How the music of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra has Moved Me
By Karen Paquin
(Development Director, VSO)
In July, just before I began working, my family and I attended the Summer Music Festival Tour concert at Shelburne Farms. What fun it was to dance to the big band sound of Benny Goodman and Glen Miller with my daughter!
In the fall, I was swept up in the picturesque composition,
Before the Snow, written by Vermont native Beth Wiemann, and premiered during
our Made in Vermont tour. I closed my
eyes as the music played and could actually envision an artist painting the
stormy scene depicted in her piece. It
was a very cool experience. I almost
stepped into the painting myself to walk among the blowing, swirling leaves.
December brought Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. I had never heard this piece before, but I
knew the story behind it and, once I heard the music, I could see how it had
stirred up so much controversy. Hearing
it live was amazing, but listening to it in the VSO jeep with Eleanor while
driving back from our Brass Quintet and Counterpoint concert in Warren was
truly surreal. The road seemed to twist
and turn to the music, forcing me to keep pace with it, to slow down. As we merged onto the interstate, it was like
we had to reach this point in our journey to stay in touch with the music as it
rolled out of the stereo increasing its pace.
I was unsure that I would ever hear anything as impressive
at Stravinsky. But, then January arrived
and with it, Elena Urioste playing Elgar’s Violin Concerto. My eyes watered; I was so moved by her
abilities… and I wasn’t alone. Several
people admitted to being moved to tears by the exquisite talents of this young
woman.
This journey is just beginning and I am sure it will continue to move me through the incredible music that this orchestra of very talented musicians plays at every turn.
This journey is just beginning and I am sure it will continue to move me through the incredible music that this orchestra of very talented musicians plays at every turn.
