Talent Surplus

I recently attended a tremendous piano recital. Dr. Paul Hanson of Richmond, VA performed Boulez Notations, Stockhausen Klavierstuck IX, three Etudes by Ligeti, and Piano Sonata No. 1 of Charles Ives. Paul's poise, stamina, and musicality were amazing.

If you don't know these works, I believe they would all reward your investigation. The Stockhausen is particularly interesting for its approximations of electronic music effects of its day. Paul's program notes refer to its "famous opening, with its multiple repetitions of a single chord" that suggests "the feedback echo effects made possible by the tape recorders of the time."

After hearing this remarkable performance, I got really sad. Paul's talent is so terrific and he must have worked so diligently to be able to present this music with such grace and focus, yet it seems that very few people will ever hear him play it.

In lots of parts of our country, there are so few venues and dates to play, but so much talent. Frequently, famous names from somewhere else dominate most of those venues and dates. Also, few people have much exposure to classical music, and there are so few inexpensive opportunities to hear it.

It would be wonderful if more private individuals would open their own little recital halls. But most of us can't afford to do that. We can seek to use our homes as venues, though.