I spent yesterday in beautiful, sunny Eton. That in itself would have fed my soul – the stunning buildings in quaint streets, the quirky independent shops behind traditional facades, the dabbling ducks and majestic boats along the River Thames… you get the picture. I spent most of the day indoors, however, exercising my brain, lungs and fingers in a way I haven’t done for some while.
I was at Rarescale Flute Academy‘s adult flute day, playing what founder, Carla Rees, described as ‘exciting, challenging repertoire’. And it was! Sixteen adult flautists, some long-in-the-tooth amateurs (such as me), some recent graduates on the cusp of a musical career, but all of Grade VIII+ standard, gathered at the Austin Leigh Baldwin Institute for a full day of flute ensemble playing. We came with a multitude of instruments – I took my C-flute, piccolo and alto, and there were bass flutes and a much-coveted contra-bass which people had the opportunity to play for different pieces.
We were lulled into a false sense of security in the morning, with a Monteverdi madrigal as a warm-up, followed by some Rameau, which I really liked. Things got slightly more complicated when we tried an interesting arrangement of a movement from a Schumann symphony – very lush, and sometimes unexpected harmonies, which were at times less than instinctive and made it easy to get lost!
Lunch. A doorstep of a sandwich enjoyed beside the river in the sunshine was necessary sustenance for what was to come in the afternoon. Carla’s arrangement of Dukas’ ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ was fast and frenzied, and I admit that there were points when I rued my decision to accept the Flute 1 part! Who knew that my capacity for multiple flats and accidentals had seemingly diminished with age… and as for my counting… 😮 We also played some very fast Vivaldi (I was on piccolo), and finished with Gluck’s ‘Air de Furie’, which was indeed furious and a mind-blowing way to end the day. I was, my friends, mentally and physically exhausted by 6pm.
Nevertheless, I drove home to Cardiff on a total high. I had a really good day – a great challenge for my brain, and the first time my fingers and tongue have worked so hard in a long time. Lovely to meet other players from around the country, to play a range of instruments and to work under the guidance of Carla. I will definitely be back 🎵
50shadesofbrave 