The magic of imperfection - And why you need to let go of perfectionism
During my studies at the G. Verdi Conservatory, in Milan, I heard Yehudi Menuhin live in ‘La Scala’. He played the Beethoven concerto and well… it wasn’t perfect. Actually not even near perfect. The opening octaves were spectacularly out of tune and so was a lot of the rest.
Still that concert stuck in my memory as one of the musical highlights of my life. And certainly not because of those imperfections.
What made that concert one of the experiences of my life, was the magic Menuhin created in the beautiful phrase at the end of the first movement, just after the cadenza.
So out of this world, so stunning… so full of grace and beauty that I not only remember it vividly still, but every time I remember it I get goose bumps.
Many years later. And believe you me when I say m a n y ;-)
ONE phrase made my experience more than worth it.
Needless to say, as soon as I had the chance, I went to have lessons from him. It struck me that he still had young, sparkly eyes at his advanced age. That totally lit up when listening to and talking about music…‘jolly good’ he kept saying, with his smiley eyes.
Why is it then that we give so much importance to perfection?
Spoiler alert: the answer might not be what you are thinking … [read more]
Tiziana Pintus
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www.tizianapintus.com
Tiziana Pintus is a violinist and performance coach. She helps musicians overcome stress so they can excel at concerts, auditions and competitions. Tiziana is an active and versatile chamber musician who encourages audiences to feel as much a part of the concerts as the performers: only then can magic really happen.
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January 14, 2016 at 07:32 PM · Thank you for sharing the story and your thoughts on the experience with Menuhin and what it taught you. A great musician brings more to the music than technical perfection, and that's how you can tell when you have heard one. You are moved in a way that is unforgettable, regardless of whether or not the playing was technically flawless. It is a very important lesson to learn.