Today, I really miss playing my violin. At one time I was a pretty good violinist. If I had practiced more, I probably could have been much better. But I was content just enjoying where I was with my playing. I also sang alto in choir after choir. For so many years in high school and college, my life was full of music. I have music in my life today but it's so focused on the kids that I forget to put something on that soothes MY soul. One of my clearest memories performing was when I was entering high school. I was on tour with the Granite Youth Symphony.
I was a "pre-soph" which was the bottom of the totem pole. But I was happy to be there sitting in the back of the 2nd violin section right in front of the percussion and more specifically the tympani. We were performing at an international educators conference in Oregon and the piece was "Mars. The Bringer of War" from The Planets by Gustav Holst (listen to Mars here). Listen to it, close your eyes. It's intense, and even more so when you are sitting in the middle of it. It was one of the first times I experienced going into a zone of sorts. You really have to focus because parts of the music are in 5/4 timing. So you focus so hard and only see your music and the conductor, listening, getting swept away in it. Like tunnel vision I suppose. When the piece ended, I remember standing up toward the roaring crowd, with chills, and teary eyes, allowing the emotion to sweep over me, the sensation to engulf me. I think everyone needs to experience something in their life that makes them feel the way I did that night.
In college, I played with the USU symphony orchestra. I had another amazing experience like the one above. It was the orchestra combined with the choral and several soloists performing "Ode To Joy" Beethoven's 9th symphony. There is a part at the end that builds to almost a frenzy and I remember seeing broken bow hairs flying from several players. I still weep every time I hear it. This is a picture of me before a performance in my concert black. Yes, yes, that is very big hair. Teased to perfection!
Today, I miss playing my violin.
This morning 8am...I'm up...first day of vacation...reading your blog and listening to your "click here"...WOW!! All I can say is...LET THE VACATION BEGIN!! I can't even imagine sitting in the middle of that piece, let alone playing in it. What a great experience.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Laura, your hair is always perfection!
You put into words something I feel very often. I have many amazing memories like the ones you described. I think sitting in the middle of an orchestra with the music surrounding you is something you can never forget. For me, Copland's Third Symphony and Carmina Burana with a full choir are the ones that stand out. Amazing. If you ever feel like attempting some duets, give me a call.
ReplyDeleteYou are still amazing at the violin! Looking at that picture of you at USU is so weird to me because I remember coming up there to see you play and I was only about 10. It was so cool to watch you.
ReplyDeleteAhh yes I remember those days and that hair! I need to get back into it too. I wish so much sometimes that we could infuse a few things of school into adult work lives to keep out creative selves alive...hmm. Better get back to blogging myself. (PS - Symphony No. 9 holds a big time special place with tears and all for us too.)
ReplyDelete