I just wanted to post this here, in case if some of you missed the link that was posted by Torley on the comments section couple posts below.

And also I think this artwork itself deserves a post of it’s own! … both the record cover art, and the music of course. The cover art painting is created by Wynter Bracken, and it cetainly is most amazing rendition of a SL scene. And then there is of course the contents of the record – the beautiful music by Torley. You can visit the links below to learn more about both, and also listen to the music!

Flickr link to Torley solo piano 7 cover art.

Link to Torley solo piano 7 – 176 *LOVELY* solo piano music pieces for your enjoyment!

Starting now in May, here is a new series introducing the SZ Pianofabrik endorsed artists, in form of little interviews, hopefully giving some insight how is it to be a performing artist in Second Life. And also give little information about their musical interests and passions, and hopefully provide an interesting reading for all of you who love piano music, and to go enjoy the live piano performances in SL!

The first featured Artist of the Month, for May 2008, is Clarissima Schumann, a multitalented musician – with a long list of performances from all over the world and now in SL too. She forms a duo with her RL husband, and they perform together in Second Life too, as the Schumann Duo. I would like to encourage anyone who loves classical music to attend one of their performances and enjoy the music yourself.

I did interview Clarissima about her journey in Second Life so far, about her musical interests, and about how it is to be a performing musician in SL – so I will let her tell in her own words about these things and more!

How did you find out about Second Life, and how and when did you start in SL?

My Second LIfe birthday is March 10th, 2007. I found out about it from an article in MacWorld magazine. I love technology and all it offers us in this day and age, and from the first ten minutes I was “hooked!”

Did you try any kind of online virtual world before Second Life, or was this the first for you?

Second Life was my first and now I am so involved and have so many friends I cannot imagine getting into another one or that it could possibly offer me anything more.

Were you involved with music and live performances here in SL right from the start, or did you find the SL music community later on? – Did you plan to start in Second Life because of the music possibilities here in the virtual world?

When I joined Second Life, I knew NOTHING about it. In one article I read it said join interest groups so the first one I joined was Classical Music Aficionados. I started attending concerts, met Tyrol Rimbaud and through her I got started doing music on SL.

What kind of music inspires you the most, and what kind of music do you love to perform the most?

Well, my favorite composer, by far, is Bach and I love his music more every day. However I have a voracious appetite for all kinds of music – music by many different composers and from all styles and musical periods. I am pretty much a pop culture dunce, but through Second LIfe I am getting acquainted with some popular music and some rock that I really like. I am also a big fan of new music. We have had some wonderful stuff written for us by very good composers and performing this music gives us a lot of pleasure and satisfaction.

You also perform music that your dad composed, can you tell something about that?

My dad composed all his life (he died in 2000). He wrote a lot of music for winds, especially for oboe and English horn, and a great deal of piano music as well. He also wrote a grand opera that was performed during his lifetime. We love to play his music – it is extremely pleasant but has a distinctive flavor all its own. My father was a professor of Anthropology and Linguistics at Cornell University (very renowned in his field) and he wrote music only for his own satisfaction, not as a living. So he was able to write what he wanted and not be dictated to by the “market.” (Or lack of market!)

The Schumann Duo has made some very beautiful performances in SL. How is it to perform a duet in a virtual world? Are there some difficulties, and also is there any benefit of the virtual world as your musical stage?

My duo partner, Kahuna Schumann, is my Real LIfe husband. We have been performing together for a long time and we have a pretty active RL concert schedule. For us playing in Second LIfe is a bit like giving a “house” concert as practice for a Real Life public performance. Playing together is something we have been doing for fun every since we met and playing in Second Life seems like a natural extension of that. It is a great place to try out new stuff. I really like performing at my Second Life house. Often, we invite a few people over on the spur of the moment for little concerts. We are in the mood to play and we figure we might as well “share” it! We tend to prefer smaller and more intimate audiences anyway. As far as difficulties, once we figured out the streaming, the rest is a piece of cake!!

How do you find it different to perform for a RL live audience compared to the virtual world?

Well, for me the biggest advantage to Second LIfe is not having to worry about what to wear. I have played many concerts in my pajamas and to me that is absolutely heaven!! I feel super comfortable and relaxed. Another big advantage to SL is that I always use my own piano, which I absolutely love. In a RL concert I always have a new and different piano to deal with and they aren’t always wonderful (in fact they often aren’t). I own two amazing pianos – a Yamaha Disklavier and a Fazioli – and being able to give concerts on my own instruments is lovely! Also, my studio happens to have beautiful acoustics so that is another advantage to playing here and streaming to Second Life.

