LOCKDOWN MUSINGS & MUSIC

THIBAUD PAVLOVIC-HOBBA

What have you found personally challenging during lockdown?
The real challenge for me at the moment is not knowing when the next concert will be. My entire life has been a constant stream of rehearsals, airports and concerts and as that has been put on hold, it’s been a bit unsettling. However I’ve been lucky to have a great partner and a comfortable house. It’s the first time I’ve been able to be home for more than a month at a time.

Have you connected with music in different ways during lockdown?
When I’m at home I’m constantly humming and whistling to myself - so it’s more my partner who has been literally “connected” head-on to music. 

I’ve been able to take a step back from constant note-learning and I’ve started a routine of studies and technical work. It’s also been incredible to find more freedom and fun in my playing, away from the pressure of concert halls. What’s helped me stay connected as a musician has been taking more time with repertoire, listening to different recordings with a more focused mind and not forgetting that the concert halls will one day reopen.

Have you learnt a new skill during lockdown?
I spent two weeks staring at four pieces of wood before finally building a fridge cabinet! I’ve built a 200-bottle wine rack for 10 bottles of wine and I’ve fed and watered my eggplants before running out of friends to pass them off to!

Apart from this I’ve spent quite a bit of time with the viola, enjoying a new perspective on life down on the C string.

What have you missed most during lockdown? Have there been any silver linings?
I've missed going out, playing music with friends and not being able to see my family in Tasmania; but most of all I’ve missed working. What has been good is the effort my family are all now putting into communication and keeping in touch; I hope it’s something we won’t forget.

What advice would you give music lovers during lockdown?
Just keep listening. It doesn’t matter if you love it or hate it, the most important thing is to understand its purpose and where it comes from. New music is so important to the future of classical music and the more you’re exposed to it, the more interesting and approachable it becomes. 

WILMA SMITH

What have you found personally challenging during lockdown?
I’ve actually enjoyed the relatively quiet life of having to stay home during lockdown. My three daughters are grown up and Sophie, the youngest and last to move out, found a spot in a share house at the end of the first lockdown so it’s just Peter and me at home now.

I suppose the challenge of lockdown is not seeing my two Melbourne daughters in person for weeks on end and having to cancel a lot of travel this year. I had some nice holidays planned including a couple of weeks in Fiji with Jae and a visit to my eldest daughter in Wellington; and also some lovely concerts in NZ which will now happen without me. We’re lucky though, to have the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall and online teaching and “rehearsal” aids to keep us musically active.

Have you connected with music in different ways during lockdown?
I’ve probably heard more live concerts than I would normally go to but of course they’ve all been digitally delivered. Actually, I did have the chance to hear three MDCH concerts in person because I was helping the founders Chris and Adele with pre- and post-concert banter, and was allowed to stay in the theatre for the performances. There’s been an incredible amount of content online and I’ve only scratched the surface but I’ve heard some beautiful performances. 

Have you learnt a new skill during lockdown?
I’ve enjoyed the quartet’s foray into track-layering as a learning tool. We each record our parts on a separate track, playing along with a metronome using a clever program called BandLab. Then we’re able to use that resource to practise, muting the metronome and specific voices if we want to. It’s not like a live rehearsal but it’s a very useful tool and one I’m sure we’ll continue to use after this crisis. I’m not very tech-savvy but I’ve enjoyed rising to the challenge and having some fun with it.

What have you missed most during lockdown? Have there been any silver linings?
Actually, I feel pretty lucky because I’ve basically enjoyed lockdown. Although I usually move around a lot more for work and family and friends, I’ve realised that I actually have simple tastes and I’m easily contented which is good to know.

What advice would you give music lovers during lockdown?
Music lovers have so much to listen to and watch during lockdown and so many have made the most of it. It’s been wonderful to see my colleagues’ performances and be one of the many beneficiaries of generous support for musicians on the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall, for example.

Of course there’s all the permanently available digital content which you can trawl to your heart’s content, but I think there’s something special about being able to watch and hear live performances while we’re still in this predicament, even if you’re not in the same room. Some of the orchestras have been creative in finding opportunities for their musicians to engage with their community of supporters. Of course, I can’t wait to be able to play to a live audience in the same room and to be able to travel freely but meanwhile, there’s much to be grateful for.

HELEN IRELAND

What have you found personally challenging during lockdown?
I guess the first thing has been the logistics of being at home with a baby and a 7-year-old (who for part of the time has been remote learning), whilst still trying to keep my profession going. This year was always going to be a new learning curve for me with another child on the scene but it has been unexpectedly difficult. 

I have also found the increase in mundane tasks to do with being at home constantly and the sameness of each day, a bit challenging. Usually I have days when I'm at home being a mum and running a household and other days when I'm rehearsing or travelling to a music festival.

Have you connected with music in different ways during lockdown?
I have found that my private practice, which is even more hard won at the moment, has become more precious than before. I really love the time tucked away in my very un-glamorous studio/garage/kids’ toy storage space. 

Rehearsing online via BandLab is a new and fascinating experience that has taught me a lot. It’s not a replacement for practising together in the same room, but it has taught me that I can get my own part to a much higher level on my own than what I was previously doing and it is miles more fun than practising chamber music totally in a void.

Have you learnt a new skill during lockdown?
I haven't been able to spend hours baking unfortunately but I would say I've become more efficient at coping with the demands of daily life and I've learnt to use the BandLab app for online rehearsing.

What have you missed most during lockdown? Have there been any silver linings?
I have really missed rehearsing live with my beautiful colleagues! The silver lining has been feeling less conflicted about being away from my children.

What advice would you give music lovers during lockdown?
If you're able to take advantage of all the incredible content online, please do and send comments through to the musicians, because many of us miss the interaction after concerts! 

If you're in a position to do so look out for ways to support musicians financially, for example by buying tickets to the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall.