http://scottwatkinspianist.com/blog.html SCOTT WATKINS: Blog Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Thu, 20 May 2010 21:33:20 -0700 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