Mexican and Spanish music - 29th October

Chaac was not kind to us last week - the garden was out of the question for our symphonic aerobics class.  The rain came down in torrents, so we went inside.  This was great - for the intrepid souls who ventured out into the Yucatan downpour. We conducted and exercised to German music - Beethoven and Brahms

This week, if Chaac decides that we should not be outside in MEL's delightful garden, then we shall be inside, working out to Mexican and Spanish music.  There is plenty of space for all.

Tuesday 29th October I will be introducing music that the OSY has already played this season, before these classes started, so I am catching up on recent repertoire, and adding a few extras that make fun conducting!

Mexican and Spanish Music
José Pablo Moncayo: Huapango
Arturo Marquez: Danzón no. 2
Georges Bizet: Carmen Suite no. 2

The doors open at 6.45pm and we start at 7pm.  The cost per class is $50 pesos.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Saludos,  Elizabeth

Mérida English Library, Calle 53 no. 524, x 66 y 68, Centro, Merida, Yucatán.

Schedule October - December 2013

Symphonic Aerobics

Do you want to have fun....
stimulate your brain....
improve your endurance and co-    ordination....
and strengthen your body?





Merida English Library invites you to join an innovative fitness programme conducting symphonic music and combining aerobic and cardiac exercise with a music history lesson.

For one hour a week, every Tuesday evening at 7pm, you can join Elizabeth Arnott, a musician in the Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán, for a fitness session with a little musical appreciation thrown in.  Each week Elizabeth introduces you to music from the current repertoire of the OSY and shows you how to conduct the orchestra!  Suitable for all levels of fitness and mobility, you can participate standing or sitting.  Come and immerse yourself in the emotion and power of classical music.  $50 pesos per class

Here is the schedule for October - December 2013 

1 October         Fauré: Pavanne, Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 4
8 October         Mussorgsky: Night on a Bare Mountain, Ravel: Bolero,  Borodin: Polovtsian                                    Dances
15 October       Wagner: Prelude to the Mastersingers, Borodin: Symphony no. 2
22 October       Brahms: Violin Concerto, Beethoven: Overture Fidelio
29 October       Moncayo: Huapango, Márquez: Danzón no. 2
5 November     Stravinsky: Pulcinella, Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake
12 November   Brahms: Tragic Overture, Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
19 November   Bach: Violin concerto, Brahms: Symphony no 2
26 November   Sibelius: Overture Finlandia, Symphony no 2
3 December     Verdi Overtures and Choruses
10 December   Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves, Handel:  Hallelujah Chorus                                      from the Messiah, Orff: Carmina Burana - O Fortuna
(Programmes subject to change without notice)

I thought it was heavenly! ... What a joyful pleasure!

Feedback from the first symphonic aerobics.....

"I thought it was heavenly!  My arms weren't even sore the next day.  Can't wait for the next one"

Nancy Walters

"I very much enjoyed it; music and workout. What talent emerges.

I am grateful for the experience and will be there next Tuesday."

Giovanna Marchant

"What a joyful pleasure!  Thank you for sharing it, the music, and your clear instructions." 

Cherie Pittillo

"Thank you for a fun time at the Symphonic Aerobics." 

Britta Krings

"Thank you for last night. It was so much fun and I am sure will continue with great success." 

Jan Logan

First Symphonic Aerobics Class - 1st October

We had our first Symphonic Aerobics class on tuesday 1st October, at the Merida English Library.  It was a beautiful evening, the air was cool and balmy, and there was a little breeze.  Very necessary, because the class turned out to be quite a workout.  Most people participated standing, and a few were able to enjoy it while sitting.

We started the evening with a slow warm-up to the beautiful music by English composer Eric Coates - By the Sleepy Lagoon.
Next I showed everyone how to conduct in 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 time before starting on the music that we will be playing in the Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán this weekend.  (concerts are held at the Teatro Peon Contreras, Merida, Yucatan, on Friday evenings at 9pm and Sundays at 12pm)

Fauré: Pavane is a impressionistic piece, originally written for piano, and later arranged for small symphony orchestra.  A Pavane is a stately Spanish dance, and we enjoyed conducting this beautiful piece.

Tchaikovsky: Symphony no 4 is a massive orchestral piece, and a real test of stamina for both the orchestra and the conductor.  The first movement begins with a dramatic fanfare played by the brass instruments, and is a metaphor for "fate", according to Tchaikovsky "the fatal power that prevents one from attaining the goal of happiness".  I explained the musical form of the four movements, and we conducted through the first half of the first movement, and stopped when the "fate" fanfare came again.  We conducted all through the other three movements, and all agreed that from now on we admire conductors even more than we used to.

After all the excitement of Tchaikovsky, it was time to cool down, to the beautiful and serene music of Saint-Saens: The Swan from the Carnival of the Animals.

Next week, as there is no Symphony concert, we will be working out to Mussorgsky: Night on a Bare Mountain (which is well know as being part of Walt Disney's Fantasia), the old favourite Ravel: Bolero, and Borodin: Polovtsian Dances.

I invite you to join me next tuesday, 8th October at the Merida English Library at 7pm.  We meet every tuesday, to exercise to beautiful, inspiring, exciting, tranquil ........ symphonic music, working out and conducting the repertoire of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán.