A little drop of sunshine came through the post last week: the Bruch Concerto for Clarinet, Viola and Orchestra


And why was this heaven?


Well over 20 years ago I was a diploma level clarinetist and this was one of the pieces I remember playing (not performing, just having a look at it.) I loved it way back then but had totally forgotten about it. I am a Bruch fan.

I bought it along with a few other viola things (because I'm learning the viola) and hadn't really thought about it until I put it on to play....

And, of course, it is totally GORGEOUS just as I remember... shivers down my spine stuff... not to mention all the memories flooding back! The beauty of both parts now is sublime because I have to admit to not paying that much attention to the Viola part back then apart from as an accompaniment for the clarinet


I was totally 'blissed out' and time stood still - isn't it wonderful when music can do that?


Now I have to ask - does any piece of music do that to you.....?

I am not sure, but maybe it will happen to me if I ever will play again the entrance musik to Rosamunde with an orchestra.

Schubert's ave maria on violin does that to me. I dunno why, it's so simple yet so beautiful and shows off the absolute beauty of the violin! The double stop section on the A and E string is bliissss <3 Gluck melodie is beautiful too

And the 3rd movements of the Mendelssohn and the Bruch concerto always lift my spirits Not to mention the Finale of Lalo Symphonie Espagnole...!!

Many pieces have done this to me, but in all cases I think it is not the music itself but the memories surrounding those pieces- the whole story in my head of how I came to it, what I was doing or who I was with when I first heard it.