Marian's performance

[vaneramos]

Marian performing Bach





Sisters


Marian has been learning guitar for a year. Last night she performed her first solo, the first movement from Bach's Cello Suite, at her school's Christmas concert. I arrived early enough to find her in the dorm and meet her fire-bellied newt, Nimoy, then went and saved dinner seats, fortunately, because Brenna and their mom didn't arrive until the place was full.

Marian joined me sooner. I asked about exams and apparently she aced them. She has worked hard to improve her study habits the past year, and took warranted pride in declaring her lowest mark was 84.

Marian had just started learning the solo when I saw her last month. She finds the Bach piece highly meditative; time passes quickly when she practices. It moves me to see her moved by this masterpiece, her tastes expanding.

She was extremely nervous, and asked later whether I could see her trembling from my vantage point. It would've been incredible if she hadn't stumbled once or twice in such a difficult piece, but she kept her head and kept playing. From the warm applause at the end, it is clear her friends and teachers are almost as proud of her as I.

~~~~~~~~~~~

P.S. Marian turned 14 on Wednesday.

To hear Andres Segovia perform the same piece, go here, scroll down and click on band 8.

Comments

[mylastsigh.livejournal.com]

All I can say is, "WOW!"

xo

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Bruce. It left me thinking about the burden of talent and intelligence. I need to tell her my primary wish is for her happiness, the rest is gravy.

xo

[mylastsigh.livejournal.com]

thats my wish for my kids too :)

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

wow, what a wonderful post

peace and love
munkey

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Aw thanks munkey. Been thinking much about you and those precious photos of Elli last week. When I think of all the hard obstacles I've had to pass with my two, and how strong the bond feels now, and my pride at seeing them start to find their own identity (Marian in particular becoming a young adult), I have great hopes for you.

Cheers,
Van

[pr-bear.livejournal.com]

Congrats on your smart and talented kids and neice. It's always refreshing to have family support when one goes down any path in life :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

This reminded me last night of the burden of talent and intelligence. I need to tell my daughters that my greatest hope is for their happiness, that whatever else they achieve is a bonus.

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

Congratulations to Marian on her academic and musical success! That's no small feat and deserves appropriate recognition.

Of course, she comes from very creative genes. :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Hehe, the musical talent seems to come from me, determination from her mother. ;-)

[ghostsandrobots.livejournal.com]

These pictures cheered me up. What a beautiful, talented family.

Also made me realize just how badly I've been neglecting and missing guitar.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Glad to cheer you, and if it inspires you to pull out that guitar, all the better!

[willowing.livejournal.com]

how wonderful, thank you for sharing :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

You're so welcome!

[queenmomcat.livejournal.com]

How wonderful! and happy birthday to Marian. I know, from the little bit of public speaking that Stephe and I have done, that flubs, trembling and other 'errors' are not only less perceptible to the audience than the performer thinks, they're far far more common than the performer thinks.

(and yes, I'm assuming that Brenna will become just as lovely a young person as her sister...but herself and not a mere shadow copy.)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Indeed, Brenna and Marian are quite different. Brenna has always had excellent fine motor skills, is interested in how things work, and good at making little detailed things like beaded jewellery and clay models. She has a quick wit, while Marian's sense of humour is more like mine, so dry as to be virtually undetectable to most people.

[bear-left.livejournal.com]

I'll just second (third, fourth...) the 'what a wonderful post' sentiments. Mazel tov to you both...

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Cheers!

[mega-daisy.livejournal.com]

what a lovely girl! and she looks so serious, playing her guitar. i like the sisters' photo, very much.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

The mutual fondness evident in that photo is genuine. I'm so happy that they've matured past the squalling and picking on each other to good-natured ribbing.

Yes, Marian is very serious, I'm afraid.

[shawnsyms.livejournal.com]

How excellent! She looks very focused.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It's exciting seeing her discover things that inspire such focus, particularly books and her guitar.

[missprune.livejournal.com]

How great that she's learning classical guitar. I love it so much. Studied it in my teens, wish I had never stopped... Segovia rules.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Her teacher has given her music all over the map. Two of her earliest pieces were "Stairway to Heaven" and something by Enya. I'm so pleased that he began with things that easily appealed to her and then began opening new avenues like this Bach.

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Wow! I really dig Marian's new look. And that's a great shot of the two sisters together!

You must be such a proud Papa with such beautiful, talented daughters!

hugs, Shimmer

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Last time I saw her, she had shaved her head except for the bangs, a cut called a Chelsea, she said. When I saw her Sunday night, it took me a while to realize what was different, that the bangs were missing. It does suit her quite well. And yes, I'm very proud of both of them.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And the same to you and Mike. I do hope you have a happy holiday season in your new home.

Love,
Van