Do you see any other possibilities for musicians such as you in Second Life – besides just live performances? For example in fields of music education or something else?

Yes indeed. The fact that we can “talk” (through texting) WHILE we are listening is miraculous. I am very involved with the Music Academy Online and on Tuesdays at noon I give a little class called Sisi’s favorites. I stream my favorite CDs and talk a little about the music, or the performer. or the composer, or the performance. Mostly we just listen and chat about what we are hearing. People seem to just love this and appreciate it so much. I think the opportunities for music education in Second Life are enormous. I have many plans and ideas for different projects I would like to realize – some marathon listening sessions (such as all the 32 Beethoven Piano Sonatas or all 555 Scarlatti Keyboard Sonatas) and also perhaps to teach some music theory which is one of my favorite things to teach. I also think with the proper video equipment, there is no reason someone couldn’t have some very worthwhile piano lessons! And we are talking about the possibility of having some master classes, which would be super exciting!

I have also been playing weddings here, which I just love doing and also doing some other solo concerts which is something I never do in RL, I perform only as a chamber musician. Also, in RL when we perform my husband does all the talking, but in SL I find that I am doing much more talking and I really like that! It has opened up many new possibilities for me, and I find that very exciting!

What is your most wonderful memory related to a music performance in Second Life?

I have especially loved playing with my sister (Suky Shostakovich) who plays the cello. Since we are the oldest and youngest of five siblings we didn’t get to play together much as youngsters (because of the age difference and the fact that I was out of the house by the time she became good enough to do much playing). Now for the first time, we are adults who live in the same city, and playing with her in SL and in RL has been a source of much pleasure for me. After the Bach birthday concert I played with her, several friends said the music made them cry. This means a lot to us – when people feel it deeply like that!

There are also short interviews, and you can hear Clarissima perform both solo, and with the Schumann Duo on the amazing SLCN TV shows produced by Music Academy Online, you can find them from the following links:

Music Academy – Clarissima Schumann

Music Academy – The Schumann Duo

Once again, it is time for the sailing community to put together effort in name of charity. I am little bit late this year posting this announcement, so the “Sailing for Life” events have already started at few of the yacht clubs. But in case if you haven’t heard of “Sailing for Life” or Relay for Life in Second Life, this post should cover most of the important things to know.

What is Relay for Life?

Visit the official Second Life Relay for Life website to see more information about the whole effort. To put it short SL RFL is raising funds for American Cancer Society, to help research cure for cancer.

The Relay for Life focus point each year has been the main Relay event, which has showed all kinds of interesting builds from various builders and the RFL teams, and also showed how many people put their hearts in this event, to work together for a common goal.

The first Relay in Second Life was in 2005, and the main event has grown each year. This year the main event will be hosted 19-20 July on the weekend.

What has this got to do with sailing?

There is an official SL RFL team … “Sailing for Life” .. that will organise the sailing event in the main RFL event in July. “Sailing for Life” also represents collectively the sailing community in the fundraising effort. There are many other teams in the SL RFL, that represent defined communities in SL (Caledon, Pixels in Pink, Shopaholics etc.) … and all the teams and how much they have raised funds can be seen on the official Second Life Relay for Life website.

So the same way as last year the sailing community has it’s own official team “Sailing for Life”, and we can together show the other communities that the sailing community can help with fundraising too!

Last year the effort that everyone as individuals and also the yacht clubs as communities put together in RFL, and raised funds together, sailed the boats, and made memories that stay with us everyone – it was amazing.

The sailing community also together raised over L$ 640,000 funds for the charity. During the spring and early summer there were some wonderful events that the yacht clubs hosted, and then of course the main RFL weekend, where lots of skippers sailed the time trials, and then there was the excitement of the auction … where some very special boats got bids that went very high!

Also I know that this matter touches many from the sailing community very personally, and that is of course the most important thing. We can help together, and every little thing counts and helps.

So how do I join “Sailing for Life”?

Each active SLSF yacht club have been sent an invite to join the team as a club – and by this every club member can be seen as a member of “Sailing for Life” too. People not affiliated with any club are represented as well as the team has non-club affiliated members.

How can I volunteer or help? – What kind of events will there be?

The yacht clubs will organise events to benefit Relay for Life, during the spring and summer 2008. All the proceeds from these events will be donated for RFL cause. These events can be anything – ranging from weekly regattas, pleasure sailing cruises, to a dance party on the yacht club pier. Sailing events are highly encouraged – but everything fun counts!

