Semele

Sunday afternoon at the opera
a local performance
in Semele
young musicians playing, singing

Even on a sunny afternoon
music lovers convene
time to enjoy
the sweet sounds of Handel

I happen upon the grandfather
Reading the synopsis of Semele
Oh, he says,
My grand-daughter is going to die

Bursting with pride
That she plays that role
Mid aria he pokes me
to give a thumbs up

An afternoon well spent
with music
conversations
connecting




 Note: This is the lid of the harpsichord - taken off for the production. Harpsichords are often highly decorated. The inscription: Dum vixi tacui. Mortua dule cano means While living I was silent: dead, I sing sweetly. You can find out more about harpsichords and inscriptions here.

House Concert

Untitled, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Last night I had the privilege to attend a house concert in the home of someone who owns a marvelous harpsichord. The maker of the harpsichord also attended. The concert featured these two young musicians who are both incredibly talented and hard-working musicians.

It is always a treat to hear musicians in this kind of intimate setting. And a further treat to hear these two, both of whom I have heard play since they were young).

The concert was followed by wine and refreshments - a thoroughly delightful evening.

Vincent Lauzer and Melisande McNabney

Harpsichord Keys

Harpsichord Keys, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

What better way to spend time on a dreary October afternoon than playing music. As Baroque music lovers, my spouse and I play in Baroque pitch (A=415). His friend is equally immersed in music. In one room in his apartment he has an organ and two harpsichords - one in modern pitch (A=440) and this smaller one in Baroque pitch.



We played through the afternoon - Corelli, Quantz and Bach. It keeps my brain flexible as I switch recorders depending on the piece - my alto in A, my voice flute in D. But mostly, playing music fills my soul with joy. A little house music - making our own - not just consuming it.

Day 64: Ready for music

Day 64: Ready for music, originally uploaded by susanvg.

To me, one of life's great pleasures is playing music. Today, I played baroque music with friends (recorders, violin, viola da gamba and harpsichord). This harpsichord lives at my friends' home. They have filled their lives with music, playing a variety of instruments, singing and welcoming friends to make music with them.

Telemann, Scarlatti, Purcell - we filled the afternoon with their compositions, communicating with each other and with the past, when this music was composed. Through their music we danced, felt joy, shared moments of exquisite beauty, experienced sorrow and laughed.

Playing together requires trust, listening and risk-taking as well as a level of technical and musical expertise.But when a movement works, the satisfaction is enormous. It's about teamwork, about collaboration, and mainly about communicating our musical ideas so that together we have something to say.

Nietsche said "Without music life would be a mistake." I have to agree.