Communication starts at a very young age, fostering our connection us to each other, our families, friends, strangers who will become our friends, and humankind at large. Communication can come in the form of music, form, pantomime, sounds, crying, language, singing, acting, dancing, painting, numbers, the written word and more. How does communication stir our soul? What makes us want to connect, communicate and experience something with another person, perhaps something exciting, something beautiful, something innovative, something energizing?
What I love about chamber music is the ability for us to communicate, share ideas, debate stylistic points, experiment with tempi and more. We do this all the time, regardless if there are differences in age or experience level in a group. As we bask in the glow of the recent Winter Recital around the Ossia Musical Forum, I find it meaningful to reflect on how grateful I am for the legacy of chamber music. Preparing works from the 16th century to the 20th century connects the musicians we are today to the composers and the musicians who lived centuries ago. The harmonies and interweaving of voices are fresh to the ear who has yet to experience them. The age range in our last concert spanned 12 yrs old to 80. Varying levels of experience were shared freely, generously, and respectfully. Fresh insights are available from each musician at every level, as we each have unique filters with which we experience the notes on the page and the melodies and harmonies in our ears.
Such gratitude I have for the tradition of chamber music, the ageless beauty of a well-crafted string quartet, the fresh excitement of a musician discovering a classic work for the first time, the warmth of a seasoned musician sharing insights with a neophyte, and the matchless camaraderie that comes when a group works together authentically and with commitment. Such gratitude!
Nora Williams, Artistic Director