So if you are a member of a yacht club – and want to volunteer or help the RFL cause – go to your local yacht club, present them ideas for events that you might have … and help them organise a fundraiser event. There is plenty of time before end of July, everyone can present ideas, and help their own club set up an event or events dedicated for RFL. Make it big or make it small – every little bit will be helpful.

Later on this year there will be needed volunteers to help to create the sailing event in the main RFL event weekend – and also volunteers to keep the relay boat sailing 24h around the clock during that weekend – but more information about that will be posted later. Those who helped sail the relay boat last year deserve big thanks – they are already familiar how it works.

It is not a big request, to give one hour of your time to sail the relay boat, but here the meaning is the most important – since it symbolises that the fight against cancer never stops.

So I want to help, what can I do right now?

There are “Sailing for Life 2008″ T-shirts and Flying Tako sails available, that you can purchase and 100% of the money will be donated for charity. You can also donate money in any “Sailing for Life” donation kiosk, which can be found at the major yacht clubs, and other places too.

If you’re actively sailing or a member of the sailing community – I would encourage you to help and go get a “Sailing for Life” T-shirt, and wear it proudly! The shirt costs 250L, any amount of money above that can be donated to the vendor though.

You can get T-shirts and Flying Tako Sails for example at the following places (I will edit the list as more places will get added):

• SZ Designs, Caddo
• Nantucket Yacht Club, Northport
• Waypoint Yacht Club, Newport Bay
• Club de voile Les Glenans, Santa Cruz
• Marina Main Docks, Nantucket

(If you have a location where you would like to set up “Sailing for Life” T-shirt vendors, please IM me)

When you got a T-shirt, go to your local club, help them to create and host an event or events for the RFL cause, and help the sailing community to raise money together to fight cancer!

You can find this same information and also announcement about upcoming events, and discuss the Sailing for Life 2008 at the slsailing.org forum.

See it yourself below!

Click here to view the original Tip of the Week post.

SZ Designs is opening a new shop in the most beautiful sim, Germania Seagull. This is absolute must place to visit by anyone enjoying serene and tranquil places, breathtaking sceneries, sailing in pictoresque waters and meeting friendly people.

The docks where the SZ Designs shop building is located, opens into a traditional looking port with seawalls protecting the boat slips, and voyaging further from the port allows you to sail on several sea sims, all with beautiful scenery.

Angel Baxter, who is developing the sims with Balthasar Trebuchet, explains that they are planning to officially open at 1st of May, but all visitors are of course heartily welcome to visit and explore before too. And I do recommend taking time to walk around the island, looking around, and experiencing the vistas – as there are so many amazing places at this sim. The pictures below speak better than thousand words, but visiting yourself is even better.

Angel also told that they have tried to achieve a mediterranean type of setting, mixed with just a little fantasy, but keeping it still real enough. And I can only say that they have certainly achieved in this. They do offer rental houses for people interested in moving in, and they also have very exciting plans for organizing sailing races, and other kinds of activities ranging from scuba diving to ballroom dances.

Sailing at some other locations might be maybe slightly lower lag under certain conditions, but I can only say that this is the place for those who enjoy their sailing in breathtakingly beautiful scenery and setting.

To celebrate this opening of the SZ Designs shop, all merchandise is on sale 25% off – from 18th of April to 1st of May (only in SZD Germania Seagull shop) – so be sure to come and visit, and landmark and visit again!

I am proud to announce that SZ Pianofabrik is sponsoring the Music Academy Online weekly SLCN.TV show. They are featuring some of the most talented musicians, who perform in SL too, every week – and not only in form of concert or live performance, but also with most interesting interviews about the artists, their backgrounds and the music they perform. This gives the audience an unique insight into many aspects what makes the music of a particular artist and performer live and breathe. Both the interviews and of course the performances themselves show a dedication and love for music, and I can heartily recommend attending the shows at the Music Academy Online sim in SL.

Besides their presence in SL, the Music Academy Online also have a very comprehensive website – and you can also find their Second Life events calendar there. Besides the weekly live broadcast SLCN.TV show, they have lots of music related events going on each week, so be sure to check on their website what is happening. The sim also functions as an exhibition of past and contemporary music styles and eras, with lots of information on each.

I am recommending to go browse the archive of the SLCN.TV shows, you can find all the broadcast shows there at one place – and then of course visit the Music Academy Online venue in SL to see the next show yourself!

