Nostalgia & Repertoire

[erycinae]

To those of you who have listened to, and enjoyed classical piano since your earliest years, what experiences do you have with learning repertoire that holds nostalgic and sentimental significance? In my life particularly, many of Rachmaninoff preludes have held a special place in my heart, and as of late, I have begun to study them. However, I fear that the monotonous repetition associated with practicing them will spoil the nostalgia I feel when listening to these pieces. I noticed this occurred when I studied Chopin's Nocturne op. 15 no. 2 only a year ago, and I fear it will happen again. I've recently begun Rach. op. 23 no. 5, and would love to learn (although wary of doing so) 23/1,6,7 and 32/5, all pieces tied with some of my earliest childhood memories. Has anyone had any experience with this matter? Have you lost much of the emotional connection to a piece after learning it? If so, what pieces were they, and did it return after not playing it for some time?

~William

[j_menz]

Replacing nostalgia with reality is hardly a step backwards. These pieces are, after all, what they are, not some fantastical homage to your reminisces.

[ted]

That is a fascinating and deep question, William. My own view is that the brain is at liberty to impose whatever meanings and associations it chooses onto musical sound, either consciously or unconsciously. Such images may or may not overlap those of other listening minds and may even be completely disparate from thoughts of the musical creator. Nostalgia is as valid an association as any other. I find the notion strange that learning a piece might alter your personal psychic programme for it. Nothing will do that unless you want it to. Sometimes we enjoy permanence of association and sometimes the dynamic and abstract nature of music leads us to delight in forming new ideas upon every hearing. This freedom of psychic choice is close to the essence of the wonderful power of music.

I think your worries are unfounded. Think and feel exactly as you wish, nothing less will do.