Today we partnered with The Concert Hall at Drew University to release the second of two pieces John McArthur recently performed as a part of their new YouTube series.

Lilacs - a piece featured within The HIDDEN Project - has been with John for years - with it’s subtle shades of color and delicate multi-dimensional textures always presenting distinctly on on different pianos over that time (for example here... or here...)

For this reason, it was intriguing music to bring to Drew University’s 1960’s Baldwin concert grand, in the warmth of their hall.

In reflecting on this piece and the many ways it can meet a day, John says:

My three favourite flowering plants are gardenias, roses and lilacs.  

While roses seduce and gardenias impress, lilacs remind us to unwind and relax; to breathe.

Rachmaninoff originally wrote his song “Lilacs” as part of a collection of 12 songs he called “Romances” for voice and piano - but the song “Lilacs” became so popular on its own that he composed a version for solo piano, which he often used as an encore. 

I am a great admirer of the pianist Sviatoslov Richter - who was essentially a self taught pianist but recognized worldwide by the time of his death in 1997 as one of the greatest pianists/musicians of the 20th century. 

In his autobiography, Richter recounts teaching a lesson with one of his students learning Liszt’s piano piece, “Evening Harmonies.” 

Despite trying to engage the student’s imagination from numerous perspectives, the hapless young man remained clueless to the frustration of Richter who turned the windows of his studio, flung the shutters wide open and pointing outside shouted “That! Play that!”

What Richter was saying was that this kind of playing, where there is inspiration before the notes themselves, asks for an active imagination coupled with a sense of play (literal childlike play!) to transform notes into something meaningful and impactful. 

The view from my window has many variables; the piano, the hall, the time of day, the audience, the moment itself when fingers touch the keys and it all comes together to create a sound and effect. 

Play the same piece, even with the same intent, two minutes later and something brand new appears. Not better, not worse, just wonderfully different. 

At different times, we all look out of different windows: tempo, voicings, recording, live performances, Steinway, Baldwin, Bechstein, Bosendorfer... 

You’re welcome to agree or disagree with my outcomes in this piece from this view - and if you and I don’t connect here, I invite you to check in with me again through another window!

Enjoy Lilacs on The Concert Hall at Drew University’s YouTube Channel

…and thank you for listening.

Peter Field
Skylight Arts