Brahms is still on my mind. This tree out my window reminds me of his sound . . burnished hues of gold, brown, orange, red, with stratas of green and yellow. I must play more of his music in the years ahead. Last night I returned to Charleston to fill an emergency request after a cancellation on their series. It was a good turnout for an
Election Night, a mixture of Town and Gown.
I was struck by the beauty of sound of the Steinway in Lightsey Chapel. Gene Koester selected it personally in NYC. It has similar qualities to my personal Steinway Concert Grand, especially in the richness and depth of the sound. My Steinway is always challenging to others, as it has a very firm action, which use to be the standard feel of the instrument. In recent decades piano actions have become much lighter in general, the tone spot often hard to feel under you, especially when dealing with the nerves and pressures of public performance. Of the six pianos I have played since mid-September, five have been Steinway. School pianos get knocked around, there is no getting around it. I have to say the Steinway at Winthrop was especially rewarding, as was the sound in the venerable old hall. So much for pianos!
I continue to explore my new "Conversations in Music". It is challenging focusing audiences today in this modern world of technology. Everything is built on speed and
instant connections. Music of depth, be it pure classical, film scores, standards of
Kern, Gershwin, Rogers,...will always win through. Its great fun to be rid of some of
the constraints of former years, and now play anything I like for anybody to listen to.
Nothing replaces the art of live performance.
