...Libera me, Domine, de morte eterna...
...The Faure Requiem, that work REALLY caught my attention. I was a Frosh at Conservatory, and had to take the Choral Class, although I didn't like to sing. I have a strong Alto, but it has strange overtones, and is not predictable. At times, it is pleasant, other times it is cringworthy when I sing. My voice does attract compliments, I have an unusual accent, and I pronounce my words very well. I was sent to a special class when I was young, I lisped and slurred my speech, and I had to do all kinds of exercises so I could speak clearly. I guess that all of the training and practice I did helped me later. I would do my closing argument in a Jury Trial, and all of the members of the Jury would be looking at me...and NOT because of my clothing.
...I stood in the alto section during the class, and would sing, just enjoying the work. The Professor kicked me out of the class a couple weeks before the concert, and told me to practice the cello part. I was the Principal Cellist, and the work is all about the lower strings playing the music. I would drag my cello into class, and wait until he kicked me out, and I would go into a practice room and work on the music for an hour.
But, I would also go into the music 'Lab', strap on headphones, and study the work and softly sing the alto part.
...The concert came up, and I was ready, I KNEW the work, and the alto parts. We started, and the Professor was surprised when I was singing, as I played. I had the cello part, and the alto part memorized...and I was just being difficult. (Part of the way I have lived my life, I don't blend in at times).
...I was quiet when the Bass/Baritone sang "Libera Me". I joined in singing the chorus...and the hairs on the back of my neck rose, and I didn't have to work hard to keep my throat open. "Dies ire, dies magna, et amare, amare val de" (sp) My voice was full, and the Conductor looked at me...but he couldn't stop me...I was swiping my bow across the strings, and was leading the section.
...We got to the last movement, and I was exhausted. At the very end, the cellos finish, and I got some energy, and lead my section...we alternated the ending phrase, and finished....and...
...I kept my bow on the string...the rest of the section followed me...and we sat there as the work was over...our bows on the stings. The Conductor just looked at me, he had been directing us, and I just looked back into his eyes. He then turned away, and set down his baton, looked at the score, and then turned and looked at the audience....we still had our bows on the string.
...The aupplause began, and we set our bows down.
...It was hard for me to walk off the stage...
...I had left part of myself on the stage. One of my roommates drove me back to our apt, and I sat and cried for a while, and then went to bed.
