Piano Tears

For the last few weeks, my piano student and I have been discussing her future in piano and whether or not she will continue after finishing her Grade 8 RCM (Royal Conservatory) exam.   She has scheduled the exam for August.  Last week, I had told her that she would likely regret quitting piano later in life.  She is currently thirteen years old and has simply lost a lot of her motivation. Nonetheless, my student, who we will call Mary, recognizes that she can't predict how she will feel about piano in the future and needs to think long term.

Jan Vermeer - "The Music Lesson"

Today, I asked her if she'd given her future in piano any more thought. In fact, she had.  She says that piano has never really been enjoyable for her because she used to often cry while practising.  I asked her what made her cry during her practice sessions. Mary replied that her father was always standing in the room waiting for her to make a mistake and then criticize her playing. In fact, he would yell at her.  I instantly asked her if this still occurs.  She said then the yelling has ceased in the last year.  I was very relieved to hear that.

Nonetheless, my student has extremely negative memories associated with practising the piano.  She gets easily frustrated when she can not play accurately because there were emotional consequences from her father.  There are a few important lessons to take from what happened today when I taught my student.

Firstly, we must teach students to practise wisely and in ways that can avoid frustration.  Encourage students that practising three bars of music slowly and in detail is much more valuable than being overwhelmed by a whole sheet of notes and an entire piece.  In particular, this is true of Bach.  His contrapuntal music simply has a LOT OF NOTES!  Keep it simple.  Keep it focused.  Have I ever mentioned practise slowly?  You get the idea.

Secondly, to the parents of children taking lessons: I have strong words.  Music education is about fostering a love of music.  It is NOT about winning competitions or receiving high marks on exams.  Those things are not bad in and of themselves, but they are highly subjective and not often consistent.  More important, is to have the student express their feelings as a human being through their chosen musical instrument.  Music is, first and foremost, a way of sharing one's soul with an audience.  Ask yourself, parents, what love of music is being fostered in your home is practice sessions are stressful, negative times which are marked by tears, yelling, or frustration?  

Pierre-Auguste Renoir - "La leçon du piano"

I implore the parents of music students to praise their child's efforts, listen to them perform, and be realistic with their goals.  The greatest tragedy will not be your child quitting piano, but abandoning a love of music.

A Tale of Two Cities

It's spring time in Vancouver.  The first weekend of May appears to be a beauty full of warm temperatures and lots of sunshine.  My students are loving it and so am I.  Vancouver is a truly stunning place to live -when it's warm and sunny.  The light simply turns all of our greenery a gorgeous shade of emerald.  Very few things compare to watching the sun set over vastness of the Pacific Ocean.

Gorgeous False Creek as seen from David Lam Park in Yaletown, Vancouver BC.

Many people are inspired to move to Vancouver simply because of it's stunning natural beauty and it's relatively moderate climate (by Canadian standards!)  I will never forget my first two months in Vancouver. At times, I was literally breathless due to the natural beauty that I encountered.  I am still so grateful that I am able to run, hike, and bike along the kilometres of seawall near my home.  To say that I enjoy heading to the beach would be an understatement. In other words, living in Vancouver is a privilege and I consider myself extremely fortunate to live near such wonderful amenities.

Stunning "old music building" at McGill University in Montréal, QC. Autumn 2012.

Nonetheless, I feel a certain emptiness in this city - despite its natural beauty.  This afternoon, a man my age got on the bus in a Montréal Canadiens jersey.  Since I was wearing my Canucks jersey, a light banter naturally ensued. We instantly commenced praising the wonderful city of Montréal.  The gentleman from Montréal mentioned that the playoff atmosphere is unreal.  I kind of smirked when I reminded him that Vancouver gets fairly amped for playoffs too (this year being a slight exception.) But then, this kind Montréalais asked me to point out how many Canucks car flags I've seen recently. Answer: not a whole heck of a lot.

