My first selection is a Juilliard graduation commencement address that’s both grounded and inspiring. Joyce Di Donato, mezzo soprano, having received her honorary Doctorate resonates at the podium with wisdom and a touch humor–definitely worth sharing with a universe of musicians who can benefit from a perspective refresher and attitude-changer from time to time.
Pianist, Murray Perahia, next chimes in with his take on performing and teaching in this 28-minute interview based in Israel. It begins, however, with a flashback to his studies with Horowitz, then transitions to a spotlight on his forebears in Salonica and their language, Ladino via a heart-wrenching folk-song.
After tender, rekindling moments about Murray’s father, mother, and cultural antecedents, the conversation moves on to Perahia’s masterclasses at the Jerusalem Music Center. I particularly treasured his discussion of theory/analysis and their integration into performance.
I can confirm the same enthusiasm for a discussion about Chopin with Garrick Ohlsson that took place at Berkeley’s Zellerbach Concert Hall.
At 39:32 he commences a thorough analysis of the Nocturne No. 2 in Db which is worth instant viewing even before mouse-clicking the very opener.
Ohlsson has a wonderful gift for synthesizing elements of his analysis, wherein even a non-musician can gain generously from his insights.
The three aforementioned videos are worth the time spent, and in the case of Ohlsson, one can parcel out viewing in segments.