 Copley Hall, one of Walt Disney's favorite venues, will be an elegant, grand setting for Symphony Exposed. |
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| Second Berlioz Rehearsal update |
| Written by Andrea Decker | |
| Tuesday, 24 April 2007 | |
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I apologize, I know I said this would be a weekly blog, but there’s just so much going on. But I promise I will write as often as I can. After two more regular rehearsals, and three more extra weekend rehearsals we have been working on all the movements, but I would like to feature two of them in this blog: Quaerens me and Lacrymosa... The Quaerens me is a wonderful a capella piece with wonderful melody lines. As you can see from the text below, this is a prayer, asking God for forgiveness. Despite some critics, who say that Berlioz’s writes wonderful melodies, but that his harmonies are dull, I find both the Quaerens me and the Lacrymosa full of wonderful and very expressive harmonies. The Quaerens me, for example, for me clearly describe and express: the fear of the everlasting fire, the prayer and the hope to be saved. In the Lacrymosa Berlioz describes the Judgment Day. Some say the restless rhythm depicts people being whipped and pushed forward uncontrollably. Lacrymosa is the last movement that refers to pain and suffering. And here’s what I so much love about this requiem: even in the movements filled with pain and suffering, for my ears, Berlioz always manages to also express the hope and the faith we have in God. Critics and harmonies aside: there is an interesting symmetry associated with the arrangement of these movements. The combined measure total of the first 5 movements is equal to 603, which is also the combined measure total of the last 4 movements. Furthermore, the Lacrymosa has only 201 measures, which is a third of 603. Whether these symmetrical properties were intentional or not, they are remarkable and give the work a sense of balance and orderness.There are only a few pieces that I find as expressive as this requiem, and so uplifting. I hope you will have the same experience when listening to the piece as I do. Because it always leaves me with the feeling that everything will be alright. QUAERENS ME Seeking me Thou didst sit down weary |
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