May 1, 2006
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Was supposed to play Liszt’s Funerailles in today’s masterclass with Igor, but in a playthrough with Max just 2 hours before, my understanding of tone and technique, what I conceived as loud, and how to achieve it was totally challenged and reviewed.
I scratched my name out of the list right after the class.
The masterclass Igor gave coincidently drilled in the same point. While demonstrating the opening to Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto, he produced the purest, and most massive tone I’ve ever heard being played in Melba Hall – And he did it absolutely effortlessly, with no force, just the graceful gestures of his hands. The whole class was stunned, I was literally pushed beyond the back of my seat. Absolutely mindblowing. I left the class totally exhausted..
“We achieve nothing in the piano with force and tension, but only with a relaxed technique and a concentrated mind.” Holtham said in closing.
Ironic isn’t it, yet beautifully and perfectly logical.
A rare moment, crossing through a breaking point in my pianistic career. Might take a while to undo years of bad habits, but let’s just see what happens next.
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“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26
Why is it so easy to be judgmental, to punish and hurt others, when we really want to be treated the opposite way?
I’ve been living for the past few years with words so easily coming out of my mouth. My friends back in KL can testify to my absolutely horrible slips of the tongue! I guess James was right, ‘slips of the tongue’ really is the most convenient way to sin.. A bad joke, a white lie, verbal reactions of anger, malice or hatred - These things we conveniently blame on ‘human nature’.
But this religion we claim to practice is absolutely clear. If we can’t keep a tight rein on our tongue, do we deceive ourselves? Is our religion worthless?
I guess I rarely question my security in God. Sure I go to church every Friday to Sunday, serve in the music ministry week in and week out, and many people were greatly blessed. *pats own shoulder* I must be safe.
You’re welcome, God. No worries.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23
Ouch.
Are we one of the many?
Sure gave me a lot to think about, something I know so many of us are so guilty of, and most definitely myself.
Comments (7)
i know exactly what you’re trying to say. back in m’sia, my teachers always tell me to relax, don’t attack the notes, give each one its dignity. and everytime i play my chopin i have to keep reminding myself ‘relax…relax…breathe…in…out…’. was talking to a fellow pianist studying in germany who’s a child prodigy…plays memphisto waltz like a walk in the park (you get what i mean). even HE catches himself tensed up sometimes. goes to show that even a pianist with the best technique and musicality has to deal with the same problems as the rest of us ‘normal’ folks.
cheers
yeah, a friend was playing the mephisto waltz in last week’s master class. insane! and to play stuff like that effortlessly?
here’s to achieving the impossible! *tips glasses*
sigh. such a long way to go. =)
yup.. bridle the tongue and no blaspheming too!!! *smiles* glad that the sermons/studies have set you thinking
I know what you mean man. There’s a few guitarists in Berklee -some faculty and some students too with an amazing relaxed light touch on the guitar. Same thing. It boils down to being totally relaxed. I read a book that talked extensively about this called “Effortless Mastery” by Kenny Werner (a jazz pianist).
It’s difficult but it’s worth the journey- getting more and more relaxed!
Ha.
Later man!
JUst cut off ur tounguela,save u all the trouble..wait..i forgot,you want to be a singer as well,nvm,give and take.=p
Yeah,scary right..i think..,strictly from me alone,it’s very relevant to what u mentioned earlier.We make mistakes when we relax,when we actually are at ease.We fall short at “constantly guarding our hearts”.What we can do is-”We achieve nothing in the piano with force and tension, but only with a relaxed technique and a concentrated mind.”Same goes with our tougue.
wow, good analogy Sticky..
glad the Word of God is working is your life, yeemeng. may it continue to refine you like pure silver and that you’d emerge whole, pure, and as how you are meant to be.
am much encouraged.. (also as you progress in your pianistic path…)
az: thanks for the recommendation! my dad went ahead and bought me the book =) i should be able to read it in a few days..
thanks for your thoughts and encouragement =D