The Blessings and Beauty of Technology

Many young people today are so immersed in high-end media technology that they don't have the appreciative perspective of those of us born as recently as just a generation ago. I have been astonished by the advancements in audio and visual digital transmission we now take for granted but that actually evolved only in the very recent past.

A couple weeks ago, I visited my son, who impressed me with his high-end Samsung 55" big screen television, which was further enhanced by his multi-speaker sound system. Only a couple years ago, this size television was not even produced, much less affordable. The rapid pace of technology has afforded families the option of watching movies in their home in a more theatre-like environment and with incomparable quality. I know I had never experienced a picture like the one I viewed on my son's TV. The picture was so real that I felt as if I could almost reach out and touch the people on the screen. And, tonight, I watched my first digital broadcast concert by the Berlin Philharmonic through their website, Digital Concert Hall. It seems that it wasn't all that long ago that transistor radios, cassette recorders, then, walkman devices were the order of the day. As my husband and I enjoyed viewing the magnificent concert on my 17" Apple desktop monitor, we marveled at the clarity of the recording. It was virtually flawless and afforded us such a uniquely convenient experience.

The very fact that the concert came to us is still a bit of a revelation. Due to the fine camera work in the recording process, our seat in the "house" as it were, was better than any we could have had in the concert hall itself. We got close-ups of the musicians and the conductor that would beat any pair of high-powered binoculars out there. We didn't have to get in our car, deal with traffic, use up gasoline, pay a valet, hope that our seat was a good one, frustrate over rude attendees, wait until intermission to race to the restroom and hope that the line isn't too long, and reverse the process coming home. If I felt the need for a break, stretch or snack, I simply hit the pause icon and took care of my needs. You can't do that at a live concert! Yes, it is indeed a glorious convenience and one that is quite affordable. With concert tickets becoming more and more expensive, the Digital Concert Hall pays for itself in 2 viewings. The site has three levels of subscription but the one that makes the most sense for any serious music lover is the 12-month plan, costing €139 which works out to about $200. At this price, I may view 30 live performances and unlimited archived concerts and interviews for one year. Tonight my husband and I watched an outstanding performance of Beethoven's Choral Fantasy (played by Maurizio Pollini and Mendelssohn's 2nd Symphony conducted by Claudio Abbado. Maestro Abbado retired from conducting in 2002, so it all the more special that these recordings are available for audiences to enjoy his skilled directing capabilities.

Yes, we live in amazing times and the ability to acknowledge this is a blessing indeed. As I began this entry, I said that the young people of today take the current technologies for granted, but they too, will experience developments in the future that will take their breath away, I imagine. None of us can envision what those future inventions and improvements will be, but I'm grateful that there are probing, talented and curious minds working on the next great innovations. The future will be here before we blink!

My First Year Back at the Piano

As I look back on my past entries on my site, it has been just over a year since I began documenting my thoughts and passions. Where does the time go? I am re-reading my entries with great fondness and they bring me joy now, just as they did when I wrote them. I also noticed that it will be exactly one year (on August 20th) from the date that I resumed my piano studies. I can't deny that having seen the fascinating DVD on the Steinway factory, and the production process of its magnificent pianos, probably had something to do with my decision. Thank goodness for that glorious catalyst.

The past year has truly been an amazing journey for me - not only in the development of my piano skills but also in the lessons it has taught me about myself as I go through the rigors of developing my keyboard technique and "finding my voice" as it were on the instrument I love so much. When I set out a year ago to pick up where I left off so many years ago, I had visions and expectations that were probably highly unrealistic. One should never give up their goals but I learned that my sense of ambition had to be tempered somewhat while I solidified my foundations at the piano. It was not easy to put a lid on my aspirations, albeit temporarily, but I realized that if I continued to mentally pound away at myself as I was, I'd burn out very quickly and lose all I'd worked for. Of course, this realization didn't come in a timely fashion - it's only been in the last month that I've gotten ahold of my emotions and learned to calm down and ease up on myself at the piano. On several occasions, my piano books were flung on the floor and many tears of disappointment were shed. I wanted so badly to regain my technical bearings and I now understand that I pushed myself too hard when I should have been enjoying the experience.

I am lucky to be studying with a supportive and encouraging teacher, Tsoliné Hajian, who has shown me patience throughout. This road of discovery has been one of emerging self-awareness. It is not easy making these critical assessments of oneself, coming to grips with your shortcomings and limitations. We all have dreams and goals but a skill such as this takes time to develop and ripen. There are so many aspects of which I am continuing to gain control - from finger dexterity & strength to my frame of mind (controlling my emotions, state of relaxation and concentration). I think I have finally begun to accept how very intricate playing the piano is. It is not simply hitting the right notes, but a far more complex task than that. In the past month I've worked hard to stay relaxed and to truly enjoy my practice sessions, always being conscious to pace myself. Sitting down and practicing has never been a chore for me. Oddly enough though, the real challenge is being aware of when to get up, walk away and take a break. It has been a real eye-opener for me in so many respects. But I am enjoying my playing much more now that I am taking it one note at a time, one day at a time.