Sisyphean task

Dear friends of piano music,

Last week on a long drive in the car I heard an interview with the bestselling author Jan Weiler, whose book “Maria, ihm schmeckt’s nicht” (he doesn’t like it) I read several times with enthusiasm. His description of the typical “Krefeld terraced house” exactly matched the house of relatives that I used to visit regularly as a child. A relatively minor aspect of this book, but I laughed tears - so this is what our common cultural roots look like - the Krefeld terraced house …

The radio interview touched me very much for two reasons. Jan Weiler had Corona in March and he still can't smell anything. There are worse disturbances, but the idea of ​​never again being able to perceive the odour of autumn leaves, of Christmas cookies and pine needles, of spring flowers, I find very sad, and I very much hope for him that it is not permanent damage.

He said, among other very clever and personable things, that as long as it lasts, he “humbly accepts” his success. Of course, people who are used to success like to say something like that to prove their "down to earth" and their sense of reality, to demonstrate modesty and thus to appear sympathetic. With Jan Weiler, however, it seemed authentic, and I began to think about it

Humility is pretty much out of fashion. I think of a poem by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875) or a choral movement by Max Reger (1873 - 1916).

Lord;  Send,

what you want

a love or sorrow;

I am happy

that both

from your

Hands swell.

This speaks of devotion to fate, but also of great stoic wisdom. In addition to self-discipline, humilit is one of the “secondary virtues” that are very much encouraged by playing the piano. “Humble” to acknowledge that you cannot (yet) do something and then work regularly and perseveringly on it. Playing the piano is not a “Sisyphean task”, like housework, for example, but it always goes uphill. At some point you are up there, where you are rewarded with a wonderful view and - quite rightly - feel a little closer to heaven.

For this reason I have chosen a student piece today as a message for everyone who plays the piano or would like to start with it. Don't let anything discourage you. The path is sometimes strenuous, but it's worth it.

Kind regards

Kerstin

 

Burgmüller: Pastorale, Op. 100 No. 3 (From 25 Etudes)

https://youtu.be/i-Kopb2nfB8