Thankyou and thankyou ALSO for becoming a paid subscriber. Really v good of you. I'm about to deliver extras for my small but enthusiastic band of payers so stand by!
Every home and every child should have music. How fab that your old piano stimulated so much in the lives of your children. I started on an old upright that still sits in my mother’s home. And from that beginning a life of living and loving music one way or another has followed. Thanks for this post!
Wonderful, Rosie. A musical instrument can be such a springboard in a family. So glad your children's school appreciated the importance of music too. And you led by example!
We learned to read music and sing in parts in the public schools of Minnesota. None of that is in the curriculum in Portland, Oregon, where I live now.
My daughters had private music lessons and I am proud that one of them got a scholarship to study organ. Now in her 40s, she still has those organ shoes. I doubt she’s worn them since she was 16, though.
The Chopins? I would imagine they know all the right notes and where to place them, Rosie? Not that you didn’t, of course…ha-ha!
Just got rid of our upright…made me sad, too, even though I barely played it. But my kids did, and that made me happy.
You’ve captured brilliantly the essence of why music in a home is so vitally life enriching, Rosie. And if we settle permanently here in Berlin, an old battered upright is definitely on the cards.
Love, love, love! And if someone else needs a piano i have a lovely oak wood upright one that is definitely ready for new hands. It's brand is George Russell. And absolutely no need for a virtuoso surname, though how marvellous for your piano tale.
Growing up in Newcastle I used to save up my Saturday pennies to buy 78s by Winifrd Atwell, mainly ragtime from The Black and White Rag to Let's Have a Party, Parts 1 and 2, all on a CD still available When she came to the late-lamented Empire Tleatre in Newgate Street, she had two uprights on stage, the second of which she called her 'other piano'. To get a proper honky-tonk sound the other piano had drawing pins on the underside of the hammers.
Thanks for this! Berry pianos are straight strung which means the strings are shorter- they also have something different with the hammers, probably not pins though.
So vitally important to keep music provision alive in schools. I know the joy we had as a family with our children's music (violin, viola, clarsach and voice) which they continued on through national orchestras and into university and still now as young adults play for sheer enjoyment. Reading your piece has coincided with learning of the sudden death of a school classmate who was principal cello with Scottish Ballet, John Davidson. His music education came through ordinary state schools in the rural north of Scotland, and he went on to inspire and encourage young players throughout his career. Music provision must reach everywhere and not be limited to cities.
Love this piece. Hanover was such a brilliant school. Our youngest still declares it the best time of her life. Music does so much for children and young people.
Music in primary schools - making music as fun and cool - yes and yes!
Thankyou and thankyou ALSO for becoming a paid subscriber. Really v good of you. I'm about to deliver extras for my small but enthusiastic band of payers so stand by!
Every home and every child should have music. How fab that your old piano stimulated so much in the lives of your children. I started on an old upright that still sits in my mother’s home. And from that beginning a life of living and loving music one way or another has followed. Thanks for this post!
Its a pleasure, once I started writing it, it all sort of made sense.
Wonderful, Rosie. A musical instrument can be such a springboard in a family. So glad your children's school appreciated the importance of music too. And you led by example!
Thanks for this inspiring piece of writing, Rosie!
Brilliant, thank you
We learned to read music and sing in parts in the public schools of Minnesota. None of that is in the curriculum in Portland, Oregon, where I live now.
My daughters had private music lessons and I am proud that one of them got a scholarship to study organ. Now in her 40s, she still has those organ shoes. I doubt she’s worn them since she was 16, though.
loved this Rosie, and I'm intrigued why the photographer used the stool for the standing lad?
Not sure ! Maybe so all their heads were on the same plane?
I love this! 'I actually had to stop and start again. Still, I felt alive as I was doing it' - a very fine definition of living well
Thank you so much! Honestly it was a Life Memory but not in a good way. More like a slowly developing nightmare!
The Chopins? I would imagine they know all the right notes and where to place them, Rosie? Not that you didn’t, of course…ha-ha!
Just got rid of our upright…made me sad, too, even though I barely played it. But my kids did, and that made me happy.
You’ve captured brilliantly the essence of why music in a home is so vitally life enriching, Rosie. And if we settle permanently here in Berlin, an old battered upright is definitely on the cards.
Ta for this!
Love, love, love! And if someone else needs a piano i have a lovely oak wood upright one that is definitely ready for new hands. It's brand is George Russell. And absolutely no need for a virtuoso surname, though how marvellous for your piano tale.
Growing up in Newcastle I used to save up my Saturday pennies to buy 78s by Winifrd Atwell, mainly ragtime from The Black and White Rag to Let's Have a Party, Parts 1 and 2, all on a CD still available When she came to the late-lamented Empire Tleatre in Newgate Street, she had two uprights on stage, the second of which she called her 'other piano'. To get a proper honky-tonk sound the other piano had drawing pins on the underside of the hammers.
Thanks for this! Berry pianos are straight strung which means the strings are shorter- they also have something different with the hammers, probably not pins though.
So vitally important to keep music provision alive in schools. I know the joy we had as a family with our children's music (violin, viola, clarsach and voice) which they continued on through national orchestras and into university and still now as young adults play for sheer enjoyment. Reading your piece has coincided with learning of the sudden death of a school classmate who was principal cello with Scottish Ballet, John Davidson. His music education came through ordinary state schools in the rural north of Scotland, and he went on to inspire and encourage young players throughout his career. Music provision must reach everywhere and not be limited to cities.
Love this piece. Hanover was such a brilliant school. Our youngest still declares it the best time of her life. Music does so much for children and young people.
Music is a crucial part of life. Thanks for this Fran
My pleasure! How fantastic to be living in Berlin with all that music!