It was so bad that it was funny. Sorta like Florence, that terrible singer who would rent out Carnegie and cack all over the place. Hilarious. So, I used to play in a trio. We won a competition, play some concerts and then swiftly went in different artistic directions. A wonderful man wrote a piece for us and that gave way to the rebirth of the group. Rehearsals were terrible, but we got it done. So tonite was the radio premier of this new trio. Yikes. It was, well.. pretty bad. Talk about bad vibes. Didn't help that the recording quality was the pits. I mean, all the drama of recording this thing, and then it sounded terrible. Like done in a basement or something. What I have learned living here and working at radio stations is this, all talk and no real impressive results. Yuck! So I guess you win some and you loose some. And the cow on the radio kept on pronouncing my last name wrong. Uhg! As my friend J would say, Dragaster! Tomorrow I'm in Spain.. life is good.

I received one of the most dear and special complements the other day. It was so overwhelming that I wanted to share with you. A little background, it was in reference to a series of concerts that I have played recently that include works from Maderna, Berio and Boulez. Three composers who I am fascinated by.... all from a time of in which music made a fantastic turn, in my taste, for the better. Anyway before I get all musicologist on you, I will spit it out. I was recently referred to as the next Severino Gazzelloni. Ah! talk about a complement. What vision he had. Outside of the reality of him being, in my opinion, one of the most brilliant instrumentalists of his time... he inspired some of the most important works in the flute repertoire. One gets complements all the time, but this one I take seriously. May his life continue to inspire me and others to break the mold of what being a flutist and indeed an artist is. Cheers to you Herr Gazzelloni! A video of him...

I did it! Yippie. I have a soloist diploma (konzertexam) aka DMA. He, he. To be honest, I'm really proud that I finished what I started. That chapter is closed. Now off to Berlin for a few days, then for some sun in Spain and then this boy has to get to work. Mama ICE has me booked until the end of the season. So I will be in New York for the next months, with a little journey to England to play beside one of my dearest friends in one the worlds most rock start orchestra's. Not complaining! I'm also on the hunt for a new piccolo, any ideas?

My final concert exam recital is on Friday... in hochstimmung! Very excited about the performance itself and life to come. Nothing more to write now... cheers!

I guess its high time for me to write another one of these things. Lots has happened in the last months. New Year came and went. I finished the first part of my konzertexam.. was a blast. Bought a ticket to the states for March. Got some really good concerts.. blah blah blah. Not really sure whats going to happen after I finish up here in Frankfurt. Its all up in the air. I'm actually looking forward to no knowing. Its all exciting and really open. Competitions, masterclasses, teaching, concerts, chamber music, orchestra work.. the life of a freelancer in the world. All exciting. This week I'm playing three concerts and starting rehearsals for the second half of my exam. Lots to do. The new flute is getting better and better everyday. I'm super happy about that. I've been in contact with my family recently and thats also a good thing. Good things all around... where is my wine?

Cheers

I like being naked.

New York is a really big, expensive, yummy city... I miss it like crazy.

ICE is the worlds best new music ensemble and I feel one of the Jackson's being a member.

Hurel is awesome and our last project with him was amazing. ICE is better than EIC... made my fucking 2007.

Our three year is tomorrow. I'm still crazy in love like Beyonce.

I'm getting that feeling again. The one I got when I turned 17, then 21 and now at 29.. It about time. That feeling when I realize that something has got to give. Something soon.. its like the storm in the distance. Nothing negative, its never been anything negative.. but its time... long over due. Today's rehearsal was like getting a tooth pulled. I hate tuning one chord after another like a child... so not my thing. People just get all uptight and start playing worst and worst. Its totally not worth it. I had one of those moments of seeing my fathers short temper creeping out.. so much energy to control it. I need to spend sometime figuring out the next step. The major problem, as I see it, is that in all of my ambition and such, not being European really stands in my way. There are solutions, get and orchestral job being the obvious solution. That would mean relocating and changing the sheer makeup of the thing that make me the happiest, my relationship. Be it burning hot, or tepid.. it keeps me happy, sane and glued together. So lets say its inevitable that we will have to live apart for a period of time.. hmmm... should I go to bloody orchestra x or should I seek out other things like a teaching job. Hmm.. so the other option, be a flute teacher somewhere... like South Korea... ah!!! A possibility at this point. Ah! Too many things to think about.. I would rather finish my salat, brush my teeth and practice for a few hours.. go swimming and then to a late night Boulez rehearsal, that sounds right! Glad to get that off my chest, albeit without solving anything..

The Brahms violin concerto is so wonderful... a perfect way to end a long day. Its like playing a symphony. So lush, so much material. The kind of orchestral playing that I enjoy the most. Now its a bit after nine. I've showered and dressed and am half way through my first cup of coffee. Today another rehearsal with the orchestra, I'm playing a concerto on this project, a Lombardi Trio late afternoon rehearsal ( should be interesting ) and a few kiddies in between. Low stress, just no time to practice. We canceled trio rehearsal yesterday because of the cellists being ill. So I took the chance to sit down and start recording orchestral excerpts. There are a million and one reasons why I should have a good recording of all of the major works ( something that I will require all my students to do when I am a flute professor in some far off land ).. but the most interesting thing that comes out of it is prospective. I also just got this new mega flute, and it was the first time that I have listened to it.. really... very interesting. Lots of work to do, but its well on its way.

Its a clear and cold autumn Tuesday morning. Today is packed with rehearsals and such, so instead of whipping out the MuMu and doing some morning longtones, I've decided to sip my coffee, blog a bit and just think. Ahh, Eric time. Lets see.. trio rehearsal in an hour. Gotta go and pick up my free coffee before hand ( the coffee shop near the Hochschule has this card system to show you how much your are addicted and how much money you throw away on designer coffee...) We rehearse until 2, then home for some grub, and then off to teach. Just one kiddy today.. will go an hour early and practice some Hurel and Mozart. Then off to rehearse Brahms with the orchestra tonight. Ah, can't complain. Tomorrow is the same story... with an extra Boulez rehearsal thrown in there somehow, sometime. Having some really cool friends come in for the weekend from London. Very excited about being social. Okay, have to brush the teeth and hydrate for my nippy bike ride! Ooh, I need a new pair of gloves.

cheers

Uh, I have been practicing Hurel for an hour... so many rhythms... so many high notes.. so fast... I hate the metronome.. but am married to it. How sad.... auditions coming up.. will I ever be free of the Ibert Concerto? My new flute sounds wonderful... makes life really easy. Still fighting to not fight. Have to go to the scary office tomorrow for people who don't belong. Uhg, will be fine. Very full week this week. Orchestra rehearsals for two different projects, Lombardi Trio rehearsals, teaching the kids... Boulez.. orchestral excerpts... let the games begin! Bring it on!

Ive been swimming again. Makes me feel a lot better. Trying to get strong again.. mind and body. I'm looking fit.. its just the afro thats a bit intense and strange. I'm going for and ethnic look this winter. Won't put shells in my hair, don't worry. But trying to discover a new me. No crisis, just looking around inside to see whats going on. Almost thirty you know... its high time. I think I may be ready to sit in an orchestra.. full-time, for a few years. It will be good for 'I', if you know what I'm saying.

I've been thinking about my family today. I should give them a jingle, but everytime I go there I get a bit topsy turvy. Its my fault, not theirs.

I want to seem more of the world. The CM is mad busy now, but as soon as we both get some time to come up for air, I want to go and do something that neither of us have done before. Like Estonia or Iceland or Uganda. Somewhere and something all together different.