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!
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Friday, November 20, 2015
Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott
I had the amazing good fortune of hearing Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott in concert Wednesday evening November 18th, 2015 at the Palladium in Indianapolis, IN. The Palladium is an amazing concert venue, with near perfect acoustics. I learned from review of my program that the great pianist, Michael Feinstein is the Palladium's artistic director. Indianapolis is quite fortunate to have such an amazing concert hall. Truly a work of art!!
So what can I say about Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott? Well quite simply the concert was wonderful. Their concert tour culminates 30 years of playing together, and their partnership is as strong as ever. It was an honor to be in attendance, and frankly it was a present from my husband, celebrating my 60th birthday on December 1.
This is the fifth time I have seen Yo-Yo Ma. I never tire of his artistry. He "gives it up" for the crowd, and always amazes me. I continue to think about how he plays. In the midst of any piece he enters an almost trance like state, where he is simply one with his instrument. Yo-Yo Ma is fully present, or so it seems from an amateur audience member. I can always count on Mr. Ma to inspire, and to change how I view music, every time I go to his concert.
His partner ship with Kathryn Stott is so wonderful. You can sense their friendship, and the loyal support they give to each other while concertizing. I love the fact that they have never given up on each other or their friendship, through all of the peaks and valleys of life.
Kathryn Stott ( who I have blogged about previously) is also one with her instrument. She is playing the piano, but in a performance she is in fact the piano. She plays with such conviction, and her dynamics are amazing. Her interpretation of the selections was so beautiful. Again, it was simply an honor to be there.
Yo - Yo Ma who was born in Paris began the concert with Faure's After a Dream was a tribute to the recent victims of the Paris massacre. Then Mr. Ma and Ms. Stott played a suite of songs from their Arc of Life CD, including the Bach and the Schubert Ave Marias.
They also performed Shostakovich's Sonata in D minor and Franck's Sonata in A major.
They were both so beautifully performed. Time at a concert like this truly stands still It is still amazing to watch how Yo-Yo Ma uses his bow, completely masterful.
All in all, it was an incredible evening of music. The synergy of a great musical partnership like Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott is something every music lover should witness. For just a few short hours, you are transported away from the busy-ness of your week, to a place where you can find peace, and you can collect your thoughts about what is truly good in this world.
Music, so powerful and so able to change hearts and minds. Just as I am turning 60, Yo - Yo Ma turned 60 last October 7. I hope he can continue to make a difference through his performances and CDs, and bring his message of the power of music to everyone. So privileged to attend his concerts.
I had the amazing good fortune of hearing Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott in concert Wednesday evening November 18th, 2015 at the Palladium in Indianapolis, IN. The Palladium is an amazing concert venue, with near perfect acoustics. I learned from review of my program that the great pianist, Michael Feinstein is the Palladium's artistic director. Indianapolis is quite fortunate to have such an amazing concert hall. Truly a work of art!!
So what can I say about Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott? Well quite simply the concert was wonderful. Their concert tour culminates 30 years of playing together, and their partnership is as strong as ever. It was an honor to be in attendance, and frankly it was a present from my husband, celebrating my 60th birthday on December 1.
This is the fifth time I have seen Yo-Yo Ma. I never tire of his artistry. He "gives it up" for the crowd, and always amazes me. I continue to think about how he plays. In the midst of any piece he enters an almost trance like state, where he is simply one with his instrument. Yo-Yo Ma is fully present, or so it seems from an amateur audience member. I can always count on Mr. Ma to inspire, and to change how I view music, every time I go to his concert.
His partner ship with Kathryn Stott is so wonderful. You can sense their friendship, and the loyal support they give to each other while concertizing. I love the fact that they have never given up on each other or their friendship, through all of the peaks and valleys of life.
Kathryn Stott ( who I have blogged about previously) is also one with her instrument. She is playing the piano, but in a performance she is in fact the piano. She plays with such conviction, and her dynamics are amazing. Her interpretation of the selections was so beautiful. Again, it was simply an honor to be there.
