I read "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho this week, and spent most of the time reading it trying to decide how I felt about the tone of the book. It's a translation from portugese, so the slight preachiness could be a fault of translation. Regardless, I'm not sure I object. It's a good story about journeys, both within and without, and the need or obligation of every part of the world - plants, rocks, animals, wind - to fulfill its own Personal Legend, ones ultimate desire that lives within the soul and the heart.
Today, it's marinating. Today, this song by Namoli Brennet came on over the ol' iPod. Great song, immediately relevant for me and brought to me years ago by a dear friend who not only crossed into my heart long before, but is permanently wedged into the warm and sticky depths. So what's my Personal Legend? I'm not sure. It's one of the things marinating in my brain and my heart. One aspect of the book that I disagree with is that I don't think it is ever too late to pursue ones dreams. It might become more difficult or more hazy and forgotten with the accumulation of time, but it is never too late.
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The recital was fantastic! I played mostly wonderfully and had a big crowd (50+ maybe?) that all loved the music! Brett recorded it on video and audio so there will be something going up somewhere sometime soonish. But really, I'm proud. AND despite hours of procrastination and my best efforts to shoot myself in the foot, I did actually manage to get my program notes finished and I was very happy with them. You can absolutely tell which bit I wrote at 4am though - I become pretty descriptive with enough sleep deprivation. Only downside is that I don't think anyone took any pictures of the audience or of me with my recital-helpers. And we should've had people sign the back of the huge poster Brett made for me. Hindsight 20/20, blah blah blah. But a rousing success! And I passed! WOOHOO!
Up at 7am today, ready to go! Not exhausted, despite the 3 pumpkin ales I had last night, and the mind abuzz with things I can do and learn now that the recital is over. YAY!! :) Tags: happy, music, yay Right now, I’m listening to a fellow bassoonist’s recording from masterclass on Friday. It’s beautiful. He’s done a lovely job and sounds not a lick nervous but I KNOW he meant there to be more emotion in there. I’m struck by how hard we work to not only get the notes of the music but the core, the guts, the emotion of the music. We hear it in our heads. We know EXaCTLY what we want and where, but getting it translated through the instrument is.. difficult at best.
Last week, I went to a wind quintet performance. About two-thirds of the way through, I started wondering what the point was of this performance. Further, I began wondering what the point was of what I do, my own musical exploration and performances and those of my musician comrades. What’s the point?
My daughter called me an artist the other day. It was during a conversation about visual art, in which my training is public school and a few professional development meetings with a Textile Artist. I took a big step in the right direction. I said, "Thank you".
More of us just need to can those inner voices of self-deprecation and minimization and just say, "Thank you". |
cassandraFreelance bassoonist and carpenter of the reedy persuasion in Tucson, AZ. other blogsHabits of Musicians
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