Symphony Reflections

Chad and I went to the symphony Saturday night, compliments of friends of ours who were unable to use their season tickets because of illness. (It's sad that free tickets are what it took to get us to the symphony after living here for three years!) Edgar Meyer, the famed bassist, was the featured soloist. If you are a Yo-Yo Ma or Bela Fleck fan, they have collaborated on several pieces and you have probably heard him and not known it. This guy is amazing. He comes out in a tuxedo shirt with no coat; his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. And you soon see why. He plays the bass like I am not sure the bass knew it could be played. I read in the paper that he plays five and a half octaves on the bass. He reaches, bends, contorts, tilts, and sways to play that thing, working up quite a sweat in the process.

I had two thoughts as I watched him: The first was trying to imagine what it would be like to be the best in the world at what you do. (And it seems to be undisputed in his case that he truly is the best bassist.) Can't quite get my mind around what that would feel like.

My second thought was that I wondered what ever made him go so far out of the box of what the bass usually does. I read that before him, the bass wasn't really even considered a solo instrument. Was he practicing one day and thought, "I'm pretty sick of these bass parts they write for us. I'm gonna see what this puppy can really do!" I think it's fun to think about.

(Disclaimer: I am not a classical music expert by any means, so anyone out there reading this, please feel free to dispute, enlighten or inform any of my opinions above!)