Ken Davenport, my first orchestra teacher, probably saved my life. He gave me real music to play and took me seriously as a musician, so I started to believe in myself. I could write a book about all the difference that made in my life. Instead, I offer this witty performance of “The Elephant” from St. Seans’ Carnival of the Animals, the first piece I played as a 13-year-old accompanist for a soloist (in my case, the soloist was Mr. Davenport himself, a fine double-bass player). “The Elephant” has been immortalized in family lore as the piece I hummed for HOURS on a plane trip to keep my antsy baby daughter subdued. It worked.
I liked the role of accompanist (I still do). My first gig with a REAL opera singer was with a soprano in this Handel aria. I learned a lot about ensemble playing–and about following a soprano through forests of arpeggios. I have to confess it didn’t irk me as much then as it does now. I guess I’ve had to follow one too many sopranos. At any rate, I’ve probably accompanied vocalists, especially opera singers, more than any other category of musician in my life. I’m always thrilled with the voice and truly admire people who sing. And I’m a sucker for the opera repertoire, corny as it may be.
“The Sting” came out while I was in high school and I performed “The Entertainer” for a pops concert. Learning ragtime was fun. It’s loose and happy and quite technically challenging. I also played piano and violin in pit orchestras for “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Hello, Dolly,” and “Bells Are Ringing.” I went to a huge suburban high school with a fine music program and will be forever grateful for these experiences. My biggest musical moment as a teenager, though, had to be the final concert of my high school career when I played the Beethoven Piano Concerto #3 with full orchestra.
This performance by Emil Gilels (be patient–the solo part doesn’t appear until about 3:25 into the video) is exactly like the one in my head. This is a muscular piece I’m sure I couldn’t play at this point in my life. I’m glad I did it when I was young and healthy. It is also the only big piece I’ve ever done as a soloist.
Other big pieces: massive choral works, tough chamber music, complicated oratorios…were yet to come.
Stay tuned!
