Video of Jon's pieces from yesterday's faculty recital! It went very well, and we always have a great time watching him play. He played pieces by Chopin and Debussy, the Chopin having been suggested by my brother, so he dedicates this video performance to Curtis.
Mazurka in A minor - Frederic Chopin (a souvenir to Chopin's friend and student Emile Gaillard)
Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum (from Children's Corner) - Claude Debussy (dedicated to Debussy's daughter, Claude Emma)
It feels like I haven't had much to say lately. Mostly it's because of utter exhaustion—our days have been very full, what with a birthday and all—so that at the end of the day my mind is fried and I'm not thinking in terms of journal entries or blog posts. I'm lucky if I can spell out our names and get the date right. And the thing about busy days is that they produce no less laundry and require no fewer meals.
Last week was the birthday, Saturday was the party, and Sunday was the spring/summer piano recital for Jon's students, Calvin included. The recital went well. It is a real joy to see how much Calvin has grown at the piano over the past year. Just a year ago he was picking out quarter notes with one finger. I've felt torn in the past about both the formal study of piano and the recitals, something I think I've mentioned before, but I hesitate only because I don't want piano (or any learning for that matter) to become so goal oriented that the enjoyment of the process or the ability to self fulfill gets lost. This has not been an issue in our experience thus far, though, and I am not going to look for trouble where none is to be found. Calvin really enjoys the challenge of the piano. He needs little encouragement to practice every day, and, following his regular pattern, does most of his practicing entirely on his own. And the results really are enjoyable for all of us, especially since the process is equally so.
Calvin has been taking piano lessons for about three months now. He started back in March with group lessons coming from Mrs. Faber, Jon's boss, and has been continuing his learning at home with both of us helping him. He loves to play, and there are days when, from the kitchen while I'm making dinner, I'll hear him sit down and play a song or practice a piece that had previously been difficult for him. He has been improving and learning by leaps and bounds, so when Jon planned a summer recital for his seven studetns and Calvin was eager to participate, we saw no harm in him doing so. In fact, far from it being detrimental, the recital was a wonderful experience for him. It is, after all, one thing to hear your talented and studied father play the piano, and a whole different world to to hear and see other young and inexperienced students of varying levels perform. He played well—very well, really, not even allowing audience noise or minor errors slip him up—and we'd like to point out (because we are, after all, proud and biased parents) that he even plays one song with multiple hands and fingers going. And when it came to the other kids playing he listed with rapt attention. We could not have asked for a better first recital.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
