Aubade

Aubade

On January 1st we went to Warkworth Beach to see in 2013. It was a splendid morning with the sun rising out there somewhere near Coquet Island. We placed the camera on a handy rock, set the 10 second timer and struck a pose that reflected our mood of cheery optimism and silliness. I shared the photo on Facebook with the following caption: Sunrise. 1st Jan. 2014’s going swimmingly so far. I’d like it continue in this manner for us and for you, if it doesn’t mind.

On January 2nd we went back there and did the same, although this time the sun did not rise in a showy way. Again I shared this picture on Facebook writing “Sunrise, 2nd Jan. Warkworth Beach. Well we’ve stayed the same today, even if the rising sun was being coy, gathering its cloudy skirts around its humility.”

On the 3rd day, Jamie did not come along as he was back to his toil, but I went, this time to Alnmouth, and thenceforth to lots of places at sunrise for the entire year of 2014. Each time I shared the picture on Facebook.

Sometimes my months have adopted themes. March was in the garden where I wrought early morning order upon the weedy, overgrown havoc that wintry neglect had bestowed. You may or may not know that our garden does not see the sun so early in the day on account of the slopes and trees thereabouts, so other points of interest were captured at the appointed minute. 28th october6February was the month of North-East icons, although of course sometimes I was in Worksop, which is not in the North-East so a Worksop icon was found instead. November was the month of war memorials and this proved impossible – two restrictions placed upon myself (one of time, one of location) meant that in order to maintain my theme, which I decreed to be of more importance, I had to use pictures taken on other days and even sometimes at other times of day, but these strayings from the year’s project were always owned up to. I am an exceedingly honest person, after all.

I have discovered that the sun rising behind a thin veil of mist or fog, is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful sights there is. I have discovered that photos with the sun on them are more popular than those taken on rainy or cloudy days – fog is fairly popular though. Photos with creatures on them, especially birds, are also very much beloved. I have discovered that my little camera is also not fond of cloudy, rainy or foggy days, and must be cajoled into action. Taking sunrise pictures when the sun is not apparent is more difficult, because something else must be the focus of attention. Flowers bob about unphotographably in even the slightest of breezes. I have confirmed what I have known all my life – I am a morning person. Getting up at 3.30 to get to the sun by 4.25 in mid-June did not unduly bother me (although I did sometimes need a nap in mid-afternoon in order to have a productive evening).

Many of my Facebook friends have made pleasant and encouraging comments about my photographs, and this has spurred me on to the very end of the year – today. I encouraged Jamie to come back to Warkworth Beach this morning to that we might recreate a final image akin to that of the first. The project is complete.

31st dec8 (2)Many years ago, I spent a similar amount of time composing a concerto for marimba and strings as part of my doctoral folio.  (It is called “In The Teeth Of It” – I composed it in a year that was an exceedingly troubling and stressful one.) It has been performed by four different marimba players over the years that I know of and several others have ordered copies of the score and parts so maybe there have been more.

I have brought together these two creative endeavours as a New Year’s Eve task today in the video above. It’s a long video, but think on (as Uncle Arnold used to say)….it’s 365 pictures of early mornings and an entire marimba concerto (three movements). I have loved 2014. I hope 2015’s just as creative, cheerful and productive for us and for you.

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2 Responses to “Aubade”

  1. Helen December 31, 2014 at 11:32 pm #

    I for one have loved your sunrises. What a lovely surprised for New Year’s Day to see them teamed with your Marimba concerto. Happy New Year to you and your family.

    • Cheryl Camm January 1, 2015 at 6:58 am #

      Thanks so much Helen. I’ve loved your positive daily comments too. Here’s to looking on the bright side, eh! Happy New Year to you and your family!

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