Resounding In Me ...
/By Yee Ching Lau – Malaysia
It is still resounding in me like a beautiful dream when I reflect on my memories of the World Lyre Conference in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic after my return home to Malaysia.
John Billing, Yee Ching Lau, Gerhard Beilharz, Sheila Johns
Because of my love for the lyre, the encouragement and support from my lyre teachers as well as the financial aid provided by LANA, I finally I took my very first flight to Europe to attend my very first World Lyre Conference! (If I am not mistaken, I believe I was the only person who flew from Asia to Europe for this year!)
Playing lyre in a lyre orchestra brought me a lot of great moments. We played “Catalysts” (for improvisation) by John Billing, Adagio for Lyres (Transcribed from “Agnus Dei” for choir) by Samuel Barber, and Symphony No.9 in E minor “From The New World” II. Largo by Antonin Dvorak. “The softer, the stronger” was is the unique and precious character of the essence of lyre tones in this last piece, especially when all the lyre players played a phrase of melody in ppp (a very very quiet sound). This sounded indeed like the heavenly tones which can be heard on the earth!
Many people asked me what I learned or gained from my trip. Sometimes I couldn’t really answer very well. However, whenever I play lyre now, the people that I met during the conference are always in my mind. I know there are so many nice and beautiful people throughout the world that are just like me: we practice lyre, work with the lyre, and walk daily in our musical path – patiently, firmly, and joyfully.
Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to:
LANA for granting me the conference fees to reduce my financial burden;
The organizer committees for taking the responsibility and the willingness to make the lyre conference successfully accomplished;
The conductors, the musicians, the composers, the lyre builders, the teachers, and all the lovely friends to make the World Lyre Conference in 2022 became so memorable and beautiful.