Close encounters of a musical kind - Tchaikovsky's SwanLake
Garry Denton
On Sunday 16 June 2013, Fathers' Day, I made the trip to London from my hometown of Northampton. Travelling by rail and underground with my wifeas my guide, I was on my way to Covent Garden. Once a thriving fruit andvegetable market, Covent Garden is now filled with smart shops, cafes andrestaurants.The area throngs with tourists and locals who gather in thesquare to watch the street entertainers at work.
I was here to visit the Royal Opera House for an event arranged by the RNIBMusic Advisory Service.I had an invitation for an orchestral rehearsal ofthe music of Tchaikovsky'sSwanLake.Although I'm really a rock and popfan with a collection from Abba to The Zutons, I do also like classicalmusic.What I did already know about Tchaikovsky was that his works arebursting with powerful and memorable melodies.
I arrived as arranged, to a side door of the Royal Opera House,to find asmall gathering of VIPs along with their companions and guide dogs.As we waited we began to make introductions and chat.The air of excitementand anticipation was palpable.
In the rehearsal room we took our seats in a circle around the space whichwas filled with musical instruments, including a magnificent harp, a varietyof drums and percussion and lots of chairs and music stands.Sally Zimmermann from the RNIB made us all feel very welcome and introducedus to the master of ceremonies for the afternoon, the conductor, DavidMcCullum.
Next the musicians entered and took up their places.We had been promised aclose encounter and we were certainly going to get just that, indeed theywere almost within armsreach.David patiently and clearly explained agreat deal about the ballet, the story, the composer and the orchestra.
The orchestra played a number of pieces from the ballet.To be in such anintimate setting felt like a real privelege.The musicians were trulyimpressive, playing some of the excerpts perfectly from a score they had nothad an opportunity to work from before.I sat close to the cello whichsounded great as the acoustics were really dynamic and full of life.The couple of hours simply flew by.We ended with a question and answersession with conductor and musicians followed by some appreciative applause.
A truly amazing experience and if, like me, you love music, one I wouldthoroughly recommend to you if a similar opportunity should come your way inthe future.Thank you RNIB.
Garry Denton
RNIB member