This is a complete personal take in the subject, the blog title should probably be rephrased as "me (or the professional musician part of me) and politics. On the other hand, corruption is not politics, it's a perversion and an abuse than some people in the political power sphere are committing/have allegedly committed. So maybe my two words title should be renamed on the other side as well. 

Jokes aside, what is going on at the moment in Spain is so absurd, so embarrassing, and makes me feel so impotent, that I couldn't avoid voicing myself out there, shouting through the typed silence of cyberspace. AKA twitting, and in this case blogging. 

I always intended to keep this site and the linked twitter account, as an "online-portfolio" and therefore not interfering with other aspects of my private life. But the moment Spain is living now is so critical, that not voicing myself, not expressing my indignation, seemed to be a passive nod to the situation. And that is just beyond me. Things have to change drastically and immediately in Spain. We must do something. We owe it to ourselves. Continuing using the media means, this is an online Petition
asking the main PP (people's party- what an euphemism!) leaders to resign. Goal is a million signatures, as of the moment I'm writing 752,057 have already done it.


We must do something. 


This is the least I can do. 

Maite

I was planning on doing an introduction about how modern technologies are such a big part of our lives. However, not only might that sound redundant and obvious, I was really getting stuck and not going ahead with the writing. When the important part of this post, is to mention some of the wonderful resources the digital era and the internet have brought with themselves.

First of all a forum I've subscribed recently, Piano Street. Very friendly community of pianists, professional and amateur that share their views, concerns and ask questions to the community! There is also the possibility to upload videos and get feedback in the "Audition Room". It makes me really happy to see that so many people enjoy music and specifically piano, and how despite the distance we can help each other and share. (My user name is maitea if you want to find me there. )

Youtube is no longer something none really knows about.. Moreover is something most of us would not be able to deal without! But it's barely 8 years old! Obviously as in the preceding paragraph, many young musicians use it to upload their work. Some have grown into "superstars" thanks to it, like Valentina Lisitsa, but also, thanks to the generosity of many "donors", we can see/hear, wonderful material that would be otherwise quite difficult to access to! Recordings of Cortot, Casadesus, Novaes, Yudina.. and so many more!And two of my favourite findings: Rubinstein teaching Chopin 1st Ballade and Gyorgy Sebok, whom I've only "met" through youtube, but I consider a profound inspiration. There was a documentary of his online, but I seem not to be able to find it now. 

Other common and incredible resources are Spotify (although not free anymore) or imslp! (What would I do without imslp, I really don't know!) However my last mention (I've always been told, three is the magic number), so my third and last reference is to Skype! Not that obvious at first right? Well, after few requests of former students no longer living in the UK, I gave my first lesson through Skype some days ago! And hey! It was quite a success! As I explain in the teaching page, it is not the same. By definition, it can't be. But it also works, and depending on the needs, interests, availability, then it might be what  works. 

So, despite being an analogical musician I'm tuned to technologies ;)  

Maite 

Happy New Year!

Ok, a slightly belated one.. But still, first week of term! And what a week!

Things have kicked in fast with Onegin rehearsals as well as opera scenes in the Royal Academy ( Don Pasquale and Turandot!). Legal Harmony and DsSq  have had their first term rehearsals too, and I'm about to see my students in couple of hours. Plus I've started to walk-should I say trot?- at the London-pace again. Definitely Christmas time is gone!

2013 has started fully energized with lots of projects coming up, including competitions, concerts and my first masterclass as a teacher! I'll be diligently posting about it all. :) Besides, if time permits, I intend to open a new section on learning resources in the website that hopefully you'll find useful!

Wishing you All a marvellous year full of music!

Maite