Abhik!

I have used the expression "what a gift" in this blog before, but this time I am referring to Abhik Mazumder.    Abhik is a student of Dr. Suzanne Newcomb.  In my years of observing piano teachers, most teachers have a student or students who "break out of the pack."  Abhik is that student for Suzanne.

Yesterday Abhik presented a beautiful piano recital through the Music Series at St. John's Episcopal Church in Worthington, Ohio. Abhik is only 15 years old, but he played with superb technique and musicality beyond his years.  Abhik began taking piano lessons at age 4,  and was the 2013 Ohio Music Teachers Association piano competition winner.

He has also gone beyond his interest in classical piano, and began his jazz education under the late performer and educator Mark Flugge.  He joined the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2015, and played at Lincoln Center this past summer.

I had the opportunity to hear Abhik perform at the Columbus Jazz Orchestra/Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra concert at the Lincoln Theatre here in Columbus.  This concert featured the amazing jazz pianist Aaron Diehl, and Aaron has connected with Abhik.  Abhik has also won the Jazz Arts Group Hank Marr High School Jazz Award.

I can only add, after hearing Abhik perform yesterday, he could be on his way to an incredible career as a pianist, including classical music and jazz.


Abhik started the recital with the concert etude by Franz Liszt "un sospiro."  It was absolutely beautiful, and the work displayed Abhik's amazing technique.  I know from limited playing where I am crossing my left hand over my right hand, that it is challenging.  Abhik's agility over the key board, is simply so incredible.

I love Claude Debussy and Abhik did not disappoint his audience with the beautiful La soiree dans Grenade.  Beautiful chords, and a moving impressionist work, which I had not heard before.  I played Clair de Lune for my 10th grade piano recital, and Abhik simply did an incredible performance of that familiar work as well.

Abhik ended the first half of the recital with "Ocean" an Etude by Chopin.  It truly brought the sounds of the ocean to life.  Abhik's playing brought out the majesty of this work.

I have blogged about jazz piano, and Abhik's second half of his recital was worth the wait.  He started with Blue Monk  by Thelonious Monk, and did such an incredible job of adding a dimension of excitement to such a familiar piece.

Abhik played one of my all time favorite songs of all time Jerome Kern's All the Things You Are.  For a person of such young years, he was able to capture the timeless melody, and it made me think of the endearing lyrics and the unending message of love that the song conveys.

Abhik honored the late Mark Flugge, a brilliant pianist, gone too soon with February's Promise,  And he played Spain by Chick Corea, another wonderful selection.  By this time, I felt like I was in heaven, Abhik, is in fact, that good.

In 1969 I was 14 and starting high school, when Paul Simon composed Bridge over Troubled Water.  I played it often, and I think the song is quite applicable to the political climate in the country.  Abhik did a moving performance of a timeless classic.  It was a meaningful ending to a wonderful afternoon of music.

Since Abhik's teacher, Dr. Suzanne Newcomb loves Brahms, Abhik came back for a beautiful Brahms etude to end the recital.  I can only repeat what I blogged at the beginning, Abhik, what a gift!!

Where ever his music takes, him, Abhik's journey is going to be an interesting one.  It was comforting to see his parents in the choir loft balcony recording his performance.  They must have been so proud. It brought back so many happy memories, of my parents in place for my recitals.  For it is the parents who bring their child or children to the music.

It was an honor to share in Abhik's musical adventure, and I know he will be making his mark in the Central Ohio arts community and beyond

The Next Wave and my piano

It has been a while since I have posted.  Work has kept me busy, and I have spent some time sorting out what I want to do after I am done practicing law, in a few more years.  I took a hiatus from piano lessons, and at least for a while just played my "lounge lizard music"  I made the decision at least for the moment to return to Dr. Suzanne Newcomb, a couple of times of month.  She has what is called adult student Fridays, and one can sign up through her genius sign up board.  So I average 1 or 2 lessons a month depending on her schedule and mine.  In the past I was taking lessons from Madeline Karn, who also taught my daughter for many years.

I decided I would change it up for a few months, just to do something different..  I can only say that Mrs. Katherine Lemon, Madeline and Suzanne make up the trifecta of my best teachers,  Mrs. Lemon and Madeline are graduates of Oberlin, and Suzanne received her doctorate from Peabody, so I have always been in good hands literally.  So that is my update on the piano lesson front.

