Recital DONE!
At about 10:00PM Sunday night, 30Mar2003, I made my way to the Green Room. Flustered, frustrated, and nervous about my impending recital, I felt disgusted with what I considered an unproductive dress rehearsal. I swabbed both instruments out and actually considered cancelling the recital in a momentary fit of rage with myself.
Approximately 21 hours and 10 minutes after that, I breathed a heavy sigh of relief right before returning on stage for a curtain call. I was greeted by the audience for one final time of the evening with applause and a distinct, "HEEEEEEEEEEY!!!" I smiled, exited the stage, and actually felt comfortable with the performance I had just given. Almost immediately, I was greeted by Doktorvaan and his signature smile.
"Good job."
Not more than 40 minutes prior to that, Doktorphaant, our department head, came backstage during my intermission.
"You sound great. You're doing some really good things here, Joshua."
Those were just two of many comments that I received Monday night that stood out. I felt blessed having so many people there - people that I cared about, people that just came for fun - listening to me. It made me realized how lucky I really am.
The following day, Doktorborshay handed me his comment sheet, which contained all of this thoughts on my performance (in his unique chicken scratch). To be perfectly honest, I was afraid of what he'd written -- until I actually read it. With every performance, there's always good and bad, so I wasn't surprised to read things like "a little softer at beginning," "keep tempo more steady," "Control 1st entrance - articulation too heavy," and "[altissimo notes] are riding # [sharp]." But I was surprised to see things like, "very effective," "good job - even better than in the lesson today," "good dynamic contrast - I really love this mov't," and "sextuplets very good - clean and even!" I even got a complement on my bows (pronounced [BOWZ], not [BOHZ] like what string players use), which I laughed about for some reason. I guess I'd never thought about all that stuff - and I'm sure there's a bad way to bow - but it struck me as humorous.
So now what's left? One more solo performance each on the Schubert (April 30), the Weber - 3rd movement (April 16), and possibly the Stravinsky (April 23). I know, I know... I should be done with these pieces, and I definitely shouldn't be playing almost the entire program again. It was actually decided that I'd be playing at least two or three Wednesday student recitals before this semester. But with the recital done with, I can relax and pace myself a lot more. ^_^
The whole process leading up to the performance really showed me something, too. My friends have had to endure listening to the beginning stages of the pieces, through the progression to what I displayed that evening. Other than myself, they were my toughest critics. But when it came down to the performance, they were my biggest supporters. And they were nervous, excited, thrilled, happy, and anxious with me and for me. That's why they kick ass.
Sometimes I don't remind you guys how much you mean to me. Even if you weren't there in the recital hall, I know that some of you thought of while I performed and helping to remind me why I was practicing so many hours and working through the frustration of learning. More so than anyone, including the faculty at NMSU, I wanted to give a good performance for you all, so that I could prove to you that your energy and support weren't in vain. I love you guys. ^_^
My thanks to you all are endless. And know that I'm going to be there for your endeavours, too - I want you to feel as lucky, blessed, and cared for as much as I do. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Approximately 21 hours and 10 minutes after that, I breathed a heavy sigh of relief right before returning on stage for a curtain call. I was greeted by the audience for one final time of the evening with applause and a distinct, "HEEEEEEEEEEY!!!" I smiled, exited the stage, and actually felt comfortable with the performance I had just given. Almost immediately, I was greeted by Doktorvaan and his signature smile.
"Good job."
Not more than 40 minutes prior to that, Doktorphaant, our department head, came backstage during my intermission.
"You sound great. You're doing some really good things here, Joshua."
Those were just two of many comments that I received Monday night that stood out. I felt blessed having so many people there - people that I cared about, people that just came for fun - listening to me. It made me realized how lucky I really am.
The following day, Doktorborshay handed me his comment sheet, which contained all of this thoughts on my performance (in his unique chicken scratch). To be perfectly honest, I was afraid of what he'd written -- until I actually read it. With every performance, there's always good and bad, so I wasn't surprised to read things like "a little softer at beginning," "keep tempo more steady," "Control 1st entrance - articulation too heavy," and "[altissimo notes] are riding # [sharp]." But I was surprised to see things like, "very effective," "good job - even better than in the lesson today," "good dynamic contrast - I really love this mov't," and "sextuplets very good - clean and even!" I even got a complement on my bows (pronounced [BOWZ], not [BOHZ] like what string players use), which I laughed about for some reason. I guess I'd never thought about all that stuff - and I'm sure there's a bad way to bow - but it struck me as humorous.
So now what's left? One more solo performance each on the Schubert (April 30), the Weber - 3rd movement (April 16), and possibly the Stravinsky (April 23). I know, I know... I should be done with these pieces, and I definitely shouldn't be playing almost the entire program again. It was actually decided that I'd be playing at least two or three Wednesday student recitals before this semester. But with the recital done with, I can relax and pace myself a lot more. ^_^
The whole process leading up to the performance really showed me something, too. My friends have had to endure listening to the beginning stages of the pieces, through the progression to what I displayed that evening. Other than myself, they were my toughest critics. But when it came down to the performance, they were my biggest supporters. And they were nervous, excited, thrilled, happy, and anxious with me and for me. That's why they kick ass.
Sometimes I don't remind you guys how much you mean to me. Even if you weren't there in the recital hall, I know that some of you thought of while I performed and helping to remind me why I was practicing so many hours and working through the frustration of learning. More so than anyone, including the faculty at NMSU, I wanted to give a good performance for you all, so that I could prove to you that your energy and support weren't in vain. I love you guys. ^_^
My thanks to you all are endless. And know that I'm going to be there for your endeavours, too - I want you to feel as lucky, blessed, and cared for as much as I do. I wouldn't have it any other way.