I first heard and saw Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 performed by CelloSpeak’s faculty last year, and there were more than a few teary-eyed cellists and audience members during this performance. It was just GORGEOUS!!! Not to mention that this was the first time I've heard an opera singer before so I was totally blown away! ...yes, I live under a rock... =p
Unfortunately, I feel like I’m totally psyching myself out and feel like I won’t be doing it justice, which I probably won’t! I don’t know what the deal is, but I feel like I’m not ready to play this even though I KNOW I can! It’s the strangest feeling...
Perhaps my expectations are too high because I think I need to be able to sound like the performance I heard? This got me thinking... maybe it was good for me NOT to have been exposed to classical music before taking up the cello, otherwise I would've been too emotionally attached to the music that I would be learning and be too hard on myself all the time? Because right now, I have very little knowledge of any classical repertoire so when I play them incorrectly it doesn't bother me since I have nothing to compare them to! ...ignorance is bliss? Lol! ;)
Anyway, I decided to play Part four because 1) I think it’s more difficult than Part three due to the rhythm, 2) I need to work on playing and reading more complicated rhythms and this fits the bill for me, and 3) I love playing pizzicato!
I’ve been slowly working through the piece and haven’t gotten it anywhere close to speed yet, but right now I’m just getting myself familiar with the notes. I have a full three months so I should be good to go by May.
...okay, three months...daily practice... I can do this... (maybe)...
Another recording of the piece:
This kind of reminds me of the Flower Duet from Leo Delibes' Lakme, which is quite possibly the most beautiful piece of opera ever written. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx2lMaMsl8
ReplyDeleteIt's stage fright, we all get it. You feel like you have to be perfect, but there honestly aren't any performances out there that can duplicate another groups'. You've got to make your own sound with the music! You can do it :) Just practice every day, and try to focus on the music to the exclusion of all else. I don't know how one gets into the zone, but when you get there the music is perfect and lovely and nothing else matters. If it helps your nerves, think of it this way: your cello group is performing, and you are a supporting artist. Or think of it as supporting the cello itself!
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