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Silent, The Bach Suite
Two Years Earlier, Gavin
Philippa's turn to perform came after the coffee break. She played an entire Bach Suite from memory. Personally, I thought she looked stunning on stage, but I wasn't sure about her choice of repertoire. It didn't seem that interesting and Bach isn't the best composer to play in a major piano event.
She received mixed feedback, like I had. On one hand, Agnes said, she played competently with a developed technique; on the other hand, the Suite lacked originality, or any emotion at all, and this came across in the performance.
'You can't say things like that,' Philippa retorted. 'No way.'
Stunned silence fell across the auditorium and I heard a gasp from a member of the audience. I had to resist the urge to turn round.
'It's so unfair,' Philippa declared, brushing her hair away from her face. 'I've spent ages practising the Bach. This is so outrageous. 'I'm going to complain.
Complain!' More brushing her hair away from her face. 'No,' Philippa continued. 'This is wrong, so wrong. You're picking on me.'
'Am I?' Agnes said.
'This is psychological abuse. I'm complaining.'
'Shocking,' someone in the audience muttered.
Dawn the student mentor, watched the drama on stage, arms folded. I studied my knuckles. Several other students fidgeted.
'I don't pick on people, Philippa. I try to help them. What are you so upset about?'
'I'm upset at the way you keep criticising my performance. It's just so unfair.'
'I said you have an excellent technique. That's a compliment, not a criticism.'
"You said the performance didn't work for you, emotionally or spiritually. And earlier, you said the individual movements were boring. They're not.'
'I didn't use that word, Philippa. What I said was, the your performance of the Suite lacks originality as it currently stands and you should perhaps consider Romantic or Impressionist repertoire, which I feel would allow you greater use of your imagination and technical abilities. Bach is extremely meticulous, and young people seldom play it well. That is constructive criticism, not negative. In fact, I would probably make the same remarks to all the young pianists in this room.'
'Yes, but I've spent hours practising the Bach. Hours.'
'Listen, were wasting time here. If you have a problem with my teaching method or you don't wish to accept my advice, then you'd better arrange to study with Brendon Harlesden in future. But I'm sure he will tell you exactly what I've already told you, and perhaps hell be less patient than I've been. I'm actually getting rather annoyed now, and I don't often get annoyed. We only have forty minutes left for this class and I'd like to go through the Suite in more detail.
Philippa's turn to perform came after the coffee break. She played an entire Bach Suite from memory. Personally, I thought she looked stunning on stage, but I wasn't sure about her choice of repertoire. It didn't seem that interesting and Bach isn't the best composer to play in a major piano event.
She received mixed feedback, like I had. On one hand, Agnes said, she played competently with a developed technique; on the other hand, the Suite lacked originality, or any emotion at all, and this came across in the performance.
'You can't say things like that,' Philippa retorted. 'No way.'
Stunned silence fell across the auditorium and I heard a gasp from a member of the audience. I had to resist the urge to turn round.
'It's so unfair,' Philippa declared, brushing her hair away from her face. 'I've spent ages practising the Bach. This is so outrageous. 'I'm going to complain.
Complain!' More brushing her hair away from her face. 'No,' Philippa continued. 'This is wrong, so wrong. You're picking on me.'
'Am I?' Agnes said.
'This is psychological abuse. I'm complaining.'
'Shocking,' someone in the audience muttered.
Dawn the student mentor, watched the drama on stage, arms folded. I studied my knuckles. Several other students fidgeted.
'I don't pick on people, Philippa. I try to help them. What are you so upset about?'
'I'm upset at the way you keep criticising my performance. It's just so unfair.'
'I said you have an excellent technique. That's a compliment, not a criticism.'
"You said the performance didn't work for you, emotionally or spiritually. And earlier, you said the individual movements were boring. They're not.'
'I didn't use that word, Philippa. What I said was, the your performance of the Suite lacks originality as it currently stands and you should perhaps consider Romantic or Impressionist repertoire, which I feel would allow you greater use of your imagination and technical abilities. Bach is extremely meticulous, and young people seldom play it well. That is constructive criticism, not negative. In fact, I would probably make the same remarks to all the young pianists in this room.'
'Yes, but I've spent hours practising the Bach. Hours.'
'Listen, were wasting time here. If you have a problem with my teaching method or you don't wish to accept my advice, then you'd better arrange to study with Brendon Harlesden in future. But I'm sure he will tell you exactly what I've already told you, and perhaps hell be less patient than I've been. I'm actually getting rather annoyed now, and I don't often get annoyed. We only have forty minutes left for this class and I'd like to go through the Suite in more detail.
Published 15th Apr 2023
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16th Apr 2023 11:45am
Dear L,
This write brought back so many memories. There is a particular mix of objective and subjective aspects in a master class. And I agree Bach, in a young artists performance, is a tricky composer to maneuver because of its meticulousness. So good to see you! Terrific piece. H🌷
This write brought back so many memories. There is a particular mix of objective and subjective aspects in a master class. And I agree Bach, in a young artists performance, is a tricky composer to maneuver because of its meticulousness. So good to see you! Terrific piece. H🌷
16th Apr 2023 7:55pm
Thanks very much, Honoria. I'm pleased the story resonates with you, and thanks as always for following this story and for your RL inclusions.
Best, Lawrence
Best, Lawrence
24th Apr 2023 9:30pm
I love this story.
On another note, I love Bach- especially Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor. BWV 1004: V Chaconne. I've been obsessed for years.
On another note, I love Bach- especially Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor. BWV 1004: V Chaconne. I've been obsessed for years.
26th Apr 2023 9:55pm
Thanks very much for commenting, Cincarolina. I'm glad you like this story. Also pleased to see you like Bach's music.
13th May 2023 6:29pm
Bach is difficult to play. The baroque is complex at it's highest level and the emotions are complicated, understated and lost in the hands of an inexperienced performer.
Excellent write.
hugs,
buddhakitty.
Excellent write.
hugs,
buddhakitty.
14th May 2023 3:58pm
So truthful, buddhakitty. The issue of pedalling is difficult too - probably better not to use it.
Thanks for commenting. I hope all is well with you
Thanks for commenting. I hope all is well with you
