Summer Music

Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto just came on my iPod.  Coupled with the lush scents of summer air it brings to mind a concert I attended in the early 80s.  There was a guest pianist playing with the Philadelphia Philharmonic orchestra at their outdoor venue.  The pianist rendered this powerful and emotional music superbly.  The music swept up the hillside, both filling and carried by the summer air. As she graciously stood to accept the standing ovation I noted the pale yellow princess line dress, like a young girl would wear.  She then expertly played a more lighthearted encore.  The next day I read the paper and saw that the pianist was a 13 year old girl.  A child possessed such depth of life and focus and beauty to take us all on the journey through this music on that summer night.