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March 2012

Angering the viola gods.

March 5, 2012 21:18

I have angered the viola gods.

As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, my focus this year has been on my mental 'map' of the upper positions on the violin. So, I've been playing a lot of 1st violin in orchestra, to great effect. Our last concert for this orchestra was very difficult but productive, but this concert line-up promises to be a great fun show.

We are doing a 'fairy tales' concert, with excepts of Sheherezade, Swan Lake, Sleeping beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and the entire Mother Goose Suite by Ravel. The 1st violin parts are a blast...fast, high and fun, but without the stress of the last concert. I was so looking forward to reaping the benefits of my work earlier this season, and just flat-out having fun with it.

But alas.... for the 2nd time this season, I've been tapped to play viola. While I like being able to flex and truly do feel all parts are important, this is a disappointment. I have been heard to whine a bit to my family. :P But, I put a smile on my face, and moved over...

...Only to find out that I was not only playing viola, but playing principal. Which means that I have to play the 7th position solo in the last movement of the Ravel.

7th position is a lot easier on the violin than the viola. The viola gods are taking their revenge on me.

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