Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of watching Justin's piano recital. All the kids who performed were great. And, I'm certain all the parents who watched were greatly anxious! As I watched the fast fingers on the grand piano and the parents' eyes fixated and intent, a dark image came to my mind.
I saw a sick man in his dying bed, next to a grand piano. The man had a life-long passion with music and the piano, and specifically, with his son performing the piano. On the one side of the bed is an oscilloscope beeping faintly as the green lifeline spikes to a dignified largo. The son sits by the grand piano and plays his magic, tears in his eyes and sweat down temple. He must play, for this is his father's final wish. He must play. He must play well.
The movement of the notes flashes a life's memories through the man's mind. Each up and each down brings a quicker and shorter breath. Each panting brings more tears to the son's eyes. He must play. He must play well.
As the music climaxes, the man's breathing crescendos to a muted forte in prestissimo. On the last note, the green lifeline rests.
The audience applauds and I'm back in the hot recital room.
More music: Sunday Scribbings
About Me
- John E. Tran
- I love technology (eightdawns.com), I love real estate (citywideprofessionals.com), I love to write (this blog) whenever I get the chance and I love capturing special places, things and people through photography (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jetsphotos). I love technology because it helps to improve the way we work and communicate. I love real estate because it gives me the pleasure of working with people on a personal level. I love to write because it is so therapeutic. I have to admit, my writing is erratic. I have fun playing with words and coming up with different ways to portray my thoughts. I find myself not writing as regularly as I would like. Nonetheless, I would love to write a book some day. I love photography because it helps to preserve memories that fade too, too quickly. I would love to get good enough to be featured in a gallery.
6 comments:
Have you seen Shine? A monstrous, gorgeous combination of piano genius-stress and illness. The scene when young Helfgott's playing frantically and not hearing a note is one of my all time favourite moments on film. Breathtaking.
And that's what I thought of while reading your scribbling.
I've never seen Shine, but will have to see it now.
JT
It's good to know that I'm not the only one that has daydreams and brain leaps.
Nice images.
bg
Spooky. Premonition? Hope not.
What a powerful image you show us with your words. I hope only that the son's performance was pleasant for his father's passing. He passed, hearing that which he loved most. It has to count for something, right?
Powerful!
Gabi
Very powerful and moving. I can hear the son playing his heart out for his father. Thank you.
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