I
Strings in the earth and air
Make music sweet;
Strings by the river where
The willows meet.
There’s music along the river
For Love wanders there,
Pale flowers on his mantle,
Dark leaves on his hair.
All softly playing,
With head to the music bent,
And fingers straying
Upon an instrument.
CHAMBER MUSIC
By James Joyce
“Hmm … not sure when could the chamber orchestra start practice again. What we can do is sending the score to our member, so that they could play at home until further notice.” Back in April, I talked to our concertmaster.
“Ok, I will mark the bowing instruction before you send out the score. What are you doing when we are not practicing with the chamber orchestra?” She asked.
“Various things, but not particular.” I replied.
“What about we practice violin and organ during the regular practice time? Maximum 2 people in a space, eligible. (wink) I can introduce you some repertoire from romantic period.” She said.
“Wow, I never heard something like that (my very poor knowledge). Tell me the title, so that I can search for them in internet.”
“Come to my house and collect the score, choose something you like and give me a call when you are ready.”
Among those fantastic repertoire, Joseph Rheinberger (1839-1901), 6 Pieces for Violin and Organ, Op. 150 was my choice. The variety of styles in this collection might be good for a beginner (as accompanist) like me. Other than accompanying my Mezzo-Soprano friend, I never play organ as an accompanist, I always play organ as a solo instrument in concert. The Handel’s organ concerto was my first experience to play with other instruments, yet the organ part is solo. It was a brand new feeling on how I pay attention to the music as an accompanist.
I was so nervous during the first practice because I was not used to it. However, I am really lucky to have an experienced violinist who patient enough and having time to help me develop.
Rubato, Accelerando, Animato, Ritardanto and so on are challenging when we are playing together. For example when she is doing Rubato, there will be situation where I need to listen carefully so that I could place the chord rightly; there will be situation where I have to keep the tempo stably so that she can play rubato and ornament on top of it.
As for Ritardando, I have to feel when her bow is coming to an end. Or she has to hold the note a bit longer and have a little break when I need to change the stop on organ.
At the first 2-3 practices, we have to repeat or to break often during playing. Mostly because we were not together. She has to explain what she was thinking or I have to explain what I was thinking verbally. Later on, we were able to communicate through playing music more and more. There was time when we need not to repeat but it was so beautiful that we did it one more time before going home.
Pastorale was the first piece we played. Followed by Elegy, Abendlied and Gigue we played the 3 pieces in a worship service, where the congregation was not allowed to sing (Covid19 condition). Thema mit Veränderungen was well received as we played it in the summer concert on 21.7.2020. Now, we are preparing Adagio und Fugue for “Stunde der Kirchenmusik” on 26.9.2020. The Op.150 will be completed by then.
Summer Concert (21.7.2020)
Placed a harpsichord in front of the altar, and a limitation of 35 audiences, nice stories told by a pastor, with the chamber music that played by 4 musicians, the church transformed into a cozy living room.
This summer concert was actually planned for a concert where chamber orchestra play. The programme has changed, due to two reasons related to Covid19 policy. First, the chamber orchestra was not allowed to practice for 4 months, no practice no performance. Second, there are 30 members in the chamber orchestra, that’s mean only 5 audiences are allowed to come as 35 people is the upper limit.
The substitution programme was nice and meaningful to me. Other than Rheinberger’s Op.150, I was so happy to touch harpsichord again by playing Corelli’s Sonate. Harpsichord was my second instrument in music college, I like my lecturer and I enjoyed my lesson very much. However, after my harpsichord exam, I have not come across it again until this concert.
When life doesn’t go as planned? Still, all things work together for good.
