Whistle while I work!
Today in my studio I am listening to Beethoven’s…
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, Moonlight: III. Presto.
My Mom used to play this when I was younger and you could hear it outside while I played with my friends in the front-yard. And it was quite awesome to hear when I would ride my bike up the sidewalk on a warm summer evening. This was one of my favorites. I liked how dark, desperate and angry it sounded. The intensity was often overwhelming for me. Especially watching and listening my mother perform it. I always tried to be quiet when I came in the front door while she was playing this because I didn’t want to disrupt her, but I also wanted to see her play it. Sometimes I would cry walking down the hallway and yet had no idea why. I’m not sure she ever knew, but since she reads this, she does now. I think after you listen to the sample it may make more sense. Or not, and I was just loosely glued together all the while.
In my own piano lessons of 9 years, I always wanted to play like she did (and as fast of course—-well than practice you moron). She (my mom) was a smart lady not to be my teacher (I would not have treated it like a serious thing I feel) I took lessons from a lady down the street who was quite strict, but taught me a lot. Her piano room was in this all glass room with a bust of (ironically) Beethoven, I believe, in the corner staring at me and making me incredibly nervous….
She sort of was a stick in the mud, and was all about the classics, but when you are young, you just want to play popular stuff. I’m glad now that I had the classical training even though at the time, I just wanted to rock out like Jerry Lee Lewis…
(what? why? thank GOD she said no…..)
So today I am revisiting it performed by Alfred Brendel (not this midi version, that is just for viewer sampling only). His version is pretty stinkin’ amazing. And oddly enough, facilitating a great deal of progress over here in my studio. Thank you Alfred.
The imaginary neysaying jerkholes that show up blocking my studio door were in their positions, but I put this on and they went away. Crazy creative idea people floated in after. Hello crazy idea people. You might be crazy, but at least you are far more productive than the jerks that were here before. I also burned sage. Yes, I am THAT kind of person. Deal. And save your obvious jokes about “the bundle”. (although oddly enough it DOES smell like that…)
Comments
Thanks for the much needed musical interlude today. My mom used to play classical music while we ate dinner. But it was just on the radio. Still, I found just as moving. I think I would’ve been more moved had someone really been playing it in my house. That’s so cool!
Carol,
Oh boy. Maybe what had you crying down the hallway was that that particular movement is SO minor, not uplifting at all, or the painstaking effort to learn that piece. It certainly was a challenge for me to master it. Many hours that I’m sure your Dad would have liked to leave home at the time. You are the best writer and it is not because I’m your Mom. The First Movement of the Moonlight that has become so popularized really never did anything for me except to set the mood for the Third Movement. From your writing her you have inspired me. You have a mind like a steel trap.
Carol, I love you very much.
Mom
So glad I inspired you, Mom! You have a true gift, you know
And I think Dad enjoyed it as well. How could he not....
Come on!
PS: And please note the wisdom my mom imparts on us regarding the First Movement. She’s totally right you know. And the third one is no easy one to master as you can probably hear.
Keep playing, Mom! Playing with “Feeling” is not a gift too many have. But you do
And Carrie, at least your Mom played music and didn’t sit you down in front of the TV at dinnertime....
- Mo said on Aug 29, 2008:
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