04.18.09
The Internet Symphony
~ For those who thought there was story… =) ~
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Every instrumentalist has dreams. To be able to perform in Carnegie Hall is normally one of those dreams. I am no exception.
When YouTube trumpeted a call to make music history through means of technology and classical music, I answered that call. The prize was too tempting – Carnegie Hall in New York.
It was last year when I heard of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. Even though there is usually but a single position for a keyboardist in a symphony (and quite an unattainable spot if you are contending with a whole world of pianists), I wasted no time in reading the guidelines; what a surprise when I discovered that the required pieces were music I had already played several years ago! However, I was puzzled when I found out that they had already provided the music scores of Eroica: The Internet Symphony for the other instruments but none for the piano. I was left to believe that they did not require Eroica for the pianists.
A week before the January 28, 2009 cut-off date for all entries, I went to the YTSO page on YouTube and submitted what I had prepared thus far. To my chagrin, written blatantly on the front page was an announcement that might have been there weeks or months earlier stating something that went like “The Eroica piano score is now available”!I downloaded the music score with alarm, and panicked even more when a piece of ample difficulty appeared before my eyes. Right at that moment, I knew all hope for Carnegie Hall was lost.
Nevertheless, I was determined to finish what I had begun, and thus began a week of tinkering and hammering on the piano. I passed my video entry on time and a month later, they informed me that it would be included in the mash-up video. I did not make it to Carnegie Hall, but at least my video did. I am still thankful and glad to have been part of music history even in the most trivial way… and still, I remain a musician, dreaming.
The whole event reminds us that, whether as participant or witness, classical music and modern technology can coexist. In fact, in our technological era, one can hardly endure as successfully without the other.
mika said,
April 18, 2009 at 4:21 pm
ahhhh, so they posted scores… i thought it was a literal mash up, haha. what a brilliant idea! i hope they do this again, it sounds fun :) congrats, Miracle! through this experience, i think you learned one of the indispensable skills of a musician - cramming. (haha, don’t quote me on that :P)
sopraninigabi said,
April 18, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Wahaha it’s an accurate observation, Mika. It shouldn’t be that way, but that’s how it is.
In other conservatories, students only have to prepare one recital in order to graduate. We in CMu have to come up with three/four. Talagang cramming ang mangyayari! It’s to prepare us for the professional musical world wherein musicians have to cram several performances per concert season.
Meewa! Congrats on making it to the vid! :) Let’s continue honing our skills. Who knows? We just might make it to Carnegie Hall, altogether (Mika, Keith, sama kayo? hehe)
Jojow said,
April 24, 2009 at 7:08 pm
wow, im so proud of you mir. things have gone better for you. God bless you always.
miss you. best regards from my little sister.
Mary Leanne said,
April 24, 2009 at 7:10 pm
cool…well well…you become international now! congrats.
i love you mir.galing2x!
Miracle ♪♫ said,
April 26, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Mika, I do hope they have a similar project soon!
I won’t quote you on the cramming subject but I will certainly keep it in mind. haha =)
Gabi, I don’t think Keith would want to come along. He’s aiming for Arena di Verona! Thanks for being always encouraging, Gabi. =)
Jojow, it’s very nice to hear from you and your sister! May God bless you too. I miss you too!
Mary Leanne, this is a good stunt. Pretending you’re a girl! Now people will think I have a lesbian admirer. wahaha =P Actually, I’m not “international”, I’m at the barangay level. hehehe ^_^