I also add that I have been dealing with tendonitis the last few months, actually from repetitive needlepoint work.  Interestingly it doesn't seem to bother me when I am playing the piano, so I guess that is a good thing.

But I digress and want to say that the post is really about my favorite pianist Emmanuel Ax.  Of course I have had the good fortune to see Mr. Ax in concert, with Yo-Yo Ma and with his wife.  He is an incredible pianist, and there is simply something warm and genuine about him.  I truly think he is amazing.

The recent issue of Clavier Companion has an article entitled the Ax Files, and an interview with Mr. Ax.  There are wonderful parts to the print and video interviews.  The part of the article and video that truly hit home with me, was his kind words about amateurs.

He talks about the quality of pianists now studying at conservatories, of their great perseverance and talent.  But he also talks about amateurs, and that anyone can learn to play the piano.  He sort of implied and perhaps actually said that amateurs are part of the future of the piano.

There are so many of us, who dreamed of a career as a musician, whether it was for a day, a month or even over a number of years.  Many of us went on to another profession, and some of us still felt that we must make the piano part of our lives.  In his interview, Mr. Ax pointed out that anyone can learn the piano, and sit down at the piano and make some music happen.

It is so true.  Even if one sits down with a book of music from their early child hood years, a person can perhaps plink out a Christmas carol, or something even a bit harder, and perhaps decide this:  hey I really did enjoy this, and I want to bring it back into my life.  All three of my trifecta teachers, have always encouraged playing the piano for the sheer enjoyment of it.

I always loved coming to my lessons in high school.  I would find Mrs. Lemon playing her Chickering grand with the top up, often world war 2 big band music, that she claimed she danced to with Mr. Lemon.  She knew loads of classical pieces, but she also played whatever simply for the sheer joy of playing it.  That always made me happy.

Back to Mr. Ax's interview.  He also spoke about the great patience that is required to teach piano. No truer words were spoken.  It does take great patience, to help a student determine the correct fingering, correct someone's pedaling or lack thereof, or of course, point out for the umpteenth time, hey that is not a b flat.

The article simply affirmed how much Mr. Ax still loves the piano.  He also reassured the interviewer, that he gets nervous before performances.   I love to get a glimpse of someone's human side, again, it is so re assuring.

Pick up a copy of this magazine at any bookstore, or access it on line at Clavier Companion.  It's puts Mr. Ax in a very human light, and that human quality is what attracted me to his artistry in the first place.

I am also such a huge fan of Yo-Yo Ma and of course he is so proud of his collaborative work with Mr. Ma and Jaime Laredo.  Incredible interview in print and video.

Talk or Play- I'm picking play

So if you are a completely talkative person, it is often nice to discover that the talkative person in fact has another voice.  For me, that voice is the piano.  Whatever I am playing, on any given day, the music speaks the words, I somehow cannot say.

The other evening, I was playing two of Bach's little preludes, 4 and 6.  4 has always been my favorite.  My husband Mark, had just lost a dear co-worker, and I think playing both of these little works, allowed me to express the profound sadness I have been feeling since she died on August 12.  Sometimes crying only takes you so far, but when playing music, any music, you can bring sort of an order to your grief.  It gives you a chance to say, for this song, this minute, this day, I am going to play with feeling, and think about the profound worth of this person.

About three months ago, I bought the piano music to the Broadway musical Beautiful.  The musical showcases the works of Carole King.  In looking at the book, it is still amazing to realize what a prolific songwriter, and composer she is.  The first song in the book is So Far Away.  Of course that song is not too challenging to sight read, so that is a good thing.  I think when I play that ballad, it allows me to focus on the fact that one of my children, Sarah lives out of state, and my other child Michael, is considering and is close to move out of state as well.  The song sort of laments about the fact that people don't stay in one place anymore.  That very idyllic existence that was part of my parents' world, and even mine for the first 31 years of my life has changed.  Growing up in northwest Detroit in the 1950s and 60s, everyone was from Detroit, and everyone seemed to stay in Detroit.

But with the 20-something-early 30 something population, moving on is the order of the day.  So Carole King's lamenting So Far Away, addresses both the concerns you have when your children move on, but also addresses the profound love you have for those who are no longer physically close.

