My pianist and I have thought a lot lately about what is "good enough" when it comes to our performance. I have come to the conclusion that just like so many other things in life, that is likely the wrong question. As we have finished our preparations for a series of concerts over the next 2 weeks I have been reminded that the goal of perfection is not really such a healthy goal. It is more important to simply engage and immerse one's self in the experience and the events which surround us. For Charles and I that means to just BE who we are, embrace the music, and engage with our audience whoever they are. It is important for us to collaborate!
Few thoughts on our program...
Our program focuses on human vanity and our focus on the famous "unrequited love" of the romantic period. The composers and poets were dealing with much of the same emotion and energy that I mention now. They were seeking something greater than themselves. They sought fulfillment and happiness through their idolization and even infatuation of the women, places, and things.
Even the concept of war is so often interlaced with leaders' egos and overconfidence in ability. The cost is not fully counted. The goal is most often unachievable. We place too much confidence in our abilities, we seek to "achieve" and "gain" things or people or even ideas and knowledge. Perhaps we should just be still and know.
Psalm 46: 8-10 (The Message)
Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, Bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee.
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long,loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."
Matthew 6 (New International Version)
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
