Besides that, work was good, really. I got to chat with Ani, which was fun! And I even talked to Sam (FL) yesterday, so that was awesome as well. <3 Not only that, but I ironed out some Mayfield details for the better; meaning I ended up feeling far better than I thought I might. Yay for amaaaazing friends back at Vandy! <3 I also actually left the building today; I had to go pick up my European Culture Congress tickets. I got an entire bag. So epic!!! Seriously. Blue bag, nametag (not my name, but whatever! It's free), lots of information and everything. I felt so sophisticated, to be honest, because this congress is all about European culture, and the meaning of it, and foreigners to Europe, and how culture is changing, and oh dear goodness it is all the stuff I love. For the love of God, I want to study culture for the rest of my life! And here I am, in Poland, enjoying the European Culture Congress. Oh, and I bought another zapiekanka on my way back to work. So good!
For now, though, let's go through the day. I left work around 3 to meet Agata at a stoplight, when traffic was bad, fortunately for us. Antek was absolutely exhausted. We had to get through horrible Friday traffic. We picked up Hania, who has a cold, the poor girl, and then we went home. At home, we just relaxed, really. Ate some nice meatballs, potatoes, and pickles. Great dinner! I showed Antek some of my drawings, and he really liked them. (: Yay for kids liking my drawings! Haha. He ended up drawing something for me as well. Which is going on my fridge in the apartment, wooo tape! :D
Though, the important part is that I decided to go to a concert tonight. It was Penderecki and Johnny Greenwood. Ok, ok, let me grab my book dedicated to this event to give you some information.
Krzysztof Penderecki - one of the greatest contemporary composers. His pieces are performed around the globe, and Penderecki himself has conducted the most important orchestras of the world. He composed the scores for Wojciech Jerzy Has's The Saragossa Manuscript, Kubrick's The Shining and Wajda's Katyń.Ok, so let's look at that. I'm sure a lot of you guys have seen The Shining, because if movie illiterate me has heard of it, then it's likely you've seen it. Now, look at Katyń. Some of you will recognize it as the name of the place all of the Polish political heads were flying to last year when the plane crashed in Russia. A very few of the Muffins might remember it from the movie screening I begged people to join me to go to last year. The Polish one.
- taken from the European Culture Congress book
Now, let's look at what is likely the far more noted name in English culture.
Johnny Greenwood - best known as the guitarist for the British rock band Radiohead, a multi-instrumentalist, playing the alto sax, xylophone, Martenot waves, banjo, harmonica, and drums; a composer well acquainted with the 'classic' instrumentarium, and an artist who professes his admiration of Penderecki's music.... I even know the name Radiohead, guys. Their guitarist admires a Polish composer. Need I say, I was blown away by that? I don't know, I just certainly wasn't expecting that; nor was I expecting a rock band member to know so much and be so involved in classical music. Bad assumption, I know, but you can't blame me.
- taken from the European Culture Congress book
But let's go back to before the concert. Agata got me a taxi to drive me to Hala Stulecia. The traffic was still pretty bad. Although, the taxi driver was really nice! We had some nice conversation about SkyTower and the stadium, and... he informed me that the bridge I drove over Wednesday, the gorgeous bridge, is actually the fourth tallest... in the world. The tallest in Poland, the second tallest in Europe. Guys. This is Poland, and it has the fourth tallest bridge in the world! I was super pumped to hear that. I mean, that really is an accomplishment. The taxi driver was rather happy with it, as well, and I don't blame him! We talked about how the roads in Poland are pretty awful, and likely not to get better as well. Which is unfortunate, especially because more and more people are getting cars.
Although, the more interesting part is about tomorrow. Tomorrow, the stadium has its first event. Tomorrow, the stadium has a series of boxing matches. One of these boxing matches is between some Polish and Ukrainian champions. And it's really the thing everyone has been talking about and been pumped about. The stadium sold 43,000 tickets. ... Wrocław is blockading roads tomorrow in an attempt to help control traffic to the stadium. So unless you are a taxi driver, have a VIP pass, or have proof of the house you live in if you need to use a blockaded road, life is really really going to suck if you drive by car. ... I'm really really wondering how the hell that's going to work. Though, as Michał said tonight, "It's an experiment." I guess they need some control, but... honestly to me, that's a terrifying thought.
