Lockdown in Greece from March-May 2020 was a time of contemplation and a daily mindful walk in the neighbourhood to clear my mind as well as give me well needed exercise after teaching my online lessons and making sure the family was ok! I found it difficult to do any creative work but I did write in my journal as well as practise the piano. Only afterwards I felt the urge to express my feelings and thoughts through music and poetry. Here are the results of lockdown so far….let us hope that we will not return to the same situation but if we do, that we will be ready emotionally.
Firstly, the Lockdown Sketches for violin in collaboration with Peter Sheppard Skaerved. During lockdown I found listening to the violin solo playlist of Peter Sheppard Skaerved very comforting and I found his artwork and storyline photos very intriguing. I was very honoured when he agreed to collaborate on a violin piece with me which we call the Lockdown Sketches. It is still a work in progress but I feel it has been a source of catharsis for me in this difficult time. Many thanks to Peter and a link to his website where he has shared his art and thoughts:
Artwork of Peter Sheppard Skaerved
Peter Sheppard Skaerved website
Secondly, here are some of the photos I took on my walks by Mt. Immitos in Agia Paraskevi, Attica and here is a poem I wrote on June 24th that expresses my thoughts during this time:
this is lockdown
this is lockdown
when you’re coughing
and scared
to hug your child
because you don’t
know what you’ve got
this is lockdown
checking how many
today
have died
and how many countries
are in denial
this is lockdown
when you treasure
each moment
more precious
knowing that this day
is all we have
until tomorrow
comes with more
certainty
this is lockdown
sharing your fears
your cares
with those you love
your friends
your enemies
this is lockdown
we are one all together
no separating the good or bad
whether you like it or not-
this is lockdown
Written: June 24, 2020, Coreen Morsink
Latest update! September 5th, 2020
Here is the next part of the Lockdown Sketches with another round of thanks to Peter Sheppard Skaerved for his vibrant and expressive playing of Hymn to Asclepius which is partially based on a reconstruction of a piece of music (Hymn to Asclepius) inscribed in stone found at Epidavrus. The inscription is dated from about the 3rd Century AD but is thought to have actually composed during the Hellenistic period. May we all have good health!
More music, photos, artwork and poetry to come….
The full Lockdown Sketches for violin include the following movements;
I) Door of the Wind
II) Conversation and Light
III) Sea/water/river
IV) Tower of Winds
V) Hymn to Asclepius
VI) Clouds and Blue Sky
VII) A Flurry of Activity at the Waterline
VII) Gigue with Overlayers
Updated September 5th, 2020 Coreen Morsink
