Advent
in Austria – A True Story as related by
Nigel
A. JAMES
It
was ten years ago and just before Christmas. I was at an Advent
market in Vienna. There was an exciting edge
of cold to the air, and
the tastes and smells of seasonal
fare
made everything Advently perfect. But, it was the choir
that provided
the musical highlight which made the evening complete.
Their
singing was wonderful. And,
it was not only in German, but in English as well. And everyone
joined in
with their programme of popular Christmasy songs. And, so the singing
went on until the very last song. And, it was the best in more than
one way!
Before
starting, the conductor thanked the audience for their genuine
kindness, and then closing his eyes, turned to the choir and started
conducting. And, the singing was beautiful and it went
incredibly well. That is to say, until the last verse.
As
if imitating a half dying swan, the conductor, with
still tightly closed eyes, raised both of his arms in an arch
above his head, and then, so as to signal the choir to come to a
majestic full crescendo end, flutteringly brought them down
again and demonstratively and dramatically crossed them – BUT
NOTHING HAPPENED! The choir simply carried on singing!
The
last verse, it turned out, was not the last verse at all, and
the choir, because they had all been too busy concentrating on their
English texts, had not been paying any attention at all to the
conductor! And the conductor, because of his tightly closed eyes,
had had no idea he was being ignored! But, all's well that ends
well, and with an embarrassing smile on his face, he hastily
conducted to catch up, and managed to bring the concert to a
triumphant and jubilant close at the end of the real last verse.
And,
of course, Everyone loved the
good fun, and the applause was tremendous. And, so much did everyone
enjoy it, that the choir was invited to come back again. And, I, too,
promised myself another great evening of wonderful Advent fun!
And,
what could be better? Piping
hot
Glühwein, Advent cakes, the first colds of winter, the warmth of
good company and the finest singing there is!
Advent
is a wonderful time!
Selected
Vocabulary
choir
– Chor
conduct
– (to conduct/conducted/conducted) – dirigieren
conductor
- Dirigent
edge
of cold - Kalte
Klinge (dichterisch)
fare
– Kost
flutteringly
- flatterhaft
hastily
– schnell
imitating
– nachahmen
join
in – (to join in/joined in/joined in) – mit machen
piping
hot – sehr heiß
provided
– (to provide/provided/provided) – lieferte
seasonal
- Saison
tightly
– fest
verse
– Strophe
Diarikom
is sponsored by Mag. Karl Brieber
Wirtschaftstreuhänder
– Steuerberater – Unternehmensberater
