eyerush

Van Cliburn died today.

And, while it is an embarrassing fact that I didn't know he was still alive, I was still saddened to hear it. Every time I hear his version of Clair du Lune it reminds me of my grandfather.



My grandfather was just a little financially short of being an actual symphonic pianist (or so I've been told by my, sometimes embellishing father) and it was one of his favorite pieces. One of the most treasured possessions I have is a recording he made of him playing various songs. (My uncle, thankfully, paid a decent amount of money to have it transferred to cd.) You can hear him and my grandmother talking and my father and Uncle as kids It is a completely nostalgic trip to times that are gone forever. And, while listening to it, and my Van Cliburn cd's makes me a little melancholy, it is a peaceful, warm, happy to be alive sort of feeling.

I think the rest of the night deserves a cup of coffee and a book and slight twinkling of piano keys in the background.

(Damned lent or it would be a bottle of a heavy red wine.)