Others in the south may still linger,
basking in the paradise garden.
Here it’s northerly, and this year
for my friend I've chosen autumn.
I've brought here the blessed memory
of my last non-meeting with you –
the pure flame of my victory
over fate, so cold, and pure, too.
-Akhmatova
I have started taking viola lessons again. It has been so long since I have had regular instruction, and though I was initially dubious as to its benefits at my current stage, I realized that I am spending an appreciable amount of time playing music (chamber, orchestra, and individual practice). If I am doing so much of something, I want to do it well, and having external guidance is the best method for improvement and inspiration. In addition to my own meager justifications, I was spurred in large part by this New Yorker article on the use of coaches, or "an outside ear". My first lesson reminded my of how vital this is. Music making is a mental exercise as well as a technical one, and having another mind to share a different perspective is incredibly enlightening. Suddenly a piece that I have known for a while takes on a new dimension. Even a single note can become more vivid, after a bit of necessary (but previously lacking) attention. The changes are slight, perhaps, but beautifully invigorating.
Aside from viola and my day-job (hourly entertainment guaranteed), I have started working part-time at the concert venue in downtown Stamford, which has been enjoyable so far. I haven't touched my laptop since last week, and I have been listening to Schubert quartets every day (and have yet to grow weary of them). October begins, but somehow I feel it will be over too soon...