do you have a memory from your childhood or your past that brings good tears to your heart? tears of aching happiness that swell your heart with passionate memories? my heart aches at the sound of a piano.
I began playing the piano when I was five years old. my mom played too, she thought that it would be good for me to learn to play an instrument. I played my heart out for thirteen years. I played solos, duets, concertos, hymns, and even wrote some of my own songs too. I studied mostly classical piano. I fell in love with Debussy, twisted my fingers learning Brahms, and wanted to learn every Chopin waltz written.
every year, I competed in a local and state level for piano. each year I played in the solo competition, but I also competed in hymn playing and concertos. when I turned 18, I received the most prestigious reward for my hard effort, and by far, my biggest accomplishment yet. achieving a superior rating was difficult. receiving a superior rating consecutive years in a row was even harder. I received my most rewarding trophy for twelve years consecutive superior ratings in piano solo on the night of my senior recital, my last piano recital before graduating highschool. {this was also the night that I played Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms while crying my eyes out}
this week, Ali has been tributing Amelie, which I must admit, I’ve never seen. I’ve found it to be quite intriguing following her posts, but today, I was breathless. this song, has so much passion. so much feeling. I can not wait to place my fingers on keys of the piano and teach myself to play this song. again my heart aches.
now, I said that my heart aches at the sound of the piano. and it does. not because hearing the piano makes me sad but because not having a piano leaves me heartsick. not being able to play and remembering less and less each day fills me with sorrow. but it’s not a total sob story. I’ve got plans of buying a piano sometime this year or next. a keyboard. to save space and give me that therapeutic ability to sit down and play.
if you are new to classical music, or would like some suggestions of some gorgeous works, here are some of my favorites:
Chopin Nocturne in E flat major
Debussy Suite Bergamasque Prelude
Brahms Intermezzo Op. 118 No. 2 – especially the part after 2:30.
Grieg Concerto part 1
Schubert Impromptu Op. 90 No. 4 – one of my absolute favorite songs. ever.
{sorry for the long, wordy post. it gave me a chance to listen and share some of my absolute favorite music.}
sometime, oh… let’s say in the summer of 2006, there was a girl who fell in love with a boy. this boy couldn’t stand pointy toe shoes and spike heels. he hated even more when she’d complain that her feet hurt. so this girl broke down and bought some comfort shoes, aka Crocs. she thought, hey, they’ll be great for the beach, boat, and everything else Florida related, and plus, they are super comfortable. secretly, she thought her feet looked funny and a little bit like she’d fallen for the Croc cult, but her feet felt good when she wore them.
