In the world of music conservatories, in the classical music community, exceptional musical talent is usually considered to be the ability to quickly recognize pitches by ear, the possession of reliable musical memory, and the athleticism and dexterity to navigate complex patterns on an instrument. We have not considered imagination, or artistic idea-making. Perhaps these are difficult to recognize? Perhaps it's assumed that with fine skills will … [Read more...]
Casualties
What leads to professional success as a musician? Talent matters. The ability to hear and feel and think. Digital dexterity. Work. Perhaps luck, or chance, or random events play their parts in many careers. And there are other elements of "talent." Some artists interest us. The sounds they make compel. We want them around, we want them to be part of our life. There are so many young musicians of real ability and achievement who do not make … [Read more...]
Rise
"You were teaching that pianist like she was a college student" -- the complaint of an observer of one of the masterclasses I gave in Jerusalem. In my defense, the student pianist was 18 (I learned later), and playing one of Beethoven's Opus 10 Sonatas. It seems to make sense that we have differing expectations of musicians -- according to their stage of development. More experienced players may have more musical or instrumental command, or more … [Read more...]
Iowa was the name of the Star
I'm from Iowa. Born there. Grew up there. Studied music there. I wasn't a prodigy. I took lessons from the lady down the street. (Her name was Joy Lord.) In high school, I played concertos with several Iowa orchestras. In a big city, I wouldn't have had the opportunity. I wasn't playing all of Chopin's etudes. Nothing like that. Being there gave me a chance, to dream bigger than I was. What is musical talent? It is an ability to hear and … [Read more...]