I'm still without a working computer, so phone posts will continue.
It'll be hard to recap the last few days in a timely fashion, as so so many things have happened since I last wrote. We have settled in to our apartment here in the heart of Tallinn, and are about to set off with our homestays to visit their country home. We'll likely return a little later this evening in time to watch the US football match at 11 p.m. local time here in Tallinn.
Yesterday had some incredible hilights. We had our first concert in Tallinn, singing alongside Hirvo Surva's eesti rahvusringhäälingu, and I was shaking. They are just 70-80 voices, and I can't begin to imagine what laulupidu will be like. Fellow choir members have told me that you cannot hear yourself sing, and you just float with the roar of 32,000 voices.
The best moment of the day came after the concert was finished. An elderly man in a grey suit sat near the front of the audience, taking in the concert from beginning to end. The man was Veljo Tormis, the composer of several of our pieces, and an Estonian musical hero. A few minutes after the concert had finished, I made my way back into the main sanctuary and there he stood, surrounded by a group of choir members.
As he made to leave the church, I got my chance, posing for a photo, and getting a couple of precious seconds with the beloved composer. I looked him in the eye and thanked him for his ilus laulud -- beautiful music -- and shook his hand.
It was a chilling experience to finally meet the man who was my introduction to Estonian music and culture. The person on whose camera the photo was taken will not be back in the United States until midway through August, but once I get the photo in my hands, it will be a precious thing to me for many years.
Once we had gathered are things, most of the choir and the Estonian choir wandered downstairs for a reception. After a few minutes of talking, eating and drinking precious water, our quartet was asked to sing for the group. We sing a favorite of hours, 'Go the distance' from the Disney movie Hercules, and it was received with a reception that I will never forget. The song ends with one singer holding a long post, and once we had finished the song on a high chord, Hirvo raised one fist in the air and shouted with a voice that was easily heard above the rest of the audience.
Our choir finished off the evening with a collection of American folk songs, and we all said our goodbyes. Before we left, a fellow choir member came over to us and told us that we were originally supposed to be in her house. The homestay, thinking that she would be getting four guys staying at her house for 2 weeks, purchased several pounds of bacon only to end up with a vegetarian choir singer.
We then split up, but manny members of the American choir met up at a pub down the street, where a liter of beer was jus five euros. Today has been a day of rest, as many of the choir members have slept until around noon. I was up earlier this morning, and finally got the jacuzzi to work. Yes, we have a Jacuzzi. I have also been able to do some laundry, and our homestay plans to pick us up later this afternoon and we will head to the country.
Until I am able to find a working computer, photos will all have to be from my phone. Also, USA, USA, USA!!
No comments:
Post a Comment