Cello Recital - Schindler's List
2024 Nov 9In June, we spent a long weekend in Walla Walla, WA. They had a chamber music festival going on, and we were able to take in two concerts. One piece played was the main theme from the movie Schindler's List. Although I had previously heard it, it had not spoken to me. This time I "got it". And so I purchased cello sheet music of the official arrangement.
Our summer this year was busy with many things, and so I slowed down on the cello. I had lessons every other week. I worked on two pieces of music, including this one, taking my time.
Superficially, it is a simple piece. However, when I got to where I really knew the notes, I found I could lengthen the phrases. Instead of just playing adjacent notes ("words"), these larger sections were sentences, and adjacent sections became paragraphs with substantial meaning.
I also modified it slightly from the original by changing the octave of one section. This increased the range of notes used to 4 octaves! I grew in ability to play the high notes with a "fat" and relaxed sound (stopping the strings on their side instead of pressing them down to the fingerboard).
Finally, it was the recital. It was the longest recital with the most people attending that I had seen in a long time, and I was the last one playing. Often, if there are others making mistakes and playing with tension, I tend to absorb that nervousness, and make more mistakes.
But, the other students played confidently; their pieces were interesting and enjoyable. I also prepared myself at the back with some warm-up movement. (This included a few pushups, which I have found releases body tension.)
I have learned to not be disappointed if I don't play my best performance at the recital, however, the performance went very well. There is room for improvement, but I am quite satisfied.
Afterwards, more people complemented or thanked me than ever before. Because I had spoken meaningfully to them through the music, I know I was successful. And my teacher said she heard an audible sigh of satisfaction from the audience after the last note.
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