After months of a creative abyss, I have begun playing my harp again. I would play sporadically, but I was not working in a manner that would improve my playing or prepare a piece for performance. There is nothing worse than a lull in creativity. This affected not only my harp playing, but my sewing as well. The problem was a combination of stress, work overload, and taking care of everyone but myself. But I have taken steps to alleviate that (having Julie take more control of Tyler's care, being more assertive at work with not being sucked into working more shifts than I want to, having my children do more chores, and not feeling guilty about having a life outside of housework, family care, and work).
So, I am working on the following pieces:
- La Source by Alphonse Hasselmans (difficult, challenging piece, totally gorgeous)
- Romanza (guitar piece, anonymous composer/arranged for harp by Barbara Brundage)
- Beautiful Dreamer by Stephen Foster (19th century nostalgic piece)
- Requiem by John Rutter (piece for choir and orchestra, to be performed by my church choir in the spring)
One thing I know is that life is very dull without music, and I am so glad that I can be creative in this way.
My pedal harp, a Salvi Diana
2 comments:
Your harp is beautiful. And I love, love, love the Rutter Requiem - I was privileged to be able to sing the solo in the final movement, Lux Aeterna, at my church a few years ago... one of my favourite moments!
Also, you are motivating me to get back into practising *before* the beginning of the semester forces me into it! Thanks :)
Glad to hear it!
It is so nice to be back playing again. There is nothing worse than a creative block. I have been listening to the Requiem, even during my abyss, so I at least was familiarizing myself with the part that way. But it is so much better to actually play the part rather than sitting on the sidelines, so to speak.
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