If you are here for the first time, you may want to skim through Tell your soundtrack story: Part I before reading further.
Important music during my 20's seems to largely represent the culmination of childhood dreams, prior to pursuing different dreams. I've tried to capture this experience in a children's book which Mallika Sundaramurthy has illustrated; I will share the book with you at a later date.
Clip 1: I am playing Lizst's, Concert Etude in D-flat Major, "Un sospiro" as part of my senior piano recital (for my posterity -- entire program is below). This recital was a significant milestone: it allowed me to be the hero of my story, rethink my competence, and tell an audio story for my posterity. It was also a stepping stone, as I symbolically closed the chapter on a childhood dream, prior to starting my career chapter in New York. I owe a debt to Dr. Paul Pollei for pushing me and preparing me to pull this off -- a huge debt. A reminder of the importance of our mentoring others.
Clip 2: I am playing the piano, but this time as part of Brigham Young University's big band Synthesis performing at the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival. Even a short listen will reveal I don't have the same confidence playing jazz as I do classical. But in some ways, I am even more proud of this recording because it signalled a departure from reading music to improvising, providing me with another opportunity to rethink my competence.
Two more lessons learned as it relates to 'dare to dream'.
Saying our dream out loud -- As a freshman classical piano student, when I heard Synthesis perform which included Sam Cardon and Kurt Bestor, I later made the pronoucement in front of a large group of women at my church (the Relief Society) that I was going to play in Synthesis. Given my skills at the time, the pronouncement was pretty laughable. What dream do you need to utter out loud?
Mentors were key to achieving this dream -- Without my piano teacher, Steve Erickson, who now plays with the U.S. Air Force, and the encouragement of Jeff Campbell, an amazing musican who now teaches at the Eastman School of Music, who was gracious enough to never remind me just what an amateur I was.
Clip 3: Nancy Wilson with Cannonball Adderley performing The Old Country. This was the kind of music I aspired to play, and still love to listen to. You can buy here. And listen below.
Clip 4: I've written extensively about my Wall Street story, but I haven't spoken much of my spiritual/personal life during that decade. Eternal Day was set to music by D. Fletcher, performed by D. Fletcher on piano, Alison Eldredge on cello, and Ariel Bybee, vocals. When you hear it, perhaps you'll understand how church every Sunday was always complete with D. Fletcher at the organ with nary a word spoken. . For more on spiritual journeys, you may want to read Neylan McBaine's article, Seeds of faith in city soil.
Do you have spiritual or secular stories that need to be told? And better yet, stories that marry the two?
Related posts:
Tell your soundtrack story: Part II
Tell your soundtrack story: Part III
Boston Globe Op-Ed: Romney, Mormons and Me
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That is seriously cool. You are amazing!
Posted by: Lisle | February 14, 2008 at 10:25 PM
This is great! I need to work on my own Soundtrack Story. Thanks for giving me the great idea! :)
Posted by: Positively Present | July 22, 2009 at 08:53 AM