Can the piano lift you from grief?

So when someone dies suddenly, like my husband's co worker, about two weeks ago, how does one create order out of the chaos of sadness and grief?  I am not sure I can speak for any one else but I find, I turn to my music, which means turning to my piano.

There has never been a difficult time in my life, where I have not grabbed the piano, and for lack of a better term, hugged the instrument.  Once when I was in law school, I was lamenting to my mom, that I was too busy too play, what with work and night classes.  My mom looked up from what ever she was doing, turned to me and said, 'but there will be a time, when you will be so grateful that you can play, and that gratefulness will be the reason you will start playing and will continue to play."

Truer words were never spoken.  After I married and moved to Columbus in 1987, it was several years, perhaps about 8 of them, before my mom and dad moved the family piano down to our house.
It was at that time that my mom's words started to come true.  I found myself playing a lot of children's music in those early years of the piano re-entering my life, and when my children were in later grade school, I started taking lessons from Dr. Suzanne Newcomb, and again, I started to understand  what my mom was talking about, in terms of the piano.

For a talkative person like myself, you would think that it is easy to find my voice.  However, with my husband's colleague/co-worker's sudden death, it has been hard, hard to formulate any words.  What do you say, when a wonderful colleague and friend dies, with an amazing husband and two beautiful children.?  I answer that question with "I don't know."

So I have said to myself these past two weeks.   As I play, I am going to pray, to pray for understanding, to pray for her husband and boys, to pray for me, my husband and his team not to lose faith.  That in time, things may become clearer,  That in time, folks won't think about the tragedy, but will rejoice in the fact that they got to know her, to learn from her to be her friend.  I don't believe any of this right now, and I am sure my husband and his team don't either, but they are courageous, they are going forward and they are going to try.

So when you are all cried out, when words won't come, when I'm sorry doesn't seem like enough I turn to my 88 keys.

I play Bach, for order, for the fact that there are no pauses and you just have to keep going, mistakes and all, to try to play beautiful music.

I play pop culture music, right now that is Carole King's Beautiful musical music.  So Far Away is a beautiful ballad, that puts your sadness down on the page, whether it's children moving away, a loved one dying, a transitional career move, I could go on.

I play standards, Blue Moon, Over the Rainbow, songs my mom danced to, because even though I am still profoundly sad about her death, I learned that I have been able to carry on, challenged, but still moving forward.

I play Peanuts, because my husband's co worker was a mom, and she would want all of us mothers to be joyous, because that is a large part of being a parent, joy.  Take a moment to hear the Piano Guys rendition of Linus and Lucy on Youtube.  It will make you happy even amidst the tears.

And I play church music, traditional hymns and those, that you find at a more contemporary Catholic Mass, because I do believe the words of these songs. I do believe that we will be with God someday, and that we will have those beautiful reunions with our loved ones.  I go even further to say, that what if I get to meet Bach, or Beethoven or Mozart, or Horowitz, or Van Cliburn, or George Gershwin, I cannot handle the thought.  And when I think in those terms, I can keep going forward.

So right now, my husband and his colleagues are hurting, but there will be a point in time, where they will be grateful, they got to share a part of their lives with the life of Kim.  Whether they express that gratefulness singing to the radio, or listening to tunes at the work out center, pulling out their long lost guitar, or God forbid, grabbing their fourth grade recorder, their gratefulness for sharing her life will come.  Music will help that to happen, so don't turn your back on it, but instead believe in music's power.  And if you play the piano, sit down, play a scale, take out the last piece you ever worked on, whatever, but make it part of you.

So now on some level you can understand, why when I am completely alone, I run to my piano, yes, it is mine, and grab it and hug it, because it has saved me, and will continue to save me through life's peaks and valleys!!!

Stint as a church musician

I have always engaged in various musical activities besides taking piano lessons and playing the piano.

I am a member of my local parish, St. Peter in Columbus Ohio.  I am also a member of the 930 am Mass Choir.  Our choir is quite amazing, in that we have a very committed group of individuals, many folks who have been members of the choir for over 30 years.

