The Access Athlete Meets Handel's Messiah

It’s hard to put into words—the Messiah. Well, not the Messiah or being the Messiah, but rather the performing of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. It is a monumental work. A masterpiece. For a musician, a feat of endurance and stamina… perhaps also for the audience.

To perform this work is invigorating. Especially for me as I play a rendition called a “baroque messiah”, where the style matches how it would have been performed centuries ago.

The text, compiled from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, comes to life through the voices and the instruments. The instruments are an extension of those voices in how they articulate the notes.

Performing this work, there is a level of presence required. You have to be aware of the musical score, the conductor, the choir, your instrument, all the sections. Matching styles, thinking on your feet. Adapting and adjusting your tone, tuning, expression, bowing. You are constantly responding to every nuance, it’s never predictable and no two performances are the same.

Tonight, I acknowledge the brilliance of all this and of my body. The machine behind the execution of the masterpiece. This performance requires the endurance, strength, stamina and agility of a great athlete. We are what I call “musical athletes”.

Forty years of performances and it is always a thrill. It is a privilege and a gift. I am so grateful. I wish to express a special thank you to my first mentor in this performance style, Joan Hysen.

To my first conductor, maestro Ron Beckett. A formidable energy behind the creation of our orchestral ensemble Arcady.

To the legendary Gerald Fagan for seating me in the first violin section for years of traditional performances with The London Concert Players and Fanshawe Chorus.

To the vibrant conductors of my last two performances. Johann Vanlttersum and Hugh Van Pelt sharing the tradition.

To my often partner-in-crime within the violin section Paul Earle, concertmaster.

And to my amazing body workers throughout the years. Physio, osteopath, energy workers. They keep my body machine as finely tuned as the violin. Until next season Handel.

You can listen here.