A quake of magnitude 6.8 hit the north-west coast of Japan this morning at 10:13h. I felt it, and it felt stronger than both previous quakes I've felt, which is something considering the epicentre was five times further away than the previous times (some 250km). The JMA seismic intensity of the quake was 6 at the epicentre (on a scale that goes to 7), and 2 over here.
This image, taken from the Japan Meteorological Agency's website, shows how the quake was felt in most of central Japan:
No damage was done over here, but in the north-west there were numerous injerous and MSNBC even reports two deaths.
Yikes!
I just got back (well, actually I got back a while ago but I've been downstairs so I just got back in my room) and I thought I'd drop a quick note about today before going to sleep.
Today I had two major events: the TOEFL test and the Japan Philharmonic concert.
About the TOEFL I can be brief. It was long, it was boring, but I think it went well. I was finished well ahead of everyone else and fortunately they let you leave immediately. It still took me nearly three hours. No surprises here though. I'll get the result in fifteen days, or so I've been told.
Then the concert. As I said previously, this was the first time I've been to a classical performance. I can tell you though, it will not be the last. It was amazing! My seat was on the third floor almost entirely in the back, but I still had a very good view (the way the hall was constructed I don't think there were any really bad seats).
They played two pieces, both by Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto no. 3, and Symphony no. 2, in that order. The first is a favourite piece of mine, and this was an excellent performance. The pianist, Koyama Michie (Japanese name order, so Koyama is her last name), is my new hero. She put such energy, such zest into this piece, it was almost like she was performing a play behind her piano at times. She also made it look and sound so effortless, and that's saying something since Rachmaninov's piano work is the most complicated I know. It was very obvious she enjoyed the piece a lot, and that the audience enjoyed it a lot as well. When they started the final parts of the third movement, nearing the end, I was hoping they'd reveal a previously unknown fourth movement or something, I didn't want her to stop! But after 45 minutes it was over, and followed by a well deserved round of applause that lasted nearly 10 minutes. She came back on stage five times because people just wouldn't stop applauding. :)
I've got several different performances of this Piano Concert on my computer; this is now my favourite one (ok, so I'm biased cause I saw it live, who cares :P )
Then there was a fifteen minute intermission, followed by the Symphony No. 2. They played the 60 minute symphony in its entirety (it is often shortened). It was definitely very good, but Rachmaninov without piano is like a café without beer. Nothing bad about their performance, I just like the first piece better than this one. Still, I enjoyed it a lot.
Random notes:
Some of you may have noticed that I rarely write about university stuff. The simple explanation is that there's simply not a lot to say yet. I haven't started doing research yet, because I first have to take the PhD student entrance exam in August. Only when I pass that will I be a real PhD student and will the real work start.
So my university life currently consists of studying Japanese and studying for the exam. The latter involves a lot of reading, mostly of stuff that I've done before in the past six years.
And blog posts of the nature "today I read two chapters in book X" wouldn't be very entertaining, now would they? But rest assured, if there is news I'll be sure to say it.
The first "event" I have coming up is the TOEFL test, which is an English language proficiency test I have to do as part of the entrance examinations, so it shouldn't be a problem. That'll be in the morning on July 7th (so that'll be a busy day).
It is a widely known fact that my primary music preference lies with rock, heavy metal, and associated genres. This isn't however to say I don't also enjoy other types of music, quite on the contrary in fact. It is not so widely known that I also enjoy classical music a great deal (as well as contemporary symphonic music, such as movie soundtracks).
Currently my favourite composer is without a doubt Sergei Rachmaninov. His most well-known piece is Piano Concerto's number 3, which is among my favourites as well.
Yesterday evening I happened to stumble upon an upcoming performance of this piece, along with his Symphony No. 2 (which is also very good), by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, on July 7th in Yokohama (less than an hour from here). I have never actually attended a classical performance before (although I have wanted to on a few occasions, I never got around to actually doing it), and this seemed like an ideal opportunity.
My initial plan was to wait until today (it was quite late yesterday when I found this) and ask around if somebody else wanted to go as well (I know several people here who would most likely be interested). Only, then I found out that tickets for the concert had been on sale since January, and that there were only two seats left! And these were in completely different sections, so even asking one other person to come would be a bit pointless.
On a whim, I ordered a ticket anyway. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. And it was probably a good thing too, because I checked this morning, and now it's sold out completely. Yes, I would've preferred to go with someone else, but better luck next time.
So next month I'm going to see this concert. Should be cool! Tanoshimi ni shimasu! (I'm looking forward to it)
Just now, at June 2nd 2007, 14:45 JST, I felt another Earthquake. This one lasted a lot longer, about 10-15 seconds, and felt a bit stronger than the last one.
Up to date information will be available at the JMA for a limited time. The quake had magnitude of 4.6, and a seismic intensity of 4 at the epicentre (about 55km north east of here). The seismic intensity here at Setagaya was 2 (which confirms my feeling that it was stronger than the last one; that one was only 1).
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