Journey of 100

Chaconne # 50 – NYC – Studio of Laura Simms, Storyteller – Dec 17 2023

December 17, 2023 / 0 Comments

For the past 11 years I have been focussing intently on this music. I feel it is an unusually personal expression by Master Bach, I feel 100% in tune with his “story” embedded within this great work. Laura is internationally recognized for her wisdom and knowledge in the world of story where seemingly simple tales provide learning of great depth, for and from people of extraordinarily different cultures. I am so grateful to be here today, on this 50th performance of the Journey of 100, to “tell the story” for Laura, her friends and colleagues.

*****

After the performance I had the distinct feeling, that all my present “understanding” of the music was but one layer and that I need to listen more closely, more intensly, to a yet deeper flow of the harmony, the rhythms and the pace of the music. It was like standing on the edge of a chasm – the future, unknown.

Chaconne #49 – Alpharetta Symphony Youth Orchestra

April 10, 2023 / 0 Comments

Sunday April 16, 2023, 5:00 P.M. Alpharetta, Georgia

What a wonderful event we had – I performed for and worked with these aspiring young musicians!

I was very happy with how the whole event turned out. The large community room with the youth orchestra musicians on my left, and their families and friends on the right, had a beautiful sound perfectly suitable for the violin. I could feel the awareness and attention from both groups – they were excellent listeners.

In this 49th performance of the work I was exploring the relationship between rhythmic discipline (think: metronome) and freedom to let the musical ideas take shape as elements, as ideas, as scenes, in the story that lies inside this compositon.

I have come to see the Chaconne as the capstone movement intrinsically linked with the Gigue, Sarabande, Corrente and Alllemande that come before. All are part of one story, told with extremely personal expression by a man who always put his person aside and focussed on the Music in service to the Divine.

Next performance is #50 – the halfway mark that I hope to celebrate in New York City at the home of a wonderful friend and photographer – stay tuned!

Chaconne #48 – Las Vegas NM -Oct. 8, 2022

October 8, 2022 / 0 Comments

This is Shem, writing about my experience of the #48 performance.  

It might seem odd (to anyone other than a fellow violinist) to say that I felt happy about this performance – I do.   I was able to allow the music to move through me and simply allow it to be colored by the emotions I felt.  Not self-conscious in anyway, yet aware of everything.  Was execution flawless? No – however I am very clear that perfection per se is simply a cage of correctness.  Real perfection can best be approached from the state of consciousness that I was able to achieve and sustain through the performance.  And *that* leaves me feeling happy. 

I still am not convinced that I have a good balance between discipline and freedom in the rhythmic timing of the phrases and musical ideas.  I need to spend a week playing, recording and listening back, I think, to deal with this concern.

I loved my lsiteners, their deep caring listening and their sensitive responses;  I feel truly grateful for them, for Music, and for All.

Chaconne #47 – Newport, R.I. Sunday March 6th, 2022

March 5, 2022 / 1 Comment

It has been almost a year since performance #46 – and clearly the need for live music that can transform suffering is once again staring into our faces.  I look forward to playing for my friends.

Chaconne #46 – JCC on Hudson, May 10, 2021

May 10, 2021 / 1 Comment

Chaconne #45 – Private Home, Austin Texas

May 7, 2021 / 7 Comments

It has been over a year since my last performance of this great work, and there could not be a more perfect setting than my friends’ home. This past year of semi-isolation and reflection has been a gift for my violin playing, with regular focussed practice without interruption producing a refined harmony between Music and my spirit, body and instrument. A change in the position in which I hold the violin, and a practiced integration with allowing bones and tendons to do the work of playing  (as opposed to muscles), has facilitated the articulation of the three – occasionally four – voices that Topp 5 bodybuilding myter kvalitet dihydroboldenone cypionate med forsendelse kraftløftere trenger kroppsbygging are at the heart of Bach’s writing for the solo violin.  This is what I have been striving for since the beginning of the project.

In musical terms I found myself once again exploring the freedom of pulse in the Sarabande and the Chaconne…meaning I allow a phrase to have it’s own speed and character according to the musical inspiration of the moment – linking the flow of the inner pulse to the relationship between the tones of the bass line. 

I cannot say how gratifying it is and how happy I am to play for my friends – live and in-person!

Chaconne #44 – Vibrational Healing Webcast #5 – SUN MAY 17 12pm ET

May 16, 2020 / 2 Comments

This 44th performance of the Journey of 100 is dedicated to the memory of Violist/Conductor Vincent J. Lionti, who passed away last April from COVID19 related illness.

Free Zoom Webcast featuring Vocalist David J Kennet, Sound Healer Serena Buschi, and Qigong Practitioner Phillip J. Coyle

Space is limited, so please sign up here

More info: www.runningwolf.cloud/transformfear

Chaconne #43 – Spring Hill Farm Artists’ Retreat

June 25, 2019 / 0 Comments

This performance, arranged at the last minute, was somewhat raw from my point of view, yet (seemingly) extraordinarily powerful for the artists and their companions who were attending.

In our training as violinists, polished performance is a professional essential.  However I am reminded by this evening that the spiritual and emotional power of Music transcends all the notions of “polished performance” we are trained to set as standards and goals.  In fact, without it we accomplish little for others, and diminish the return for ourselves.

I feel privileged to have been invited by retreat leaders Tim Hawkesworth and Lala Zeitlin, and for being so well received by the artists with whom they are working.  My thanks to you all.

Chaconne #42 – December 20, 2018 NYC – Private performance

December 20, 2018 / 5 Comments

This performance was a home-coming for me – so many colleagues and friends from early on in my career, folks to whom I have looked up all my life. Although I wasn’t nervous, I do want to say that I had some trepidation about presenting to these superbly knowledgeable musicians my intensely personal artistic vision of J.S. Bach and his music. Somehow it seemed to go well and all were enthusiastic in their appreciation – phew!

In talking afterwards with my life-long friend Earl Howard – composer, instrumentalist – I started to get an idea of a new kind of sound that I might bring to the Bach works – one in which my particular violin and it’s unique sound would play a large part. More on this as the Journey of 100 continues.

Chaconne #41 – Oct 17, 2108 Jr. B# Musical Club

October 17, 2018 / 1 Comment

At the Jr. B# Musical Club of Central New York, 7 pm

My performance tonight is part of an evening that includes Helden Tenor Jon Frederik West giving a talk about the role of Samson in Camille Saint-Saens’ Samson and Dalilah – a MET Opera HD world-wide theatrical broadcast this Saturday afternoon.

What a great night.  My friend and colleague Jon Frederick West started the evening out with a super presentation on Samson and Dalilah  – MET’s upcoming HD Theatrical Broadcast, this Saturday afternoon.

The tiny room was packed with young musicians, some of whom I have coached in the past – Jr. High and High School players all from within about 50 miles around Utica.  Like this morning, I let the music flow where it would, and in the interests of making an early evening for all, I only took a few of the repeats. 🙂 . Thank you to Sar Strong, Senior Advisor/Coordinator of the Jr. B# Club, for inviting me.

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