However, there is one 3rd that has been on my radar for a long time, since I was in high school, and had looked at it with awe and maybe even a little fear: the 3rd Symphony of Robert Schumann. Now, I have the wonderful opportunity to perform it this evening with the UWM Symphony Orchestra. I was surprised early on how difficult the piece was to play. There are quite a lot of notes, they tend to go by quickly, and they're grouped together unexpectedly sometimes with some tricky jumps and fingerings. I'm playing it without an assistant principal horn, which is a bold move on my part, but doable, as long as I strategically sit out a couple bars here and there that are doubled in other parts.
Preparing to perform this symphony has been quite a journey. It was terrifying to play at first, but as time went on and I worked on it more, it has become quite comfortable, and in the midst of the acrobatic loud playing of the outer movements I still am able to find my "happy place" as I call it. It's been comfortable and effective. My horn is on board, too, as we are sounding quite good on this symphony. I'm sure my relaxed and ready state is helping them, as I'm giving them less of the unexpected to listen.
So we play to this symphony tonight at 7:30pm! Should be fun!