Working on Beethoven

"Welcome to the advanced level."
I can't tell you how many times my piano teacher has said this to me. It's his answer to every problem: "This is hard." "Do I really have to drill these scales ad nauseum?" etc.

Beethoven Pathetique Sonata in C Minor--first movement--must be completed, and in memory, by April 19th.

Then for two weeks I will practice 4x a day, for 15 minutes, and drill and write, and drill some more. This ensures stage readiness.

This music stuff? It's hard work.

And it's so convenient that the week I must put it into memory, a million little problems arise. Just slips and errors...terrible things. And as I play them, I realized every time I make those errors, over and over, they are being ingrained into my memory, to arise again in the future! Perhaps, on the stage.

I struggled though it today. Upon finishing, I stormed from the piano into the kitchen. It didn't help that mom said, "It's sounding REALLY good."

The outburst ensues:

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?"

*eyes swirling.*

"It was GARBAGE! Absolute garbage. The worst in a week!"

*a pause. Mom stirs sauce on the stovetop.*

"When is the piano tuner coming?"

"Friday."

"It's not soon enough! This needs to be into memory by Monday. And playing on a twangy piano does not help. At all!"

*Eve grabs empty Parmesan cheese canister and flings it across the room.* *dog scurries in the corner.*



I actually felt my blood pressure spike. Hmm. Not a good feeling.

If only I could channel this power and frustration into my interpretation. It's such a dramatic, and explosive piece.