Fever

May 9, 2011 at 8:12 AM

Really, not a whole lot went on since I last wrote, which may explain why I couldn't come up with anything. The Mahler concert in April was a giant success; his symphony won my heart over with its epic nature. The sold-out audience erupted in a standing ovation that lasted for maybe five encores, and I felt so privileged and honored to be a part of such a huge event. --Yet, I arrived home feeling just as dead as before, settling into my teaching routine, neglecting my own practice time indifferently.

Now that my students are growing into concertos, I'm spending more time learning accompaniments on the piano than anything else. It's been nice, though, returning to the piano. I love how easy it is to get the notes in tune, and the polyphonic textures are enjoyable to my ears. They feel less lonely to me somehow, as I sit late at night in the darkness of my studio, the treble clef clef notes running along with the bass clef notes, there beneath the little music lamp.

Admittedly, my main personal focus has shifted toward summer already; I've been picking it up at the gym for upcoming mountain races with a steady diet of intervals, hills, lactate threshold workouts, long slow distances... The weather's been improving gradually, along with the increase of daylight. This week, the sun sets at 10:00 pm. Next week, 10:30. Green grass now tints the edges of the gravel road next to my house. And the ice went out on the lake today.

On a sunshine day, Ben and I took our first venture back to the mountains and headed up Skyline, just up to snow-line and back. Every year when I finally get to see her, I feel like I'm awaking from a deep slumber: I was dead, and now I'm alive. I touch the rocks and soil, inhaling the scent of rising sap. I can almost watch the fiddleheads grow while I make my way up the mountain and back down again. This first hike has always been my salvation from winter's grip. Without it, well, I don't know about spring.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:10 PM

It's wonderful to hear that the Mahler went so well and was so rewarding for you. Great pics, especially of you and Ben. Winter up there must be difficult. Some people down here suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter, and what you felt sounds a bit like that. The cure is usually lots of bright lights. I imagine that for even those who would not be as susceptible here might suffer from it up there during the long, dark winter.

Anyhow, I hope all is better soon.

From Andre A
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:54 PM

Fever if you live and learn

Fever till you sizzle

What a lovely way to burn.

Thanks Peggy.

Very interesting blog for someone like me who has never seen snow close up.

Great photos Emily, especially of you and Ben.

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