We also have a wide array of musical talent in the choir, including various instrumentalists, a wonderful amateur conductor, several incredible soloists/cantors, and even a member who has arranged music for our choir.  Our able leader, is Debbie Brennan.  She is an organist by profession, but also plays the piano.  Quite simply, she is multi -talented, and is at home at the music studio, local restaurant and at the altar.

Debbie works around clock throughout the year.  She has three Sunday masses as well as one on Saturday night.  She rarely takes a break, but when she does, it is a "call to duty" for the amateur pianists in our group.   We already have one seasoned pinch hit pianist Rosemary Billman.  But Rosemary cannot always "fill in," so to speak.  So Debbie approached me and I agreed.

I learned this from playing Saturday night mass on June 4.  You may think you are ready, and you probably are.  But playing with the congregation is an art, and as with any art, this type of accompanying must be learned.  So one shot at this type of piano playing is not going to be enough.

I approached the whole effort with the idea, that if it went well, I would volunteer again.  I think it went fairly well, except for my page taping snafu.  So I am on the future calendar.

When they say don't shoot the piano player, that kind of expressed how I felt that night.  I decided as Saturday evening got closer, that I should turn pages as little as possible.  I taped the 4 page communion piece in a manner, that I would not need to flip pages at all.  I thought to myself, this is all good.   Well in my travels from the practice room to the piano in church, I somehow had folded that communion so it wasn't sticking out of my binder.

Now keep in mind that the evening was saved by one our glorious cantors, Pam Subler.  She is a wonderful church musician, and brings a quality of singing, that is simply amazing.  She also has a reverence about performing in church, which makes you feel this way:  "Folks you are getting one hour of quality music, in the presence of our Lord"

So we get to Behold the Lamb of God.  It's a piece I have sung and I am vaguely familiar with, so all is good.  I am playing along, thinking prematurely, I am almost done with this service and I can coast tonight and watch HBO.  Wrong.  Somehow my taping and folding operation resulted in page 4 being taped to page three, and in my nervous nature, I could not located page 4.  Pam continued singing acapella, along with my lovely husband Mark, and committed Saturday night church musician Gene.  But I cannot improvise, and alas we scrapped the song for song 2.

Which brings me back to director Debbie Brennan.  If Debbie was at the keys, she would have improvised her way through that hymn and saved the day, and probably saved our souls.  That said, never take for granted the experienced church musician.  They are creating an atmosphere, that might calm you down, cause you to re commit, and even change your life.

So in the end, I realized, one performance does not a church musician make.  It is back to the drawing board, to learn first and foremost a better music taping system, and second, the realization of every pianist expert and amateur, I still need to practice more.

I would have loved to wow the crowd for the sake of the glorious Eucharistic celebration, but instead it was a realization that the collaborative musician qualities of Pam Subler, weres what wowed the crowd.  She had her game face on, and quickly moved to the next song.  St Pamela of Worthington would be an excellent name!

It gives me continued appreciation of the many musicians, who find themselves in a performance, and they screw up something, but they must find a way to continue.  I think performance takes so much courage, and I think it gets easier the more you do it.  I guess one final thing I can say about performance piano playing, is that you are there to share the music.  Sometimes sharing the mistakes, simply confirms that you are human.  But sharing the music, says that you have something to say, and you want to make a difference.

Still all said and done, I got in bed that night and said "OMG, but....thank God for Pam" and that is a prayer.

Aaron Diehl at the Lincoln Theatre!

Is the music scene in Columbus, Ohio unbelievable or what?  Well it is!

Last Saturday evening I had the good fortune to hear Aaron Diehl and his trio at the Lincoln Theatre here in Columbus.  Mr. Diehl was honoring the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra.  As a former alumni of this amazing group, Aaron Diehl brought class and elegance to this wonderful celebration of 25 years of the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven with all of his selections.  He plays with great feeling, and of course incredible technique.  Aaron performed an amazing Philip Glass etude number 16.  It was beautiful.  Again a beautiful jazz rendition, but honestly he mentioned that he has played it at jazz vespers in NYC.  Is this guy the man or what?  I've heard around town that Aaron is described as the real Diehl, so so appropriate.