Yo - Yo Ma who was born in Paris began the concert with Faure's After a Dream was a tribute to the recent victims of the Paris massacre. Then Mr. Ma and Ms. Stott played a suite of songs from their Arc of Life CD, including the Bach and the Schubert Ave Marias.
They also performed Shostakovich's Sonata in D minor and Franck's Sonata in A major.
They were both so beautifully performed. Time at a concert like this truly stands still It is still amazing to watch how Yo-Yo Ma uses his bow, completely masterful.
All in all, it was an incredible evening of music. The synergy of a great musical partnership like Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott is something every music lover should witness. For just a few short hours, you are transported away from the busy-ness of your week, to a place where you can find peace, and you can collect your thoughts about what is truly good in this world.
Music, so powerful and so able to change hearts and minds. Just as I am turning 60, Yo - Yo Ma turned 60 last October 7. I hope he can continue to make a difference through his performances and CDs, and bring his message of the power of music to everyone. So privileged to attend his concerts.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Barbara Kudirka
I always manage to find the pianists and/or musicians at a party. A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of attending my cousin's daughter's graduation party in Wilmette, Illinois. Claire took piano lessons as a younger child and in high school, and she has always had an interest in music and particularly the piano.
I had the honor of meeting her piano teacher Barbara Kudirka. We spent some time chatting about my favorite instrument, and I told her a little bit about my past piano teachers.
Before I comment on Ms. Kudirka, I want to add that the quest to find the right piano teacher for your child can be a challenge. Today, it probably involves exploring various teachers' websites on the net, and perhaps speaking with family and friends who have a favorite piano teacher.
In the case of Claire, it was actually her Dad that found her teacher. I think that it says something about her Dad, in that he believed in his mind, that music should be a priority, and was determined to find a quality teacher for Claire. Often in family situations, it can be said often, it may be the parent who didn't have music lessons, who wants to pursue that activity for their child.
I add in the case of Claire, her mom's parents bought their family a beautiful spinet piano. When I would go to visit my cousin, I would always make it a point to look at the music Claire was working on, mostly out of curiosity. And music was a priority because the piano was in the living room, with no competition from the television!! Hooray!!
In any event, I only met Barbara Kudirka at that one event, but again, it was a real piano connection as I would like to say. She seemed generally interested in what I was saying, and I add that enthusiasm of amateurs may be exactly the thing to keep piano teachers going forward in life.
Now that Linked In is available, I had the opportunity to look at Barbara's credentials. She is the Director of Worship and Music at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois and she has degrees in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from Northwestern University - School of Music. Her credentials also reference her interest in the music of the Romantic Era. That is near and dear to my heart for sure.
Not only can Barbara play the piano, she is also an organist and a choir director at her church. The role of church musician is not an easy one. One has to please the pastor, as well as the congregation, which is a challenging task for the best of musicians. However, Barbara states on her Linked In profile that as a theologically trained lay minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, she is called to serve the church in the areas of music and faith formation.
I must add that some of the greatest musical experiences of my life have occurred in the church setting, so even though I didn't discuss Barbara's work at her church, I feel like I share some level of kinship as a contemporary choir member in my own church.
My cousin's daughter is soon to be 25, and if she plays I think it might be just for the fun of it all. So I don't know that my path will cross with Barbara Kudirka anytime soon. But I feel that in meeting her, again, it just establishes, quite concretely, that there is a place for the piano in anyone's life. Even if you end up forsaking a career as a musician, to play the piano in the evenings, or at the Christmas holidays, the piano is there to inspire you, and make the quality of your life better.
Again, I think it takes a special person to take the time to seek out a quality piano teacher. Claire's Dad did just that when he found Barbara Kudirka. What a gift!!
I always manage to find the pianists and/or musicians at a party. A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of attending my cousin's daughter's graduation party in Wilmette, Illinois. Claire took piano lessons as a younger child and in high school, and she has always had an interest in music and particularly the piano.
