After a long summer of traveling, practicing, playing, rehearsing, and performing, I am finally home now. I have gathered a library of experiences, meeting people, making music with them, and enjoying nature at its finest in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. I took part in two chamber music events and a couple of viola da gamba workshops. Even though I learned a great deal, I am relieved to be home and ready to fall back into my routines.
All the aspects of making music I have been discussing in my posts came to life in intense workshops, since the programs I participated in were condensed into one-week or ten-day increments, both with my cello and bass gamba. Preparation, of course, was inevitable before the festivals began, but there was always room for improvement during the events. Constant refining became part of my daily life during those days. In the past, one of my teachers once said that the day I thought I was perfect, my work would be finished, and I would have nothing more to do in music. Nowadays, I am constantly aware of and understand the meaning of that idea he shared with me years ago.
There were also moments when things became challenging as I played chamber music with other musicians. Those were the times when I had to stay steadfast and keep getting stronger. Time was limited, and the repertoire was quite difficult, to say the least. Since we had never played together before, we had almost no opportunity even to consider that part of playing in an ensemble. I believe this is an important component of music-making in any setting where we have to perform with other performers. That is, when the music calls for more than one instrument. But it was impressive how my colleagues came together in this limited period and produced music worthy of presentation.
Other challenges included packing, traveling, and maintaining healthy eating habits. As programs ended and I returned home, I prepared for the next event and did it all over again. If I were to reflect on what I would do differently next year, it would mostly be in the areas I just mentioned, aside from making music. Non-musical activities are also a significant part of participating in such events, so we can be fully present when we show up. Naturally, I also consider changing how I approach musical activities, including how I prepare, practice, and perform. The beauty is that we can always find new ways to prepare and present ourselves in every part of our lives.
I also had a chance to play in a clarinet trio for the first time with my younger daughter at one of the festivals, and it was a lovely experience. My older daughter also kept me company in Italy as I drove for kilometers on end in the north.
That said, the crucial thing is what lies ahead now, as schools have already started and my daughters have returned to the university for their studies. I have been learning the bass gamba up to this point; I would like to explore playing the discant viol this year. Among my many other interests, I have begun learning Italian. I will continue playing and performing, and posting on my website about my musical journey. So welcome back to all my readers, and welcome to the new ones who have recently joined us.
I am looking forward to another year of making music and sharing my experiences on my site.
But enough about me. What about you? If you have an experience you'd like to share from your musical journey, please comment below.
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