I spent two weeks in July – from July 16-28, 2013 in
Arcidosso, Tuscany at an international music festival called
“Interharmony”. I had an amazing time,
both professionally and personally. I am currently a DMA in piano performance
at The University of Utah School of Music in my 2nd year, and
I attended the festival for more international performing
experience. The University of Utah gave me a scholarship and I was so happy
about that !
I went along
with my piano professor, Dr. Vedrana Subotic as well as a few other pianists
and some string players from my school. I am originally from Europe, but I
haven't visited it for over six years, so this was an amazing experience for
me. The hotel that we stayed at was located in the medieval town of Arcidosso, in
Tuscany. Everyone knows that Tuscany is one of the most beautiful parts of the
world – with its nature, sunflower fields, hay stacks;), so many different
colors of grass and fields, and the Mediterranean sea just one hour from where
we were staying. The hotel where we stayed was right in the middle of all the
beauties of nature, with a swimming pool, spa, and horseback-riding just next
door! It was like a resort, and perfect place to relax and enjoy beautiful
music – both hearing wise, and creating – wise! Some of the piano practice
rooms were located in the hotel, and some in the downtown of Arcidosso. Our
festival consisted of 4-5 piano lessons as well as 4-5 chamber music coaching
where I got to play with a clarinetist from Michigan State University and a
violinist from China! - so international! Along with the coaching, I had three
performances – one of a solo piece that I played, the first movement of Beethoven op.111 – his
last sonata, which went successfully. I also had two performances with my trio,
which also went great. The concerts from the festival were being held every
night, in churches in Arcidosso, by the faculty members as well as students,
where the locals as well as the festival participants would attend. The
festival had at least 300-400 people attending – students, professors, and even
children from all around the world – USA, Europe, China, etc. When we weren't
playing music, we would go swimming in the swimming pool, to the spa, or visit
the surrounding cities! One day we spent going to see the leaning tower of
Pisa, which was about a two hour car ride - it was an amazing experience. My
cousin told me that this tower is probably going to fall in the next few years!
The next city that we visited was Florence – one of the most beautiful cities
that I have ever been in, where we saw the Uffizi museum with amazing
renaissance art by some of the world's most famous artists, churches full of
paintings and frescoes, shopped in amazing Italian fashion stores -everyone
knows that Italy's fashion is amongst the best in the world! We also visited
the city of Sienna, where we climbed atop a 500 stair tower, to see the
gorgeous view of the whole city, and explored the churches, domes etc of the
city. One day the festival took us to the Mediterranean sea and the town called
Porto St. Stefano, where after six years
I got to swim in the sea! Ahhaa This was one of the most beautiful days, and
soothing experiences that I experienced in a long time. Altogether, it was one
of the best musical/vacation experiences that I have ever had in my life, and
very enriching and creative! I want to go back to Europe again next year to
another music festival – perhaps France, and have caught the travel – bug:).
Here are some pictures of me, and my group in Tuscany! Thank
you U of Utah for helping me with this
opportunity!
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Sienna--view from the Bell Tower
Our group from Utah in Pisa
One of my Beethoven op. 111 performances in the old church in Arcidosso
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