Recitals and Recitations

I've been to three recitals in the last three days - one a day - and it's been wonderful. Sitting with my fellow voice students in the beautiful hall, I find it really magical to watch these incredible performers offer themselves through the music to us.

Saturday afternoon, J., a woman in my voice studio gave her degree recital. The first set was with a small orchestra - a bass clarinet, a clarinet, an oboe, 2 violins, a viola, a cello, a harp, 2 flutes and a piccolo, complete with student conductor. Beautiful and eerie music set to such lovely French poetry, I think by Ravel. She also performed some works with piano and then a Christmas set with just harp. Tempted me to try to take harp lessons here. When I was about 3 years old, I told my parents I wanted a harp for Christmas. They laughingly indulged me in a lap harp. It's not the same. Not that I mind their decision; why would you get a 3 year old a full concert-sized harp, especially when a) that wish might be the same as "I want to be a ballerina no a fireman no an astronaut no a...." and b) there aren't that many harp teachers in central PA? But I still have this hidden 3-year-old's delight that wonders, "What would it be like to place my hands upon those strings?"

Anyway, the performance was incredible. J. has double gifts: a beautiful voice that just rings and spins with this rich yet clear vibrato, and a talent for acting that would make her successful in straight plays if she so chose. She also is just a lovely person, and that warmth of her soul is exuded in her singing. Gorgeous.

Sunday's recital was for a baritone who sang several interesting pieces, including a Russian set - Dances of Death, I believe. Beautiful. His pianist actually played a piece alone after the intermission, which I liked. So often we don't pay enough attention to the gifts of the accompanists, but they are equally important in a performance, if not more so. A good accompanist can bring out new colors in your voice because he/she can feed you with a supportive texture, inspiring you to feel the music in new ways. It's also important to have someone who can follow you, sensing where you want to go with the piece and where you need more/less time, etc.

Today, we heard a potentially new faculty member. A bass with a very rich, dark voice, he sang a piece in Polish, one in Russian, one in German (Wagner), and one in Italian. All lovely. He's performed major roles in all the major houses, and it's a real treat to get to see a consummate professional like that. Tomorrow, he'll give a masterclass with students so that we all can get a sense of his teaching style. He also has a Q&A with just the students.

In between these lovely performances, I'm studying theory theory and more theory. Final exam is Wednesday, and I'm still trying to cram various details and techniques into my head. Yesterday was my final keyboard audit of the semester, and I have to say I'm relieved to have that finished! Wish me luck with the exam!

~Hope