Scriabin Prelude Op 31. No. 1

Time to move on and learn new pieces. This is the new Scriabin Prelude I'll be learning. 3 against 2, 4 against 3, gorgeous key changes, bars falling in funny places. A new adventure in the physical presence of sound. You can almost touch it . . .

Scriban Prelude Op. 11 No. 1

I've finally learned how to play this piece. It's very satisfying. Will play it in piano recitals this Spring.

Imagine a World in Which Cats Have Thumbs, Form Gangs, and Steal Your Milk

Imagine a World in Which Cats Have Thumbs, Form Gangs, and Steal Your Milk (click to see link)

This has nothing to do with music and everything to do with cats. If our cat had thumbs she would be part of a gang. She's amazing.

Beethoven Sonata

So. I played the beginnings of my Beethoven Sonata for my teacher today. Learned the first two pages. Got as far as the first 8 bars before he stopped me. "That's enough." And so began the detail. My trills were bloodless, my portamento deplorable. Ah me. Beethoven. And so it begins. Twenty three pages, TWENTY THREE!!!! For Pete's sake. What was he thinking? It's a musical version of the Gift of Gab. Honestly. It's going to take me FOREVER to learn all four (FOUR!!!!) movements.

I'm going to start looking like Herr Beethoven's famous cranky mug:

Beethoven SonataLand

My teacher has 'suggested' that I learn a Beethoven Sonata. This one.

Ok, I admit it. I'm not a big fan of Ludwig Von. I hear all you classical music fans shrieking. I hear you! But honestly, Mr. B. doesn't float my boat. Well, maybe he floats my dinghy. I actually like this Sonata. It's fun. To me - for what that's worth - Herr Beethoven has a sense of humor that plays out in various phrases, grace notes and trills. It makes me chuckle.

Wonder what he would think of that?

It's That Time Again

Whoo Hoo!

Summerkeys

There is an amazing music camp in Lubec, ME called Summerkeys. I was deprived as a child - never went to summer camp. Well, Girlscout camp one year. But, honestely, I was never much of a Girlscout. I like a bed. And hot running water. And no bugs.

But I digress . . . .

My kids spent summer after summer sailing small boats on the Chesapeake Bay. Periodically they raced in New England. I schlept (schlepted?) boats, boat parts, tons of sunscreen and kids up and down the coast so they could have these fabulous summers.

But I digress . . . .

It's my turn. It's a tad challenging getting to Lubec, ME. It's kind of up there and out there. However, flights to Portland are reasonable. Car rental is reasonable. Driving in ME during the summer is reasonable. Staying in a lovely ME town is reasonable.

Heck, it's worth it. I'm worth it. Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann and Scriabin are worth it.

Besides, if you've ever spent a summer in Baltimore, MD you KNOW Maine has got to be better. Dryer. Cooler. Softer.

My turn.