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| My son admiring the Batta-Piatigorsky" Violoncello at the Metropolitan Museum of Art |
Sleeping Beauty
"I played the "Batta" for a long time before appearing in concert with it.
In solitude, as is befitting honeymooners, we avoided interfering company
until then." - Gregor Piatigorsky
Seductive. Curve: generous.
Bearing: regal if not a bit mysterious.
Passionatley longs for fevered fingers,
desires to "slip on" a song writer's prose,
surround her lover with mellow notes.
Unable to court, unable to woo,
the poet circles the encased sleeping beauty;
tilt of his chin, palm of his hand
an invitation she's unable to accept.
by Margaret Bednar, September 1, 2016
This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Artistic Intpretreations - The Met's Musical Instruments Exhibit.
Just as Stradivari's career began about 1665, there was a major advance in string making: the development of gut strings overseen with fine metal wire. With the availability of these new strings, Stradivari was able to reduce the size of the cello, thereby improving its acoustical qualities and making it easier to play. Of the approximately sixty Stradivari cellos that are extent, about twenty are of this smaller size. The "Batta-Piatigorsky" is considered one of the best examples of this smaller, improved model.
I don't believe any of the videos are of the "Batta", but certainly the genius of the man, Gregor Piatigorsky, shines through.
You Tube Gregor Piatigorsky plays Bach Bourses: https://youtu.be/z4__cFiaFJY
You Tube Gregor Piatigorsky plays Tchaikovsky Waltz: https://youtu.be/4txRGrOrUyU
You Tube Gregor Piatigorsky plays Chopin Sonata: https://youtu.be/OqipjgPDYxk
12 comments:
Oh yes, Margaret, your violoncello is definitely a seductress!
surround her lover with mellow notes... gives me a dreamy feeling
I especially like the last stanza, and this:
"desires to 'slip on' a song writer's prose,
surround her lover with mellow notes"
I really appreciate the way your words compliment the photograph - and what makes the picture all the more memorable is the reflection of the person in the glass - therein lies the relationship between musician and instrument.
I have always though the cello being the sexiest of all instruments, almost a metaphor in it's own... you really write about the playing with words that is more about falling in love..
I love the musician's quote about spending time along with his instrument before playing it in public. There is such a union between instrument and musician, as if they become one in playing the music.
That was meant to say "alone" with his instrument.
I enjoyed reading this, Margaret. I could feel the love for the instrument oozing, touching me, helping me to feel the longing to touch and be touched by it, yet being illusive, captive, separated physically this culmination could not happen.
We also have a love for the instruments, Mrs. Jim much more than I as she plays the viola and has a violin which she does not play. Probably the love also came because one year, of four so far, with our travel in Spain we delved into Antonio Stradivari, his life, and in his instruments. The Royal Palace in Madrid has a set of his decorated instruments, two violins, one viola, and one cello. The are played regularly but not while we were there. We did see them, and I believe several others made by Stradivari.
Another day we spent in Cremona, finding his birthplace, his tombstone, and exploring a violin making school and the surrounding town. That was a good feeling day. I remember more, of course, like eating an ice cream cone on the corner across from the square from the school, walking, and driving as well.
The Madrid Royal Palace decorated instrument exhibit is talked about here, and its contained links:
http://www.thestrad.com/cpt-latests/royal-palace-of-madrid-decorated-stradivari-quartet-receives-first-public-performance/
..
Beautiful Margaret..My youngest daughter plays the cello. It brings me to tears to watch her play it and hear the music flowing from it. Your words capture the intimacy of performer and instrument.
tilt of his chin, palm of his hand
an invitation she's unable to accept
Goes to show of the respect accorded to a unique instrument which not just anyone has the right to touch!
Hank
Just beautiful Margaret. My thoughts were aligned with yours when writing my poem.I used the same clip.Once again thank you for this wonderful post.
Ahhh! This is seduction! I love cello, have an old student one from the 40's...My 15 year old Husky walked under the grand piano and surfaced on the cello...breaking its neck. I have yet to repair it...it will take some woodworking far beyond my abilities of gorilla glue. LOL!
Lovely, lovely poem.
Jane
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