Memories On the Tips of My Fingers

[wlotus]

I've been shuffling through my old violin music looking for pieces I can work on to improve my fingering. I found Bach's Minuet in G and am doing quite well to butcher it. *ahem* Anyway, I found a set of sheet music with the name and address of the last youth orchestra conductor I sat under, Mr. Oscar Ravina. I have fond memories of his kindness when I expressed my fear that I was holding the orchestra back with my lack of skills. Rather than dismissing me as I'd asked/hoped he would or ignoring me as I feared he would, he privately assured my mother and me that I only needed private instruction in order to bring me up to speed. I may not have received that private instruction, but I never forgot him. I also remember that under him I was exposed to the beauty that is Bach's Brandenburg Concertos; we performed the first movement of Concerto No. 5 the year I made it to the advanced orchestra. So when I stumbled upon his name, I plugged him into Google to see what came up.

My faint memories of someone saying he was associated with the NY Philharmonic were correct. He was a violinist with them for 40 years. He also suffered an acute stroke in 2003--my heart stopped when I read that!--but with therapy he has been able to resume teaching violin. He is also far younger than I imagined; he is only about 80 years old, now.

If I had the resources and he was accepting new students, I would get the lessons from him now that I was not able to get then. At the very least, I may write to him to thank him for his kindness to a frustrated teen and let him know I am picking the instrument up after a 22-year hiatus.

Now, back to doing unspeakable things to Minuet in G.

Comments

[bluesilverkdg.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're picking this up again. Recently I found a bunch of piano books that I'd not played from in years and it's like revisiting an old friend. So awesome!

[warkitty.livejournal.com]

I bet he would love getting that letter.

[untied.livejournal.com]

i hope that you will send that letter. it's wonderful to feel validated in your work, and i'm sure it would make his day.

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

Definitely write to him.

[rockbirthedme.livejournal.com]

Absolutely, write the letter. If I were Jewish, I would say doing it is a mitzvah, a blessed act. Letting people know they've touched you for good results is very important.

NotSoLittleAnyMore! is working on Minuet in G on the flute. She loves it. I can't help but hear the lyrics to "The Not-So-Boring Minuet," which is sung to that tune:

We are supposed to sing this song
I hope it doesn't last too long
If you think it's boring
Please refrain from snoring
Just remember that it's culture.
Culture is something good for you
Like liver, spinach, and beets too
So while we are screaming
Please refrain from dreaming
Please stay awake!

But I love the Minuet in G anyway.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

LOL! That is adorable! I like Minuet in G, too.

[queenlyzard.livejournal.com]

I envy you being able to play at all! I have an old student violin in my closet that I picked up on discount... and I can't even remember how to tune the darn thing.