It only took a few moments for another passenger on the bus to mention how, in Montréal, you can be in a coffee shop or go to a patio (terrasse en français!) alone and you'll still find great conversation.  We all agreed that this is sadly missing from Vancouver.  We talked about the affordability of housing and the selection of amazing food in Montréal.  The conversation took a lighter shift toward the micro-breweries and their fabulous selection in Montréal. (C'mon - this is a REAL factor to consider when deciding where to live!)

Although this bus ride was only a few minutes, the exchange was meaningful and got me thinking, AGAIN, about my two summers in Montréal.  Yes, I missed the clean smell of refreshing, cool sea air of beautiful BC.  Yes, I missed being able to sleep at night and not tossing and turning until 3 am because the temperature outside was 34 degrees.  However, I was truly content while in Montréal.  After two phenomenal summers, I was forced to ask myself why.

Yaletown and False Creek in Vancouver, as seen from South Granville. Yep. I live here.

What is it that Vancouver's missing?  What can I do that will add that missing element to my community in Vancouver?  Well, let me answer the first question.  Vancouver is missing a sense of people being open to meeting new friends.  Quite a few (but not all) Vancouverites tend to stay near to home and have had the same friends since ...oh, I don't know, preschool.  That makes it very difficult to come in as a newcomer and meet new friends.  Dear people of Vancouver, please don't fear people who have moved to your gorgeous city and wish to make new friends! We're not going to give you some disease that makes you no longer a West-coaster.

I desperately wish that my city, so full of external beauty, would more frequently reflect that beauty in its social interactions.  People just seem to never talk to each other.  I also hope that the people we elect to government will do their best to make this city a more affordable place in which to live.  Perhaps once the cost of living decreases and people feel less financial pressure, the social atmosphere of Vancouver will similarly relax.  Personally, I find it increasingly impossible to justify paying the housing costs that I do here in Vancouver when the cultural activities I would enjoy are more plentiful in Montréal, at a reduced cost.

Gorgeous fall colours at Université de Montréal, automne 2012

In the meantime, my heart is firmly torn between two cities that I love which have such different but amazing experiences to offer.

Concert review: Simon Trpceski, piano.

There are piano recitals, and then there are piano recitals.  Two weeks ago, those in attendance at the Chan Centre were witness to the later.  This evening solo piano recital was perhaps this year's most memorable classical music event in Vancouver. The Vancouver Recital brought in the incredible Macedonian pianist, Simon Trpceski.  

I have actually known about Trpceski from CBC Radio 2 for about six or seven years.  Each time his performances were on the airwaves, I always enjoyed them immensely.  Therefore, I was very excited to hear him perform live. 
Mr. Trpceski began his recital with Schubert's German Dances, D. 783. They were exquisitely performed.  His phrasing was gorgeous.  Mr. Trpceski really captured the delightful character of these miniature dances.  What a wonderful choice with which to begin a recital - sort of like a terrific appetizer before the main course.

After the German Dances, Trpceski launched into the "Wanderer Fantasie", D. 760 by Franz Schubert.  This is a mammoth work - to say the least.  Mr. Trpceski played with the utmost virtuosity.  His dynamic contrasts and the colours he brought out were remarkable.  Moreover, the pyrotechnic display of technique was nothing short of marvellous.

After the intermission, Mr. Trpceski played Liszt's arrangement of a Bach Prelude and Fugue in a minor.  The performer brought out the chromaticism in this piece wonderfully. His attention the the bass line was superb.  Moreover, Mr. Trpceski played with fullness of sound and rhythmic vitality.

The next three selections on the program were from Liszt's Soirées de Vienne, Valses-Caprices d'après Schubert, S. 427.  Mr. Trpceski played these with great clarity in the melody.  Caprice no. 7 in A Major particularly had a crystalline bell-like quality.  Caprice no. 5 illustrated great refinement and Viennese character.  Caprice no. 6 was performed with complete technical command and Mr. Trpceski sensitively conveyed a sense of  nostalgia that is so often present in Schubert's music - a sentiment which Liszt wanted to communicate as well.

