Suzuki Book 1 Violin Recital

Today, Samuel had his Suzuki Book 1 violin recital.  A few friends from the former Parkview Church, the TCA, some of Samuel's friends, a teaching colleague and our accompanist's sisters were in the audience.  Two elders from Calvin-Goforth Presbyterian Church also listened in.  One of them provided a very nice commentary for us at the end.  You can't have a performance without an audience, so I was very happy that they could come and hear our son play.  I love the acoustics of Calvin-Goforth church and it really enhanced the experience.

I also listened to Alice Sara Ott's recording of Chopin Waltzes today.  Marvelous.  I noticed she played the autograph version of Op 69, Nr 1 (the one I tried to play) and yes, the notes confirmed that.

Beethoven night again

Yesterday night, I decided to pull out the DVD of Maurizio Pollini playing Beethoven's 3rd (Op 37) and 5th (Op 73) piano concerti.  Elisha promptly picked up a pencil to start conducting. He also went upstairs to get his violin and become part of the orchestra.  I've not been very motivated to exercise, so the visual of Pollini playing my favorite Beethoven piano concerto (Op 37) helped as I kept at it for the entire concerto.  Later, upstairs, we listened and watched von Karajan conduct the Pastorale symphony finale and the 5th and 9th symphony (last movement).  Our baby truly loves this and I think Beethoven is his favorite.  What a favorite to have - a genius of the highest order.

We often joke that Elisha's a "genius" because his violin teacher is so impressed with what he's accomplished since starting in September.  He's shown him off to his other students on Friday morning for the past two lessons (he can play the note that's on the flash card almost immediately).  He can still hardly believe that Elisha can really read notes that fast (since he first tested him on March 18).  He also keeps on asking how old he is (he thought he already turned 4, but he's still 3 years old).  At group lesson, he also plays by notes, not by fingering. 

Now why are Elisha and his older brother, Samuel, among his best violin students?  Well, Elisha is truly intrinsically motivated.  He actually practises about 40 minutes a day.  Yesterday, he even picked up his violin on his own and played his new piece Go Tell Aunt Rhodie.  His brother practises about 40 minutes a day as well as another 45 for piano.  There's no secret - what ever you put into what you do often determines what you get in return.

He will be a notable violinist

Elisha has quite an excellent memory for a toddler.  Today, his violin teacher was amazed that he knew all of his flashcards.  He can also sing the notes for French Folk Song.  So, his teacher said that in his 27 years of teaching, he was the most gifted of his students so far.  Of course, in the past, he also mentioned that what he does as a toddler is quite common in Japan.  He also mentioned that Samuel is quite good too as he's almost finished Suzuki book 1 and he started later like he, himself, did.  He also mentioned that they should have better violins to play!  Argh!  Grandma and Grandpa bought the Mason and Hamlin piano, but who is to buy the 'better violins' now?  I know it will make a difference, but can we afford it?  Of course, none of this would happen if their mom didn't guide their practice.  Northern Dynasty Minerals had a big slide again today.  It's looking pretty grim right now.