An old favorite: Kim Jong Il's livejournal

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Piano Lessons

I touched a piano for the first time in ages - my old, decrepit upright Steinway – but it is mine, in a way that only an old, decrepit, but upright heart could know. It was purchased at a good price from my church, and to this day I believe the church organist covets it.

The pedals don’t work properly – it’s a bit too loud. But it’s tuned reasonably well. Once in an engineering lecture I was able to identify a single tone to within about six hertz. So I guess I have some measure of absolute pitch.

I almost never play the piano in a good mood. When I did, it was to imitate – to copy Tom Hulce in Amadeus, playing the piano upside-down, or to play a couple hymns, or try my hand at a new, interesting, not-too-complicated piece.

When I am in a bad mood, I don’t play set pieces. I improvise – or I continue a composition of sorts I started senior year in college, on the piano in the Platt Center. Like this Piano, I hardly ever touched it when I was happy.

Andrea del Sarto

But do not let us quarrel any more,
No, my Lucrezia; bear with me for once:
Sit down and all shall happen as you wish.
You turn your face, but does it bring your heart?
I'll work then for your friend's friend, never fear,
Treat his own subject after his own way,
Fix his own time, accept too his own price,
And shut the money into this small hand
When next it takes mine. Will it? tenderly?
Oh, I'll content him,--but to-morrow, Love!
I often am much wearier than you think,
This evening more than usual, and it seems
As if--forgive now--should you let me sit
Here by the window with your hand in mine
And look a half-hour forth on Fiesole,
Both of one mind, as married people use,
Quietly, quietly the evening through,
I might get up to-morrow to my work
Cheerful and fresh as ever. Let us try.