NEW BEGINNINGS! January, 2014

I love new beginnings- the first day of the New Year, the clean calendar, the beginning of a new month- a new week- a new day. It’s a new chapter, and there is all this promise- where will we go and what can we hope to accomplish. It truly is a fresh page- a clean slate- a new beginning! 

That’s the way I feel about this new label, Three Oranges Recordings- (the name is homage to my favorite composer, Sergei Prokofiev.) We are breathing new life into these releases. It is a rebirth of all this wonderful music that I have recorded over the past ten years. Every one of these recordings is a reflection of my journey and where my travels have led, as well as the promise of things to come– two brand new recordings and four waiting to be released over the next six months plus several exciting DVD projects in preparation. And lots more down the road! 

Some of you might be wondering where I have been for these past years. Let me address that question directly. For personal reasons, after the death of my husband, one could say that I dropped out of sight. I call this my “Rip van Winkle” period. Of course, I did not stop playing the piano or working at the piano, but I’ll admit that it was difficult for me to continue the concert life that I had led before my husband passed away. Sometimes we need the time to step back and question, to explore and rediscover ourselves. Fortunately, with the help of a good friend who took my arm and helped to yank me out of the quicksand into which I was sinking, I began to live once again, and then I started recording. All these recordings are special to me - all are journeys of the soul. 

It was the music and the work that went along with being a pianist that truly helped heal my wounded heart. Also I had the good fortune to live on a farm in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia, so the peace and tranquility that my soul craved was there and available to me - my surroundings helped me to focus and to learn to listen with a different set of ears. And now what a joy it is for me to share this music with all of you. I feel truly blessed that I can continue to perform and continue to rediscover.

In future blogs, I will be focusing on many things related to life, music and piano playing. I intend to go wherever the spirit leads me. There are several exciting projects relating to the 100th anniversary celebration of the composer Alberto Ginastera in 2016 in progress plus a new DVD based on the letters and music of Franz Liszt. There are many more exciting travels that I intend to share with all of you. 
 

I am so grateful for the “now” and the joy that comes with making music. Thank you for the opportunity to share these experiences with all of you.

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