There is new set of playable piano sheet music available at SZ Pianofabrik – called the “Classical Piano Series”. This series features the masterpieces from the most famous classical music composers, mostly from the romantic era – and includes such pieces as “Für Elise”, “Pathétique” and “Moonlight” Sonatas from Beethoven, two “Arabesques” from Debussy, the “Gymnopedies” serie from Erik Satie, and much more.

The whole series include 12 full length piano pieces, that will play beautifully with the SZ Pianofabrik concert grand piano (and other pianos too). The songs can be bought individually, and the whole set is also available in an exquisite gift-wrapped package – which is also transferable, so you can hand it to the gift recipient. Or buy it for yourself as a gift …. as the whole set bought in the package is 37.5% cheaper than buying the pieces individually.

You can find the “Classical Piano Series” at SZ Pianofabrik, which is located at SZ Designs Interiore store at Caddo. Don’t forget to check out also the “Romantic Piano Series”, and the other piano sheet music that are available at the shelves next to the long wall, and of course the Model D series Concert Grand Pianos!

SZ Designs wishes a Happy New Year 2008 for all friends, customers and everyone else too. And as new years resolution there will be more exciting thing – both nautical and pianos, and other .. for the year 2008!

Happy New Year!

Some of you might be already familiar with J&S Aviation – the one stop shopping place for everything related to airplanes, helicopters, airfield buildings, aviation items and much more. And the JSA Cass Runway, where you can rez your plane for free and takeoff and fly one of the biggest protected areas in Second Life.

There are also lots of new items at JSA – both original JSA creations and also planes and helicopters from the best aviation builders in SL … so be sure to check out the selection that is changing all the time.

You can read more on the J&S Aviation Blog – or just visit JSA Airfield in Cass to browse the finest aviation products and fly your plane from the airstrip.

There is very active sailing community in Second Life that is helping new people to get involved with sailing the amazing wind powered boats in SL, and also organize lots of events – several each week – for both the newcomers and more experienced sailors. The number of events is really amazing, compared to for example spring 2006 when there were two yacht clubs actively organizing races – and I believe at that time there were only 3 racing events per week plus the “learn to sail” class at Starboards Yacht Club.

So the event calendar for the sailing community these days looks very full, which is a good thing. And there are lots of active people helping and volunteering run and manage these events. But one thing I have always been wondering, is that nearly all of these sailing events (with exception of the aforementioned “learn to sail” class) are racing events. More or less catering only towards the crowd that are interested in sail racing. And even some of the sailing classes nowadays discuss tips and techniques for racers.

There have always been people in the sailing community, who are more interested in exploring the various waterways of Second Life – more with the pace of a leisure cruise, enjoying the sights and the relaxed atmosphere of sailing without a clock ticking or a race opponent breathing at the back of your neck. For some reason this portion of the sailing community has never been so vocal, and probably many many people who sail their boats in Second Life and don’t participate the races, never maybe even found their way to the “active sailing community”.

There were couple discussion threads at the slsailing.org forums about pleasure cruises, but mostly the topics are very race-centered.

I have been trying to offer a different possibility for sailing at Caddo – in form of Caddo Guest Marina, that is at the side of SZ Designs Sail Loft. You can find the guest marina on the north side of the Sail Loft building, with couple display boats moored at the pier there. I have marked a “boat rez area” there for people to easily find where they can rez and launch their boats, to get sailing the lake area in front of Caddo.

And speaking of the lake area – it is one of the best locations to sail in SL … and mainland sailing has often got shadowed by the discussions of sailing community being very much focused on private sim sailing lately…

But the lake area in front of SZ Designs Sail Loft in Caddo, offers over 25 Linden protected sims to sail on, with no fences or banlines at all. And if you sail through the Drawbridge, there are 6 more fully protected sims to explore in that direction – and sailing past Lauks Nest, and north through the river towards Mowry – there are over 15 protected water sims in the area in front of Mowry and west from there.

So that means over 45 fully protected water sims to sail on only at this area!

.. the river network north from Caddo, and going towards Waterhead can also be sailed, and someone (sorry forgot who) posted a report on the slsailing.org earlier this year about succesfully sailing from this lake area all the way through ANWR and over to the northern Atoll continent, and to the very northern side of Atoll.

So there are vast possibilities for sailing on the mainland, and in my opinion it has been somewhat underrated … or at least not really talked about. Perhaps because most of the sailing community is so much focused on racing. Of course there is the start line at Adriatic sim, and the race course around the big lake area, but I don’t think it has been used much at all for races.

The best way to start exploring the SL mainland waterways, and the huge lake areas, is to rez your boat at SZ Designs Caddo Guest Marina, and start sailing the lake area there – with over 25 protected sims only on the big lake!