My plan for the best recital of all time...

So, the countdown is on...my recital is officially 4 weeks today. This means a couple of things. Firstly, I'm stressed. No other words could describe this. I have to learn my music, put it together with my pianists, publicize the event, and prepare the reception which will occur after the big performance. Secondly, I'm stoked. I haven't put on a full recital yet in my time out in Victoria, so this is an exciting first for me...and thus, I shall make it memorable....and this is how:

-I have a theme...an amazing theme if you ask me..."From Brahms to the Barnyard" or maybe "From Brahms to Bovine", or even "From Brahms to B.S.E."...I'm pretty sure either of those will be a hit, but I just have to finalize which phrase I will use on my posters. Why this theme, you ask? This stems from my choice in repertoire for this recital. It's a very eclectic program. It is as follows:

• Concertpiece No.1 by Mendelssohn (a piece originally for Clarinet, Basset Horn, and Piano, but I shall play it with Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano)
• Gnarly Buttons, Movement 2, "Hoedown- Mad Cow" by John Adams (The reason for the bovine theme...mainly a throwback to my cowtown roots...plus it gives me costume ideas...stay tuned for that info)
• Ballade for Bass Clarinet and Piano by Bozza
• Three Pieces for Unaccompanied Clarinet by Stravinsky
• Sonata in Eb for Clarinet and Piano by Brahms

I'll probably also throw in another piece somewhere in the first half...something really showy, like Cavellini's Adagio and Tarantella or Solo de Concours by Rabaud. This will give me about an hour's worth of music...throw in an intermission, and it'll be a great length!

Anyways...about my theme...I feel that it is very fitting, due to the fact that, one, I am from Calgary...the cow song will be amazing...and, two, I'm playing the Brahms sonata. So, now that I have a theme, I have to make posters. My best idea so far? You know the painting, "American Gothic" by Grant Wood. If it doesn't ring a bell right away, this will make it clear to you...a husband, a wife, and a pitchfork...make sense now?? If not, do yourself a favour and go and google "American Gothic". So, my idea is to use photoshop to manipulate the painting...replace her head with mine, and replace his head with Brahms'. It'll be a masterpiece, and I'm sure will draw in the crowds for the recital event of the century...or maybe even the millenium!

Now I must plan the menu for my reception. This reception is what will make or break the recital for me. Half the time, it is the idea of free food that actually attracts people to the recital (as sad as this may seem...what is the world coming to??). I have a few ideas so far...I originally thought that I should have steak, simply because it would be funny with the whole Mad Cow theme surrounding the program...but I changed my mind...it would be a little too expensive for my student budget. So, instead...ice cream cake...a recital reception first! Never before has there been ice cream cake at a reception...sushi has been done, as have cookies and fruit and cheese trays...I have to go above and beyond. Of course I will supply the aforementioned in addition to the ice cream cakes, but the ice cream cake will surely be the epitome of the event...and they'll be homemade...my friend and accompanist extraordinaire offered to make a mint chocolate, and a lemon ripple ice cream cake purely for this event.

Oh...I almost forgot...my wardrobe. So, I was thinking of wearing a nice dress for most of the recital, but I really have to make the most of the situation when I play the Adams piece. Therefore, I shall be wearing (hopefully...if I can find/make one in time) a cowprint skirt, cowboy boots and my cowboy hat when I perform it. The crowds will go wild...I can see it now!

Anyways...I suppose I should go finish what I have to do for tomorrow...which includes baking copious amounts of muffins or cookies for our first ever UVSMEA bake sale which will be held tomorrow. My plan is to concoct both apple-cinnamon muffins and maybe even banana muffins. We'll see how worn out I am after one batch.

In other news...I've taken up knitting.

I have no more to report.