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!!!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
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!
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Edward Rosser
Per usual, I spend some time during the week scouting around the internet for interesting articles and websites about the piano. Today I mention www.edwardrosser.com Edward Rosser is an extremely gifted and talented pianist. He would not remember this, but we both attended Albion College beginning in 1973 and 1974. I left Albion after my freshman year, to attend Michigan State University, and circle back to my posse of high school friends who were there, but I believe Mr. Rosser graduated from Albion.
During that first college year he and I took piano from the same professor, and I believe he had the lesson directly after mine. I stayed after some time, and even though he was in a closed piano studio, I often heard him play and he played with great musicality and technical ability. I also admit that the piano professor I had that year, traumatized me enough, that I didn't take lessons for many years, and actually abandoned any hope of pursuing any thing with the piano as an amateur or professional.
When I think back about that now, and where I am currently with the piano, I believe, that if you do not jell up with a teacher, you must analyze what you want from a piano teacher, and go out and find it. You can not let any person stop your relationship with the piano and music, if you love it. But back to Edward Rosser.
If you have the opportunity to go to his website, you can see how his career as a pianist has evolved. In his website introductory page he spend some time explaining how his technique has evolved and the time he spent re working his piano technique. Though many amateur pianists know their technique is not the best, most of us playing for pure enjoyment do not spend any time looking at their actual technique and making changes.
Currently on his website, there is a "clip" of Mr. Rosser playing Chopin's Nocturne in C# minor. Though I have studied this nocturne, and brought it to a what I thought was a respectable level, after listening to Mr. Rosser's version, I have a way to go.
I add that I love this nocturne, and I believe it was one of the theme pieces in the film, the Pianist. Do take some time to listen to this clip by Mr. Rosser as it is quite amazing.
In reading his website, and about his life as a full time musician, he is focused on teaching, performing and recording. However, the most amazing thing is that Mr. Rosser takes his piano to the street, and refers to it as "the great auditorium under the sky." The piano is such an amazing instrument, and I continually believe that it must be brought to the people. He mentions on his website and I quote "a musician is truly free to play for the sheer joy of playing, where spontaneity and communication are more valued than perfection; here a musician can try new repertoire, experiment, refine his playing by performing certain pieces hundreds of times...."
I have not purchased any of his cds, but after reviewing his website, I plan to do so. I hope when I get the opportunity to go to Boston for a law conference, I will have the opportunity to hear him making music on the street. Amazing!
Per usual, I spend some time during the week scouting around the internet for interesting articles and websites about the piano. Today I mention www.edwardrosser.com Edward Rosser is an extremely gifted and talented pianist. He would not remember this, but we both attended Albion College beginning in 1973 and 1974. I left Albion after my freshman year, to attend Michigan State University, and circle back to my posse of high school friends who were there, but I believe Mr. Rosser graduated from Albion.
During that first college year he and I took piano from the same professor, and I believe he had the lesson directly after mine. I stayed after some time, and even though he was in a closed piano studio, I often heard him play and he played with great musicality and technical ability. I also admit that the piano professor I had that year, traumatized me enough, that I didn't take lessons for many years, and actually abandoned any hope of pursuing any thing with the piano as an amateur or professional.
When I think back about that now, and where I am currently with the piano, I believe, that if you do not jell up with a teacher, you must analyze what you want from a piano teacher, and go out and find it. You can not let any person stop your relationship with the piano and music, if you love it. But back to Edward Rosser.
If you have the opportunity to go to his website, you can see how his career as a pianist has evolved. In his website introductory page he spend some time explaining how his technique has evolved and the time he spent re working his piano technique. Though many amateur pianists know their technique is not the best, most of us playing for pure enjoyment do not spend any time looking at their actual technique and making changes.
Currently on his website, there is a "clip" of Mr. Rosser playing Chopin's Nocturne in C# minor. Though I have studied this nocturne, and brought it to a what I thought was a respectable level, after listening to Mr. Rosser's version, I have a way to go.
I add that I love this nocturne, and I believe it was one of the theme pieces in the film, the Pianist. Do take some time to listen to this clip by Mr. Rosser as it is quite amazing.
In reading his website, and about his life as a full time musician, he is focused on teaching, performing and recording. However, the most amazing thing is that Mr. Rosser takes his piano to the street, and refers to it as "the great auditorium under the sky." The piano is such an amazing instrument, and I continually believe that it must be brought to the people. He mentions on his website and I quote "a musician is truly free to play for the sheer joy of playing, where spontaneity and communication are more valued than perfection; here a musician can try new repertoire, experiment, refine his playing by performing certain pieces hundreds of times...."
I have not purchased any of his cds, but after reviewing his website, I plan to do so. I hope when I get the opportunity to go to Boston for a law conference, I will have the opportunity to hear him making music on the street. Amazing!
