Another Practice Session

I am feeling much better with my practice sessions. Today was some warmups with Technique, i.e. scales and relaxation. Today’s session consisted of Bach’s English Suite in A Minor, some sections of Joaquin Turina’s Cinq Danses Gitanes. (I have a Spanish recital coming up) and the Haydn E flat Makor Sonata Hob, XVI: 49. This Sonata is at a place where it is ready to perform. It was a joy to come back to it. As far as the Beethoven is concerned, I spent quite a bit of time on the 1st Sonata in f-minor, the 9th Sonata in E- Major. Both are at performance level. I worked on shaping phrases and relaxation techniques. I spent quite a bit of time learning the 5th Sonata in C Minor, Preparing the 10th Sonata in G major for performance and then a quick run of the hardest sonata of all 32, the 29th(Hammerklavier)…..arggh! I know it is doable with ALOT of time and practice. Hey, I have a few years to undertake this. I find myself wanting to immerse myself into the music and life of Beethoven more and more. Every time I sit and practice, I begin to find more definable qualities in Beethoven’s music. What I mean by that is that, he has certain Chord progression and Enharmonic changes. From early on in Beethoven’s music, I hear a constant theme of overcoming adversity and yet in the sharp edges of some of his music comes some incredibly humorous and joyful qualities.

Music can always embody the journey of the human spirit and experience. But Beethoven, his music is deeply philosophical in nature. How do I explain that? I dont know, its just something that I deeply feel as I delve into his music. Tonight, I am going to listen to his Violin Romances as I get ready for bed. I love the Menuhin with Furtwangler. I also have the David Oistrahk. Such beautiful works!