The first day I arrived back at Orford, I was practicing the second movement of this sonata late in the evening, exhausted by all the challenges that have been overwhelming me these past few weeks, and suddenly I began to feel myself tearing up ... which happens often when I’m working on in incredible music like this. But this time, as I went on repeating that section where the main theme returns, I just allowed the raw emotions to take over, and soon I was crying uncontrollably. It felt almost indulgent, to just let myself weep like that as I kept playing. At a certain point, my fingers came to a standstill, but I still couldn’t stop the tears, so I just sat there in the silence, sobbing until I drained out all those emotions.
Read MoreIt’s not about being perfect. It’s that we are real, sincere, spontaneous. Take risks and commit to our beliefs, take confidence in our ideas and embrace our strengths and limitations. Find joy and excitement in the unknown, unexpected, unpredictable.
Read MoreThis recording is from a live performance at Leipzig's Mendelssohn Academy in the summer of 2014. A piece very special to me. I first heard the NEC Symphony play this suite during my freshman year, and I fell in love with it right away. I learned the solo piano version and have since then, throughout my undergrad years, grown with the music through many, many experiences (both musically and personally).
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