Monday, June 1, 2015
Anna Vinnitskaya
I had the opportunity to hear the pianist Anna Vinnitskaya, over Memorial Day Weekend. She played the Brahms Concerto No. 1. It was truly amazing. And the additional gem of the evening was having Thomas Wilkins conduct the Columbus Symphony.
Ms. Vinnitskaya played beautifully. The concerto is difficult, and she "really gave it up" for the fans. Any work by Brahms is not for the faint of heart, and Ms. Vinnitskaya proved she was up to the challenge. I particularly loved the second movement, the Adagio. She played with great feeling and conviction, and there is a feeling of being taken to another place and time whenever you hear this movement.
But for me it is the last movement, because as you listen to you get the feeling you are hearing Bach and Beethoven. The great composers are intertwined in the theme. It is so amazing. I also add that the performances by the oboes and bassoons of the orchestra added so much. There is much quality musicianship in the Columbus Symphony.
Maestro Wilkins was so touched by Ms. Vinnitskaya's playing, and even wiped the sweat off her brow with his hankerchief He is one conductor, who can convey so much about his love for a performer, without saying a word. He's simply amazing.
In fact, Thomas Wilkins' story should be noted. I read on Wikipedia that he was raised by a single mom. When he was very young he heard an orchestral performance of The Star Spangled Banner, and that inspired him right then and there to be a conductor. That is simply so amazing. It is exactly that type of humble beginning, that reminds us all, that we truly can do and be anything.
Back to Ms. Vinnitskaya, she simply was so connected to the concerto, the orchestra and the director. I often wonder how one digs that deep to play with such great courage. You can listen to her wonderful music as she records on the French label Naive. Her first CD contains works by Rachmaninov, Gubaidulina, Medtner and Prokofiev. She also has a third CD dedicated to Maurice Ravel. So much music to listen to and yet so little time.
As an amateur, it was a beautiful night of piano. It is amazing what one instrument with 88 keys can bring to the table, especially when played by such a capable artist as Anna Vinnitskaya!
I had the opportunity to hear the pianist Anna Vinnitskaya, over Memorial Day Weekend. She played the Brahms Concerto No. 1. It was truly amazing. And the additional gem of the evening was having Thomas Wilkins conduct the Columbus Symphony.
Ms. Vinnitskaya played beautifully. The concerto is difficult, and she "really gave it up" for the fans. Any work by Brahms is not for the faint of heart, and Ms. Vinnitskaya proved she was up to the challenge. I particularly loved the second movement, the Adagio. She played with great feeling and conviction, and there is a feeling of being taken to another place and time whenever you hear this movement.
But for me it is the last movement, because as you listen to you get the feeling you are hearing Bach and Beethoven. The great composers are intertwined in the theme. It is so amazing. I also add that the performances by the oboes and bassoons of the orchestra added so much. There is much quality musicianship in the Columbus Symphony.
Maestro Wilkins was so touched by Ms. Vinnitskaya's playing, and even wiped the sweat off her brow with his hankerchief He is one conductor, who can convey so much about his love for a performer, without saying a word. He's simply amazing.
In fact, Thomas Wilkins' story should be noted. I read on Wikipedia that he was raised by a single mom. When he was very young he heard an orchestral performance of The Star Spangled Banner, and that inspired him right then and there to be a conductor. That is simply so amazing. It is exactly that type of humble beginning, that reminds us all, that we truly can do and be anything.
Back to Ms. Vinnitskaya, she simply was so connected to the concerto, the orchestra and the director. I often wonder how one digs that deep to play with such great courage. You can listen to her wonderful music as she records on the French label Naive. Her first CD contains works by Rachmaninov, Gubaidulina, Medtner and Prokofiev. She also has a third CD dedicated to Maurice Ravel. So much music to listen to and yet so little time.
As an amateur, it was a beautiful night of piano. It is amazing what one instrument with 88 keys can bring to the table, especially when played by such a capable artist as Anna Vinnitskaya!
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Sarah Catherine Pomeroy, attorney at law and pianist
My daughter Sarah is an amateur pianist. She is 24 now, and started taking lessons when she was either 6 or 7. I cannot recall exactly now, as the years have passed. The piano has always been a part of Sarah's life, and I noticed her musicality even at a young age.
When I was a young mother, I had a book of Disney themes for the piano. Sarah particularly enjoyed the theme to Winnie-the-Pooh, and the Mickey Mouse Club march. Our piano was always in the living room, so there was a room completely devoted to the piano Sarah would often sit on the little sofa in the living room and she often held a wooden stick. Sarah would point the stick at me and command that I play Winnie - the - Pooh, or Mickey Mouse Club, and she would march around the room. As soon as I stopped she would demand, that I play it again.