I had the honor of meeting her piano teacher Barbara Kudirka. We spent some time chatting about my favorite instrument, and I told her a little bit about my past piano teachers.
Before I comment on Ms. Kudirka, I want to add that the quest to find the right piano teacher for your child can be a challenge. Today, it probably involves exploring various teachers' websites on the net, and perhaps speaking with family and friends who have a favorite piano teacher.
In the case of Claire, it was actually her Dad that found her teacher. I think that it says something about her Dad, in that he believed in his mind, that music should be a priority, and was determined to find a quality teacher for Claire. Often in family situations, it can be said often, it may be the parent who didn't have music lessons, who wants to pursue that activity for their child.
I add in the case of Claire, her mom's parents bought their family a beautiful spinet piano. When I would go to visit my cousin, I would always make it a point to look at the music Claire was working on, mostly out of curiosity. And music was a priority because the piano was in the living room, with no competition from the television!! Hooray!!
In any event, I only met Barbara Kudirka at that one event, but again, it was a real piano connection as I would like to say. She seemed generally interested in what I was saying, and I add that enthusiasm of amateurs may be exactly the thing to keep piano teachers going forward in life.
Now that Linked In is available, I had the opportunity to look at Barbara's credentials. She is the Director of Worship and Music at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois and she has degrees in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from Northwestern University - School of Music. Her credentials also reference her interest in the music of the Romantic Era. That is near and dear to my heart for sure.
Not only can Barbara play the piano, she is also an organist and a choir director at her church. The role of church musician is not an easy one. One has to please the pastor, as well as the congregation, which is a challenging task for the best of musicians. However, Barbara states on her Linked In profile that as a theologically trained lay minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, she is called to serve the church in the areas of music and faith formation.
I must add that some of the greatest musical experiences of my life have occurred in the church setting, so even though I didn't discuss Barbara's work at her church, I feel like I share some level of kinship as a contemporary choir member in my own church.
My cousin's daughter is soon to be 25, and if she plays I think it might be just for the fun of it all. So I don't know that my path will cross with Barbara Kudirka anytime soon. But I feel that in meeting her, again, it just establishes, quite concretely, that there is a place for the piano in anyone's life. Even if you end up forsaking a career as a musician, to play the piano in the evenings, or at the Christmas holidays, the piano is there to inspire you, and make the quality of your life better.
Again, I think it takes a special person to take the time to seek out a quality piano teacher. Claire's Dad did just that when he found Barbara Kudirka. What a gift!!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
My musical children
I've taken some time to talk about my musical children. Sarah is 25 now, and is quite an accomplished amateur pianist. More about her in another post.
My son Michael who is 22 is musical in his own right. He took piano lessons for a very short time, and then decided to take guitar. His teacher Mike Hagerty, is a local guitarist, who has quite a following from the catholic schools in central Ohio. He is a creative guitarist, and allows students to learn pieces they are interested in, as well as introducing them to the fundamentals of the guitar.
So, this is a blog about piano, so why do I digress about Michael and the guitar? I digress, because I believe that even if children or adults do not play the piano on your home front, they still hear the piano, and it has a profound effect on their musicality as a whole.
I often found Michael checking chords he had learned on the piano. Or he would come home from high school, and he would be humming a song, and I would find him "chording it out" on the piano.
The piano provided a musical place where he could verify what he was learning on the guitar.
And if nothing else, sometimes, he would hear his sister playing, and I would finding him humming the song she was breaking apart during a practice session.
Though the piano is often the go to instrument of choice for a lot of parents, in terms of an introduction to music, I don't believe it is ever the only way to go musically. Sometimes, for what ever reason, a child will see or hear someone playing a specific instrument, and decide that very day...."Mom I want to play oboe," or "Dad I must play the saxophone."
Also, I think that one sibling playing the piano, might result in friendly competition, and thus, another child wanting to learn to play the drums or cello. If the instrument of choice, gets one to a love of music, that is all I need to hear.
Michael went on to form his own rock band in high school, and looking back they were pretty good. They even played at a local concert venue, which takes "balls" at any age.
