And we're back!! Ready for another year of scintillating life and times? I can't believe I'm halfway done my degree already...
I got back to SF last Sunday and was immediately plunged into the American Bach Soloists Academy (early music training program and festival, for those who don't know). This program is possibly the most I have enjoyed music since starting at SFCM. I am the youngest person in the Academy by about a two-year margin - the mean age is mid-twenties, and about half of the participants aren't even in school anymore but are freelancing or have their own ensembles. I have not touched the modern violin in a week, and I don't miss it at all; I almost forgot I even had another violin.
Our days are packed with rehearsals. Besides Bach's b minor mass, which is done every year at this festival, we are performing an opera by Marin Marais, a little suite by a guy named Schmierer (for which I get to be concertmaster!) and many, many small chamber pieces. I myself am playing in two Bach arias and a Telemann concerto for violin and horn (Baroque horn played well is something to hear). I was telling a colleague that this is the ideal life: no classes, no competitions, no auditions, no recordings, just working on great music with superb artists and like-minded peers.
I am living in a new house with new roommates and a gas stove. Figuring out the gas stove took me more time than I care to admit. Figuring out my roommates will take longer. I have been out and about in the neighbourhood and will post pictures of the house and community at a later date.
In the meantime here is a picture of something I found hilarious.
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| Honestly who lets these things slip through the cracks |
And here is a picture I took, in the Concert Hall, DURING a concert. I did not dare to use flash so it is somewhat dark:
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| He's probably the critic |
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We are performing the Bach mass today and again next Sunday. See you then.
- Antisocial Violinist
