Hi, Thomas and lutenetters --
This sounds like fun! I clicked on some of the pictures, which were wild, and
it reminded me of the kinds of punk concerts my daughter used to go to in her
rebellious high school days. I too love to introduce lute music to people
who haven't heard a lute. It must have been a special treat for you to play a
fantasia for such an uninhibited audience!
I'd love to hear about other experience lutenists have had introducing the
lute and playing its music to others who have never (or rarely) heard the
instrument. I can compile them possibly write an article about the topic.
I especially like to play for babies, children, elderly people, and people of
cultures and backgrounds and musical tastes different from my own. These
people often come to the music with a wonderful openness which can be elusive to
some who have more knowledge and preconceived ideas about the lute.
Cheers,
Betsy
In a message dated 8/21/04 1:01:25 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Dear list,
just returning from a very successfull "tour" to the german island
Ruegen where we played the baroque lute duets by Telemann, the D-Major
Weiss duet and the duet by Gleimius. This weekend I had the rather
unusual experience of playing the lute on an open-air rock-festival.
I was invited to play there a while ago and out of curiosity accepted
the gig. ("Sommerschein-Festival", http://www.sommerschein.de, pictures
from a past festival on
http://www.sommerschein.de/content/galerieall/rockblock/galerie/index.php)
I arrived early and listened to the band playing at that time - rather
strange lyrics in combination with a not so talented singer (not just
that he had not a good voice - he also missed the tones. But the drummer
was good).
I went to the information, got my backstage card and the information
where and when I would have to play. Somewhere on the festival area was
a tent - actually it was a tent in form of nomad tent known as "Jurte"
where I had to play. Soon my gig began and the tent began to be filled.
I started playing music from Ms.1512 and some english lute music before
changing to the baroque lute and playing music by Baron and Kropffganss
somewhere in a crowd of wild-looking young people with strange clothes
and hair style. The applause was cordial (and to my great relief much
better than that for the bands I have heard there playing) and the
interest in the instrument and the music was great. They seem to enjoy
very much that I allowed the one or the other to touch and play my
instruments. I even had problems to get rid of some of those guys.
I had the one or the other contact and got some invitation to play in
jazz pubs of the area. Afterwards I listened to the next band (some kind
of "Sex Pistols" music) and then went away with the good feeling that
our music even "works" in a very different environment and to a very
different audience.
Best wishes
Thomas >>
I forgot to mention: This was the first time I "enjoyed" an audience
with improvised fantasias in public - I can only encourage everyone to
do so!
Best wishes
Thomas
