A few glimpses from yesterday's music festival (Torrent, Spain)

While I was travelling back from Valencia yesterday evening I felt like coming home from an exciting school excursion. Oh, there was a little difference - those who were travelling with me were not young students but people of my age and older than me. It was just the crazy spirit of those people around me who gave me the feeling of being among young people full of energy.

Our bus was sailing on the Mediterranean highway, it was already dark outside; I had a book with me to read but it was not keeping my attention as the spirit of the choir members I had a concert with was stronger. They didn't stop having ideas about which songs to sing. A singing bus it was, a bright spot moving in the darkness.

Our faces were also illuminated. Some faces were reflecting the light of the mobile phone screens and others were lit up by emotions... There were also tears, as the choir lived some very difficult and serious things in the last few months. Difficulties are here as temptations, where things sometimes get even more messed up. On the other side, those are also starting points for new steps. Better and cleaner paths maybe.

I participate (as a pianist) in the concerts of this choir many times. When they have scheduled performances I get the scores and go on the rehearsals. It is not a big national choir, like the one where @jesuslnrs sings. It is just a local, little choir, a group of people who like music and want to offer a message and musical moments to the audience. The director is a great musician, a personal friend and a big man. Well, when you see him you notice that he is not tall at all but his greatness comes from his heart and passion for music. You will have the opportunity to see him conducting in the video, at the end of this post.

On Friday we had one performance at a social gathering and a religious ceremony in our town. Even the bishop came and the words he used as well as the message he transmitted on the homily were so simple and friendly. They came like the words of a close friend you talk to. The musical background that we brought contributed to the beauty and sublime feelings everyone felt there.

The next day we had to wake up very early and get on the bus. We travelled to Torrent, a municipality in the metropolitan area of the city of Valencia. A choir and orchestra festival was held in the building we see in the first photo.

I like to joke that the piano is my office, which in these moments indeed is. Playing on an instrument like this is the best "office" work I can have. 😇 I know it is not a Fazioli {a piano brand, very popular right now} but a good laughing piano. Yamahahahahaha 😂 I would gladly have such an instrument at my home and have fun and music with it!

We were the second choir to perform at the festival. The piano seemed huge in those moments. The audience too. Maybe it was just me feeling so small on the stage but I talked to my mind. You have nothing to be afraid of. Focus on the music, on the director and the singers. That is how this work is done, being in the moment and trying to give the best, although there is always a bit of stage fright. Not too much fear this time though.

The audience loved the performance, we heard later that we lit up the auditorium with energy. It is all thanks to the conductor and his vibe, our response to his leading and enjoying what we do. Some of the performed pieces were El Berberillo de Lavapiés by Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, La Habanera by Bizet, Granada by Agustín Lara, and Funiculì Funiculà by Luigi Denza.

Musicians are also humans so have to eat 😁 That is how the concert was followed by a delicious lunch and a boat ride - but it deserves a separate post! Our impressions of the day, and both concerts, were shared and confirmed in that journey home, on the bus with which I set out to share this experience with you. The little singing family, as we like to call this choir, is already having inspiration for the next rehearsals and performances. 🎶