Aural painting

On page 27 of CREATIVE HABIT, Tharp says this: "When I listen to music, I don't multitask; I simply listen. Part of it is my job: I listen to music to see if I can dance to it. But another part is simple courtesy to the composer. I listen with the same intensity the composer exerted to string the notes together. I'd expect the same from anyone watching my work. I certainly wouldn't approve if someone read a book while my dancers were performing". That being said, listen (REALLY listen to this): http://www.waltonmusic.com/Sound12/AfternoonOnaHill/

In rehearsal yesterday, we talked about the aural "painting" that Eric Barnum uses throughout this lovely music~the little aural painting, for example, at the bottom of page 8 reminds me of a Dickensian village at dawn...one candle at a time in the cottage windows, until (at the top of page 9), the village is warm and bright and inviting.

This is the imagery I use as a conductor. It might remind you of something entirely different, based upon that powerful thing called memory and your experiences. Music~it is a language that you MUST attend to...whether in casual listening, in rehearsal, or in performance. Make that your goal this weekend. Dr. O