When I was in junior high, my older sister Anne’s piano teacher gave her a piece of music to learn over her summer break and to perform at the high school’s concerto night the following school year. All summer long and into the school year, my sister practiced and practiced this piece of music. On sunny days, my mom would open all the windows in the house (lack of central air conditioning) and let my sister’s music mix with the sun, the wind, and the blue skies. I was and still am amazed at the beauty of the piece and its complexity. I have probably heard the piece hundreds and hundreds of times as it became the soundtrack to my family’s life for that year.
I have this memory of being in the high school auditorium watching Anne performed her piece. When it was over I heard her piano teacher yelling, “BRAVO! BRAVO!” I still get choked-up over the memory. I can’t express my sense of awe and admiration I had for my sister that day.
Last night I went to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s last summer concert at the Strathmore Center. I went with three friends that I had met through the mix n’ mingle at church (all girls). After the few weeks I have had at work, the music felt like it was healing my soul. I know that sounds trite but I needed something to give me a little lift and the concert hall, my friends, and the music did it. The Strathmore Concert Center is only 30 minutes from my house and I can’t believe it has taken me this long to go.
When I received the email asking me if I wanted to go to the concert, I jumped at the chance because the concert was entitled, “A Tribute to Gershwin & Bernstein” and I was thrilled to hear my sister’s piece performed.
The conductor was Bramwell Trovey. He was extremely funny and he explained each piece in a way that allowed you to envision the music. The highlight of the evening was when Bramwell Trovey played and conducted the piece of music that is so ingrained into my head, Rhapsody in Blue. He started by standing and conducting the clarinet solo that is so famous and then went and sat down at the piano to do his part. It was so engaging to watch him masterfully conduct and play and sometimes conduct with his head as he played. I wish you could have all been there because it was magical and I still get choke-up thinking about the performance and the night. And all I can say is, BRAVO! BRAVO!
