PDA

View Full Version : A shameless plug



Bob A
Nov-06-2006, 9:34pm
Now It Can Be Told . . .

I'm very pleased to announce the very pleasant news that a piece comissioned from my friend and yours, our own Victor Kioulaphides, had its world premiere a week ago . . . a Wedding Fanfare, written for violin and cello, as a gift for my niece, performed by my granddaughters at their cousin's wedding.

It's a delightful work, withal, and the players and audience enjoyed it no end. While it may not be the most practical wedding gift, I dare say it may be unique in the couple's experience; not everyone has one of these laying about the house. Then too, it made me feel quite the fellow to commission a piece of music. Took me back in time to when we humans were a bit more civilised than we seem today; while that is no doubt illusory to a degree, I do treasure my illusions far above my realities.

At any rate, the whole thing was a worthy experience, well worth repeating. I've run out of nieces, but have a nephew yet unhitched to the plow (if I may be excused for alluding to fertility in a family website). I heartily recommend the experience to anyone who might be similarly inclined.

I hope public adulation may bring a healthful blush to the composer's cheek. I feel a public expression of thanks is definitely indicated, and public praise is well deserved.

Thanks, Victor.

vkioulaphides
Nov-07-2006, 6:16am
*blush* indeed!

Thank you for your VERY kind words, Bob! I was honored and flattered to be approached for this project, as I believe firmly that present-day musical composition really ought to be all about such things, not some sort of grandiose commissions issued by consortia, burdened with committees (and all the nasty politics involved), and catering to, ah... the Great Connected. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif The actual music produced by this deplorable mechanism routinely gets shelved in perpetuity, past the pro forma premiere. (There is the particularly pathetic trend nowadays to BYPASS the premiere altogether: the committee writes the check, the composer cashes it, not a single note is ever heard. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif )

So I am delighted to have left a mark, however small, in the very real lives of very real people, not the XYZ Foundation for Great Art. A wedding is, of course, always memorable; the ensuing union IS the cornerstone of society. Vicariously, any little tidbit associated with it, every material object, every pleasant memory, enriches all those who were involved.

My life, too, has been greatly enriched by this little piece I wrote for Bob's family. I am really the one who ought to thank HIM.

Cheers, and wishes for a long and happy life to the newlyweds.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Rod Freeland
Nov-08-2006, 7:20pm
What a remarkable thing the Mandolin Cafe Message Board is!