158th Reflection💬

“So thick the Bible, how to read❓”

Flip it open and have a read every day.

......

13/11/2020 (Fri) 19:00 Music Institute

Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary Seminar: ‘Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Handbook’

Teacher said, “Welcome to Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary Seminar: ‘Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Handbook’

All students nodded.

Teacher said, “There is really a handbook for all of you. On its cover I’ve even printed the English name of the students that have enrolled in this workshop. If you hear me call your name, come forward and get your own handbook.”

Teacher said, “...Wai Hung.”

I walked onto the stage and got my handbook, on which ‘Wai Hung’s Beethoven - The Piano Sonatas - A guide to the 32 works’ was printed.”

Teacher said, “I want today’s seminar to be more inspirational than informative.”

Teacher said, “Which of you, sitting here, does not know Beethoven? Please raise your hand.”

No hand was raised.

Teacher said, “Which of you, sitting here, has never listened to any of Beethoven’s Sonata. Please raise your hand.”

No hand was raised.

Teacher said, “Which of you, sitting here, can play any one of the 32 pieces of Beethoven’s sonatas? Please raise your hand.”

No hand was raised.

Teacher said, “I know you guys better now. You don’t like raising your hands.”

All burst into laughter.

Teacher said, “Instrumental Performance, Which of you, sitting here, majors in piano? Please raise your hand.”

Half of the students raised their hands.

Teacher said, “Those majoring in piano, you should play at least one piece of Beethoven’s sonata. Even one is enough. Do you know why?”

Some students shook their heads.

Teacher said, “Because, if you love Beethoven’s music, you won’t be bored in listening to the same one. If you don’t love his music, you won’t even finish one.”

All burst into laughter.

Teacher said, “Joking. Which of you, sitting here, has got the collection of the 32 Beethoven’s sonata? It is wrapped either in one as thick as a dictionary or in two a little thinner like textbooks.”

Student A said, “No.”

Teacher said, “Get one as soon as possible if you don’t. Do you know why?”

Some students shook their heads.

Teacher said, “It’s quite weird. Though Beethoven has been gone and composed no more sonatas for 250 years, I may find his work is getting more expensive than last time when I visited the music store. That’s why the earlier you buy it, the cheaper it is.

All burst into laughter.

Teacher said, “Here’s the main point. The 32 pieces of Beethoven’s sonatas, how to practise?”

Some students shook their heads.

Teacher said, “Alright. Let’s flip open the handbook and get yourself a calculator. The first piece, Beethoven: Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.2, No.1，4 movements, how many bars are there?”

Student B said, “152 + 61 + 73 + 196 = 482 bars.”

Teacher said, “The most patient ones, practise 3 bars a day. Then 161 days later, around half a year, you can play Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.2, No.1.”

Teacher said, “The a little less patient ones, practise 2 bars a day. Then 241 days later, around two-third of a year, you can play Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.2, No.1.”

Teacher said, “The least patient, practise 1 bar a day. Then 482 days later, around a little more than a year, you can play Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.2, No.1.”

Student B said, “Wow!”

Teacher said, “Before you move to piano skills, I want to ask again, the 32 pieces of Beethoven’s sonatas, how to practise?”

All kept silent.

Teacher said, “This student, what do you think?”

Student C said, “You haven’t mentioned it yet.”

Teacher said, “Yes, I have. It is a way that everyone of you can manage.”

All kept silent.

Teacher said, “The way is, every day when you’re back home, open your piano, take out the piano score and practise a bar.”