This pandemic is confining us both physically and mentally. How can you burst out of the bubble you’re in? Can you start a new hobby – an activity that is fun and engaging? Or expand a current interest or passion?
Here is my story with that. For many decades I have had a dream. Someday I wanted to play music in a string quarter.
I fell in love with classical music as a teenager. My father loved symphonies and my mother loved opera. They took me to a few classical concerts each year in the small city I lived in, and I checked out classical records (do you remember them?) from the public library.
I started playing clarinet in the fourth grade. I played it in my high school marching band, which performed at our high school’s football games. And I talked my way into the city-wide orchestra during my senior year of high school.
I went on to college, put my clarinet aside, and never picked it up again. I frequently listened to classical music on the radio and also assembled a small collection of records, then tapes, and then compact discs with a combination of classical and folk music.
I had always loved how the cello both looked and sounded. Four years ago, I had had enough of being only a consumer of music. I marched into a music store and told the owner that I was 73 years old and finally old enough to take up the cello.
When I signed up for cello lessons at MacPhail Center of Music in downtown Minneapolis, I was amazed that they assigned me a teacher, Jacqueline Ultan, who was so accomplished and well known as a performer.
I have played duets with my cello teacher Jacqueline, with my friend Charlie who plays harmonica (he plays the violin part in Bach duets) and with my neighbor Jennine who plays piano.
The music of string quartets still seemed out of reach. It was way too challenging for me now, and I doubt that accomplished players would have the patience to play with me.
But my teacher told me about a company called Music Minus One (MMO). They have recordings of many classical and jazz pieces with all the instruments except one.
Last week I looked through MMO’s catalog, and there it was – Schubert’s “The Trout Quintet,” one of my all-time favorite classical pieces. The files are MP3 (audio) recordings containing the other players and sheet music for the cello and me. “Thrilled” is not a strong enough word to describe how I felt.
I plan to work on this piece little by little and learn it in addition to the exercises in my regular lessons. Maybe when the pandemic is over, I will be able to play it live with others.
Do you have a new or expanded hobby? If so, please tell me if or how you work on it during the pandemic.