Now I Can Die

There have been a few times in my life when I have completed some creative effort, and the thought has popped into my head that "Now I can die".  It's not really morbid, I don't think, but a practical response to knowing that I have used the gifts that I have been born with and cultivated.  I've had this thought in response to things that I have done in art and interior design, and now in music.  I never imagined that I would play Beethoven's Sonata no. 17 in d minor, otherwise known as "The Tempest".  But tackle it I did, after my piano teacher Kathi Kurtzman made the suggestion. I may as well have tried to climb Everest, but with her as my sherpa, I was bound to succeed.

It was a great accomplishment for me, because when I hear beautiful music, I want to participate more actively than a spectator, or passive audience.  If I can play even a semblance of the magic of music, I feel fulfilled.

Kathi Kurtzman, has been my piano teacher for many years.  I started my daughter Emily with her when Emily was 5.  I didn't think that we could afford for both of us to take lessons, so I dutifully sat in on her lessons, fingers itching.  When Emily broke her arm at the age of 8, I couldn't help but think of who would take her place at her lessons?  Obviously, I happily filled the spot.  When Emily's arm recovered, I decided we could afford NOT for us both to take lessons.  The rest is history.

A very influential artist of my youth, Kathi Kollwitz, said,

"I do not want to die...until I have faithfully made the most of my talent and cultivated the seed that was placed in me until the last small twig has grown".

Faites de la musique!

Quick...what day is today? Would you answer "the first day of summer" or "Fete de la Musique"? Both are correct answers! You could best celebrate the first day of summer at Stonehenge with 20,000 other stoners...

OR, you could spend the longest day of the year listening to or playing music.  Where else but France, where the quality of life is a political issue?  Since 1982, the French Ministry of Culture has ordained the Fete de la Musique as a national holiday.   Musicians of all sorts and all abilities play on the streets and courtyards, squares and gardens, stations and museums; everywhere you can imagine!

Well, I passed on Stonehenge, and the Concorde is not yet back in service...

So I had to create my own little musical day of celebration in St. Louis.  That included singing some Italian art songs and practicing some piano (Beethoven's Opus 31, No. 17).  THAT prepared me to attend the Alliance Francaise Fete de la Musique event at J.Robert Green's perfect party house promising wine, cheese and beautiful MUSIC.  All that in addition to a fabulous guest list that assured great camaraderie, not to mention conversation snippets in French.  Having a national holiday to play, listen to, and share music is an excellent idea, without a doubt. 

Heureaux fete de la musique!

Another Spring Concert

Recently I attended a recital of one of the great piano performers of all time - Claude Frank. It was a difficult and demanding program that he played with artistry and precise articulation. Mr. Frank is on the faculty at Curtis Institute of Music and Yale School of Music. Clearly he loves what he is doing and has no plans to retire. He is 85 years old.

Mr. Frank's fingers flew across the keyboard with an energetic, brisk pace that left regular mortals breathless. He presented the classical music with fresh interpretations, never mind how old he or the music is! For me, in particular, time stood still with the Schubert.

Claude Frank has dedicated his life to music and loves to teach and perform. He is an inspiration to all of us. It's never too late and we're never too old to do what you love! I was privileged to meet him afterwards and I look forward to his performance next year.