In the moment – Canvases for Ullmann
Ullmann was taken with Goethe’s saying, “Live in the moment, live in eternity.” New York has an event sponsored by Sing for Hope called “Pop-up Pianos”. 88 pianos, each individually decorated by local artists and placed in public spaces in the five boroughs. Have been practicing the 6th and 7th sonatas that I’m performing at Ravinia and to mix it up, decided to take them to the streets. Matt and Mary Ann accompanied me to several locations on the West Side. We started in Times Square and encountered all kinds of characters including someone who at 20 years old, thinks of his appearance on american idol as his glory days. Lincoln Center was next, which had two pianos, one even a grand, and on to Central Park, where the Tavern on the Green has been converted to a Visitor’s Center. Each had its own charm, audience of sorts. Playing out of doors, Ullmann’s music meshed with children’s play, busses trumpeting, gathering and/or passing crowds of people, city construction, ice cream trucks. And in finding different musical portions to suit each location – the versatility and range of this music keeps me going deeper and deeper with it.
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