Brassens

After leaving the Lang Lang classical music concert at the Cité de la Musique, I noticed the George Brassens exhibit just across the hall in the Music Museum. Brassens, who died in 1981, is considered one of the best known French singers and poets of the 20th century. I enjoyed learning more about the artist, his life, his music, and especially his poetry. You can listen to some of his best known songs on youtube.

Lang Lang master class

I considered myself extremely lucky to grab a front row seat for the Lang Lang master class this afternoon. I had an exceptional view. Luckily though, the concert was filmed in its entirety and placed online for free - so you can watch it without coming to Paris. In fact, you'll have an even better view than I did - thanks to multiple camera angles.

Here are a few photos from my seat:



Lang Lang's mother was there too - sitting in the second row not far from me.


You can watch and listen to the entire concert here.

Authors evening - part 2

The AAPA meeting that I described yesterday was hosted by John Morris, graciously offering his home in the Marais. As a novice photographer, I was unfamiliar with the work of Morris, realizing only later his role in the rise of photojournalism. At 93, Morris has known 17 U.S. presidents, and as photo editor for Life Magazine, the Washington Post and NY Times, he shepherded some of the 20th century's most iconic images and most well-regarded photographers. You can read more about him here.


Morris spoke this evening about an upcoming auction in Paris of his Photo Diary - 225 photographic prints including rare vintage works by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and many others. Here is a flyer describing the auction.

This is just another example of the rare and wonderful encounters I've experienced while living in Paris.

Authors evening

As an aspiring, but not yet published writer, I was thrilled when my friend Harriet Welty Rochefort invited me to attend an Authors evening of the Anglo-American Press Association of Paris (AAPA). The panel discussion addressed the practical questions and issues related to book publishing, along with the evolution and consolidation going on in the publishing business.


Gerry Dryansky, Harriet Welty Rochefort, Peter Gumbel

Each of the seven panelists shared opinions and war stories, touching on copyright issues, contracts, royalties, translation, and movie rights. Opinion was unanimous that writing books will never make you rich - but all continue to write no matter the return.

Discussion was brisk regarding the challenges and opportunities presented by electronic publishing. Kindle royalties may be lower, but the reading public may be far more likely to download a Kindle version with less forethought than that required to go to a bookstore, order a book, and then wait. Instant gratification sells books!

Self publishing, marketing and the use of social media represent huge changes in the publishing business. Authors can no longer expect traditional publishers to take full responsibility for book sales. If you want your book to sell, you have to evolve with the times and to take some responsibility for getting the word out.

Fractals

I saw this Romanesco cauliflower in the market and just had to take a picture.

Happy Birthday Eric

Today is my son Eric's 33rd birthday. He was born on the 26th of March - an ordinary day this year - but in 1978 it was Easter Sunday.

Here is Eric shortly after his birth


And almost two years old


With Philippe - maybe in Jamaica?


Eric with a beard.


With Philippe and Charlie at Philippe's wedding


Eric in the Tuileries garden in Paris, Oct 2010


With two of the books on Chinese medicine that he's edited.
Paris bookstore, 2010


Eric with girlfriend Jocelyn on top of the Eiffel Tower, Oct 2010


Eric will be busy teaching classes in Taiwan on his birthday this year. But I'll be thinking of him and looking forward to seeing him on MY birthday next month in Boulder.

Concert

I got lucky. One of our book club members was going out of town and had a concert ticket to sell. Lang Lang, the sensational young Chinese pianist, was in Paris for a sold-out performance with the Paris Orchestra at the Salle Pleyel. I jumped on it.

Lang Lang's performance of Beethoven's Concerto for piano #3 was fabulous. The dialogue between soloist and orchestra was delicate and balanced, weaving a melodic partnership that ranged from the softest pianissimo to a heroic fortissimo. The acoustics are sublime in the Salle Pleyel, and even from my seat in the balcony, I could see very well.