Paperwhites no. 7

At last, the paperwhites have bloomed, and the book trucks are empty!! Faith Hoffman, Stacks Coordinator in the Conservatory Library reports that the book trucks are empty, and the thousands of items checked out last semester are now back on the shelf.

We hope you've had a pleasant winter term, and we're happy to have you back on campus. Stop in the library. We're ready to help make your transition to the Spring semester a smooth one.

Alex Klein in Geico ad !

Watch Alex Klein in a Geico Insurance ad! In addition, you can listen to him on several Conservatory Library recordings!

Paperwhites no. 6

"Some day, o miracle! a flower will blossom."

As I'm waiting for our paperwhites to bloom, I'm drawn to the above mentioned line of text from Beethoven's song, Adelaïde. The poem is by Friedrich von Matthisoon.

If you're interested in listening to "Adelaide" as you wait for the paperwhites to bloom, you might enjoy listening to this Hyperion recording by Stephan Genz in the Conservatory Library.

New title in Periodicals

Journal SEAMUS, the official publication of the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States, is now available in Periodicals.

Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series

“The Met’s experiment of merging film with live performance has created a new art form,” said the Los Angeles Times of the groundbreaking series of live, high-definition performance transmissions to movie theatres around the world. In 2007-08, the Met offers its second season of international HD transmissions—this time with eight live events, up from last year’s six, and eight encore (recorded) events. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy thrilling, world-class opera at Crocker Park Stadium 16 in Westlake.

Learn more here about the Met's Live in HD Series.

The next event is Manon Lescaut – Puccini
LIVE - Saturday, February 16, 2008 (1:00 pm – Eastern Time)
Running time: 3 hours, 41 minutes. 3 intermissions

Conductor James Levine; Karita Mattila, Marcello Giordani, Dwayne Croft, Dale Travis

Alan Dershowitz; Attorney, Professor, Author, ...Composer?

Alan Dershowitz, who defended such high profile clients as O. J. Simpson and Patty Hearst is trying something new; composing an opera.
He is profiling the life of Gershon Sirota, who was so respected as a Jewish cantor, was given permission to leave his home in the Warsaw ghetto during the Nazi occupation. He refused to leave and travel to America, and ultimately died with his people.
Sirota was sometimes compared to Enrico Caruso because of the rich tone of his voice, and had a following similar to popular singers of today.
Dershowitz plans on completing his opera during his retirement.

Paperwhites no.5

We are leaping ahead with reserves just like the paperwhites are growing! I learned today from Alexis Edleman, Head of Circulation, that all the reserves from last semester have now been removed. From Electronic Reserves, files for 264 digital articles have been removed along with 640 sound files. From "Regular" reserves, Books, Scores, and personal copies total 1002 and 670 CDs have been taken off reserve. Wow!!

An argument to Beethoven's 5th - wonderful video!

Watch this musical argument using Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. It is brilliantly done and a carefully choreographed "story" timed perfectly to the music.

Paperwhites no. 4

Garrett is also a fan of paperwhites and is growing his own at home. In addition to being a patron who enjoys being in the library, Garrett is a junior staff assistant in the preparations area of the Conservatory Library.

Paperwhites no. 3

scene is almost set
spring to come, a hazy moon
blossoms of white
-Basho

This haiku was set by Denis Riley in his Five songs on Japanese haiku : soprano, clarinet in A, violin, violoncello, which is available in the Conservatory Library!

They’re Playing My Song. Time to Work Out.

FITNESS magazines and Web sites love to ask readers about their favorite workout music while presenting their playlists or suggestions from celebrities. Self.com features the “ ’80s cardio playlist,” which includes the short-shorts video classic “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham! On Fitnessmagazine.com, the singer Rihanna reveals her favorite workout songs — immodestly recommending four of her own for “when you have to pick up the pace on the treadmill.” more of this NYTimes article.

Paperwhites photo no.2

Can you believe how much they've grown?! Shelving is progressing equally as fast. There are still loaded booktrucks, so if you're having trouble locating an item on the shelf, ask for help.We'll happily search the trucks behind the desk.

As for reserves, materials from last semester are now off reserve.

Stay tuned for another update!

Did you know?

Did you know that Grove Music Online allows you to search for composers and musicians by year of birth or year of death? Click Advanced Search and then Biographies.

From this I learned that the youngest person with a biographical entry in Grove Music Online is Julia Fischer (b Munich, 15 June 1983). German violinist. She began to learn the violin just before her fourth birthday and started piano lessons with her mother a few months later.

Paperwhites in the Conservatory Library

The month of January can be very busy in the Conservatory Library as we shelve all the materials returned in December, take items off reserve for last semester, and we put materials on for the coming semester. With that in mind, we thought it would be fun to watch paperwhite bulbs grow as we march towards Spring semester.

The bulbs usually take about four weeks to bloom, so they should be in full blossom with the close of winter term.

We're forcing these bulbs in gravel and water. Check in with us from time to time to read about reshelving, reserves, and paperwhites!