While painting a room "Meeting House White", this writer had one of those random moments of euphoria that can turn an otherwise mundane task into a near spiritual endeavor. I was filling the roller tray, spreading drop clothes, making a cosy bed for the dog out of some old bedding. I took a look round deciding where to start and I hit play on the music machine and started rolling paint to the opening strings of the St Matthew Passion. I was getting into the rhythm just where the chorus enters for the first time and I began to sing along and lo, what’s this? “Come my joy!” The accoustics in the room were remarkable, like singing in an old church or a cavernous shower.
The room is what realtors call a “bonus” room. In this case where the adults in the house used to hang out and play poker and pool, or cozy up to the large wet bar of polished maple at the end of the room, complete with high swivel stools and a brass bar rail and watch sports on the large ceiling mounted TV.
As I was listening to opening sections of the Passion, where the talk is of the Passover meal, I imagined this would make a great room for a last supper, though I am pretty sure the Disciples and Jesus all sat at a long table and not around a bar. As I continued singing along to the chorales, I was giddy with the wonderful (so it seemed to me) sound of my voice and I imagined how I could use this space. “I know, I could start a small 8 or 12 voice chorus, the kind I always wanted to sing in and we could rehearse right here.” Of course, with a sinking sensation, I realized, I know virtually nothing about music. How would I ever start a chorus! But then the euphoria returned with a vengeance. How could I be so foolish, I already sang in the best chorus in all of downeast Maine! I didn’t need to start a new choir. All I had to do was do a lot of practicing so that I could hold my own with all the wonderful and talented singers of the Bagaduce Chorale.
So as I rolled and rolled that cavernous space, I played thru and thru the St Matthew Passion multiple times, trying to mind-meld my voice to the rehearsal tracks. And lo, by the time the last paint can was empty, though my euphoria had subsided, I felt a fine inner glow of confidence in the my mastery of the bass part and a new appreciation of the mystery and majesty of this masterwork by Bach!
Come hear that majesty and mystery and mighty music this coming weekend, May 10 & 11th in Blue Hill and on Sunday the 12th at Ellsworth High School. Accoustically speaking, it will be filled with sadness, sorrow, yearning, pathos, pity and above all else the euphoria of hope!
The room is what realtors call a “bonus” room. In this case where the adults in the house used to hang out and play poker and pool, or cozy up to the large wet bar of polished maple at the end of the room, complete with high swivel stools and a brass bar rail and watch sports on the large ceiling mounted TV.
As I was listening to opening sections of the Passion, where the talk is of the Passover meal, I imagined this would make a great room for a last supper, though I am pretty sure the Disciples and Jesus all sat at a long table and not around a bar. As I continued singing along to the chorales, I was giddy with the wonderful (so it seemed to me) sound of my voice and I imagined how I could use this space. “I know, I could start a small 8 or 12 voice chorus, the kind I always wanted to sing in and we could rehearse right here.” Of course, with a sinking sensation, I realized, I know virtually nothing about music. How would I ever start a chorus! But then the euphoria returned with a vengeance. How could I be so foolish, I already sang in the best chorus in all of downeast Maine! I didn’t need to start a new choir. All I had to do was do a lot of practicing so that I could hold my own with all the wonderful and talented singers of the Bagaduce Chorale.
So as I rolled and rolled that cavernous space, I played thru and thru the St Matthew Passion multiple times, trying to mind-meld my voice to the rehearsal tracks. And lo, by the time the last paint can was empty, though my euphoria had subsided, I felt a fine inner glow of confidence in the my mastery of the bass part and a new appreciation of the mystery and majesty of this masterwork by Bach!
Come hear that majesty and mystery and mighty music this coming weekend, May 10 & 11th in Blue Hill and on Sunday the 12th at Ellsworth High School. Accoustically speaking, it will be filled with sadness, sorrow, yearning, pathos, pity and above all else the euphoria of hope!
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