Today in Eurhythmics class I performed the third movement of a solo clarinet piece, Genzmer's Fantasie. The piece is very rubato and marked 'quasi parlando'. The point of the exercise was to see how the students would react to the piece. They used their bodies to show what they were hearing and feeling as I played the movement. I played the piece several times and watched as much as I could.
As we talked about our reactions, they, as listeners, and me, as the performer experiencing their reactions visually in front of me, I commented that it was interesting that from the very beginning their actions were exactly how I felt the piece. Was I controlling them or where they controlling me? This is a question that I, as a performer, am very interested in. Is what I am trying to communicate really transferring that well to my audience? Do I have control over how they hear the piece? I will be playing this piece for the class again when we have more time and I will try playing around with my musical message and see how that changes the reactions of the audience.
This is an issue that I believe has great relevance in our classical community as well as for all the arts. We are constantly striving to increase our audiences and support. If we can understand how our communication is translated to the audience I think that we can continue to build a strong audience and gain more support.
This is a question that is also relevant in my personal growth as a musician. The sensitivity of expression is something that takes great care and control. This is something that I have been working on this year in my lessons. As I can gain more understanding of how the audience reacts to my expression I will gain more sensitivity and control. And understand more about communication through music.
And that's what it's all about.
-Joelle
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