Ah well, whenever I arrived to the venue, Hala Stulecia, I was in awe. This is the place I went to about three weekends ago. It was being reconstructed, and it was beautifully set up, and there were people all over, who spoke all sorts of languages. I was so proud at that moment. My Poland is hosting the European Culture Congress! People were all over, there was some music and show going on, and it was just awesome. I really hope I can go back tomorrow to go to some of the events, but with the entire shutting down of roads thing, I'm nervous, haha. Anyways, I had my special lanyard and name tag, and I went to go enter the building, and they turned me away because I had a camera, so I had to go put it away. No one knew that as they approached the building, though, so it's ok. Either way, came back, went in, went and sat down in absolute awe. The hall was gorgeous. The lights lit up the domed ceiling wonderfully, just wow. I was truly impressed. I went and found a wonderful spot too! Three rows above the ground floor, essentially on level with the stage, in the back half of the audience.
There were five screens set up behind the stage: three connected in a line, and one on each side of the three screens, lower. The three connected in the line showed some sort of modern video that was meant to be portrayed with the music, while the two on the outside edges showed different angles of the conductor and the musicians. The angles of the musicians and the conductor were really awesome. I loved seeing how all of the musicians played their instruments. Ah yes, this was an orchestra; only stringed instruments. As well as how the conductors, well, conducted! The second one who conducted all of Johnny Greenwood's pieces had such a good style. I really loved how involved he was in each of the pieces. Penderecki was far more of the serious conductor; old school, but that classic conducting is awesome too.
Three pieces by each composer were performed: Penderecki's Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima, Canon for Strings, and Polymorphia; and Greenwood's Popcorn Superhet Receiver, Future Markets, and 48 Responses to Polymorphia. The last piece was actually a world premiere.
The first Penderecki piece kept me with goosebumps. The entire time. It was very... unpleasant to listen to, to be honest, but unpleasant in an incredibly meaningful way. Afterall, it is about Hiroshima, which is far from a pleasant event. The cellos at one point played the sounds of a plane flying overhead, like those from World War II, like that of the one dropping a bomb, and it was absolutely chilling. Then it sounded as if debris were falling; such a cool effect. Wonderfully composed piece, and far from your typical classical idea.
The first Greenwood piece, aka the second overall piece... oh goodness, the basses. I love the string bass, and the string basses just had such a powerful tone. The chairs reverberated from the frequency of the basses. Plus, the musicians used the same plucking method as in the previous piece, which I still loved. Except they played the entire second half of the piece through plucking.
The second Penderecki piece ended up using the stringed instruments like percussion instruments to immediate the sounds of walking, at times, I think. As far as I remember. Cool effect. As in the first piece, he still used a lot of those uneasy chords that just bother our ears. Plus, the way the instrumentalists moved together in that piece. Absolutely chilling. Although, it reminded me of why I enjoy playing in groups so much. That discipline and teamwork. Nothing can ever repeat such a feeling.
Second Greenwood piece was short, to the point, but absolutely gorgeous. The chords just struck so beautifully. Honestly, I'm still shocked about this entire rock star composing classical pieces thing...
The third Penderecki piece, honestly, became difficult to listen to. I understand why he would make such chords and such, but... it hurts my sensitive ears. Purposefully composed, but I was a bit dazing at this point. At this point, I really began to notice the light shows that were going along with the pieces. The lights, their movements, the shifts in colors. They added so much now that I think about it. They truly helped in solidifying the mood of each piece.
The final piece of the evening, the world premiere, however. Oh goodness. How I enjoyed it. Yes, Greenwood, through all of his pieces, actually did incorporate some of Penderecki's ongoing themes and inspirations, such as the atypical chords. However, he also had his own distinct style. The chords in this were gorgeous, and at the end, the instrumentalists played their instruments with... a narrow rainstick? They would strike their instruments with it, causing a very echo-y and shaky sort of noise. I honestly can't describe it, but I was in awe, to be honest. I would buy that piece and listen to it. I really would.
At the end of the concert, Johnny Greenwood joined the two directors on stage, and I was one of the first few to give a standing ovation. Very unusual concert, in regards to classical, but that's likely why I enjoyed it so much. I am so happy with the fact that I went.
