I thought I knew what music was. A lively jig at the Green Dragon, a rousing chorus of the Oldfurlong song. Growing up in Buckland, there had always been jolly hobbit tunes for any occasion. That was music, and it was all I believed any hobbit ear could want.
Until now.
Last night I experienced a revelation. A glimpse of a larger world. I rarely leave the Shire but there was a concert in Bree-town yesterday, just outside the Inn of the Prancing Pony that I had been invited to attend. As it happened I had time to make the journey, and perhaps fate had a hand in that? The band performing were the amazing Maidens of Vanimor, a troupe of elven ladies of incomparable beauty and skill. I had heard tales in my youth of elven music, of how it transcended mortal senses, taking musicians and audiences to a world apart from our own. Poppycock and hogwash, thought this naive young hobbit.
The Maidens opening number Watcher of the Skies set the tone for a fantastic concert, with intricate melodies delicately played and sublime lyrics. To be honest, I didn't understand much of the tale told in the song. I overheard someone suggest it was about the end of the world, and if it had ended in that moment I would have died happy. Elven songs are long too but this gives them scope to tell marvellous stories, such as Selling Elfland by the Pound and The Battle of Chetwood Forest. The absolute highlight of the show for me was a piece called Musical Box, a simply stunning rendition of a tragic fairy story.
Without doubt there was a magic in the music and I must admit I was overwhelmed, losing consciousness at the end of the concert. I came to during the encore to find Master Silon dancing around me, and the Maidens winding down with some shorter songs of the sort I'm more used to. I am forever changed. I must learn more of this wonderful music; perhaps even learn to play such a song myself...
