I love performing. I do. Every part of it is addictive, including the practicing/rehearsing, adrenaline rush, the applause, the compliments, and the socializing. It's just the bomb, tops, the bees' knees, and all superlatives synonymous.
The above gush is precipitated by my having performed not once, but twice this weekend. I played the first two movements of the JSB Partita in A Minor for Mr. Goldman's studio recital on Saturday and for the Adult Music Student Forum Cadenza Recital today. Saturday's performance was at the home of the NSO's piccoloist, Ms. Carole Bean. She lives in beautiful, grand home in NoVA. The acoustics were great, allowing for a bit of cover-up of any jittery tones. Five of Mr. Goldman's students performed, four of us adults and one 15 year old, whose playing was impressive. Telemann C Major Fantasie at the age of 15? Just superb playing, especially for her age.
I felt great about my performance of the first movement. I kept a flowing, moderate tempo throughout and I think I captured the mood I was after. There were no wrong notes, no clumsy rhythms, no awkward phrases. I think I did well. The second movement was not quite as good. I asked my teacher for notes after, and his take was it was decently played, just a bit heavy. It is a dance, and I think my dancers were a little out of shape. I also missed some notes and had a few stumbles at the end. The interesting thing about the performance was my nerves. We all get nervous, I think, whether we know it or not. During the first movement, Ms. Bean's dog was whining really loudly! I tried not to take it personally, and, in fact, I barely noticed it. What I did notice was my internal chatter. I envisioned people whispering things about my playing, my movements, my tone (good and bad). In actuality, the audience was silent during my performance. I think this internal chatter, and a bit of fatigue and relief at being nearly done, caused my missed notes at the end of the second movement. Afterward, I met some of my studio-mates. They were very nice people, all of whom had day jobs or former day jobs (retirees?), except, of course, for the high school student.
My performance today was, again, in NoVA, at, again, a beautiful home. The AMSF, which I think I may have mentioned in prior posts, is an organization designed to give adults who have don't make a living playing the instrument they love an opportunity to perform in a friendly setting. Today's recital consisted of 10 participants (8 pianists, one violinist and me), playing upwards of 10 minutes each. The acoustics of the performance space (the owner's living room) were not as forgiving as Ms. Bean's home. The setting was more intimate, too, with my closest audience member just a bit beyond arm's reach. I was the first player after intermission, giving me plenty of time to get used to the setting. I think I played fairly well. My sound, initially, was a bit thin, due to, I think, not having warmed up during intermission. I tried to make my sound ring, but it was difficult for me to do. My internal chatter was a bit more sane during this performance compared to yesterday's, but it was still present. I wonder if it every goes away. Next time I perform, if feasible, I'm going to have someone videotape my playing. I'm not really looking forward to watching myself play, but I think it will be quite educational. I hope I don't do anything weird! The people at this event were so kind and complimentary. The hostess had a great spread of hors d'oeuvres and wine. Unfortunately, I had to rush off after the last person played in order to get home and help Keith with chores.
I received an email from one of my studio-mates asking my to sub for the second flutist in the NIH Community Orchestra this weekend. Of course I said yes. I'll be playing Borodin's Symphony Number 2. I've never played it before, but I'm really excited about the opportunity and grateful for being asked.
My next project is to record the preliminary audition CD for the Adult Amateur Competition with the Mid Atlantic Flute Association. I'm going to ask one of the accompanists from Saturday's recital to record it with me, and Mr. Goldberg has given me the information for a recording studio who can make the CD for a relatively small fee. I'll keep my dear reader apprised.
Here's what I'm practicing currently:
Breathing exercises (Wye)
Long tones (Moyse): De La Sonorite, pages 6-9 (the classic long tones everyone does), and pp. 15-22 (the ones where you start on one note and progress up chromatically in triplets, e.g. F-F#-F F-G-F F-G#-F etc).
T and G: EJ 1 and 2, various articulations, 120 bpm; page 2 of EJ 1 in third register at 50 bpm; EJ 4, various articulations, 120 bpm.
Throat tuning and harmonics (Dick) - p. 11 and 15.
Etude (Andersen op. 15) - Second study
Solo Work - I'm putting the Bach to bed for now and starting again on the Faure Fantasie for the competition.
And that's where I am. I'm pleased with my progress, but I'm motivated by a desire to get a lot better. Someday, dear reader, I'll post a recording of my playing. But, when I do, please be kind :)