Ah, I was supposed to meet up with my taxi driver earlier, but the concert started late, so I texted him to come later. ... That ended up making me wait 30 minutes. But! I much rather wait than make someone else wait. It's my event, after all. Besides, the wait ended up being worth it. There were fireworks. Oh gosh... I was so happy I waited then, because... fireworks are beautiful.
So we drove back, and he ended up complimenting my Polish! :D He said I speak Polish incredibly well, actually, and that I just have some grammar issues, which we all know. But that with time, I can definitely iron them out. Those are my favorite compliments. So long as I sound alright, and if I can carry a conversation, which he said I did absolutely fine, then, I'm ok! Besides that, we talked about the difference in learning how to drive here and in America. ... Or at least Tennessee. People here only need 30 hours of driving time on their records.... .... :/ Obviously, we don't have to necessarily prove our driving records, but... you have to have a permit for at least six months first... Usually a year for the anxious. Which will certainly produce more than 30 hours in proper conditions. But! You have to take a 40 minute driving test. Regardless, he said the drivers here are stupid. Indecisive. Slow. Unobservant. xD I told him the flipside of our style: if you don't have someone willing to teach you, you're sort of screwed. That or a good teacher. I lucked out; my dad's a phenomenal driver, so I had a great example. As did his daughter, who always wants to impress him with her driving, so he shared.
So those two taxi drives were likely the most enjoyable I've had in my life, when I haven't had other people with me. When I got home, Agata and I had a meaningful conversation as well. Now this ought to be interesting for many of you. It was about health care. Oh, that's right. Get ready for a whopper. In Poland, you have to pay monthly, and you get public health care. If you're sick, and go to the hospital, then you don't have to pay. Wonderful. Although, you might end up with a craptastic doctor. And you might not need a doctor every month. You can go to a private doctor, but that costs money. However, if you have more serious issues, then you're on the waiting list... She obviously spoke about it in a tone of dislike. Not that I blame her. It sounds great, but I'm sure if something more serious comes up, unless you have connections or good money, you're a bit screwed, really. Or if you're incredibly lucky.
Then I compared it to our healthcare. You pay for private health insurance, and you still have to pay for doctor's visits and hospital visits. If you have a pre-existing condition, most insurance companies will decline you. You pay monthly as well, even if you don't need it. You might not be on a waiting list, but you need a fortune, anyways. Worst of all, she asked me this: What if someone is poor?
... I straight up answered: You die. Of course, that's a very straight to answer, for something that can vary greatly, but one example: if a man without health insurance or money has a toothache... it might spread and end up killing him, and this happens. If you have an emergency, they'll throw you in an ambulance, but check your health insurance, if you have any. If you do, they'll take you the hospital you're insured under, even if it'll end up killing you because of a longer travel time.
Essentially, I came to the conclusion both systems are screwed up. She also asked me how much it costs in regards to childbirth over there. ... I have no experience, so I wouldn't know. But I'm assuming healthy children, you have to pay some hospital bills; unhealthy children, you have to pay an arm and a leg, and throw yourself to hope and prayer too. She then explained how in Poland, mothers get six months maternity leave in which they get full pay. Awesome. However, after those six months, you don't get paid unless you fall under a certain line, in which you need pay for life, right? So that's interesting. Although, she also shared the German system. Mothers get paid for more than six months, and they get paid extra for their maternity leave. Aka, it's better to become a mother and stay on maternity leave than to go back to work. Therefore, I'm going to have to look into what it's like in America.
Michał came home at around 22:30... Poor guy. Seriously overworked. Ah, yes, Agata and I also talked about what it's like in America, jobwise, to have a comfy living. I also couldn't answer that, though I told her that even when people work like Michał does, they don't necessarily get the money for it, and often times, the top dogs only get that money for far less work. That's my understanding of the American business world. Anyways, yeah, with tomorrow being the opening of the stadium, Michał's essentially had no life and has come home late. He even had dinner then, which was what he said was the latest ever at home. It'll be interesting how tomorrow goes.
Righto... that was an enjoyable entry. <3 However, I'm exhausted and need some sleep! I feel certain that I did not include all the points and thoughts I wanted to, so I'll likely add them into another entry tomorrow. Dobranoc!
No comments:
Post a Comment