Saturday 6 March 2010

"Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs"

Finally, an update! So to avoid any further delay, I'll get right to the point :) Having just completed a wonderful Baroque course courtesy of county music, I've had a form of awakening: Baroque music is actually 100% amazing. I wrote, albeit a while back, that I was sent various pieces by the organisers, and once I'd chosen my ornaments, it was time for the fun to begin.

It's safe to say that half term is usually spent either sleeping or eating...or, if you're extra special, a combination of both. However, never have I spent my time more wisely; mock me if you will, but I was inspired. I rarely get to sing with an orchestra, and having got used to the sparse sound of a piano accompaniment, I was in paradise with the rich sound that even a small Baroque orchestra can create. I love the constant need to tune; which may appear tedious, but is just a wonderful reminder to me of the perfection of live music-making. And what instrumentalists! I was in awe at the talent shown by such young musicians; virtuoso violinists, an intensely musical harpsichordist, and two young girls who sang Vivaldi's Laudamus Te like angels.

So it was in this inspiring environment that I really discovered Baroque. Having got a hold of my Purcell and Arne arias, (the latter of which I was sure I would destroy, having not found a safety net in the form of a recording) I was left to lap up and appreciate everyone else's music; and the one that struck a chord with me, so to speak, was Lully's parody march, Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs.

There is something so regal about this piece, with its strong, pulsating rhythm. And though it is so clearly a beautiful piece of French music, there is an obvious influence of the folk music of the east, maybe brought to the foreground with the drum; which just plants the image of beautiful Turkish men doing traditional dance...but perhaps that's just my mind wandering. I suppose my favourite part of this though, is the bit that we're all meant to hate because it just screams parody...but oh well. The Trills (yes they deserve a capital T) in the violin part, are simply to die for. I can't tell you the amount of times I rewound the recording just to hear them. Though, I'm yet to hear a recording that can live up to the wonderful playing of our lead violinist for the piece, Kate Fawcett. This was the last piece in our programme, and I know that we saved the best, 'light-hearted-est', till last.

And finally, a picture of the ceiling of our 'classroom' for the week. I was obsessed with getting a photo of the fabulous room, though nothing quite fully captured what I wanted to. Though, all I had to do for my inspiration was look up.