http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html SCOTT WATKINS: Blog Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:04:37 -0700 http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/missing_a_friend_
She was a beautiful cream-colored flame point cat who shared her life with my wife and me for six short months after being rescued from my brother's "care."

We've learned a lot about the bravery of a small cat, the will to live, and that nine lives are never enough.

A picture of our beloved Beege is added to the gallery. Thanks for taking a look, and for thinking for a moment of her - and your loved animal friends.]]> http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/missing_a_friend_ Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:04:37 -0700 Official Website - SCOTT WATKINS - Blog http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/20112012_concert_season_about_to_open
There's a series of performances coming up in April of 2012 I am looking forward to. The music is by Beethoven. First, January 22, I'm joined by baritone Kryztof Biernacki for a performance of "An die ferne Geliebte," then violinist Marguerite Richardson and cellist Shannon Lockwood and I perform the "Ghost" trio. Margerite and I will conclude our concert with the Violin Sonata in C minor.

Later, in April (on the 13th), I join the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and conductor Michael Butterman for performances of the Third Piano Concerto.

A week later, April 20, I'll present a recital of four popular sonatas (can you guess which ones?) Pathetique, Tempest, Moonlight, Waldstein.

Finally, the whole project concludes with a release party in September of 2012 of my newest CD, a two-disc set of Beethoven sonatas (including those four popular ones mentioned above plus Opp. 101 and 109).

None of this can happen without planning.

Looking forward to seeing you at a concert soon!

- Scott]]> http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/20112012_concert_season_about_to_open Sat, 09 Jul 2011 18:10:52 -0700 Official Website - SCOTT WATKINS - Blog http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/happy_new_year
Preparing for upcoming performances and revisiting old musical friends (Liszt Second Concerto, Schumann Symphonic Etudes, other solo works by Liszt). Thrilling!

Performances with The Florida Orchestra Wednesday and Thursday, preparing JSO/Opera production of Donizetti's "Elixir of Love" in late January with performance early February.

Have thoroughly enjoyed college football bowl games this season - but now time to get back to "reality."

Hoping your life and work in 2011 is productive and good.

All the best!


SW]]> http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/happy_new_year Sat, 01 Jan 2011 07:26:29 -0800 Official Website - SCOTT WATKINS - Blog http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/enough_of_the_hoops
Enough!

... if only it was that easy. hahaaha... NOTHING is ever as easy as it should be.

Shell games are easy when compared to the hoops one jumps through just to maintain the "status quo."

My Mom, who has, admittedly, had a very hard life, and is understandaby bitter and disillusioned and cynical likes to say: "shit in one hand and wish in the other - then look to see which hand is full." Bitter reality. Her message? easy: You can't count on a wish. Thanks, Mom.

You also can't count on hard work to get you anywhere - or anything. "No good deed goes unpunished." That's not just a cynical saying - it's actually true - and I've experienced it.

It's just the way things are.]]> http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/enough_of_the_hoops Thu, 20 May 2010 21:33:20 -0700 Official Website - SCOTT WATKINS - Blog http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/young_talent
First, the level of playing by the young artists was astounding. Enviable fearlessness of youth!

... and then I met Maria Gomez. Oh, if you live in the Miami area you might recognize the name. It's a name I will never forget. I had to struggle to fight back tears as I told her how profoundly impressed I was with her student's performance of the first movement of Chopin's E minor Piano Concerto. ... her FOURTEEN YEAR OLD STUDENT'S performance. This young artist, a kid!, played with a sensitivity, a maturity, a command that most people who profess to have these qualities in spades can only dream of.

And best of all, Ms. Gomez is an unassuming, soft-spoken, kind and gentle teacher. I enjoyed watching her listen to her student - flying with each phrase, shaking her head at those powerful moments of triumphant music-making. Maria Gomez is the teacher any parent would be happy to have join the family!

But the real shock was that this young artist didn't win first place in her division. I've judged many times and I know how difficult decision-making can be, and I won't dare second-guess the outstanding judges in today's event.

Perhaps it's just the nature of the music. Chopin's music is like watching an eagle soar (and soar it did in the more-than-capable, well-trained hands of a 14-year-old) - but sometimes (I guess) soaring isn't enough. Sometimes (I guess) there is the need to watch the beautiful eagle feed. It's an ugly, unbecoming sight for so dignified a creature. Ripping flesh, tearing tissue, flinging blood. This is sort of what happened today (in my opinion). Once again, the banging, slamming, hacking, ricochet defeated (as it almost always does) the pure and simple act of lyricism. Watching the eagle feed was (I guess) more impressive than just acknowledging that it is that majestic proud bird.

I refuse, as a listener, to let my disappointment dampen my spirits for today, I met Maria Gomez. She reaffirmed my solemn belief that being a pianist is a noble art, and, by her teaching, as demonstrated in her student, she honors that noble art.

Bravo, Ms. Gomez. May I call you for a piano lesson, please?]]> http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/young_talent Sat, 15 May 2010 19:24:37 -0700 Official Website - SCOTT WATKINS - Blog http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/thinking_of_a_dear_friend_tonight
High ground is reserved for but a few.

Perhaps James D. Miles said it best: "You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him."]]> http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/thinking_of_a_dear_friend_tonight Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:45:46 -0700 Official Website - SCOTT WATKINS - Blog http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/a_new_day_ http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/a_new_day_ Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:41:10 -0700 Official Website - SCOTT WATKINS - Blog http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/amazing_things_ http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/amazing_things_ Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:29:43 -0700 Official Website - SCOTT WATKINS - Blog http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/playing_chopins_waltzes_in_the_order_dinu_lipatti_attempted_at_his_last_recital_in_1950 http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html/playing_chopins_waltzes_in_the_order_dinu_lipatti_attempted_at_his_last_recital_in_1950 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:03:05 -0800 Official Website - SCOTT WATKINS - Blog