Monday 10 October 2011

Moments Musicaux

Baby J's arrival has prompted much more self reflection. Last week I watched the documentary/movie  'Mrs. Carey's Concert'  . It follows the journey of Karen Carey, a music director at an exclusive private girls school in Sydney, as she prepares her students for a biennial  classical music concert at the Sydney Opera House. It triggered a series of fond memories from my high school days and reminded me how important music has been in my upbringing. The endless after school rehearsals, the monotony of solo practice, the thrill of performing in front of an appreciating crowd and the camaraderie developed between players.

Karen Carey's enthusiasm and love of music reminded me of the many music teachers who have inspired and encouraged me as a child. The most influential of those teachers though, would have to be my parents. My mother sat with me for hours at the piano encouraging me through the Suzuki piano series and if it weren't for her dedication and perseverance, there is no way I would have been able to continue on to a standard that allows me to enjoy it as much as I do.  In a recent interview by Margaret Throsby on ABC classic FM, Carey expressed the importance of music education and her beliefs that all children should have access to it. It is a belief that I fully subscribe to. Music has enriched my life in so many ways and has also has helped me learn key life skills. It made me think about how to bring more music into baby J's life. I have been so lucky to have had the opportunity to play in orchestras, various chamber groups and explore many different types of music. Sure, the monotonous and tedious task of daily practice was a chore and required a lot of active encouragement and sometimes almost force on the part of my parents, but now I am so so grateful to them for pushing me along.  Hopefully I can bring the same balance of gentle encouragement and discipline to my own son!

In another moment of musical reflection, hubby and I went to listen to Melbourne Symphony Orchestra last week. Sol Gabetta, an Argentinian cellist performed the Elgar Cello Concerto. I love this concerto, there is an intensity and lyricism that is so beautiful. Some of the melodic passages were truly haunting. Again, reminded me about the power of live music and how we must make more of an effort to get along to some more concerts in the coming months.