Yes I do! I know that working with a small group of people to accomplish a heady task is stressful and cumbersome. How tough is it when your skill level and input is directly related to how much money and/or fame the other members have? Can this still happen in this modern time?
Probably not. But it is worth a try!
Sign me up for a string quartet! I love the music (that is beside the point), but moreover I will love the process. Sure I have worked in various groups my entire life-- maybe none so polished-- but I am willing to let go of anything preconceived and sit down with some serious chamber music.
I know I can't hide behind a section in an orchestra. I know that what I play is almost less important than how I play it (I can't step on another's solo). I know there will be fights and eye rolls-- and I am honestly ready for criticism: Hey, I am always yelling at myself for things!
So, any takers? I promise long hours, little pay, and possibly a need for specialized formal wear. I also promise to take your picture during bouts of stress where your face may be contorted and look "alien" to you. You will have a net presence and once you do, you may have enemies. Overall though, I promise fun-- and somewhere Haydn will be smiling in your favor. Just make sure to catch up!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
You can't play angry music at just any time.
So I have to learn Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony-- his "Pathetic" Symphony so called because it is depressing-- and very angry. It is angry because it changes mood suddenly, tempo, range, and has many atonal passages. The first violin lives half the time up in 7th position and has many "weird" scale passages that start low and make their way up to said position. So, yes, I do have my hands full playing wise....But am I ready for all those emotions?
Well, at 11pm, when I shut the lights off and decided to put some critical ears to the music while trying to sleep, I became aware that some music is meant for the conscious midday and not when one wants to unwind.
Let's think about the history of the man at this time. Was this not his last or close to his last symphonic effort? Was he not willed by the Powers that be into killing himself in a "dignified" way because of certain relationships and not being Russian enough? Did he not eventually succumb to arsenic poisoning when he felt he could no longer exist respected? Well, this is what I read. But, would he not put this into his music?
Of course.
But what may have taken him a few months to compose and concoct with all of his anguish and hatred towards the public that he so wanted to please (or it could have just been toward his contemporaries), cannot be fully digested or even hinted at when one is not ready to accept it. Put a fire suit on me, allow me some guard rails, and keep the tea coming-- that is how one listens to Tchaikovsky! Just playing catch up!
Well, at 11pm, when I shut the lights off and decided to put some critical ears to the music while trying to sleep, I became aware that some music is meant for the conscious midday and not when one wants to unwind.
Let's think about the history of the man at this time. Was this not his last or close to his last symphonic effort? Was he not willed by the Powers that be into killing himself in a "dignified" way because of certain relationships and not being Russian enough? Did he not eventually succumb to arsenic poisoning when he felt he could no longer exist respected? Well, this is what I read. But, would he not put this into his music?
Of course.
But what may have taken him a few months to compose and concoct with all of his anguish and hatred towards the public that he so wanted to please (or it could have just been toward his contemporaries), cannot be fully digested or even hinted at when one is not ready to accept it. Put a fire suit on me, allow me some guard rails, and keep the tea coming-- that is how one listens to Tchaikovsky! Just playing catch up!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year-- I am older, but Mozart died young!
How does that make you feel? I have played his compositions (some) and I have heard his music (also some). I don't know the breath of his work but he was certainly prolific-- certainly a genius. What am I doing wrong?
No, the tv is honestly not on.
There is more info at the tip of my fingers at any time with the internet so I do have more inspiration... but I am sure being sick all of the time and worrying about dying is a great motivator (Mozart's life).
Ahh-- there it is. I work all of the time! I play other's compositions, I teach and I take care of people. I don't have those needed 8 hours or continuous study and composing. Yes, the music does play in my head- but my hands are on some other instrument when the moment hits me. I need a helmet to USB link-- add Finale to the pc and I will be all set. Maybe I could record myself all day long and learn to hum melodies and ideas out?
When all is said, I think I may just need the motivation Mozart had-- but I don't want that. I want a humbling deadline not a literal one (Dead-line).
So, my poison will have to be the performance--- many of them. All venues, all styles, all instruments, and all unprepared (partially). I am making up for a lost protege childhood. I need my averages up-- I need to make up for lost time and catch up!
No, the tv is honestly not on.
There is more info at the tip of my fingers at any time with the internet so I do have more inspiration... but I am sure being sick all of the time and worrying about dying is a great motivator (Mozart's life).
Ahh-- there it is. I work all of the time! I play other's compositions, I teach and I take care of people. I don't have those needed 8 hours or continuous study and composing. Yes, the music does play in my head- but my hands are on some other instrument when the moment hits me. I need a helmet to USB link-- add Finale to the pc and I will be all set. Maybe I could record myself all day long and learn to hum melodies and ideas out?
When all is said, I think I may just need the motivation Mozart had-- but I don't want that. I want a humbling deadline not a literal one (Dead-line).
So, my poison will have to be the performance--- many of them. All venues, all styles, all instruments, and all unprepared (partially). I am making up for a lost protege childhood. I need my averages up-- I need to make up for lost time and catch up!
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