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Sinsch, SandraTo preserve a piece of eternityWhen instruments change hands due to reasons of agecategory: Essay published in: das Orchester 04/2010, Page 30 |
Life expectancy in Germany keeps rising by three years each decade – throwing up questions regarding the specific challenges and circumstances of retired musicians, from giving meaning to sudden spare time to dealing with health issues, personal finance and retirement homes. In the article by Lesle a number of retired musicians describe their life "after the orchestra" – in many cases still strongly influenced by music, be it activity in lay ensembles, freelance music research and publishing, or teaching and mentoring. In a few cases, giving up music was experienced as freedom, but occasionally it also led to depression. The article by Gembris looks at the issue from a psychological and medical perspective: given demographic trends, what does growing older mean for musicians, how do cognitive and sensory capabilities change over the span of a lifetime, and how do orchestras integrate older colleagues? Personal retrospectives gathered in the next article show by and large quite a high level of contentment with the completed career. As for changes, many musicians remark that interpersonal relations in orchestras have become less friendly, that competition has increased and technical perfection perhaps become too important. Maybe not for everyone, but cherished by many other retirees are regulars' tables, fixed meetings of old colleagues, as a place to socialise, keep up with the news and reminisce. Growing old also raises the question of where to spend one's sunset years. Casa Verdi is a retirement home in Milan, set up as a charitable institution in 1899 by Giuseppe Verdi for poor musicians. Still going strong today, it operates on a philosophy that seeks to keep alive artistic and social commitment even in old age. A very personal tale of remembrance, change and continuity is that of Michael Maier. At 91, he is the last surviving founder member of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, established in 1946 as a hopeful sign for a new future. Finally, with a musician's retirement or death also often comes the disposal of his or her instruments. While wind instruments tend to age badly technically and materially, string instruments often do have a continuing life – sold on through a functioning second-hand or passed on to young musicians, perhaps through a charitable foundation such as Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben.