This year, the annual winter break tour of the Tufts Symphony Orchestra brought the musicians to the wondrous country of Iceland. The group stayed in the capital city of Reykjavik, and made several trips to play in concerts and see the sights. Some of the normal tourist activities were a bit difficult however, due to the country's lack of daylight during the winter months. With the sun rising around eleven in the morning, and setting around four in the afternoon - a phenomenon which took some getting used to - opportunities for picture-taking were somewhat limited, but taken advantage of to the fullest extent.
The first concert of the tour was held at Grafarvogskirkja, a beautiful contemporary church situated next to the bay. Accompanying the orchestra was Icelandic soprano Alda Ingibergsdottir, who sang several arias, including one in Icelandic, which was an audience favorite. After the concert, many of the musicians went out and enjoyed the famous Reykjavik nightlife.
The next concert was held during the group's visit to the legendary Blue Lagoon; a natural geothermal pool in the middle of a stunning lava field. The short concert for guests of the Lagoon preceded the orchestra's dip into the inviting water. The weather that day was not what many would consider "ideal" for a swim, with temperatures in the high twenties and a constant, wind-driven snowfall interspersed occasionally with hail. But this reporter believes that despite the weather - or perhaps because of it - the ambience was perfect for a visit to this fantastic natural phenomenon.
The Lagoon's 104 degree water temperature did much to negate the effects of the cold, and the setting of the Lagoon is almost mythical, with the water, sky, and the steam from the pool all appearing an eerily beautiful shade of blue. Highlights of the visit included a marriage proposal, and a contest to see who could stand out in the driving snow and hail the longest, before returning to the comfort of the Lagoon.
The third and final concert of the tour, which was the most successful, took place at a local school with over 1,000 students in attendance. During the concert, the students were introduced to the different instruments of the orchestra, and were allowed to come down for a closer look after the concert had ended. In recent years, the children's concerts (which are also held annually here at Tufts), have been some of the most successful aspects of the tours. All of the musicians enjoy performing at these children's concerts and are eager to share their love of music with younger generations.
After the concert, the orchestra then had a tour of Thingvellir National Park, home to some of the most sacred sites in the country. The musicians were treated to spectacular views of snow-covered volcanoes, immense fissures, and vast tracts of white as far as the eye could see. Iceland indeed lived up to its name, and provided spectacular scenes of ice- and snow-covered land. Most of the group also witnessed another natural wonder, aurora borealis (the northern lights), and those who saw it were treated to a wondrous show. Ribbons of green, pink, and purple light danced in the sky as the group watched in amazement. It was truly a remarkable sight.
The next day, the orchestra was invited to attend a rehearsal of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and to meet with the professional musicians. That night, some of the wind and brass players actually took part in a rehearsal of the Reykjavik Symphony Orchestra, a smaller ensemble. Those who took part were extremely grateful for these opportunities and had a wonderful time playing with professional and semi-professional musicians.
Reykjavik's nightlife is world famous. Many of the musicians took part in the party-happy atmosphere and tried to keep up with the Friday and Saturday night happenings which last until seven or eight in the morning. The only thing that prevented the group from fully enjoying everything the city had to offer was the exorbitant prices. Being an island nation, Iceland imports the vast majority of its products so most things are much more expensive than we are used to. Spending thirty or forty dollars American for a simple meal is common, and bars and clubs drain your bank account.
But the group enjoyed its stay in Reykjavik to the fullest extent and returned with stories of experiences that not many others will ever have. Iceland provided the TSO with excellent hospitality, excellent sights and sounds, and a wonderful experience overall. It is the hope of the orchestra that the concerts they gave expressed their full gratitude to the people of Iceland for the great time had by all.
Ed Trabulus is a senior majoring in English and a viola player in the Tufts Symphony Orchestra.
