Sagrada Familia

Gaudí was a genius.

Page in Progress..

Happy 200th Birthday, Chopin!

Portrait of Chopin by Eugène Delacroix
Today marks Chopin's 200th birthday. I celebrate his birth; he was a great artist who fully deserve my admiration.

A Century-Old Chickering Upright

While web surfing, I spent today eyeing this old relic for sale: an upright piano. It was made in 1885 by famed Chickering & Sons (serial #71147).

Adorned with traceries and beautifully crafted in rosewood, it reticently echoes a romance, perhaps, of La Belle Époque. I particularly like its fallboard letterings.

They just don't make them like they used to.

A Century-Old Knabe Piano Ad.

I recently purchased a very old opera booklet from the Bostonians Opera that dates back to 1889.

The most interesting part about it is that it contains a Knabe advertisement on the back, as shown above, with a beautiful piano etching done by Allen Eng. and a reproduction of a recommendation letter by Hans von Bulow.

When I first purchased it, I did not know that the letter was printed on the back of the advertisement page. After spending some time deciphering his handwriting, I was able to read its content. It reads:

"The Knabe pianos which I did not know before have been chosen for any present concert tour in the United States by my Impresario and accepted by me on the recommendation of my friend Bechstein acquainted with their merits. Had I known these pianos as now I do I would have chosen them by myself as their sound and touch are more sympathetic to my ears and hands than all others of the country.

New York 6th April 1889

Dr. Hans von Bulow

To the William Knabe and Co."


This letter and an advertisement were created about a century from today.
The proud grand piano shown is no longer for sale, nor does its maker exist.

Time is a cruel thief.

The Start of the Second Semester

I felt tired.

It was a gloomy day, and the future seemed ever so insecure that I hesitated buying my own textbooks.

There was I, unable and incapable to decide between the two worlds, lacking confidence of what's to come.

Classes seemed ominously difficult.

Sigh. Forever Sigh.