I just came back from Montmorency, which is north of Paris. J.J. Rousseau used to live in this city and completed a lot of his essays there. It takes only 1 hour by train -- I actually commuted instead of staying at a hotel there.
I played for the Festival 'tourisme et orgues'. It rained but about 300 people gathered at the concert, and they were very warm and welcoming.
I spoke on the pieces during the concert (bien sure en francais!) and it seems that the audience really appreciated it. They are not used to have an musician that speaks during the concert in Europe -- this is something that I learned in the US.
The concept of the organ was done by composer J. Charepentier. It was built by Gonzalez, who also built the organ at Chartres cathedral.
You will find a website on this concert at
http://www.ville-montmorency.fr/content/heading604/content67000.html
I am feeling much better now, but I was very tired during last couple of days, since I have been doing things all the time -- including moving into my apartment. I am staying at Cite Internationale des Arts, which is located in the heart of Paris across from Notre Dame and Saint Louis en ile. It is in one of the most beautiful areas in Paris.
I can see Notres Dame and Bateau-Mouche in la Seine through my window.
I used to live here when I was studying in Paris. As an old resident, they let me to stay here for two months and it is wonderful.
But coming back here, I observe things that I usually did not. I took a look at the parking garage carefully and was astonished by the outrageous monthly rate! Thanks to God that I am living in Hurst!
Paris has changed. Mr. Delanoe, the mayor, has promised its citizen that he will improve the air quality by diminishing the number of cars. They have made a good number of small parking lots for bicyclers and they are very cheap so that any one can afford them.
Thet decided not to let the cars run on the road beside the Siene so that people can walk, run, and ride bicycles. I ran alongside La Seine this morning. It was so cool. And that was something I couldn't imagine doing when I lived here.
When I have some down time, I will be visiting corners of Paris that are not yet familiar to me.
1 comment:
Hi, Dong-ill,
Thanks for telling us about life in Paris today. Wish I could see the location of your Paris apt -- must be nice to look out a window and see Notre-Dame!
What repertoire are you playing? The organs seem pretty diverse, so I suppose you've taken more than one program. All from memory?
I'm enjoying the photos, and look forward to hearing all about your tour when you return.
Best always,
Barbara B.
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