Caracas: Day 3

Is it really only day 3? It feels like a lifetime. At least when you add up all of the things i've seen it does.
Although I am downright exhausted, I must devoted a short entry to events that have happened since my last one.

Last night I heard the Simon Bolivar Orchestra de Juventud - an ensemble within the El Sistema program of music learning in Venezuela. Some of you may have heard of El Sistema (i.e.Gustavo Dudamel, Antonio Abreu, etc.) It's an unbelievable program and I got to see just how unbelievable it is last night.

This is the 'middle-level' orchestra of El Sistema , but you would never believe it if you heard them. To me, they are simply the best orchestra that I have heard to date. Without a doubt. Their concert program comprised all French repertoire, as the performance was held in honor of France's independence day (which is actually today.) Some highlights included Ravel's Bolero and his Suite No.2 - Daphnis et Chloe. The performance of the latter was electrifying. Alfredo Rugeles fearlessly led the orchestra through Ravel's most ambitious writing, keeping us all on the edge of our seats. If you think you've heard French music, you haven't until you've heard it performed by Venezuelans. Not just Venezuelans, but Venezuelan youth - this unique breed of musicians that stand in a class of their own. Their performance of the oh-so-cyclical Bolero transported me to a state of complete euphoria. Never in my life did I think I would hear a French Horn solo as I did yesterday. Frankly, I didn't think it was possible for any soloist to play that way, let alone a French Horn. These young people have talent, no doubt about it. Yet they also have charisma - each and every one of them. Scanning across the orchestra, I found countless captivating players to watch. In fact, I had even suggested to my friend Almud that we should go backstage and meet them. Alas, this crazy idea didn't materialize, but it goes to show just how badly we wanted to meet the people behind this magnificent sound. That's just how it is here - it's all about the amazing people that make the magic happen. Regardless of what they play, the magic of music is in their hands and in their voices..and I am here to witness it!!

Okay. Enough for now. Off to bed!