Autumn Reflections

And that’s a wrap…!

It’s been a non-stop rollercoaster ride since summer - Orford 3 times, PianoFest in the Hamptons, visiting Ottawa and Calgary, big solo recital and 2 chamber concerts, juggling 3-4 piano trios at once, recording sessions into the small hours of the morning, non-stop grant writing … it’s been pretty intense, to say the least. And amazing. Amazingly rewarding work and growth :’)

I can’t believe September has come and gone we’re now into the most nostalgic and sentimental season, my favorite season - of changing colors and falling leaves, the crisp air and putting on hoodies and cuddling up with hot drinks and looking forward to thanksgiving and pumpkin pies and the holiday season~

It’s interesting how the exhaustion kicks in after periods of high emotion, and you feel a bit numb, a little detached or down. Because we gave so much of ourselves, put so much heart and passion into our art, it’s an extremely draining and demanding experience. Perhaps much like being in and out of love …

Ah, it’s the season of sentimentality and reflections …

I had several instances already where I let myself down the dangerous path of nostalgia, indulging in that memory lane and tearing up a bit just pondering the usual paradoxes of life and feelings and philosophy … 😂

On that sweet and sour hot apple-cider-y note, I think this third movement of Chopin’s third Sonata is an appropriate musical pairing. There’s something deeply emotional and philosophical in this movement. A dark, dramatic, grave opening decent gives way to a sublime melody in B major, creating a large, broad feeling of wisdom. The chorale-like second theme sets a suspended, spiritual atmosphere, interjected by improvisatory phrases as if pondering over some grand philosophical question. The internal dialogue, the seriousness and elegance and intimacy and expansiveness, all the emotions and colors that can be discovered throughout this journey … truly makes for one of the most powerful pieces of music I’ve performed.

Please grab a fluffy blanket and enjoy 😌🧡