June 2, 2005 at 5:59 AM

So my recital went well. I got lots of positive feedback on the Beethoven, and the second movement in particular, and when I went through the performance mentally today in retrospect, there were a lot of great things. There was even a part of the third movement cadenza where I surprised myself, and that's always a good thing when that happens. I'll be happy to hear the recording and to have some more objective confirmation; things are always a little distorted when you're actually in the experience of being onstage in the performance. Some silly things happened in the Brahms; my instrument literally slipped a couple times, but nothing major, and there, too, were moments where I felt as involved and engaged as I could possibly be, especially at the very end of the piece--such a bittersweet goodbye. I put the concerto first on the program so as not to tire out, and it certainly served the Beethoven well to be so fresh and creative, but not surprisingly, it just made me tired for the Brahms instead. And my stomach started growling--hopefully my playing was captivating enough that no one noticed! And hopefully that won't show up on the recording...

I started reading Shostakovich and working on the first movement. In a way it is a relief, after the Beethoven! I'm excited about the piece after watching a friend in my studio work on it the whole year, and feel I have a lot to bring to it. I emailed Mr. Preucil about rep for the upcoming year and he suggests Debussy and Beethoven "Kreutzer" Sonatas for a recital, as well as some kind of showpiece since I'm a little lacking in that area--a Ysaye sonata or some Sarasate or something like that.

I'm pretty tired tonight as I attended two friends' recitals back to back; it is recital season, after all. My pianist friend played an absolutely gorgeous Chopin Second Concerto, along with a very demanding rest of the program (Beethoven Sonata Op. 110, pieces by Liszt and Messian, a Bach Prelude and Fugue). I do believe in general that people play like their personalities, and her sweetness and utter sincerity, as well as an amazing musical depth and maturity, really shone through.

It's a bit hard to believe I'm leaving for Canada in just a week, and saying goodbye to my friends here so soon. There's a sight-reading party being planned for this weekend, so that should be a lot of fun. I have one music history final take-home essay exam to do, but other than that I should be able to get into Shostakovich.

Now that my recital's over, I plan to wear sweatpants for the rest of the year. Also, I just took out the little buns in my hair; that feels good!

June 2, 2005 at 5:59 AM

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