After a lot of two continent joint lessons and much juggling of schedules, Chloe and Lincoln were finally able to perform their Book 3 Violin Recital in person together! Here are their reflections on the experience.
~from Lincoln
Although the concert itself went quite well, I believe that the preparation process could have went more smoothly in many more ways than one.
Firstly, I believe the Acapella video production should have went better. While I was in the UK, I was quite incompetent in my production of the videos that Chloé required. I was unable to create the video for Gossec Gavotte and Bach Minuet in time. I had made many videos for Bach Minuet however they were all rejected because they weren’t good enough. The video of Gossec Gavotte was not sent because it was made too late.
Secondly, I was unable to make sufficient progression for practise on some pieces while in the UK, most predominantly Bach Minuet and Gavotte in D Major. For Bach Minuet I was unable to improve on the required things like not adding extra beats. For Gavotte in D Major, I had completely forgotten the structure and other things.
However, in the past 2 weeks or so I have improved significantly. Ever since coming back to HK, I have managed to fix everything and get everything together.
For Bach Bourree, I believe I was able to follow Chloé quite well. I adapted to her playing and managed to follow it fully. However, there were some times where I accidentally used the wrong bowing or dynamics. For the bowings, I was able to correct it most of the time. Overall I believe Bach Bourree was a success and ended quite well.
For Gavotte in G Minor, I believe that the piece went very smoothly. The dynamics were most likely on-point and all the notes were correct. When starting the piece, I was quite worried since I had forgotten whether to start the piece up bow or down bow which made it basically a 50/50 gamble. I decided to start up bow and I am still unsure if it was correct or not. Additionally, I may have been pressing too hard on the bow. Overall, I believe the piece went quite well however there were a few places to improve upon.
For Bach Minuet, I believe that the piece did not go well and that the piece went well at the same time. While playing it, I felt anxious that I was playing everything wrong, even though most of everything was right. I had played all the notes correctly and most of the bowings. I had also made each phrase had a longer bow at the end. However, I still felt like I was getting this wrong while playing it for some very unknown reason.
For Gossec Gavotte, I believe that the piece went relatively well. The bowings were mostly correct and the notes were all correct. However, I got some things wrong. Firstly, the articulation. Most of the time when it was supposed to be stacatto, I had played it lagatto, and when it was supposed to be lagatto, I had played it stacatto. Secondly and finally, in the D section I accidentally added a hook in the place where there wasn’t a hook. Not only that I had corrected it mid-piece. Overall I believe Gossec Gavotte went relatively well.
For Martini Gavotte, I believe it went extremely well. Not only was I able to perfectly follow Chloé all of the time, I never caught up to her and I didn’t mess up by starting at the same time as her. However there were times that I was just blindly playing on “auto mode” and not paying attention to Chloé’s dynamics. Overall, I believe this went well.
For Gavotte in D Major, I believe it went quite well. I got the structure right and was able to remember the start of the piece. I coordinated well with Ms Sonomi. However I missed a few cues and I believe i got a few wrong bowings. Overall, I believe it went fine.
For Twinkle, there isn’t much to say. Twinkle is Twinkle, and it went well. However, I accidentally started playing the harmony part instead of the melody part for one or two notes in one of the variations.
~from Chloe
A few days ago, Lincoln and I gave our Book 3 Violin Recital, and it was definitely a challenging, fun, and unforgettable experience for the both of us.
First of all, the preparation process was quite difficult, since at the beginning, Lincoln was in the UK, while I was in HK, which made collaborating much harder than my previous two recitals. On top of that, Lincoln and I didn’t know each other as well before, unlike how Isabel (my Book 1 and 2 Recital partner) and I were already quite close. Luckily, it was unexpectedly easy bonding with Lincoln, when he arrived in Hong Kong, only just two weeks before the recital!
As for the recital, it actually went quite smoothly, and we both played much better than during the dress rehearsal. There were only a few small slip ups here and there, and no major issues as there had been during joint lessons and the dress rehearsal. (For example, me missing an entire section, Lincoln forgetting how his solo started, and us not listening to each other during joint duets!)
In all, this recital had been very enjoyable, and undoubtedly a memorable process! Lastly, I would like to thank everyone that had made this recital possible. Ms. Diane for taking so much time and effort to help us prepare for all the pieces. Ms. Sonomi, for rehearsing with us over and over, to make sure every thing went fluently. Ms. Marie Ann, for making all the arrangements and organizing logistics (especially since Lincoln and I were in different continents at first). My parents, for supporting me throughout the process. Lincoln for being a great partner and working effectively with me. And his parents, for bringing the amazing snacks at the reception!
