Niccolo Paganini

Classical Music / Composer's Datebook

 

Italian virtuoso and composer Niccolo Paganini

Niccolò (or Nicolò) Paganini, (October 27, 1782 - May 27, 1840), was born in Genoa, Italy. He was a violinist, violist, guitarist and composer. He is one of the most famous violin virtuosi, considered one of the greatest violinists of all-time, with perfect intonation and innovative techniques.

Although eighteenth century Europe had seen several extraordinary violinists, Paganini was the preeminent violin virtuoso of the nineteenth century.

Strong and Enduring Tulips in the Snow

On endurance and strength, inspired by tulips in the snow.

The photo "Tulips in the Snow" is a compliment of my Dutch friend Wim Vingerhoed, a Mozart enthusiast from Eindhoven, Holland. Wim has given me numerous wonderful images of Mozart, flowers and nature, but this one, tulips in the snow" has always been a favourite. A lovely sight of yellow-coloured tulips in snow. Ik wens je een prettige dag.

It's spring here in Sydney, although at times we experience the four seasons without snow. On the other side of the hemisphere where other friends live, it is autumn, and perhaps might make more encore after the actual start of winter. Beholding the photo taken by my friend Wim, I wish I'm over where he took it, go out and get snowed on. My mind wanders. In my musings, the cold air seeps through my being while I delightfully witness how the snow clings to the tulips and almost cover some new buds on the trees around.

Tulips, most popular in the Netherlands, don't bend over or resign to the cold. They stand tall against the gusts of winter air, with their bloom, yellow in this photo dusted with snow. Look at the lovely image: they're brave and strong, unresigning to the cold. I love tulips alongside roses and orchids. Spring is the season expected to recover from winter's extreme cold. But winter is not necessarily harsh.

I so admire the fortitude of tulips in the snow, almost in rebellious defiance to the cold winter winds. What endurance and strength amid life's challenges if we let go and let God.



Image credit:

"Tulips in the Snow" by Wim Vingerhoed.

Otto Heinrich Warburg

Science / Scientist Datebook: October 8

 

Biochemist, Medical Doctor, and Nobel Laureate

Otto Heinrich Warburg (October 8, 1883 – August 1, 1970), a German physiologist, medical doctor and Nobel laureate, was the son of physicist Emil Warburg.  One of the 20th century's leading biochemists, his combined work in plant physiology, cell metabolism and oncology made him an integral figure in the later development of systems biology. He also worked with Dean Burk in photosynthesis to discover the I-quantum reaction that splits the carbon dioxide (CO2), activated by the respiration.

He won the Nobel Prize of 1931. An officer in the elite Ulan (cavalry regiment) during the First World War, he won the Iron Cross (1st Class) for bravery.

George Westinghouse

Science / Inventors Datebook: October 6

American engineer, inventor, and pioneer of the electrical company.

George Westinghouse, Jr. (October 6, 1846 – March 12, 1914) was an American engineer and entrepreneur who invented the railway air brake and was a pioneer of the electrical industry. He was also one of Thomas Alva Edison's rivals in the early implementation of the American electricity system. Westinghouse's system, which used alternating current based on the extensive research by Nikola Tesla, eventually prevailed over Edison's insistence on direct Current.

In 1911, Westinghouse received the AIEE's Edison Medal "For meritorious achievement in connection with the development of the alternating current system."