I attended the Camera Lucida concert on Monday night. Admittedly, it was because of the BIMM 130 extra credit opportunity, but having been a musician of the string bass vocation, I thoroughly enjoy chamber music, and love to take up the opportunity whenever I can to attend such concerts.
Now, looking at the line-up, Schubert and Mozart immediately got me excited – being well known composers and all. Why, I had even played their music back in the day! How could I not love them? So it took me by surprise when I began to snooze partway through some sonatina or whatnot in Mozart, as I was lulled to sleep by the gentle, repetitive, Mozart-ey form – big unison, small chitter-chattering between the instruments, followed by another big unison…rinse and repeat ad nauseum.
It wasn’t until Chausson took center stage that I really sat up – oh, the wonderful sounds! I couldn’t help but remember the days when I was a part of a string quintet, which I founded with my best friends from high school. The ups and downs of the music, the sweeping melodies and the harmonious back and forths – I remember looking at my my cello-mate for the entrance, the inhaling of breathe together, and the vigorous staccatto with which we would make our grand entrance.
Chausson ignited in me my passion to once again listen to chamber music. So I’m glad I took a chance on Chausson and stayed the entire concert – it was worth every moment!