I am just glad that my children, now that they are adults love music. They both have a basic knowledge of theory and chord structure, and they both have an amazing sense of rhythm. I can count on Michael to always enlighten me about music he cares about, taking me out of my comfort zone of classical and top forty. The piano opened the door for both of them, and each of them are on their own distinct musical journey.
I've taken some time to talk about my musical children. Sarah is 25 now, and is quite an accomplished amateur pianist. More about her in another post.
My son Michael who is 22 is musical in his own right. He took piano lessons for a very short time, and then decided to take guitar. His teacher Mike Hagerty, is a local guitarist, who has quite a following from the catholic schools in central Ohio. He is a creative guitarist, and allows students to learn pieces they are interested in, as well as introducing them to the fundamentals of the guitar.
So, this is a blog about piano, so why do I digress about Michael and the guitar? I digress, because I believe that even if children or adults do not play the piano on your home front, they still hear the piano, and it has a profound effect on their musicality as a whole.
I often found Michael checking chords he had learned on the piano. Or he would come home from high school, and he would be humming a song, and I would find him "chording it out" on the piano.
The piano provided a musical place where he could verify what he was learning on the guitar.
And if nothing else, sometimes, he would hear his sister playing, and I would finding him humming the song she was breaking apart during a practice session.
Though the piano is often the go to instrument of choice for a lot of parents, in terms of an introduction to music, I don't believe it is ever the only way to go musically. Sometimes, for what ever reason, a child will see or hear someone playing a specific instrument, and decide that very day...."Mom I want to play oboe," or "Dad I must play the saxophone."
Also, I think that one sibling playing the piano, might result in friendly competition, and thus, another child wanting to learn to play the drums or cello. If the instrument of choice, gets one to a love of music, that is all I need to hear.
Michael went on to form his own rock band in high school, and looking back they were pretty good. They even played at a local concert venue, which takes "balls" at any age.
I am just glad that my children, now that they are adults love music. They both have a basic knowledge of theory and chord structure, and they both have an amazing sense of rhythm. I can count on Michael to always enlighten me about music he cares about, taking me out of my comfort zone of classical and top forty. The piano opened the door for both of them, and each of them are on their own distinct musical journey.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
The Baldwin Acrosonic
The very first piano I ever played was our Baldwin Acrosonic, spinet. It was a beautiful brown piano that my Dad bought for my mom in 1961. I lived in Northwest Detroit, and walked nine blocks back and forth every day to the local catholic school, Christ the King. I generally walked with my neighbor Mark James, who was one of my favorite playmates. I can still remember the day the piano came. My mom was at the corner of Vaughan and Grove Streets. We lived on Vaughan. She was almost yelling at me, actually more excited than I had ever seen "Rose a piano was just delivered....run, run...." So I took off, I don't even remember if Mark James was keeping up with me. When I got in the house, the living room, I simply could not believe it. A piano. I had always loved the piano, and loved to hear anyone and everyone play it.
Initially my mom took lessons, but with the busy-ness of three young children, caring for my maternal grandma, and of course my Dad, she announced at dinner that one of us -meaning my two brothers and I should take piano lessons. Well sitting at dinner, neither of my brothers raised their hand, so a little unsure, I raised my hand, and boom my life as an amateur pianist started.
And that brings me to a mother milestone in my own life. Yesterday my daughter Sarah bought her own piano!!!!! So amazing. Sarah is taking off in a couple of weeks to live and work as an attorney in Washington D.C. She rented a very cool space age apartment, and wanted to buy a piano.
At our lovely piano store, Graves here in Columbus, Ohio, Sarah found her piano. It's a 1943 Steinway upright, absolutely beautiful. It's a muted black color with real ivory keys. Don't get me wrong now ivory keys are wrong because of the beloved elephant population. But, think back to 1943, during World War II, pianos were a staple of every household. It was often a piece of furniture in someone's home. And for others it was source of sheer joy and entertainment.
