Fri: Ensemble Sings at Festival
The mind is a wonderful thing. These young people expressed some intimidation after listening to the adult, intense, polished concert last night, but by morning I heard..."Yea, but that is not us, we are all about integrated sound, balance, full harmony." "They are wonderful at what they do, we're great at what we do."
We did a little shopping in Beograde, took a 1.5 hour nap, ate lunch (wienerschnitzel -- Sebastian and I were in heaven) and headed back to the festival.
Bob started the rehearsal with a clear statement that we were not to imitate the local, high volume choirs, we were not to be louder because they were. We will do our performance, and it will be wonderful.
Two and a half hours of an intense, focused rehearsal followed. They worked on details, pitch, using the hall and blocking the movements between pieces. At the end we realized the back curtain separated the choir from a cavernous stage, which was sucking out some of the sound. Risers moved forward.
Dinner (cordon bleu!) was held outside where our Nesha, our young interpreter /guide / and chief advocate, got stung by a bee. Rose to the rescue.
They know to be well watered for a performance, and the bottles were drained and drained. My sense listening was that they were ready to show these music lovers how both traditional and modern music sounds in the hands of a professional youth choir that masters tone, sound, balance and unison in multiple parts. They seemed somewhat anxious to just go do it.
Bob mentioned that the adult choir set the bar rather high. Trust me, they made it over. Nothing like a week of dedicated work to bring out the best. The audience started Bravo! and whistles early and kept at it. The standing ovation at the end is something that happens very seldom, according to the festival director. Bob walked around the bus and thanked each group of singers for their huge efforts both in rehearsal and especially in the performance. Much joyful chattering for the first 1/2 hour of the triumphal ride back to Belgrade, then like a light went out, sleep claimed the bus, leaving only the rumble of the motor and the gentle whistling of the wind.
A review of the tape confirmed both how well they performed, and how good the hall was for their voices.
They are skilled enough now that many of the pieces have a sharp polished edge that is consistent and feels safe. I guess that is one of several "joyful" aspects of this trip for me. Others are: listening to hours of rehearsals or performances every day in which details are explored and kinks worked out; interacting with individual, hard working, committed young people, and watching the way these young people work and play with each other. They are quite capable of busting a fellow member for inappropriate behavior, but there is little meanness and a great deal of respect. There is a real natural high in enjoying hard-worked-for group success which bubbles out of them. Great fun.