So, one day at work (part-time Protection Specialist at Crystal Bridges American Art Museum) I heard that the piano in our Great Hall was one of Van Cliburn's own practice pianos. This was the same piano that he hauled around with him on many of his worldwide tours.
I then remembered when back in College I had attended a Van Cliburn piano concert - sat in the front row right next to the piano, shook his hand got his autograph. I also remembered that during my years of music education it was usually Van Cliburn that I used as one of the great pianist examples. Add to those points Van Cliburn played a huge part in American history during the Cold War era as his piano performances helped calm Russian hatred towards America.
So I dropped a hint that I would like to play on that piano that Crystal Bridges used in their Great Hall. I would enjoy making the quality music sound that a piano of that nature and size would produce at the touch of the pianist. My simple desire was to just sit down at the piano and play it for a few minutes. I appreciate great pianos and the beautiful musical sound that comes from a Steinway Grand Piano, especially one of Van Cliburn's own pianos. I was given 'surprise' permission to play on that piano.
My simple desire was simply to just sit down at the piano and play it for a few minutes. I appreciate great pianos and the beautiful musical sound that comes from a Steinway Grand Piano, especially one of Van Cliburn's own pianos.
Duing my 'practice session,' I was surprised when an announcement was made over the museum speakers inviting staff, etc. to the Great Hall for my mini-concert. So what follows are a few pics and short videos of my experience. I had been able to practice on my own only for about 15 minutes and then approx 30 staff and administrators to the museum came in and sat down expecting a mini-concert.
With a few emotional moments that come from the pressure of a piano mini-conert of Chopin and two of my favorite hymns from myself as well as a few audience members, they got their mini-concert.
I then remembered when back in College I had attended a Van Cliburn piano concert - sat in the front row right next to the piano, shook his hand got his autograph. I also remembered that during my years of music education it was usually Van Cliburn that I used as one of the great pianist examples. Add to those points Van Cliburn played a huge part in American history during the Cold War era as his piano performances helped calm Russian hatred towards America.
So I dropped a hint that I would like to play on that piano that Crystal Bridges used in their Great Hall. I would enjoy making the quality music sound that a piano of that nature and size would produce at the touch of the pianist. My simple desire was to just sit down at the piano and play it for a few minutes. I appreciate great pianos and the beautiful musical sound that comes from a Steinway Grand Piano, especially one of Van Cliburn's own pianos. I was given 'surprise' permission to play on that piano.
My simple desire was simply to just sit down at the piano and play it for a few minutes. I appreciate great pianos and the beautiful musical sound that comes from a Steinway Grand Piano, especially one of Van Cliburn's own pianos.
Duing my 'practice session,' I was surprised when an announcement was made over the museum speakers inviting staff, etc. to the Great Hall for my mini-concert. So what follows are a few pics and short videos of my experience. I had been able to practice on my own only for about 15 minutes and then approx 30 staff and administrators to the museum came in and sat down expecting a mini-concert.
With a few emotional moments that come from the pressure of a piano mini-conert of Chopin and two of my favorite hymns from myself as well as a few audience members, they got their mini-concert.
Concert Program
Ashokan Farewell - by Jay Ungar, from the soundtrack of PBS Series "The Civil War", a film by Ken Burns
Traumerei (Kinderszenen) by R.A. Schumann
Sonatina by Fr. Kuhlau, Op. 55, No. 1
Moonlight Sonata First Movement - by L. van Beethoven Op. 27, No. 2
Londonderry Air
Encore
In the Garden / How Great Thou Art Medley
Ashokan Farewell - by Jay Ungar, from the soundtrack of PBS Series "The Civil War", a film by Ken Burns
Traumerei (Kinderszenen) by R.A. Schumann
Sonatina by Fr. Kuhlau, Op. 55, No. 1
Moonlight Sonata First Movement - by L. van Beethoven Op. 27, No. 2
Londonderry Air
Encore
In the Garden / How Great Thou Art Medley
Practice Time
Mini-Concert Performance
Short video clips
Ashokan Farewell
Traumerei
How Great Thou Art / In the Garden