Sarah played this piano first. It had a bit of a dark sound. But then I played it, and as Sarah listened she decided that it was beautiful in it's tone and quality. It is also a littler piano, and would be perfect in a small space.
I keep thinking, of Sarah, coming home from a busy law office day, and being able to sit down and play Disney tunes, Chopin, Bach, Mozart, Schubert. This piano is going to take her away from the hustle and bustle of clients, and malpractice worries. I can see her throwing an amazing dinner party, with 6 or seven intellectuals and hopefully the man of her dreams, and breaking into the ivories, while everyone eats a piece of graham cracker cake with chocolate frosting. Oh, to only catch a glimpse of that...maybe that is what parents miss about adult children, seeing them in their element, doing something fun and amazing.
I see a long and exciting career for Sarah, but I could also see her getting up one morning, and saying Self, I must make music a part of my life, perhaps chamber music, or playing at people's dinner parties.
I don't know if this is a forever piano for Sarah, but it's hers alone, it's a start, something she can point to and say, I truly did this for me, and no matter what happens in my life, the piano is in it, and I can continue to create joy and happiness for for myself and others.
So incredible!!!!
The very first piano I ever played was our Baldwin Acrosonic, spinet. It was a beautiful brown piano that my Dad bought for my mom in 1961. I lived in Northwest Detroit, and walked nine blocks back and forth every day to the local catholic school, Christ the King. I generally walked with my neighbor Mark James, who was one of my favorite playmates. I can still remember the day the piano came. My mom was at the corner of Vaughan and Grove Streets. We lived on Vaughan. She was almost yelling at me, actually more excited than I had ever seen "Rose a piano was just delivered....run, run...." So I took off, I don't even remember if Mark James was keeping up with me. When I got in the house, the living room, I simply could not believe it. A piano. I had always loved the piano, and loved to hear anyone and everyone play it.
Initially my mom took lessons, but with the busy-ness of three young children, caring for my maternal grandma, and of course my Dad, she announced at dinner that one of us -meaning my two brothers and I should take piano lessons. Well sitting at dinner, neither of my brothers raised their hand, so a little unsure, I raised my hand, and boom my life as an amateur pianist started.
And that brings me to a mother milestone in my own life. Yesterday my daughter Sarah bought her own piano!!!!! So amazing. Sarah is taking off in a couple of weeks to live and work as an attorney in Washington D.C. She rented a very cool space age apartment, and wanted to buy a piano.
At our lovely piano store, Graves here in Columbus, Ohio, Sarah found her piano. It's a 1943 Steinway upright, absolutely beautiful. It's a muted black color with real ivory keys. Don't get me wrong now ivory keys are wrong because of the beloved elephant population. But, think back to 1943, during World War II, pianos were a staple of every household. It was often a piece of furniture in someone's home. And for others it was source of sheer joy and entertainment.
Sarah played this piano first. It had a bit of a dark sound. But then I played it, and as Sarah listened she decided that it was beautiful in it's tone and quality. It is also a littler piano, and would be perfect in a small space.
I keep thinking, of Sarah, coming home from a busy law office day, and being able to sit down and play Disney tunes, Chopin, Bach, Mozart, Schubert. This piano is going to take her away from the hustle and bustle of clients, and malpractice worries. I can see her throwing an amazing dinner party, with 6 or seven intellectuals and hopefully the man of her dreams, and breaking into the ivories, while everyone eats a piece of graham cracker cake with chocolate frosting. Oh, to only catch a glimpse of that...maybe that is what parents miss about adult children, seeing them in their element, doing something fun and amazing.
I see a long and exciting career for Sarah, but I could also see her getting up one morning, and saying Self, I must make music a part of my life, perhaps chamber music, or playing at people's dinner parties.
I don't know if this is a forever piano for Sarah, but it's hers alone, it's a start, something she can point to and say, I truly did this for me, and no matter what happens in my life, the piano is in it, and I can continue to create joy and happiness for for myself and others.
So incredible!!!!
