We were driving home from the dress rehearsal tonight, and griping like musicians do. The tempos were too slow. We didn’t love the programming. Why were the OTHER musicians so out of tune? You know, normal after-work complaining. Everyone does it.
But as I was sitting in the orchestra tonight, I just felt so fortunate. How many people in the world got to be part of a Brahms Symphony this evening? How many people got to be in the middle of that kind of lushness? How many of those people sat in my chair, the principal oboe chair, the best seat in the orchestra? Yes, it was Brahms’s 4th Symphony, and my part is not overloaded with oboe solos, but still every entrance is precious. Everything fits, and when, like tonight, the group is all pulling together and the conductor is giving us what we need and the empty hall sounds liquid and clear and warm, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing.
We’ve had a rough winter. The work has been slim, and the weather has been dreadful, and we’ve been trapped inside the house getting more and more furious with life and each other for what seems like four months but has only been two and a half months… but tonight reminded me of why I do what I do. Great musical experiences are worth waiting for, and worth working for, and I am LUCKY. BLESSED to be able to make my living this way.
Come out and hear us in Northwest Indiana Friday night – details HERE.