San Francisco

Concert Series at the Presidio, San Francisco Debut


Debussy:
l'Isle joyeuse
Reflets dans l'eau

Poulenc:
Napoli Suite
Barcarolle
Nocturne
Italian Caprice (intermission)

Ravel: Ondine
Chopin: Nocturne Op. 27.2
Prokofiev: Sonata #1

The clapping was enthusiastic at the end of the Prokofiev both nights, and many were standing. On Friday night, an older gentleman in the audience ran up to present me with a handful of beautiful wildflowers! So, I gave an encore:

Marciack
Île St. Louis from Impressions de Paris

This was the last piece that I studied with Monsieur Marciack in Paris. He composed two books of "Impressions de Paris" for his students to play. He cried at one of the last performances I gave while studying with him, and I wondered, 'why would someone cry to music?' Although I studied another one or two of his works with Christina Van Dohm in Antwerp, I put the books away when I moved to Wisconsin. For some reason, I packed them with me when I went off to College (not sure what I was thinking) and found them again when I was living with my Grandmother during the Spring term.

I looked through the pieces, and was reminded of many early musical memories associated with Monsieur Marciack, his handwriting, his music, his mannerisms, his laugh, his love for me... and then I played through the Île St Louis. I started to cry at the end of the first line and cried during the whole piece. It reminded me of everything that was Paris, everything that I learned musically there, every pain I had felt leaving, and every pain I had felt there. I was reminded of how many 'weird' things I did that were simply cross-culture conflicts and how much I loved Paris, Music, Monsieur Marciack, and how blessed I was to have all of those things.

After each performance, the audience greeted and congratulated me in the foyer and to my surprise, I noted accents (especially European) from the majority of the audience members. They thought that Marian Marciack might have been a famous French folk song, Schumann, a Song without Words, MacDowell or Gottschalk... he would be flattered. Others told me they felt it was my prayer. It was.

Liz Olson, my best friend from High School surprised me by attending both concerts and took me out to see her favorite spots in San Francisco, favorite roads, favorite ice cream place, and favorite real San Fransiscan restaurant. She and many other audience members asked when I would be coming back? soon in any case. If this was a 'debut,' that simply means 'beginning' (it's french, of course). So I will return. with friends. and perhaps more musical instruments. ;) see you then.

novelties of PA

The last time that I lived at home was 2+ years ago.  Even then, it was only for 3 months.  So I am being reintroduced to California--that is Palo Alto, CA.  It is quite an experience.  There are currently 10 people living here.  I sleep in the attic (my head will probably soon have a few permanent dents from the slanting ceilings).   Since the ten of us go to different places each day, we each try to ride bicycles.  We have many shapes and sizes for all--my lot is a racing bike.  at least it's a woman's.  My saddle sores are finally gone and I do enjoy zipping along the roads and not counting to 3 at stop signs.  I don't cook my own meals.  Breakfast (Oats/flax MWF, Eggs TTh, Pancakes S) is supposed to be served when the first member of the household leaves and dinner regularly includes a few guests, fresh bread, and homemade dishes with produce from our garden or the local organic posh stores. of course fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables and reversed osmosis water are available all day.  And I nanny all day.  

I'm set on thinking that my perspective and mindset as a child must have been opposite than that of my little Californian siblings :). Everything in CA seems to be a fad.  But it is wonderful, the climate is only too perfect to walk / bike ride every day and grow a fabulous garden year round.  Or maybe it's just that I am now come to a stress-free and academic-free, even music lesson-free environment in disbelief.  maybe I've just been in studying for too many years.  freedom.  maybe that's all that's a novelty to me.