Musicatopirauderdale

December 14, 2007 at 2:43 AM

So, I told my teacher today that I wanted to play Lark Ascending and she responded, "I hate that piece- it goes on and on…I call it Buzzards Descending!" I know some of you will raise your eyebrows to such an attitude, but she really is quite charming. And seeing as she has been in the presence of masterful giants her whole life, she has every right to believe she's heard better!
She suggested instead that I play either of three pieces all of which are Saint-Saens' compositions: Havanaise, Introduction Rondo and Capriccioso, or Concerto No. 3.

Well, my teacher seems to think I have an extreme case of repertoire ADD because I am always trying coax her into letting me play pieces way beyond my years, way before I have finished studying the piece that I am working on. So, she will often give in to my antics in order to appease me, since I can be very melodramatic and play the part of depressed swan so well. But today, I declared, "No, I must start to be patient with myself, dear maestra. It is only for my benefit that I stick to an assignment. And, of course, I always feel so much better when you reward me with a new piece, instead of me convincing you to give me a new one. And no matter how much of a fit I throw, you must stay firm to your convictions because you are my priceless teacher and I am your student who is privileged enough to learn from you."

I know the above makes me seem--hard, but I am a good student. I listen attentively; I respect my teacher; I practice as to not waste my maestra's time in a useless lesson; I walk her dog! I also ask many challenging questions, which keeps her occupied--on top of her busy schedule. ;)

The whole point for my above rambling was to make the point that as I have aged so much--19--I have become more patient with my violin and its horrid stubbornness to not submit to my every will! Sorry...dramatic moment. Let me collect myself in soothing, slow exhalations. What I mean to say is, I understand that in order to be a master, one must be patient and enjoy the process of becoming one.

But, how I long for it.... I remember when I was 14 years old. I played in the prelude strings. On the night of my first concert with them, the advanced Philharmonic went first. While all the other students talked or dazzied about backstage, I watched as the stage lights glowed on the orchestra and two young girls played Bach's Double in D minor. The girls were about two years older than me. I remember standing there letting the music invade my lungs. I felt as if it were too much; I could not breathe. A tear fell from my eyes--I had not cried in so long, always trying to be the strong little girl that my family needed. The fact that that moment could have such an effect on me changed my desires forever. The ability to feel emotion through music is a beauty I try to never take forgranted. I guess, that is why I have worked so hard, not wanting the moments to flee away like vanishing mist in the night. I want to take every chance to affix myself upon those notes, and go wherever they wish to take me, for as long as my heart beats to the simple rhythm of life. I yearn to give an audience such a gift as well. What better way to cure someone of grief than to take them away from it all together through gorgeous sound. The only way I could ever do that is if I became a master! Like a doctor who spends years of research to find an antidote to people's ailments.

One of the string coaches saw the longing way in which I watched the performance. I think it was obvious at that point, since I was hyperventilating. And maybe it was not the lights that lit the stage but the illumination on my face. She approached and whispered, "Do not worry, Jasmine. One day that will be you." I will never forget what she said. She said it with such sincerity to a girl who had only been playing the violin for two months. I wondered, why? She meant it, but how did she know.

Well, I think I did reach the level of those girls that I once sat admiring from behind the stage curtain. However, I see that what I've accomplished is still less than the peak on the mountain of skill and proficiency.

Some day you might see me, bawling in a backstage corner while I observe the Chicago Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Mark O' Connor, Rachel Barton Pine, Vengerov, Hahn, Mutter, Buri or so many more of my favorites (the list would be longer than life) who affix themselves upon notes and take the whole world to their majestic destination. I will be crying and one day, I hope, someone, anyone, will come up from behind and say, "That will be you someday."

But for now, I do not mind sitting in my practice room, exploring the land of Musicatopirauderdale all by myself. :)

"Don't wanna be all by myself anymore." Celine Dion

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bVKv6PdBR-I

From Terez Mertes
Posted on December 16, 2007 at 5:05 PM

>I remember when I was 14 years old. I played in the prelude strings. On the night of my first concert with them, the advanced Philharmonic went first. While all the other students talked or dazzied about backstage, I watched as the stage lights glowed on the orchestra and two young girls played Bach's Double in D minor. The girls were about two years older than me. I remember standing there letting the music invade my lungs. I felt as if it were too much; I could not breathe. A tear fell from my eyes--I had not cried in so long, always trying to be the strong little girl that my family needed. The fact that that moment could have such an effect on me changed my desires forever.

Aww, this was just wonderful. Beautifully described.

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Musicatopirauderdale

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