I often would sit her on my lap and point out the keys or the notes, or let her plink out any notes she wanted while I played. Sarah was fascinated with the instrument, and quickly decided that she wanted to take lessons.
I think she started lessons with the amazing Madeline Karn in 1st or 2nd grade. Sarah seemed to pick up the piano quickly, and along with her Piano Adventures series of books, I always made sure that Sarah also had a book or piece of music that she chose. I remember when she had a beginning book of "Peanuts" music, and how much that book influenced her playing. In fact I think she has a real talent for jazz piano playing, and I could see her taking that talent to another level at some point in her life.
Sarah's lessons continued through school, and sports and marching band. Piano was simply part of her life, and she never waivered in her commitment to the instrument. As she progressed, Sarah often practiced while I was making dinner. I may have been sautee-ing chicken, but I was also listening to a steady progression of Bach, and Beethoven and Schubert, along with Disney tunes and songs from Broadway shows.
Sarah's teacher Madeline Karn did not have a yearly piano recital to my regret, but when Sarah was a senior she did perform a senior recital. At first, when I saw her ambitious program I started to get heart palpitations, but as I listened to her practice I saw that the program was something she could accomplish.
The evening of her recital I was so touched by the people in attendance, relatives, friends, some of her teachers....it was so incredible. Sarah started the evening playing Always, which was my mom's favorite song. My mom had died in 2004, and the recital was in 2008, so she was unable to attend.
It was simply so incredible.
Sarah played Schubert, Scott Joplin, and many other incredible pieces. She also did her own rendition of Take Five by Dave Brubeck...it was a wonderful evening.
Sarah just graduated from law school at Ohio State this past week. She is studying for the bar examination now, and I think piano playing will consist of short intervals to play out her stress. Sarah is moving to Washington DC in October and I am going to miss the impromptu dinner time concerts. She kept the piano side of her on the "down low" throughout law school, but she did play at the law school talent show, and I hope that her law colleagues, saw that it is the piano that really makes her the incredible person she is today. When she is at the piano, she goes to a deep musical place, to spread the joy that she feels about this beloved instrument.
For some reason when she is at the piano, she isn't Sarah the student, or Sarah the leader, or Sarah the extrovert, instead she is a vehicle to play out the musical message, taking the essence of the music, to the people she cares so much about. By playing the piano, she is saying, forget everything you think about me and what you preconceive about me, and listen to the music I am creating for you.
Right now she is planning to buy a piano and take it with her to Washington DC. I would like to think that someday she will trade me, and I will take her small apartment piano to an assisted living facility and she will take my beautiful, black, six- foot Baldwin Grand to a wonderful home where music and the piano will be the center of her family's home and life.
My daughter Sarah is an amateur pianist. She is 24 now, and started taking lessons when she was either 6 or 7. I cannot recall exactly now, as the years have passed. The piano has always been a part of Sarah's life, and I noticed her musicality even at a young age.
When I was a young mother, I had a book of Disney themes for the piano. Sarah particularly enjoyed the theme to Winnie-the-Pooh, and the Mickey Mouse Club march. Our piano was always in the living room, so there was a room completely devoted to the piano Sarah would often sit on the little sofa in the living room and she often held a wooden stick. Sarah would point the stick at me and command that I play Winnie - the - Pooh, or Mickey Mouse Club, and she would march around the room. As soon as I stopped she would demand, that I play it again.
I often would sit her on my lap and point out the keys or the notes, or let her plink out any notes she wanted while I played. Sarah was fascinated with the instrument, and quickly decided that she wanted to take lessons.
I think she started lessons with the amazing Madeline Karn in 1st or 2nd grade. Sarah seemed to pick up the piano quickly, and along with her Piano Adventures series of books, I always made sure that Sarah also had a book or piece of music that she chose. I remember when she had a beginning book of "Peanuts" music, and how much that book influenced her playing. In fact I think she has a real talent for jazz piano playing, and I could see her taking that talent to another level at some point in her life.
Sarah's lessons continued through school, and sports and marching band. Piano was simply part of her life, and she never waivered in her commitment to the instrument. As she progressed, Sarah often practiced while I was making dinner. I may have been sautee-ing chicken, but I was also listening to a steady progression of Bach, and Beethoven and Schubert, along with Disney tunes and songs from Broadway shows.
Sarah's teacher Madeline Karn did not have a yearly piano recital to my regret, but when Sarah was a senior she did perform a senior recital. At first, when I saw her ambitious program I started to get heart palpitations, but as I listened to her practice I saw that the program was something she could accomplish.
The evening of her recital I was so touched by the people in attendance, relatives, friends, some of her teachers....it was so incredible. Sarah started the evening playing Always, which was my mom's favorite song. My mom had died in 2004, and the recital was in 2008, so she was unable to attend.
It was simply so incredible.
