Hiroshima bombs my wallet

Guilty Pleasures Strikes Again!

I bombed my wallet again by making a guilty trip to KO to savour their December Kaiseiki Set. The set was much more expensive than the last time I went in May, so that means the set price changes according to the food they serve each time.

It was $39+++, but comes with 15% discount if you have any UOB card! haha Say thanks to UOB!

Thank you for making me spend money.

The first dish was the usual appetizer. Beautifully crafted again though more bearable to eat than the last time.

Second dish was the soup, which had a whiff of charcoal smell in a distasteful way. It tasted similar to the previous one, so that makes me not too impressed with the soup.

Third dish was good. In fact all the sashimi dishes were Heavens. The 3 miniature pieces of yellowtail was totally unlike what I've tasted before. The texture was different and taste was even more exceptional. I usually totally hate yellowtail, but this was amazing. 1 pathetic ebi, which was bigger than ordinary, tasted realllly sweet.

Fourth dish was exceptional too. It was the chef's seasoning on the fish and also the marination that made the cod fish taste Heavens! The black circular sweetie beside the cod fish was aubergine, done in Japanese style. Interesting.

A stuffed soft shell crab was the 5th dish. Nothing exceptional about it.

Last course was tuna sushi and some egg rolls. I've never liked tuna, but those 3 pieces made me like tuna!

For dessert, quite normal mango sorbet was served.

Who wanna go the next time? By the way did I mention that it was a birthday treat from me?

Paganini's 24th Caprice

It is the most popular tune, and has the most variations that are distinct from each other. You've heard the disgusting arrangement by Andrew.L Webber, but actually there are many more. I find all of these pieces great fun to listen to. They're rhythmic and more importantly with 20th Century harmony (I like!)

Liszt - The 24th caprice variation is found in his book of Paganini Etudes. It also contains La Campenella which is more oftenly played strangely. Perhaps it's because the Liszt's variation of the 24th Caprice is very much easier compared to the Brahms one.

Brahms' Paganini Variations Book1 and 2. Apparently the first one was so difficult, a 2nd easier one was conceived. I remember the V.J.C Piano Ensemble teacher saying that he will never attempt to perform that in public.



At 0:35, it sounds easy? but actually very difficult.
At 9:00, it is the last variation. GASP!

Rachmanioff on a Theme of Paganini - It's an interesting piece shaped like a piano concerto. i.e. Piano + orchestra. It also has the Dies Iraes(Judgement Day) motif.



This is only one part, which has been used in movies, of the Rachmanioff version.

Lutoslawski - Piano duet. Modern Harmony. I totally Dig this!



Andrew. L Webber - for cello and rock band. eww?

Vanessa Mae - Electric violin + techno acoustic. Though her version should be called an arrangement more than a completely new variation. That's because she played the original manuscript by Paganini.

Fazil Say - With a touch of jazz. Very Humourous.



Maksim - Failed attempt at variation.

The history of amazing variations by Masters have made the re-variation of this tune untouchable! don't try unless you're a genius.

Certainly, the most amazingly tune!