Mr. Shaw charged us in our Atlanta Symphony Chorus warm-up more than once to remember that someone in our audience was hearing the music we were about to do for the first time, and someone was hearing it for the last time. Implied was our responsibility to perform in such a way that we could encourage someone to become a life-long music lover. And also to send someone to their reward with a pure experience of the Divine. It is a high calling we accept each time we enter the rehearsal hall or walk on the stage of Symphony Hall. It doesn't come from management offices and boards rooms. It comes from the hearts of performers. You can build a life on it. Remember as we move into this season that music is a life and death matter. I'm hurt, but the music is what I need to heal. In all this business remember that we are about the music.
Stephen Reed
T-1, #259
Steve, your post brought tears to my eyes. I also recall Shaw's reminder that someone in the hall is hearing a piece for the first time and another for the last. We must continue to bring the music to our audiences - to connect, to inform, to move, to educate - and focus on ensuring that it will still be available for audiences in the future.
ReplyDeleteSo profound, and so moving. Thank you. I still feel that what has gone on has been a travesty, but truer words have never been spoken: "You can build a life on it."
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said and I'm sure you all will need to keep these thoughts in mind when work begins! I'm very glad you all do have music to immerse yourselves in to try and block out the hurt and to play and sing for yourselves and for your admirers and supporters! We are there for you and the music - not the "others".
ReplyDeleteAs Mr. Shaw used to say, Margaret, the Dove can't descend in the performances if we haven't spent the rehearsals cleaning the perch. We've got our minds on the work now. Glad to have you around.
DeleteSteve Reed
I, too, love that phrase "You can build a life on it." Not something we should ever take for granted, and Robert Shaw's words apply equally to us as performers: some will be singing Verdi for the first time, others for the last. I did the Walton twenty years ago and am thrilled to sing it again, have never done Chicester Psalms, and will never do the Requiem too many times. We're so lucky...even this last week has been at some levels a blessing...just to have something that you care this much about is the most incredible gift.
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