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Piano playing commanders in chief
It's difficult to believe that the Presidential election season is upon us. For someone like me who lives in Ohio, basically a swing state, the campaign ads, and robotic telephone calls are already happening. I started to think about Presidents and music, and wondered how many Presidents played the piano. Since I was born in 1955, I decide to focus on two Presidents, who (through a news clip) I have seen play the piano.
President Harry Truman was a pianist. His performances have been captured on film and can be seen on Youtube, according to a March 12, 2012 article on America's top ten musical Presidents by David Guion. It was a known fact that President Truman enjoyed playing Chopin. I must admit that simply knowing President Truman liked to play the piano, has added to my great admiration for him, and his time as President. I think dedication to any musical instrument and particularly the piano, is a sign of an industrious, hard-working individual, a trait needed to be a successful president. I guess I identify with a person who plays the piano, and places a priority on my favorite instrument, as an integral part of his or her life.
In reading David McCullough's book about Truman, he described several things about Truman, including his voracious appetite for books, as well as his attention to mastering the piano. Looking at his role as Vice President under President Roosevelt, and in his time as President at the end of World War II, I am sure his ability to play the piano, served him well in tense times.
President Richard Nixon was also an accomplished pianist. He apparently played the accordion and violin as well. In Mr. Guion's article he references a clip from the Jack Paar Show, that featured President Nixon performing a short piece he had composed. President Nixon had strengths as well as weaknesses, but no matter how the Watergate scandal is viewed in history, it is somewhat comforting to know that even he, turned to music.
Though he was not a pianist, one cannot help but recognize that President Bill Clinton played the saxophone well enough to win first chair in his all--state band, and he actually considered music as a career according to David Guion. As a young mother in 1992, and a person who loves music, it was incredible that he played Heartbreak Hotel on the Arsenio Hall show. It was the first time since President John F. Kennedy, that I could say a president was truly cool.
As the political season unfolds, it takes a little bit of the stress out of the process, when I realize that even larger than life political figures look to music and particularly the piano, for relaxation, and creativity. I think if I could hear a any president play his chosen instrument it would have to be President Truman. He loved Chopin, and so do I. It just creates a bond that you can feel with a person you never had the opportunity to meet. Beyond his political stance as a Democrat, my most beloved of political parties, I can still dream and envision him, sitting down and playing something for the sheer joy of it.
Think about our musical presidents the next time the telephone rings with a paid political announcement!
It's difficult to believe that the Presidential election season is upon us. For someone like me who lives in Ohio, basically a swing state, the campaign ads, and robotic telephone calls are already happening. I started to think about Presidents and music, and wondered how many Presidents played the piano. Since I was born in 1955, I decide to focus on two Presidents, who (through a news clip) I have seen play the piano.
President Harry Truman was a pianist. His performances have been captured on film and can be seen on Youtube, according to a March 12, 2012 article on America's top ten musical Presidents by David Guion. It was a known fact that President Truman enjoyed playing Chopin. I must admit that simply knowing President Truman liked to play the piano, has added to my great admiration for him, and his time as President. I think dedication to any musical instrument and particularly the piano, is a sign of an industrious, hard-working individual, a trait needed to be a successful president. I guess I identify with a person who plays the piano, and places a priority on my favorite instrument, as an integral part of his or her life.
In reading David McCullough's book about Truman, he described several things about Truman, including his voracious appetite for books, as well as his attention to mastering the piano. Looking at his role as Vice President under President Roosevelt, and in his time as President at the end of World War II, I am sure his ability to play the piano, served him well in tense times.
President Richard Nixon was also an accomplished pianist. He apparently played the accordion and violin as well. In Mr. Guion's article he references a clip from the Jack Paar Show, that featured President Nixon performing a short piece he had composed. President Nixon had strengths as well as weaknesses, but no matter how the Watergate scandal is viewed in history, it is somewhat comforting to know that even he, turned to music.
