Reactions and Anticipations

Does humor belong in music? Peter Schickele, AKA PDQ Bach thinks so, and as I performed for the first time in a cowboy hat (and I would bet, not the last time, as these things tend to happen) last Saturday with the Greenville Chorale, it was hard for me to disagree. Not that I did in the first place: I do my best to remind myself that music is far too important to be taken seriously (there’s an old Viennese saying that I stole that from). I got to meet Professor Schickele at the University of Georgia a while back-he was in town for a concert, and graciously stopped by to talk to the composition class. In addition to being extremely friendly and possessing an encyclopedia-esque knowledge of music, he’s very, very funny (as one would think), but in a very deadpan, dry, and matter of fact way (perhaps maybe what one would not think). Add the chance to perform the Haydn Lord Nelson mass, a work that has been on my “wish list” for some time, and all the ingredients are there for a great evening.

I think.

See, it is very difficult for me to tell how things are going while I’m playing. For me, I’m doing my best to let the music express itself, and play my role in the delivery from page to the audience. I went home very happy, which could mean the concert went well, but I might change my mind once I hear a recording. Which further emphasizes the imperfect nature of recordings: sometimes the emotion of the moment does not translate well, if at all. But I thought the chorale sounded magnificent, especially the two madrigals, and I agree with Sherwood-I think the GSO gets better every time, and every concert is a step forward on the path of refined artistry.

So now we’re on the eve of our next Masterworks, and I can hardly wait. Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique has also long been a “wish list” piece, and again all the ingredients are in place for a magical evening (not the least of which is virtuoso violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Hopefully, you’ve all checked out her preview video. If not, prepare to be amazed.). So I’m looking forward to this concert with an almost night-before-Christmas-anticipation. Just like I was last week, and I hope history will repeat itself. Well, maybe except for the Cowboy hat. There is always after the show…

And speaking of after the show, let me know how it went, will you?

Posted by: Braxton Ballew, who does not have a brother named Rex.