A six hour marathon celebration of the 200th birthday of Frederic Chopin. 85 musicians, both seasoned and novice, gathered at Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA to pay tribute to the brilliant Polish composer. Quietly they entered the room. Students. Pianists of all flavors and abilities, playing over 100 romantic compositions. I have been feeling a bit blue as of late, and it’s amazing the simple, songbird delight that infused my blue heart with gold when I closed my eyes this afternoon and listened to piece after perfect piece. Peace. For me, classical music is like a gray matter brain massage. I can feel the scales of worry and doubt slough away and all thoughts in contrast to peace and calm fall from my mind like Autumn leaves. It is as though my spirit is being bathed in lavender scented soap, like a child being washed lovingly by her beautiful mother. My lips blossom at their corners into a sweet smile and I feel in these moments in perfect harmony with all. Within and without.
What I find most enchanting on this day is the story of Chopin’s posthumous opus. On his death bed, his one wish was to have his body of unpublished compositions burned. Over 100 pieces, nearly 40% of his life work, including my two favorites; Fantasie Impromptu and Nocturne in C Minor would have been consumed by flames and destroyed forever, had it not been for the disobedience of a sister. She did not have the heart to destroy such perfection, and instead listened to the ringing bell of intuition and whispers of generations yet to come that wished to play her brother’s masterpieces. In her hands lay the pages of genius, a man who would become one of the greatest Romantic composers of all time. This gift to the world she could not burn.
It makes me smile to think that this man wished for his brilliance to die with him, and instead it lives on through the tiny fingers of 6 year old musical prodigy’s and college students around the world. Exactly 200 years from the day of his birth, May 24th, 1810, I sit in an auditorium with my eyes closed, breathing softly, hands folded gently, my heart full of golden light and I am grateful for disobedient sisters.
Sometimes what we are given does not belong to us alone, but rather to the world entire and to life eternal.
LISTEN:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR2KkA1JlFs&feature=related : 6 year old Hannah Hua playing Nocturne in C Minor.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQYYT3qlTu4&feature=related : 10 year old Enzo playing Fantasie Impromptu.
Comments on: "Happiness is…" (1)
James this is a beautiful expression of your thoughts and feelings about Chopin. I can feel his music moving you… His music has also moved me since I was a little girl next to my Papa on his piano bench. Such an amazing composer! Cheers to Chopin and disobedient sisters!