WMV Music Web Log

From Michael Strand:

"I was happy to hear you like the Hammerklavier sonata of Beethoven. I hope you find this story interesting: Back in the 70's when my first two daughters were little tykes, I checked out a copy of this work from the Arlington library because I had never heard it. One of the things I enjoyed doing with the girls was to read them stories, often accompanyied by music. I made up a story to accompany the Hammerklavier. The story was about gargoyles, a subject of great interest to Stef and Jen because of picture books and visits to the National Cathedral. Anything to get my kids to listen to Beethoven! For example, the first movement describes how gargoyles liked to fly, chase each other, dive, take risks, scare people, etc. Second movement has some beautiful splashing and flowing sounds that evoke playing in a stream in the woods (e.g. Rock Creek), so there is a near-drowning scene due to the neglect of a teenage gargoyle charged with babysitting a very young gargoyle. The great slow movement has to do with regret, repentance, apology. At the request of my daughter Steffany on the birth of her daughter Sara, I wrote this story of gargoyles down, going a little further by making a book of it (illustrated by my youngest, Alison) so Steffany can read it to Sara some day. I also supplied her with a CD recording of the sonata for the background. Bottom line, I would love to hear you play the "Gargoyle Song Story" (Hammerklavier Sonata) someday. Continuing warm wishes for your upcoming concerts, success of WMV, and always for your enjoyment of music listening, playing, and performing."

This might be just the kick in the pants that I need to sit down with Op. 106 and figure out how to perform it. You know how some of those big dreams just sit there stuck in the back of your mind for years, "right, I'll never get to do that" - not really because they are so hugely difficult, but just because they are so hugely meaningful.