"Richard Wagner composed his well known Ring Cycle in blah blah blah"... Some of you reading that opening sentence might think the Rhian you know and love has been abducted by aliens and replaced by some fake harpist. I am in no way an authority on the Ring but I'm becoming an authority on me and what makes me tick and I like writing about my experience, and hopefully it's a good enough read for musicians and non-musicians alike. My use of language in that sentence isn't florid enough either!
Yesterday was my first day of rehearsal for Siegfried. Excluding time spent travelling , hanging around and eating I worked out I was sitting for over 8 hours yesterday. I felt like the princess and the pea as I tried in vain to customise my not-quite-high-enough chair with harp covers and clothing. Still better than a backless music bench. Today my lower back is a bit painful (shoulders surprisingly ok though) and I was ecstatic when I managed to book myself into Aquafit last night when I got in after my long day. I can't wait to jump into the chilly water and bounce around like a lunatic, and I get excited as I walk to the pool and smell the irresistible chemical chlorine wafts. To whoever cancelled - thank you!
It was a long day on slightly too little sleep - I had to get ALL my ironing done on Monday night, not just what I needed, and sort my food for the next few days. I set off 45 minutes later than the time I'd set myself - I'd left 3.5 hours for a journey that takes an hour on a good day but seeing as I needed to pack what seemed like most of the contents of my home into my car after I'd completed my morning routine, it was just enough time not to be rushing. After I deposited my harp in the hall and worked out yet another online parking system, I had to move my harp again as the sectional was taking place upstairs. I still had enough time. After all that mental psych-up it was the lovely knowledgeable and helpful Jonathan taking the rehearsal and it was a great way to ease into this project, and it was a much appreciated gesture when Sir Mark popped in briefly to greet his section. After we had put the Wagner harp world to rights, off we trundled with our precious convoy down into the main hall. We are in a lovely position right at the back and though it feels far away from the conductor, it's an ideal vantage point, towering above the orchestra (in my mind) alongside both sets of timpani and behind our buddies the horns. There's a lot of those too - Wagner certainly wasn't a minimalist. Despite the serious nature of rehearsals, it's a relief to break the often intense atmosphere with a dash of humour, and you can guarantee innocently complicit eye contact with at least one of those cheeky horn players as the conductor instructs us to start at everyone's favourite number... Then lunch. It was a beautiful day and following a colleague's suggestion I headed for the canal where I found a black metal bench to eat my picnic. Then time for a coffee in my own travel mug which always garners compliments (it's bright pink of course). We started Act 3 and assumed our positions for the next few days. The familiarity of Wagner's sound world in the menacingly creeping and exciting opening bars was comforting as it built to its first thundering climax within the first 3 minutes, and I was more often than not distracted from my to-do list by the amazing auditory feast laid out before my ears. Wagner just seems to be able to paint the world in his music if that makes sense. Those music-gasms started again as I heard some quietly spectacular playing that just drew my ear in and I didn't want it to stop. Those swathes and washes of divine sound. I'm relieved I still have that passion for orchestral playing!
My thoughts drifted to my last experience of Siegfried and I had flashbacks of how it was in Leeds Town Hall. If I'm honest it wasn't the best experience for me, mainly due to the position of the harps. We were on the opposite side of our usual position within the orchestra and stuck right at the back, so it almost felt like we were separate from the rest of the orchestra. It was like playing blindfolded with earplugs. No wonder my nerves were frayed after 3 months. I felt I couldn't trust what my senses were telling me. Add to that the fact I was on the back row of harps tucked away in the furthest corner (there is a particular name for this position in the music world) and you can imagine my frame of mind and maybe understand why it put me off orchestral playing a bit. No matter what solution we suggested or tried (monitors, plinths...), we were never going to come up trumps in that venue.
So it's a breath of fresh air to revisit this fabulous piece again and yesterday felt like a healing experience as I felt my confidence grow as I started to play like I play. Brünnhilde (Brown Hilda or Hilda Brown, either way it doesn't translate well in my mind, and YES, I know it means armoured battle maiden) is amazing! Like many a Brünnhilde, she's blonde and petite and has quite a pair lungs on her - wow! As is often the case when I'm working, I'd like to be on the other side of the conductor so I could fully experience the impact of her voice but it's something special, I know that. As for Sir Mark and the orchestra, I just love the generous spaciousness he gives the music and the loving attention with which he caresses each line and phrase. It feels very organic and as he is healthily meticulous about every detail, it's a satisfyingly joyous challenge to work with him. I wish I had his ears. In the section we are an interesting mix of 4 blondes and 2 redheads - I'm just talking about the colour of our harps there by the way! Possible token harp section photo coming soon...! It's a lovely section with a good energy.
With the drowsiness that came at the end of what was our second rehearsal of three, I decided to go for a stroll along the canal (see below). That's one of the things I love about Manchester - you're never a million miles away from water or some greenery and wildlife if you take a minute to look. I went back to the empty changing room and nabbed the cosiest armchair, put on my sunglasses and went elsewhere for 10 minutes. That's all it takes and I'm quite proud I've mastered the art of the power nap in a relatively public place.
Today will be a quiet day practicing, resting and preparing for what I think will be a spectacular performance this weekend... Get your tickets now!
In the heart of Manchester - my momentary companions on my canal stroll
My heart sank for an instant when I got back to my car. When I checked, I'd put the make of my vehicle where I should have put the registration... How many Mazda sixes could there have been on that street yesterday anyway?!?
