I was recently dreamed about. A friend wrote me to say they had a dream about me playing my cello on the top of an amusement park ride at a fair – I didn’t get their permission to retell this, but…but…I’m not really giving anything away…am I?
I wondered later, “What would I be playing on top of an amusement park ride at a fair?” For whatever whimsical, stereotypical reason, I imagined an amusement park ride in Paris. Do the French have super tall rides like we do in America? Because I also imagined it being on top of a very, very tall ride – atop the tallest ferris wheel? (Taller than the one in London, even). And somehow, like in the movies, the sound would magically carry throughout the entire place and it would be stupidly idyllic and wonderful and there would be no death, loneliness, or sadness… just a moment in sound.
I also mainly chose this particular song because I miss my dad. He’s a champion for the classics and songs with tunes you can walk away singing. Right-o daddy-o.
Recorded over a bit of time, and very quietly, after everyone and all the dog(s) were asleep…I underestimated the range this song covers…it goes as low as low can be – a key must be selected very, very carefully – but the awkwardness of the register works on all fronts as I wanted that “this is uncomfortable” feeling. I mean, playing cello on top of a tall, tall amusement park ride? Thrilling. But uncomfortable.
Good night, fools.
e
La Vie En Rose
words by Mack David (french by Edith Piaf)
music by Monnot/Louiguy
EMILY HOPE PRICE 