Mr. Trpceski (officially) finished his program with Liszt's widely-known and beloved Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 in c-sharp minor. What great fun!  This was a thrilling performance and even had slightly comic elements.  Again, Mr. Trpceski's utter technical powers were on display.

The audience was overjoyed with his performance and he obliged us with not one, not two, but THREE encores.  This spoke so strongly to his generosity as an artist.  We were so fortunate to hear Schubert's Moment Musical no. 3, Chopin's  Prelude op. 28, no. 24 in d minor, and Liszt's arrangement of Schubert's Standchen.  

This program was highly enjoyable because of it's originality in conception.  Moreover, Mr. Trpceski's ability to communicate with his audience is phenomenal. It was an exceptional evening of music and I am grateful to have been able to hear what Mr. Trpceski was communicating to us through this recital.  It is a truly special thing when an artist shares their heart with the audience. 

NHL Round 1 Predictions

Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows of the Vancouver Canucks!

All right, normally this is a blog dedicated to classical music, some jazz, and music education.  But the Stanley Cup playoffs have begun and I'm a HUGE hockey fan. (For example, if you look at my Blackberry, the Habs and Canucks games are blocked off as "busy.")

So instead of practising or score studying, I've been checking my hockey stats.  Here are my predictions!

My favourite goalie: Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens!

What do YOU predict?

Western Conference
Chicago vs Minnesota: Chicago in 5.
Detroit vs. Anaheim:   Anaheim in 6.
St. Louis vs. LA: who cares.  Ok fine, St. Louis in 7. 
Canucks vs. Sharks: Canucks in 6. 

Eastern Conference
Montréal vs. Ottawa: Montréal in 5. (Go Habs Go! Ole!)
Pittsburgh vs. NY Islanders: Pittsburgh in 3. Haha, just kidding. Pittsburgh in 4.
NY Rangers vs. Capitals: Capitals in 5.
Boston vs. Toronto: Both teams get abducted by aliens because NO ONE CARES.

(Fine, Toronto in 7 just to stir it up.)

Agree? Disagree?

A Wonderful Sunday for String Quartet Playing

I started playing violin 10 years ago and I soon realized that musicians did not have to play music alone! Imagine that.  I could collaborate with other musicians to create art.  As soon as I was able to, I joined an orchestra.  After that, I formed a string quartet with other members of the Edmonton Youth Orchestra.  Since beginning to play violin, it has been my absolute joy to discover the string quartet repertoire.  There is no higher art form than the string quartet.  It is such a refined form of communication.

This is the view from the rose garden at the UBC Chan Centre for Performing Arts - glorious!

This afternoon, I got to hear some very fine quartet playing indeed.  The Vancouver Recital Society brought in one of England's finest young quartets, the Doric Quartet.  From the onset of the concert, they were fabulous at connecting with the audience.  

The first selection that they played was Haydn's String Quartet in g minor, opus 20, no. 3.  This piece was played with such grace and poise.  The gentlemen of the Doric Quartet vividly capture the high classical style in which Haydn wrote this quartet.  The performance showed immense intellect.  The third movement (poco adagio) was played with great sensitivity.  The dynamic contrast that the group achieved was particularly noteworthy.

Looking at the Burrard Inlet from UBC - stunning.

After the wonderful Haydn performance, the quartet played a composition by Twentieth Century composer, Erich Korngold.  It was completely refreshing to hear them program this work - a piece of music not heard as often as it should be.  The third movement was particularly intimate and moving.  In the final movement, the quartet indeed played con fuoco!  Their energy was incredible and the performance of this piece was very convincing.  Bravo to the quartet for including it on their program and introducing the audience to this wonderful work.

Finally, the quartet played Schubert's epic (and I mean EPIC) Death and the Maiden quartet, in d minor. This was a truly hauntingly beautiful performance. The music breathed, in particular during the first and second movement.  Their musicality and understanding of the score was simply exceptional.  The members of the quartet worked together to convey a frightening sense of drama that was very compelling.  

The refinement that the group showed made for a fabulous afternoon of music!  We, at An Die Musik, wish them the very best in what is surely going to be a very bright career.