Sarah played Schubert, Scott Joplin, and many other incredible pieces. She also did her own rendition of Take Five by Dave Brubeck...it was a wonderful evening.
Sarah just graduated from law school at Ohio State this past week. She is studying for the bar examination now, and I think piano playing will consist of short intervals to play out her stress. Sarah is moving to Washington DC in October and I am going to miss the impromptu dinner time concerts. She kept the piano side of her on the "down low" throughout law school, but she did play at the law school talent show, and I hope that her law colleagues, saw that it is the piano that really makes her the incredible person she is today. When she is at the piano, she goes to a deep musical place, to spread the joy that she feels about this beloved instrument.
For some reason when she is at the piano, she isn't Sarah the student, or Sarah the leader, or Sarah the extrovert, instead she is a vehicle to play out the musical message, taking the essence of the music, to the people she cares so much about. By playing the piano, she is saying, forget everything you think about me and what you preconceive about me, and listen to the music I am creating for you.
Right now she is planning to buy a piano and take it with her to Washington DC. I would like to think that someday she will trade me, and I will take her small apartment piano to an assisted living facility and she will take my beautiful, black, six- foot Baldwin Grand to a wonderful home where music and the piano will be the center of her family's home and life.
Jule Styne
I made the grand assumption that Jule Styne composed the music for "I'm Flying" for Peter Pan, in part because he composed "Never Never Land." Well I was wrong. "I'm Flying was composed by Mark Charlap and the Lyrics were by Carolyn Leigh.
I have a wonderful book of Peter Pan music, that was published by the Edwin H. Morris and Company and distributed by Hal-Leonard. The book has Mary Martin on the cover, so I would like to think that this book of music is close to the original score. Mary Martin and I share a birthday December 1, so I have always had an affinity for her musicality, her singing, in a traditional Broadway style.
So what is it about "I'm Flying" Well it is in the key of B -Flat, which is a relatively easy key to sight-read. Also, the piece buildings in momentum, as if you were flying while playing it.
In the words of an amateur, it is the kind of piece that "can get away from you." So if you start off in a slow tempo, you probably shouldn't be finishing in a much faster tempo. So, on some level, it is a good piece to work on controlling the metronome speed you originally set for yourself.
In contrast, there is the great Jule Styne piece "Never Never Land." It is a beautiful ballad in the key of F and in 4/4 time cut. It is a piece that if played as written, it sends a very clear message. It is also a piece that many play in a manner different from what is written, and that may take away from the story the ballad is telling. On page 2 of my version, in measure 6 there is a pause that should be emphasized...the lyric is "For once you have found your way there PAUSE you can never, never grow old. The pause must be emphasized, because the result is the concept of never growing old, although we all do.
There are also dotted eighth notes followed by a sixteenth, if that tempo is not clearly followed, the measures can sound rather sing -songy....referring to the words "Just think of lovely things, and your heart will fly on wings, ....etc"
I never tire of this ballad, I think it can set the tone for a calm and peaceful set of music, if you are playing after a dinner party.
The book is one I cannot part with, under any circumstances.
I made the grand assumption that Jule Styne composed the music for "I'm Flying" for Peter Pan, in part because he composed "Never Never Land." Well I was wrong. "I'm Flying was composed by Mark Charlap and the Lyrics were by Carolyn Leigh.
I have a wonderful book of Peter Pan music, that was published by the Edwin H. Morris and Company and distributed by Hal-Leonard. The book has Mary Martin on the cover, so I would like to think that this book of music is close to the original score. Mary Martin and I share a birthday December 1, so I have always had an affinity for her musicality, her singing, in a traditional Broadway style.
So what is it about "I'm Flying" Well it is in the key of B -Flat, which is a relatively easy key to sight-read. Also, the piece buildings in momentum, as if you were flying while playing it.
In the words of an amateur, it is the kind of piece that "can get away from you." So if you start off in a slow tempo, you probably shouldn't be finishing in a much faster tempo. So, on some level, it is a good piece to work on controlling the metronome speed you originally set for yourself.
In contrast, there is the great Jule Styne piece "Never Never Land." It is a beautiful ballad in the key of F and in 4/4 time cut. It is a piece that if played as written, it sends a very clear message. It is also a piece that many play in a manner different from what is written, and that may take away from the story the ballad is telling. On page 2 of my version, in measure 6 there is a pause that should be emphasized...the lyric is "For once you have found your way there PAUSE you can never, never grow old. The pause must be emphasized, because the result is the concept of never growing old, although we all do.
There are also dotted eighth notes followed by a sixteenth, if that tempo is not clearly followed, the measures can sound rather sing -songy....referring to the words "Just think of lovely things, and your heart will fly on wings, ....etc"
I never tire of this ballad, I think it can set the tone for a calm and peaceful set of music, if you are playing after a dinner party.
The book is one I cannot part with, under any circumstances.
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