Full Ears, Full Heart
Tonight I got to do something that made me both very nostalgic and very in-the-moment happy: I went to the orchestra. A family friend's sister plays in the orchestra and offered my free tickets for myself and a friend to go see Benjamin Britten's War Requiem at Victoria Hall in Geneva. I used to sing in choirs and operas from age 8-19 so I have the appreciation for this music not only as an attentive listener but also as a former performer. While I listen to music on a daily basis, it has been a long time since I have been to an orchestral concert like this. As I was watching the performance I was thinking to myself that there really is nothing like going to a symphony or orchestra performance because even if one listens to a few songs every day, listening to and watching an orchestra play a piece like this fills the senses in a way "regular" music cannot. In large classical music pieces like this, the dynamics, the tempo, the changes in emotion between each movement, that rigor with which the musicians play; all of this fills my eyes and ears and heart in a way modern every-day music cannot. Those who know me know how much joy music brings me and that I love almost every genre out there. Yet even though I would not describe myself as an avid classical music fan, I have come to learn that I have a deep appreciation for this genre, especially in live performances.
A few things stood out to me as I was watching the performance tonight, the first of which were the various older folks who were nodding their heads along to the fast paced sections. It reminded me of a much more tame version of rock'n'roll head-banging and it made me smile to myself. I think it's absolutely wonderful that people can be so engaged in whatever music they listen to and that music has the ability to almost take control of a persons body. While this is common for performers to become physically invested in their music, I love that music has the same effect on its listeners as well. Another moment in which I relished was the last few seconds of the performance. One of my favorite sounds in a chorus is when the singers hold "m"s and "n"s, letting the delicate consonant resonate in their mouths, creating a beautiful buzz. The last word of the Requiem is "Amen," and the conductor chose to hold this last "n" just long enough to create this beautiful sound and it brought a wide grin to my face. On top of this, the conductor did another one of my favorite things (which is surprisingly hard to come by in the US). Often times conductors will remain with their hands in the air after all sound has stopped in order to keep the audience from applauding at the end of a piece. In these moments, I relish letting all the sounds and emotions the piece has evoked wash over me and settle into me. I so appreciate these moments but often times audience members do not respect the conductor's hands and launch into applause too soon. Tonight, the conductor he his hands softly in the air for what felt like almost 15 seconds - the longest I've ever experienced in a concert setting. This only widened my grin from the last buzzing "n" of the chorus. Bravo!
Lastly, tonight has been an extension of the recent generosity of which I have been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end. To begin with, the tickets to the orchestra were given to me for free from a family friend's sister. Afterwards, she took us out to drinks...during which she offered me tickets to any concert I desired - "Just look at the website, you let me know," she said. During drinks she also offered that my friend and I come to her house for fondue because we have not had it yet in Switzerland. I kept saying, "Thank you! Wow! This is so kind of you! So generous!" But after saying it so much I felt as though it was not enough. I really am so incredibly thankful for the people who have taken me into their arms and been so giving, even those I have never or hardly met before. The hospitality and open arms I have encountered during my time abroad has made a world of a difference. The love I have felt from those who have been so kind have made me feel more at home and comfortable not only in Switzerland but in my own skin. Thank you.
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