Nora The Piano CatHere’s a Balticum News presentation on the “CATcerto” composed and conducted by Mindaugas Piecaitis with me (Nora the Piano Cat) as soloist. The video, which includes interviews with Piecaitis and orchestra members, now has English subtitles. A video of the entire performance is being prepared for release.
Mindaugas Piecaitis’ CATcerto was performed and recorded on June 5th in Lithuania by the Klaipeda Chamber Orchestra. The soloist was none other than yours truly, Nora the Piano Cat. Well, I performed on a giant video screen behind the orchestra. Mindaugas worked with video clips of me provided by my humans, Betsy and Burnell. He then wrote the orchestra’s part to play along with and opposite me. Mindaugas conducted. I can’t wait to see the video of the performance. It will be posted as soon as we receive it.
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My dear fans, if you missed me the last time around, Animal Planet is presenting the program again. That’s right. Outrageous Animals will be aired again on Sunday, May 24th at 4 PM. Hope you enjoy it.
On April 15th, Lithuanian conductor Mindaugas Piecaitis contacted my humans, Betsy and Burnell, about a project idea he had regarding composing a piece of music based on my piano playing. His idea was to project video of me playing and then to have a chamber orchestra play along with and opposite me. Well, Mindaugas’ idea has become a reality. The piece is titled "Catcerto." It will be performed in Lithuania on June 5th, 2009. Here’s a link to the online program. The listing for the "Catcerto" is near the end of the list of performances.
For more information on Mindaugas Piecaitis, visit his website at http://www.piecaitis.eu/
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Natalia, Matt, Alex & Jan came to visit me recently from Sharp Entertainment. They are filming a few exceptional animals for a segment on Animal Planet called Outrageous Animals. I just happened to be on their list. The first day we spent in home I share with my human’s Betsy and Burnell. They filmed me at the piano a lot and they also filmed my siblings interacting with me. Oh, and they also interviewed Betsy and Burnell. Then they moved all their equipment upstairs to the bedroom. They even set up this huge backdrop and big lights and then filmed me walking around, lying down, and generally looking fantastic.
The next day we tried a bold experiment. We all went to a local hot spot in Philly called the World Cafe Live. They wanted to see if I would play the piano there, and maybe sit in with the owner, who is a jazz musician. Well, as soon as we got to the green room and they opened the door on my carrier, I crawled underneath the big red sofa. Betsy did take me out to the piano once and we sat on the bench together, but I had absolutely no interest in playing the piano – although I did enjoy the applause of the people who had gathered when they heard that the famous Nora The Piano Cat was in the building. Let’s face it, I like my own Yamaha Grand and my own space. Burnell told everyone I was like Enya, a studio musician who didn’t go on tour. So we all went home, and later that night I played a little duet with Betsy. There’s no place like home, and there’s no piano like my piano.
A film crew from Animal Planet will be here in a few days. Should be loads of fun. I’ll let you all know how it goes.
Dave Spector is an American talk show host and commentator who speaks fluent Japanese. He is also the most popular American personality on Japanese television. And he loves cats. Why not? We’re furry and lovable. Well, last year Dave introduced millions of Japanese folks to moi on the show Tokudane on FUJI-TV network, and he did so wearing his very own Nora sweatshirt. Is that cool, or what? Thanks, Dave.
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If you missed seeing me on the Tyra Banks Show, you can watch the clip below. Thanks go to mrspopo for posting it. Be patient. It may take a few moments for the clip to load.
A history making moment, no doubt. It was the very first time I appeared outside my home in Philadelphia. Betsy drove me to New York and together we chatted with Tyra and her student audience. I even got to meet that guy who created the Mean Kitty video. Anyway, I liked the crowd and the cameras, but I didn’t like the car ride. So, I don’t know when I’ll do something like that again.
If you saw the show, leave a comment and tell me what you thought.
That’s right! On Wednesday, September 17th, I will be making a rare appearance on the Tyra Banks Show. How rare is it? Well, it will be the first time I have ever traveled to anywhere but the vet’s office. And although I didn’t mind the applause, the cameras and the bright lights, I didn’t care for the trip to and from Philadelphia. So, it’s unlikely that you’ll see me anywhere else. There was no piano, but I did sit nicely next to my human, Betsy Alexander, while she answered all the questions. Isn’t it nice to have a spokesperson? I think so.
Find out when Tyra airs in your area. Go to http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/whenitson/whenitson.php