Last Symphonic Aerobics Session?

Last night, the 3rd December, we held our last Symphonic Aerobics session.  We were lucky with the weather, and were able to be outside in the beautiful MEL garden.

We worked out to Handel: Hallelujah Chorus, three movements from Berlioz: L'Enfance du Christ, and Kodaly: Dances of Galanta.

Everyone was very sad that the course is ending, and from the comments I received, I realised that the course was very important and meaningful to the regulars - taking them out of their daily hastle of problems and difficulties, and entering into and totally immersing themselves in the world of music. While we were conducting, and listening to the different styles of music that I introduced, I observed people's body language, and was deeply moved by the passion, emotion, bliss, and joy, on their faces.

This is what I do every day, playing in the symphony orchestra.  When I play, there is no way that I can be thinking about everyday problems, I have to concentrate on the matter in hand, totally immerse myself in the music, my technique, listen to what is going on around me, and feel the music.  This is something that up until now I have absolutely taken for granted, but after hearing people expressing their heartfelt gratitude, I see that this is really important, and has an intrinsic value for those who do not have the priviledge of playing in an orchestra, and being an active musician, as I do.  This is a revelation to me, and something for me to think about, and consider how we can continue the sessions.

I play in the symphony, but I also play in a string quartet, which involves a deep level of communication between us four musicians - again something that up until now I took completely for granted, but now understand that it involves a high level of spiritual as well as musical awareness, and has enormous emotional rewards.

I feel immensely grateful for having had the opportunity to create the Symphonic Aerobics course, and to be able to share such deep and important experiences.

Please leave your comment below if you feel moved to do so.

With love and gratitude.

Elizabeth

Last Two Sessions of Merida Symphonic Aerobics

This is to advice you of changes of programmes from my first posting on 24th September.

On Tuesday 26th November, we will be having fun working out to several short pieces of music.  As there is no symphony concert this week, I have had a great time selecting exciting and interesting pieces for us to workout to:

Sibelius: Finlandia
Brahms: Academic Festival Overture 
Chabrier: España
Rimsky Korsakov: Cappricio Español

A couple of weeks ago we worked out to the Brahms Tragic Overture.  As a complete contrast, and at the request of the faithful Symphonic Aerobic members, we will be enjoying his Academic Festival Overture.  Both works were written in the same year, and are completely opposite to each other in mood. The Academic Festival Overture is joyful and exciting, and will be a pleasure for us to to get to know. I hope it will be included in the Symphony programme sometime soon.

On Tuesday 3rd December we will have our last, final, concluding, ultimate session.  We will work out to Christmassy music rather than the Verdi choruses and arias which are programmed for the symphony:

Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on the theme of Greensleeves
Handel: Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah
Orff: Carmina Burana - O Furtuna