Give them roots and wings

Elias with Mei and her GOLD flute!

A few days ago, Elias and I attended a concert by Mei, his new flute teacher.  She played with the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra.  It was my first concert in many years.  I used to attend concerts by the symphonic band when my brother was playing the flute in College and the University.  He played the piccolo too and my parents and I used to attend concerts during which he would play solo.  We were really proud of him, although I was always nervous, and would hold my breath when he played because I was afraid that he would make a mistake.  As far as I could remember, he never did.  For many years, I would be listening to his flute music and John Williams’ pieces (ET, Jaws, Indiana Jones…) which I grew to love.

Anyway, listening to the classical pieces brought tears to my eyes.  Gazing at the chandeliers hanging on the ceiling, I was transported to a large dance hall in the Victorian era where I danced away, dressed in my gown. Strangely, I suddenly had an ache to work.  Music has strange effects on people.

I was trained in classical piano.  I started learning it when I was about six, and continued till I received my Grade 8 in playing (Grade 5 in theory).  It was not an easy journey but I was never given the option to stop as my mother forced me to carry on.  I recall times when she would sit next to me on the piano bench, and would cane me each time I stopped playing.  I had stopped not because I was being lazy and was unwilling to practice, but because my mind simply went blank and my hands would not move.  I must have felt aggrieved and suffered greatly then, but I do not recall the trauma nor am I bitter or angry with her.  I only have memories of the events – no lingering emotions.

In that room, listening to the music, I suddenly felt an urge to start playing the piano again.  I wanted to be part of that big beautiful world of classical musicians.  I know I have access that world, because I have the training and the foundation – all I needed to do was to start practicing.  At that moment, I felt a tremendous sense of gratitude towards my parents, especially my mum, for giving me that gift.  My mum loved music and that was why she agreed to my request to start learning the piano.  She would not allow me to stop because my parents paid $2,200 for a piano with money they borrowed. She had the willpower I did not have as a child, and she spared no energy in expending it on me (lol).  But I am grateful to her, because if she did not do what she did, I would have given up.  I was never resentful towards my mum for forcing me to continue piano lessons.  I enjoyed playing the piano although I did not always like the hard work.

For those who are still not convinced about the wonder of classical music, watch the TED video by Benjamin Zander.  It will change your mind. ~ ElisaToday, the piano is in my home.  I intend to keep it for as long as I can although the pedals are faulty and many keys are out of tune.  It represented my parents’ love for me.  It represented how much they believed in me.  It represented that they were people of vision and beauty – that they understood the value and beauty of classical music.