ayane Shoda. She uploaded her video a little over one year ago, when she was 13 years old. That's impressive.

A Leisurely Walk Around the Neighborhood

I have not taken to this blogging trend as quickly as I thought I would. I normally love to write and express myself, but somehow, doing so on the internet gives it an entirely different feel. Nevertheless, I do enjoy sharing some of my pastimes and passions, one of which is my growing interest and love of photography. I don’t imagine I’ll ever become as proficient at it as I’d like, but the mere pursuit is gratifying enough. The area in which we live presents numerous opportunities to test my skills, and I never tire of capturing the flora of southern California. Matter of fact, I have determined that I will try and have my camera with me as often as possible so I don’t miss the changes in color and light that West Los Angeles dishes up, day in and day out.

Today, as has been the case for the last month or so, the sun has shone brightly until about 4 p.m. Late afternoon has been bringing with it an ocean fog that one can see creep in like a mist right out of a 1950s thriller. As Peter and I set out for a walk, I tried to capture it. The blue sky was disappearing quickly, as you can see, and changing the available light.

I love capturing some of the unusual color patterns and designs of the flowers and cactus. One house by which we walked was landscaped with immense agave plants. I thought them too big for the yard – the proportions were off and just looking at them gave me the shivers. But in the end, nature is wonderous and beautiful and I shall continue to enjoy it visually and photographically. Visit often to see my discoveries. If you would like to see the shots I took today, just click here.

The Dedication of Craftsmen and Their Art

If you appreciate craftsmanship, talent, dedication, team effort, great music and long-standing traditions, then you will derive joy and viewing satisfaction from watching the movie, "Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037". This film follows the production of a concert grand piano in the Steinway factory from start to finish, explaining each process along the way. Each piano is given an identification, thus the number L1037. The painstaking process takes approximately one year and involves countless craftsmen and specialists, each of whom has honed his/her craft over many years. The Steinway factory in Astoria, Queens, New York is one of the very few production centers where pianos are still made in the old tradition and has not succumbed to modernization. The movie emphasizes that it is becoming harder and harder to find talented craftsmen who either know the skills required or that can apprentice for such detailed and intricate work. Much of the existing talent was passed down from prior generations to keep the skills and manufacturing traditions alive, but this is always subject to the possibility of extinction. From the selection of the best wood to the final inspection by tuning and toning sound experts, viewers will see the construction of a magnificent musical instrument and come to appreciate the love and dedication that went into it. Also, professional musicians explain what they look for in a piano - what sound are they trying to achieve and which piano "speaks" to them. It is a fascinating process, since no two instruments are alike. Each has its own soul.

This is one of the most beautiful and gratifying movies I have watched, exhibiting the best in human beings...people working together to create a magnificent outcome, enabling so many to hear the beautiful sounds produced by the miraculous fingers that touch their keyboards. You will be enriched and happier for having watched the collaboration needed to produce an instrument we most likely take for granted.