Hilary Hahn

I truly believe that I will never forget tonight.  I went to violin today and right outside my teacher's teaching room was a poster for this event:
"December 9th: Hilary Hahn Lecture/Demo

As part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Master Encounter series for the Colburn Conservatory of Music, violinist Hilary Hahn will be giving a lecture/​demo on Thursday, December 9th at 6:00PM in Thayer Hall. The event is open to the public and free."

I almost died when I saw that.  I was kinda debating whether I should go or not cause I actually have finals next week.  But my mom told me "hey, finals will come and go.. but this is Hilary Hahn".  So I got a ride from a friend and oh MY GOOODNESS! I will never forget this night. 

   The past two weeks I've been getting really frustrated that I haven't really made any like "level" improvements in the past 5 years (Even though I practice my butt off).  but this was a huge wake up for me.  It reminded me that music is not about levels of skill or competition.  It's about Beauty.  Soul. God. 

   I sat within about 100 ft of her and asked her a question in the Q&A part of the lecture.  She played two mvts of unaccompanied Bach at the end.  It was seriously one of thee most beautiful things I've ever heard.  The hall was pretty small...but warm and intimate.  My teacher once told me "playing unaccompanied Bach is very intimate.  It's a place where you meet God".  Because I was sitting so close to her, I could feel the intimacy in her playing.  I could feel the personal aspects of every bow change and every note.... especially in the slow mvt. (she played one fast and one slow mvt.)  If she was doing this for money the seat I occupied tonight (the floor..thanks to crowds of people there)...would probably cost 75-100 dollars....i think.  The experience of it, I believe, is worth much more.  I am so fortunate to have gotten all this for free. 

   I actually brought my cell phone and I was going to take a picture or a video of her.  But my phone died right when I sat down.... This was a good thing though.  If I had been obsessed with recording everything I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did.  A simple camera can not capture beauty quite as well as the human ear and mind can.  On the other hand my friend did get a 10 second clip of her playing... it's kinda bad quality but hey... it's a camera phone :P 

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=990268736384

All in all.  Amazing night.  I am eternally grateful.  Thank you God.