P.S. You should really buy their Schubert disc. It's available on iTunes!

Stile Antico "Raises the Roof" and Easter continues!

I have been listening to Stile Antico's recordings on Harmoni Mundi for a few years now and have been thoroughly impressed.  The sound that they create as a group is so refined. Needless to say, their April 12, 2013 concert was circled in red and marked important on my Blackberry.  Fortunately, their concert was at the stunning Chan Centre for Performing Arts (which happens to be Stile Antico's favourite venue in which to sing!)  It was with great anticipation that I put on my Hunter boots (fitting for a British vocal group, yes?) and had umbrella in hand. I headed off to UBC for what I expected would be a fabulous concert.

It was, in fact, more than that. Stile Antico raised the roof. No, literally - they actually used the mechanical roof function in the Chan Centre to achieve maximum acoustics. Alright, fine - they also figuratively raised the roof.  I have heard many excellent vocal groups perform, including the Tallis Scholars. Nonetheless, Stile Antico's self-directed approach brought an element of freshness to the performance.  They presented their Passion and Resurrection program, which is fitting since Western Christianity continues to celebrate Easter for the forty days following the day of Christ's actual resurrection. 

Stile Antico's performance was inspiring musically. Their diction was impecable. Every detail in the text and the musical lines was discernible. The group's singing was, in a word, effortless!  (N.B. The music that they sang is actually extremely difficult so making it appear effortless was a challenging feat indeed!)  As a musician, what I appreciated most about their performance was the subtlety of dynamics.  For a group of twelve people to create such seamless crescendos and diminuendos takes incredible skill.  It is so rare in this day and age to hear this glorious polyphonic music performed with such control and in such a fabulous concert space.  Stile Antico's dedication to early music and renaissance performance practice is something that I truly admire about this group. They were wonderfully friendly and took time to meet the concertgoers in the lobby afterward even though they'd been up for many hours due to traveling. Their commitment to sharing this music is evident and we, the Vancouver audience, are grateful for that commitment!

Not only did Stile Antico's performance inspire me musically, but it was profoundly inspiring spiritually.  The entire program was sacred music revolving around Holy Week and the Resurrection.  Not everyone in the audience was of the Christian faith but what Stile Antico managed to communicate through the music was the ineffable love of a creator.  The particular music that they sang happens to be communicating through the Christian paradigm.  Regardless of one's faith affiliations, Stile Antico's performance was transcendant and all who were there to hear were certainly brought into a realm that is not of our cacophonic, bustling, distracted world.

Although all audience members were greatly appreciative of this stunning performance, as a Christian, it had an extra layer of meaning for me.  The singers infused certain pieces in second half of the concert with such joy that one's heart was moved to rejoice!  Their word painting was so clear that I could picture scenes from the Gospel wherein the women arrive at a tomb expecting to mourn but are instead greeted with the greatest news ever told in all of history.

"I am the Resurrection and the Life, says the Lord, he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live with his Redeemer." - John 11:25

Commitment in music education

On Wednesday, I begin lessons with a new piano teacher at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music.  I am thrilled to start lessons with him.  He has decades of experience, extensive pedagogical knowledge, and tons of performance experience.

However, he has more than that.  He is compassionate and wants to connect with students in order to know them better and therefore tailor instruction to their needs.  

The evidence of this trait? He just spent an hour with me on the phone just doing a pre-lesson interview. I haven't (yet) paid a cent.  Still, he showed dedication to a new student by taking the time to discern my motivation for playing piano.  He has also mentioned numerous times that he is looking forward to teaching me.

How nice it will be to be under the instruction of someone who I know is truly interested in teaching me. Often, many musicians are teaching in order to survive financially.  This is completely understandable and to be expected. After all, meeting one's needs as a performer is next to impossible in this day and age.  Nonetheless, even if a music teacher would rather be performing, this attitude should not be displayed to the student.    If a teacher isn't finding joy in teaching music, it will be more difficult for the student to find joy in music.