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Porgy and Bess
Feb. 27th, 2011 05:04 pmI had a concert last night. My school orchestra (we call it the Philharmonia) performed excerpts from Porgy and Bess. I've been enjoying playing the pieces, as they are quite different from the usual Classical fare, and extremely well suited to the story they portray. George Gershwin knew what he was doing when he wrote this, and did it well with this opera.
Performing this piece reminded me of why I enjoy playing with a large group so much. As we went through the beginning of the first act, there is a classic buildup in volume and speed. One of the themes of the opera is the music imitating a train, which is a lot of fun. So here we are, piano leading to choir giving way to brass and finally joining in with strings. The moments of that were almost perfect in their synchronicity. Everyone was playing the same music, listening to each other, and watching our conductor for the beat. The feeling of collective gathering was palpable to me, and the music was so clear. The first time that ever happened to me I got chills, a large emotional reaction, and was rather scared of it, actually. It took me several years to understand that these rare moments of clarity in music are something for which to strive.
It is a shame we cannot do that more often, but it is a college orchestra that tends to disappoint those with high expectations more often than not. Still, though, we had it that time, and that will encourage me until I feel it again.
Greeny
Performing this piece reminded me of why I enjoy playing with a large group so much. As we went through the beginning of the first act, there is a classic buildup in volume and speed. One of the themes of the opera is the music imitating a train, which is a lot of fun. So here we are, piano leading to choir giving way to brass and finally joining in with strings. The moments of that were almost perfect in their synchronicity. Everyone was playing the same music, listening to each other, and watching our conductor for the beat. The feeling of collective gathering was palpable to me, and the music was so clear. The first time that ever happened to me I got chills, a large emotional reaction, and was rather scared of it, actually. It took me several years to understand that these rare moments of clarity in music are something for which to strive.
It is a shame we cannot do that more often, but it is a college orchestra that tends to disappoint those with high expectations more often than not. Still, though, we had it that time, and that will encourage me until I feel it again.
Greeny
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Today I played Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring whilst a very smart-in-the-romance-department man proposed to his girlfriend, now fiancee. God, I got such a buzz out of it. Beautiful park, beautiful music, beautiful people getting engaged. I ask again, how did my life get this cool? There is just no telling what will happen when you get a job doing something you like with a boss who likes to network. I now want to make business cards up, and other professional things. I probably won't, this urge is usually very quick to pass, but it is a good idea.
So, the incredible buzz from the proposal (that is how the man is indexed in my phone: proposal guy) bled over into the lesson I taught. which was great. I got my little student excited about her playing and she talked more than usual (she's a quiet one). Then there was the obligatory freaking out over the paper due tomorrow. I'm getting there, it would go faster if I was writing it and not this. Before now, but after the obligatory freaking out, there was band, which I have already posted about. We are doing our second show, but first real thing on Halloween. Really, the coolness factor? Above and beyond expectation.
And yes, I really do think that sleep deprivation leads to me posting stuff. I don't know why, maybe it's a Vienna flashback. Hmmm....
One last thing, I really, truly started my grad school search. Went and looked at and deleted 15 of those suckers off fastweb. God, thanks for the life, I'm loving it dearly.
See ya soon,
Greeny
So, the incredible buzz from the proposal (that is how the man is indexed in my phone: proposal guy) bled over into the lesson I taught. which was great. I got my little student excited about her playing and she talked more than usual (she's a quiet one). Then there was the obligatory freaking out over the paper due tomorrow. I'm getting there, it would go faster if I was writing it and not this. Before now, but after the obligatory freaking out, there was band, which I have already posted about. We are doing our second show, but first real thing on Halloween. Really, the coolness factor? Above and beyond expectation.
And yes, I really do think that sleep deprivation leads to me posting stuff. I don't know why, maybe it's a Vienna flashback. Hmmm....
One last thing, I really, truly started my grad school search. Went and looked at and deleted 15 of those suckers off fastweb. God, thanks for the life, I'm loving it dearly.
See ya soon,
Greeny
