The following was written by my late wife Elaine. She wrote a long book, a diary really, from which this is one passage:
My Mother’s Piano Talent
I have a yellowed, brittle newspaper clipping, not dated, about a recital which was probably in the late 1920s or early 1930s, and I think it was from a Windsor newspaper since the article referred to “border cities,” which would be Windsor and Detroit. The actual article is too discolored for copying, so I’m retyping here the parts about my mother:
Piano Pupils are Presented
“One of the most successful affairs of its kind was the musicale which was held at Westminster Church last evening, when piano pupils were presented in recital.”
Members of the advanced classes were included on the program and a pleasing feature of the evening was the presentation of Toronto Conservatory certificates. (I have some of Mom’s books from that conservatory, in her curved-front music cabinet in the big room).
“The hall was filled to capacity for last evening’s event and an excellent program of music was enjoyed.
“A wide variety of difficult numbers were introduced and one of the outstanding numbers was Andante Finale from Lucia di Lammermoor, which was played by the left hand alone, by Miss Muriel Massey (my mom). This was an extremely difficult number and was splendidly mastered by this young musician, who gives great promise. Moonlight on the Hudson, the number played on two pianos by Miss Massey, Mrs. J., Dr. L. and was most enjoyable and was the work of skilled musicians … (a long list of other players was given). Then Fifth Symphony (Beethoven), Muriel Massey, (other people), then D’ St. Jetais Roi, two pianos (Czerny), Mrs. J., Miss Massey, Dr. L. and Son, then Presentation of Toronto Conservatory certificates.”
(Note: I don’t think the word “number” is used anymore. “Selection” or “piece” are the words used now.)
I noticed that my mother played the first piece of the musicale, and was one of the four who performed the final piece played on two pianos, and her left hand solo was the only piece specifically described and praised. These things tell me she was the star of the recital. Way to go, Mom!
My favorite piece of furniture from Mom is her music cabinet with curved door and shelves which move forward when the cabinet door is opened; this came to me in May 1981 when she moved to Florida. On the bottom shelf is some of Mom’s music. I added a lot more to that collection when I brought all the music home with me which I found when sorting out what was left of Mom’s things, in June 2001.
Among my own collection are some of the pieces I’ve heard Mom play. One of these gets to me every time I play it, and I usually have to quit because it evokes a powerful sadness. It’s Kammenoi-Ostrow by Anton Rubinstein. I can’t explain why other music we had in common doesn’t make me feel sad. I found out recently (2001), when Dave looked it up for me on the Internet, that “Kammenoi-Ostrow” depicts Rubinstein’s “rocky island” home which is in a town in Warsaw, Poland. Before then, I had no idea what the title meant.
To be continued…
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About the Author: RD Blakeslee (1931 – 2024) built his net worth by only investing in that which can be enjoyed during acquisition and throughout life, as opposed to papers in a drawer, like stocks and bonds. You can read more about him here.
Photos: Courtesy of the Blakeslee Family
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