And digressing from the piano and Mr. Diehl, I must comment on his trio.  Lawrence Leathers, on drums.  Well first off, the man is from Lansing, Michigan.  As a Spartan, well what can I say but the man is unbelievable.  Very smooth, and full of surprises.  You have to be ready as there was one selection last night, where there was a long pause, and when Mr. Leathers jumped back in with very loud percussion, I almost jumped out of my seat seriously.  Job well done last night!

And Paul Sikivie, bassist, well I don't believe I have ever heard anyone become one with their instrument quite like Paul. It seemed like Mr. Sikivie was breathing as if he were attached to the bass.  It again reminds me of Yo-Yo Ma, the hallmark of his cello playing is oneness with the instrument.  Again, I have never seen anything like it.  So incredible, and such great control of such a large instrument.  Very fine playing last night and Paul Sikivie's facial expressions confirmed he was having a very good time.

The second half of the concert was music performed by the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra.  Amazing playing by so many talented high school students.  Aaron Diehl came back to the stage to perform Duke Ellington's Cottontail with the students.  I cannot imagine looking up from the drums like Rhys Washington did, and realize, "hey I'm playing with Aaron Diehl."  Quite amazing.

I am now convinced that Aaron Diehl and his trio have a long musical career ahead of them.  There is a class, and polish to Aaron Diehl, that seems a bit like that of a classical virtuoso.  That being said, with his Juilliard degree to back him up, he could probably return to the classical vein if he so desired.  But I am glad that he is playing jazz. He plays beyond all expectations, and you know that Aaron Diehl is aiming to surprise you every step of the way.

Absolutely beautiful music Saturday night.  Aaron Diehl -simply one more way the piano never stops surprising me!

Matt Munhall- Gives new meaning to the TALENT in local talent

I'm blogging today about Worthington,Ohio pianist and musician Matt Munhall.  As a former member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Worthington, Matt, his parents and his many siblings are members of St. Michael's parish.

Often when I am sitting in the pews after communion, I look like I am watching the various people headed to the altar to receive the Eucharist.  In reality, I am often thinking about my music, either something I am currently playing, a song I heard on the radio, a post from a friend who is in the Harmony Project, or a video from renowned Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt.

At the 10:30 a.m. Mass I often see Matt headed up the aisle to receive Holy Communion.  I often think to myself, "wow I hope Matt isn't giving up on his music Lord"  And from the looks of his website at www.mattmunhall.com, he isn't!!  It also gives me some degree of satisfaction as a parent, that there are children who commit to making music part of their lives. A million things can be wrong with the world on any given day, but all is right with the world, when you hear and know a wonderful musician like Matt.  Just to catch a small glimpse of his work around town, makes me happy to know that someone else cherishes the piano as much as I do!!!!

I know Matt is a fine pianist because I have had the opportunity to hear him play at the Columbus Life Care Alliance, Big Wheels fundraiser.  Chuck Gehring who is the CEO of Life Care and a former St. Michael's parishioner, has included Matt in many of the cocktail hours associated with the incredible dining fundraiser,that is Life Care's annual revenue raising event.

I love the way Matt plays.  You can tell that he is comfortable in many genres, and in his bio on www.mattmunhall.com, you can see the full content of his amazing musical efforts over the years.

I like the way Chris Deville wrote about Matt in Columbus Alive.  "Munhall is the kind of pop songwriter you and your parents can agree on.  He's classy in many senses of the word - polite and well groomed, but also smart, sophisticated and capable of writing songs that bridge the generation gap.  Munhall's skill as an arranger comes to the fore spectacularly on the album.  Every sound gets its spotlight."

Yes, it is in fact a very good song, if you and your parents can agree!I think that sums it up quite eloquently.

So I love Facebook, but it also drives me crazy.  Yet, it is a wonderful tool to showcase what is happening with pianists around the world.   Matt posted his recent song Walking to the Light from his new album.  It speaks to me in  a wonderful way.  Perhaps with the challenges of adult children moving on, and thinking ahead to what is next after a long and interesting legal career, I think Walking to the Light, is quite inspiring.  The video captures the journey Matt is on, and also shows some head shots of him, that reflect some type of injury he has had.  The song contains a wonderful level of optimism, that says Matt is meeting his challenges.

