What Brings You Joy?

Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Published in Blog

On the weekend, we experienced the grandeur of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with the MSO Chorus, the National Boys Choir of Australia and an amazing baritone in John Longmuir, soprano Eva Kong, and tenor Warwick Fyfe.  With the direction of Conductor, Long Yu, the performance of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff (1895-1982) was exhilarating, energetic and passionate.

Book-ended with "Fortune, Empress of the World," the entire performance brought me great joy.  I sat on the edge of my seat for much of the performance, totally mesmerised by the music and the voices.  Overall, the musicians and the performance of Carmina Burana that they created was magnificent.  In detail, noticing which instrument produced which specific sound, noticing how sounds were created, and noticing the commitment of the musicians was delighting.  

Prior to the performance of Carmina Burana, the MSO and the MSO Chorus performed Daphnis and Chloe: Suite No.2 by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937).  In addition to the joy in the moment, this experience also had me reminiscing and savouring fond memories, such as Sunday afternoons watching black and white movies straight out of Hollywood as a family, and our Grade 6 excursion to see "Fantasia" by Walt Disney.  I'm not even sure that the music was the same, but this classic music brought back very fond, joyful memories nonetheless.

And most joyful of all ... I experienced this performance with the person I love most.  In this experience, I have created a new memory which I can continue to savour into the future.  I am truly grateful to Geoff for organising this night out.

Just writing this blog has me smiling, savouring and feeling joy again.  What brings you joy?

P.S.  And of course, who can forget the "classic" playfulness of the "Big Beer Ad."  Still brings a smile to my face now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3GH7Pn_eA

Carmina Burana performed by the MSO, 2011:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuU908XJqy4

Daphnis & Chloe Suite No.2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amGl9Qmgu7E

 

 

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