In awe with music

My work leads me to discovery and re-discovery of some of the finest music around.  An astonishing wealth of music is around us and has been around us for Centuries.

For centuries very talented and prolific musicians made and are making, writing and arranging music.  Thanks to the internet we now have more access to some of the music that is around.

I am in awe – totally.

When I first came to the US, I thought I was pretty well versed in what music was around.  Some music less known to me and other more - nothing new there.   Especially classical music I felt I knew well.  Music of all music eras was taught at the conservatory and I had explored playing music from the Baroque Era through the music that then was current or 20^th Century.

Folk music I was not as familiar with; Russian and Eastern European music, Irish fiddling.  Operette music and the beautiful operas I had played and witnessed in the Amsterdam theaters.  Popular music…I am a great fan of French chansons and Dutch cabaret music.  I even (haha) liked some Pop/Rock music, in the first place the Beatles… Jazz…

What I just mentioned is a huge variety of music and I didn’t mention all.  My mantra: there is good music and bad music.  No matter what music.  There is good and bad Hip Hop music, as far as I am concerned.  Though it is not music I am foremost interested in.  Of course we have our favorites.  I expanded my horizon in the last two decades, here in America.

Great Americana music - I was able to learn to play it and teach it, in my student practice and with my student orchestra.  I have learned to make connections with this music and the Early European music.  I have learned to enjoy the Blues and the wonderful tension of the Blues note in the melody.  I love it!

And now I am expanding further.  This year is particularly fun as I am exploring the music of the 60s with my orchestra.  I study the old tunes by the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, the Stones and others, like Bob Dylan.  And my eyes are opened for what I meet is incredible rich, deep and complex music with an overtone of directness in their melodies.  Realizing I may start to sound like a sommelier, discussing wines.

With my Baroque trio we have been able to step away from the beaten path – Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi.  We started to question: what Early Music was around in Europe?  We have started a music series, virtually traveling in Europe, in the different countries.  This year we are traveling down the rivers Danube, Rhine and Elbe.  And again I am in awe!  Thanks to the internet we have found wonderful works by great musicians from the past.  Nothing all that simple!  Nothing all that stuffy!  Our program now contains music by the Swiss composer Senfl, by his teacher Isaac, by German – and famous – Hildegard von Bingen (am Rhein) – by Hellendael and Wassenaar… and by the blind recorder player, van Eyck.   And while exploring we are treated to lifting some of the veil over our musical past.  Our heritage of music that spread its wings all over the world, along with all moving peoples.

I feel blessed to be in a position to learn so much and to enjoy so much.