Take a moment to listen and watch this amazing video!  I think you are going to like it!  And check out Matt's website to see his upcoming shows and residencies here in Central Ohio. The piano never stops surprising me, ever!!!   But  hopefully Matt Munhall is going to surprise you!!



https://vimeo.com/157234597

Amateurs with musical interest

The amateur musician faces a certain dilemma, throughout their musical life.

The biggest dilemma is about this, do I play my instrument for sheer enjoyment, or do I continue to learn?    Playing for sheer enjoyment for me, generally involves a trip to the local music store (in this case Graves or Stanton's) and picking up a piece that I have heard another play, or a song I heard on the radio or my Pandora account.  Often I get a piece with high hopes, high hopes that I have had enough musical training thus far, that I can learn it on my own.  Often my hopes are dashed by a single, solitary measure, and the realization that I still, still have so much to learn.

When one starts taking piano lessons, it is all about learning the notes, the clefs, the staffs.  As a 7 year old I just longed for the gold star, the Beethoven or Mozart sticker, or the handwritten well done.  I even had a a piano teacher, that gave you a statue of Beethoven or Mozart, when you memorized 30 pieces.  I still have both statues, and they remind me of how far I have come even to this day.

In my case, there was a real lull in piano lessons in the early years of raising my children, who are 25 and 22 now.  My mom did the most amazing act of selflessness, when she had the family piano, a little Baldwin spinet, moved down to my house in Columbus, Ohio from Detroit.  I played the piano in those years, but it was tunes for my children, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey songs, Barney, and whatever Disney movie score was happening.  I wanted to take lessons during that time but with mom hood and career, I always put it on the back burner.

I did get back to lessons at the end of my children's grade school years, but the busy- ness of high school and being a marching band mom, took over.  So I stopped out from lessons once more.  During those lesson years with Dr. Suzanne Newcomb, though I branched into chamber music, and actually performed in a trio.  I think the most amazing part of all of it, was that my mom and dad got to hear me play that piece.  I think they were amazed about what I had accomplished, and were impressed that I took time out for me to make it happen.

I actually am intimidated by performing, but at the same time, it is the performance that pushes an amateur to a greater level of excellence.

After that stint of lessons, I again returned to my treks to the music stores, again, picking out pieces I wanted to play, but not those I necessarily had the ability to play.  I also found myself working up lounge lizard Christmas music as well to play for family and holiday parties.

I took lessons from my daughter's piano teacher (Madeline Karn) on and off for awhile, but took a hiatus because of work/career related commitments

I have been singing in my church choir for several years.  Our director is an amazing jazz pianist, and she can improvise, and transpose like no one I know.  When I hear her play, I find myself saying, I wouldn't mind doing that, or attempting to learn how to do that.  I also find myself thinking it wouldn't hurt to try chamber music again, or find another pianist, I could duet with on a regular basis.

The problem with being an amateur, is that when you are not taking lessons, you reinforce bad habits picked up over years of mindless playing.  You get trapped into the place of  "I know I need to attend to that detail, but I just want to play it even if it is wrong rhythmically or melodically.

The only thing good about soul searching as a musician is that, one can come to the conclusion that it is okay to search, for the next exciting musical thing you plan to do.  Tried to take on line music theory, but that was challenging for a dinosaur like me, not being physically in the professor's class room.  That is an entry for another blog post.

In the meantime, I still plan to play my Bach inventions, play Czerny Number 5 and practice church hymns as I search for my next amateur move!

http://cincinnatisymphony.org/stories/fanfare-cincinnati-articles/qa-with-leon-fleisher/?sourceNumber=15903


One of my former piano teachers, Dr. Suzanne Newcomb, posted an amazing article about Leon Fleisher.  Maestro Fleisher is appearing this Saturday evening February 6th, with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.  Suzanne was a student of Leon Fleisher, and that, simply says so much about her amazing ability as a pianist.

What caught me eye about the article was a question posted to Maestro Fleisher about what audiences should listen for in a piece, meaning Prokofiev's Fourth Piano Concerto.  His response was simply put, that the audience "should just kind of relax and hear whatever it is they hear.  The thing about great art and great music is that you can listen and re-listen endless times and you will hear new and different things_new and different relationships and colors depending on who's playing.  And that's one of the great riches of great art.  Just keep your ears open.

