In the Presence
Play always as if
in the presence of a master or mistress.
So said Schumann.
Reflecting on this, said Isserlis,
we would not then drift off and dream as we played
or check email and other things.
So my advice? Forget the concern that you express.
Do your best to compose or paint or dance,
ink your thoughts or touch the keys,
start with the song within your mind
or upon the score,
don’t stop to spend one second more
on war and famine
and death in store
for all of us.
Play now as if in the presence
of your god or goddess, maestro or maestra,
no more, but certainly, no less!
_______
*Inspired by Steven Isserlis in Robert Schumann’s
Advice to Young Musicians Revisited by Steven Isserlis.
Isserlis is a renowned concert cellist and author.
Ann Grogan is a late-life pianophile, newbie poet, and retired attorney. Her work promotes the unequivocal permission to pursue one’s passions at any age, including her beloved music. With humor and thoughtfulness she often reflects on her struggles to relearn to play the piano, and support for the suppressed voices and experiences of women. When not practicing her piano or writing poetry and her blog, she volunteers at Planned Parenthood or engages in community activism. She is the author of two volumes of poetry, Poetical Musings on Pianos, Music & Life, and resides in San Francisco, California.
Amethyst Review 