I LOVE THIS PIECE.
Oh my goodness.
I'd never heard it in its entirety until last night at the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra concert. I'll spare the details of my flailing with joy through the whole piece, but I really liked it. And to hear it performed by such an amazing orchestra/soloist...!!
After a few upbeat, minor variations, everything calmed down into a very sweet variation that was so romantic...I was sitting at the very edge of the balcony, and when they started playing this one, I noticed a subtle ripple of movement below me in the orchestra level audience. So I looked down, and I saw all of these old couples slowly reaching for each other's hands or laying their heads down on each other's shoulders.
I just about died.
Oh music, the places you take us.
I thought I'd also mention that we followed up that concert with laser tag. I sucked and we smelled but it was SO FUN.This weekend has been the most beautiful weekend I've ever seen. It's the perfect temperature and the sun is blinding. And the leaves on the trees are changing!
I'm loving it. We'll miss you, sun...
I hope everyone is doing well!
I had only listened to the 18th variation before last year, but I went to a Russian orchestra's performance where they did the whole thing and had about the same reaction that you did!!
ReplyDeleteIt's 100000X more awesome in context, isn't it?!?! Ahhhh. It's magical how that melody transforms. Hope you're doing well!