I was asked for a few thoughts on…being a musician, performing, listening, appreciating, practising, etc.

We’re All The Same

First of all, performance nerves are experienced by us all, even the greats whose anxiety is intensified by having a reputation to maintain. I well remember an incident when the wonderful Vlado Perlemuter was giving a piano recital in the Royal Festival Hall. Not the best of venues for a solo recital but never mind.

He walked on to the stage, played a few bars of Chopin, stopped, shrugged, and walked off. The same thing happened again. We, the audience, sat there with our hearts in our mouths. Then, after a pause of about 10 minutes, he suddenly STRODE onto the stage, sat purposefully down and played like an angel. We were all the more in awe of his wonderful performance because he had made us aware that he was a human being, with doubts and anxieties just like the rest of us.

Finding Your Place with Holiday Music

As far as Holiday Music is concerned, which I so thoroughly enjoy tutoring for (not to mention the social aspect!) I think the final concert, or concerts, are a vital and necessary climax to the course. Those who feel up to it can perform solo, and I admire them, otherwise part of a duo, trio or larger ensemble is a very worthwhile contribution.

I myself have never relished solo piano performance, which is one of the reasons I have concentrated on accompanying and chamber music in my career, and have often been so inspired by my fellow musicians.

A Little Practise

Lastly, the most useful piece of advice on practising I have ever read, a quote from a great writer, I’ve forgotten who, “…a small daily task, IF IT BE REALLY DAILY, will beat the labours of Hercules!”

– Cathy Dubois