I add that, his response to that question is somewhat comforting for the amateur.  I can attend a concert, and I don't have to analyze, I can just take the whole experience in, and enjoy.  Who knows, I may come away with a small piece of something I can do to be a better pianist.  Or I can come away with the thought, that hey, I'm never going to play like that, but I can watch a brilliant pianist, and perhaps learn how to phrase a measure better, or play with greater dynamics, or really play a soft passage softly.  And in our crazy chaotic world, that just might be enough.

I remember Leon Fleisher speaking on National Public Radio after the tragic events of 9-11.  He was asked what music he would like to listen to, during that difficult time frame.  He responded with a simple "Beethoven's Ode to Joy."  I have never forgotten what he said during that radio interview.  That beautiful piece has always made a difference for me.

In this question and answer session (link listed above) Maestro Fleisher commented about challenges in his life, and concluded ....even in the darkest of moments, there is hope, and give it a chance to make itself apparent."   so, so true.  Well as Dr. Suzanne Newcomb says...when you attend a concert be inspired, and though I won't be there Saturday evening, his words in this interview are inspiring!!!

The music catalogue

Sonatina Opus 36, No. by Clementi

I have been in the process, of creating an excel spread sheet of all of the music, I currently possess.  I have a two shelf black book case next to the piano that contains, in essence all of the piano music I have ever played, or dreamed of playing.  I'm not taking lessons right now, and decided, this would be a good project.  When I take lessons again, I will have a comprehensive list of all of the music I have.

I divided the categories of all of my music as follows:  lessons, classical, Christmas/holiday and jazz/popular.  When I was organizing all of it, I even found my "Junior Note Speller" from second grade, and I found my duet book that I played at the Grinnell's Piano Festival in Detroit, with pencil remarks about the conductor the of 100 plus piano recital.  I add it was basically a marketing ploy for Grinnells to sell their pianos to unsuspecting parents.

I also found my Schirmer Library, Sonatina Album.  I can only say this, I thought I would really be somebody in terms of piano playing if I had a Schirmer library edition.  It meant that I wasn't playing from anymore books that were different colors, based upon the level of your playing.  A Schirmer Library edition said to the world (or at least it did in 7th grade) that you were going somewhere.  The book also has my 7th grade handwriting on it ,,,,,,,Rosemary Ebner.  Take that all men of the future.  In the olden days I was Rosemary Ebner, and I was going to be a famous pianist.

I laughed in high school because I had several classmates, who took lessons from teachers at my high school and they walked around the school with their Schirmer editions of whatever, like they were some major pianist.  I would look at their books and think, I've been playing from Schirmer editions since 7th grade.

Now, after years of piano playing and input from various teachers, I no longer think Schirmer is the be all and end all of classical editions.  In fact my Faber Bach two part inventions, has bigger measures and notations about ornaments which I think is quite helpful actually.  But I digress.

In looking through my Sonatina Album, I came to Clement's G Major Sonatina, opus 36, No. 2.  I always loved the simple melody, and particularly loved the 2nd movement which is a little Allegretto.
When I started playing this piece, I decided because of melody and the fact that it was more complicated than past pieces I had been playing, that I was finally getting somewhere with my piano study.  It sounded like a real classical piece, and a piece I could play with out screaming my usual Charlie Brown "AAAARGH."

Now when I sat down to play it, I realized that it never hurts to sight read a prior piece you have learned.  If nothing else, it proves you learned something, and it helps to sight read, so you continually build on that skill.  It also gives you time to go back and work on the physical aspects fo playing the piano, your posture, how you phrase measures etc.  Yes, I will add that piano playing can make you crazy or alternatively, it can give you something constructive to work on every day whether it is 15 minutes or even a precious hour.

Also when you go back to a piece you used to play, you see comments from your teacher.  You can compare that with today.  Is your current teacher still making the same kinds of comments, or can you look at the old comments and say "I conquered that!"  I have to admit, I am still rhythmically challenged and I still play with tension from my elbows down to my fingers, not really using the forward motion of my entire upper body.

So I would suggest that you look at your old music and play it, and also take time to review it, to see if you can bring that teacher back into your circle of life.  My high school piano teacher is deceased now, but when I read her comments I am strengthened to keep playing, no matter what.

And it never hurts to make a list of all of your music...you might be surprised about what you actually can play and what is part of our dreams!