The Magic of Live Music
One of my favorite things about what I call "Subscription Season" is getting to chat with our patrons as they call to renew or even subscribe for the first time. I genuinely enjoy hearing about what connects each of you to the orchestra and your story of why you subscribe.
Frequently I'm asked about my relationship to music, specifically whether I play an instrument. For those of you wondering yourselves, while I took piano and vocal lessons well into my teens, none of my teachers were surprised when I choose to pursue other endeavors. I can confidently say that this was definitely not a loss for the music world either. And while I may not have chosen to make a career as a performer - the arts have continued to be an essential part of my life. Having the opportunity also to make it a part of my work life is a great privilege.
At this point in the year, there's really no need to talk more about what happened to the arts in 2020. It bears mentioning only insofar as it has made Subscription Season that much more poignant. So many subscribers have shared with me that they are genuinely excited, happy, and eagerly anticipating the return of live music - that their lives were not complete without it. I could not agree more.
Like many of you, enjoying a live performance - whether symphony, ballet, theatre, or any other kind of concert - was a regular part of my life. Beyond pure enjoyment, the arts have always been a way for me to unwind and destress. While many of us continued to listen to classical music at home and enjoyed the Philharmonic digital concerts presented during the 2020/21 Season, the number one thing I've heard is that it's just not the same. An incredible sound system, as described to me by one of our subscribers watching the Glorious Finale concert at home, may have made the windows rattle during Brennan Szafron's solo. However, he still couldn't quite feel the music like he wanted. And I'll concede; it's a bit harder to be inspired by music when you can't quite feel it.
I truly believe in the immersive magic of the theatre and the concert hall. It's partially the setting; the dim house lights and the quiet hush of the crowd make it easier to disconnect from the world outside and focus on the performance literally in front of me. What happens on stage, though, is the most powerful magic of all. The connection that forms between audience and performer is what art is all about.
While recording our first digital concert, Ludwig, I heard from several Philharmonic musicians that they feed off the energy and emotion of the audience while performing. It pushes them to dig even deeper to pull an even stronger response and forge deeper connections. As a former performer, I know firsthand the intoxicating rush of connecting with the audience during a particularly poignant movement. It is an absolutely incredible feeling and is impossible even to describe. Perhaps this is why Hans Christian Andersen once said, "Where words fail, music speaks." That's the magic of music - it gives voice to our most heady and powerful emotions and immerses us in feelings that are ultimately transformative.
During a live performance, the push and pull of emotions between audience and musician creates a powerful experience that happens once in a lifetime. I have seen the Nutcracker numerous times, heard Mozart's Violin Concerto no. 3 performed by several different orchestras, but I feel something new each time. The beauty of live music is the new emotions it inspires with each performance. It's all about that magical connection and one I am eager to experience once again.
Our theme for the 2021/22 Season is BE INSPIRED - that is our invitation to you - to join us in experiencing the emotions that live music creates. Whether you enjoy classical or bluegrass - or even a little of both - after the last year, the magic of live music will be potent. And I know that the entire Spartanburg Philharmonic is excited about the possibilities our return to the concert hall brings. We hope you join us!