Though he was not a pianist, one cannot help but recognize that President Bill Clinton played the saxophone well enough to win first chair in his all--state band, and he actually considered music as a career according to David Guion. As a young mother in 1992, and a person who loves music, it was incredible that he played Heartbreak Hotel on the Arsenio Hall show. It was the first time since President John F. Kennedy, that I could say a president was truly cool.
As the political season unfolds, it takes a little bit of the stress out of the process, when I realize that even larger than life political figures look to music and particularly the piano, for relaxation, and creativity. I think if I could hear a any president play his chosen instrument it would have to be President Truman. He loved Chopin, and so do I. It just creates a bond that you can feel with a person you never had the opportunity to meet. Beyond his political stance as a Democrat, my most beloved of political parties, I can still dream and envision him, sitting down and playing something for the sheer joy of it.
Think about our musical presidents the next time the telephone rings with a paid political announcement!
Thursday, August 20, 2015
My 60th birthday with Yo-Yo Ma
I cannot believe I am writing about this today, but for my 60th birthday December 1, 1955, I am going to see Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott at the Palladium in Carmel, Indiana on November 18, 2015. I must admit that my favorite musician of all of the entire time I have been on this earth is Yo-Yo Ma, and I will probably write more about that later. But seeing Kathryn Stott is an absolute dream come true. Ms. Stott and Mr. Ma have quite a connection over many years, and when you hear them play you can tell.
I cannot believe I am writing about this today, but for my 60th birthday December 1, 1955, I am going to see Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott at the Palladium in Carmel, Indiana on November 18, 2015. I must admit that my favorite musician of all of the entire time I have been on this earth is Yo-Yo Ma, and I will probably write more about that later. But seeing Kathryn Stott is an absolute dream come true. Ms. Stott and Mr. Ma have quite a connection over many years, and when you hear them play you can tell.
I am the proud owner of the Soul of the Tango CD. Mr. Ma and Ms. Stott perform on the cd together. I can only say when I was young, my high school teacher Katherine Lemon would always tell me to play like a man, during grand sections of many piano works, and I add that is how Kathryn Stott plays. It is quite amazing.
A pianist I admire, has even admitted to cleaning her house to the Soul of the Tango CD. Though the piano and the cello are solo instruments, it is truly musically incredible, when the two instruments are put together. Both Mr. Ma and Ms. Stott take their collaboration very seriously, and I can only predict, that November 18th is going to be one amazing evening of music.
Ms. Stott also performs with Mr. Ma on the amazing Paris -La Belle Epoque CD. Ms. Stt is a Faure expert, and the Faure Sonata in A on this CD is quite amazing. Take a look at her website www.kathrynstott.com and you can see all of the amazing CDs she has recorded. I haven't purchased it yet, but I would love to buy her Chopin Favourite Nocturnes, in part because I have studied several of the Nocturnes and simply want to be inspired. Whenever a great musician plays a piece you have played, it allows you to see how much hard work is ahead of you. Yet it also allows you to dream, even just for a moment, about the challenges, and whether the pianist had those same challenges. Did this pianist find measure 37 for instance as difficult as you did? Did this pianist ever take the score, throw it on the practice room floor and scream a loud Charlie Brown AAAAAAARGH!!!!!
In reviewing her website, I realized that she has partnered with Mr. Ma for 30 years, and that her 2015 concertizing celebrates that partnership. She has also engaged in philanthropic efforts to raise money for HIV research and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.
I still have the ticket stub for a Yo-Yo Ma Concert I attended in the late 1990s. I actually met him at a reception following the concert, and he was truly the same as he appears on television and in concert. He was incredibly gracious, to his fans and so un-assuming. It was a dream come true believe me. I add that Yo-Yo Ma also celebrates his 60th birthday this year on October 7. I wonder if he ever says to himself, so much music and so little time. Or does he simply think, so much music, but I am going to continue to perform and make a difference every day, I am lucky enough to be here.
Well as pianists we can look at the two foregoing schools of thought when we look at the depth and breadth of the piano repertoire. In any event, attending this concert is simply going to make me grateful! I hope my seats are on the left side of the concert hall, so I can learn something about performing from Ms. Stott!
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