I was asked to be 'Donut Girl' for the SF Symphony for the second time. What is this? It is my volunteer title for the SF Symphony. My job is to arrive at 7:30 a.m. at the Davies Symphony Hall, have a cup of tea and a donut with the other volunteers, chat with them, place my jacket in my chosen seat in the hall - ANYWHERE I WANT, and keep the donuts flowing at our table. I was able to do more 'people watching' this time since I knew my job. I got a kick out of all of the colorful SCARVES and wedding rings! WOWZA!! Many complained about the traffic due to the Bay Bridge being CLOSED due to issues with cables.....I wished most a 'Good Morning', while everyone could feel the excitement in the air about the music that was yet to come.
At 8:30 a.m. the doors open and we begin to sell coffee for $1 and everyone gets a free donut! Can't beat that!! The price of admission is between $20 - $35, depending on your seat. This is called an 'Open Rehearsal', when the symphony has a rehearsal of the program they will be performing in the next few days.
At 9:00 a.m. we stop eating and drinking and enter the hall. A speaker - usually a professor - explains to everyone what we will be listening to, history of each piece, any information they wish to share about the composer, time period, etc... It is very enjoyable and the past two speakers were very very good! Today we heard Susan Key, the director of the Keeping the Score Program. She also taught at Stanford, Univ. of Maryland, and the College of William and Mary. Not a bad resume! She talked until about 9:30 and then there was an intermission.
At 10:00 the symphony begins their practice. Last time, Istak Perlman was the guest conductor and soloist. THAT concert had me paralyzed in my chair!
So, let's talk about TODAY!
The entire symphony was present. About 30 Violins, 10 Cellos, 8 Basses, all woodwinds, timpani, Bells, the HARP, we are talking, the WORKS! They played Sallinen's Symphony No. 1. Never heard of the guy, but was swept away. I felt, as last week, my breathing become slower, almost to a STOP! I would sit, FIXED on listening to all of the different "voices". When the violins play and they PLUCK their strings all at the same time, sounding as ONE I am shocked! The clarinet is so sweet and pure, like melted chocolate pouring!
Next is Sibelius - a Violin Concerto that Vadim Repin plays as our guest soloist. He was born in Siberia in 1971 and began playing the violin at 5 yrs. old and gave his first performance 6 months later - a true genius!! He won many competitions and has traveled all over the world playing his music, the entire pieces from memory. When he played, I truly felt as if all of my organs had been drained out of me. They all seeped out of my legs and out of my arms. I sat in my chair, with only a heart. The heart was being filled with such beauty, as sweetly as beauty can possibly be! I could not breathe, I was sure, because I did not have lungs, they washed out with everything else. I sat, paralyzed, again, at this unbelievable talent of musicians, all coming together, to play music, written over 100 years ago (1904). Vadim plays on a violin that was made in 1736 - a "Von Szerdahely". His fingers DANCED on the neck of that violin, in such a speed and accuracy that our eyes could not keep track! Again, all by memory! Thankfully, the piece has three movements so we were able to listen for at least 30 minutes! It was pure perfection and delight! My soul SOARED! This is one of the greatest works for the violin - a TRUE TREAT!!
At these rehearsals, each conductor - today Osmo Vanska - Director of the Minnesota Orchestra AND chief conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra of Glasgow (1997 - 2002)- a clarinetist - has their own style. Last week, Mr. Perlman had many stops and starts. We only heard a maximum of 15 minutes straight. TODAY, Mr. Vanska, played each movement in its ENTIRETY, without stopping! After each movement, he would critique them, explaining what he liked and what he did not. He would repeat sections, then move onto the next movement. So, today, we actually heard the entire concert!
The last selection was the long awaited - Beethoven - Coriolan Overture AND Symphony No. 8. They were both beautiful! Again, sitting FIXED, as in a trance, could not move, did not think about breathing or moving. It would be difficult to describe the pure sweetness in Symphony No. 8. Very different than the more well known symphonies - Da. Da. Da. Daaaaaaaaaa, Da. Da. Da. Daaaaaaaa. You know, No. 5!! hahaha....anyway, the last movement is known as the 'Dance of the Polar Bears' because it sounds a little awkward. These musicians are amazing! I know, they've practiced many hours and this IS THEIR JOB, but still, come on!! PERFECT!!!!? ALLLL the time!!??
So yes, another successful time spent today. The rehearsal lasts until 12:30 so we are able to enjoy 2.5 hours of BLISS and a touch of HEAVEN! There is so much emotion that comes from sitting still, reflecting, allowing the music to touch my soul in ways that are difficult to describe. It is all consuming, surrounding. It is romantic, emotional, intense, mystical, and relaxing all at the same time. I sit alone, among the other interested listeners, and I appreciate all that I have, all that I am and wish to become. It is a time of reflection, with the symphony playing the music on my heart.
I am so thankful, beyond words, to be able to experience this live music! I just had to blog this so I can never forget the importance this has in my life.
