I write this as I listen to the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. It has been my utter privilege to have the opportunity to rehearse playing the 1st flute part in this for the past month. This orchestra who I am playing it with means a lot to me because I was first asked to play for them back in 1997 or 1998 by my old head of music school who had retired and was the conductor and chair of this orchestra. I used to go and play viola for them and would always go over to my Grandad's house in between the rehearsal and the concert and then we would go to the concert together. It still feels weird not to do that in the break. Also, indirectly, because of this orchestra, I met my husband. A lot of my old music teachers play with the orchestra so it is always a lovely reunion. Even today, a girl turned up to play viola who used to go to my Music School and I honestly haven't seen her for 18 years since I left!
The concert consists of an all-American programme but the main piece is the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. I have long wanted to play flute for this and there are some beautiful flute solos. It is such an utter joy to play, each and every moment. There is something so magical that can be conveyed through an orchestra- such a range of emotions. Leonard Bernstein really captured the story of Maria and Tony through his music - the beauty of young innocent love, loss, fear, battles, panic, swagger. I think this particular piece is full of such variety but there are so many wonderful orchestral pieces which convey such exquisite emotion which I fail to see or hear really in any other medium, even smaller ensembles.
I really wanted to document my utter joy and enjoyment from playing this piece and having rehearsed it for weeks. Since my regular orchestra is a chamber orchestra, I don't get to play big works like this too often over a period of time. If I have loved a piece as much as this, I tend to grieve for it when I am not going to play it again. Here's to my last week of enjoying this piece.
And take a listen or a watch of this video featuring the same piece, even if just in the background and I challenge you not to be taken in by the emotion of the music.
The concert consists of an all-American programme but the main piece is the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. I have long wanted to play flute for this and there are some beautiful flute solos. It is such an utter joy to play, each and every moment. There is something so magical that can be conveyed through an orchestra- such a range of emotions. Leonard Bernstein really captured the story of Maria and Tony through his music - the beauty of young innocent love, loss, fear, battles, panic, swagger. I think this particular piece is full of such variety but there are so many wonderful orchestral pieces which convey such exquisite emotion which I fail to see or hear really in any other medium, even smaller ensembles.
I really wanted to document my utter joy and enjoyment from playing this piece and having rehearsed it for weeks. Since my regular orchestra is a chamber orchestra, I don't get to play big works like this too often over a period of time. If I have loved a piece as much as this, I tend to grieve for it when I am not going to play it again. Here's to my last week of enjoying this piece.
And take a listen or a watch of this video featuring the same piece, even if just in the background and I challenge you not to be taken in by the emotion of the music.