Avant Garde?

I have been spending time with Mozart's piano sonatas recently, and the other day I came upon K457, in C minor. I felt immediately like I was playing something by Beethoven, and my first reaction was to think of Mozart being "ahead of his time." But Mozart lived his very short life, with its particular and extraordinary creative path, in his own time. Beethoven might have found a clear and durable way of musical expression that really resonated with him through this particular sonata: a portal of sorts through which he could connect himself to the spirit of the teacher he always wanted to study with, but missed the opportunity.

Those of us who express ourselves through writing music, whether through notation or transmitting it only by sound, walk down many paths until we find a direction that appeals to us. It doesn’t matter a great deal if we have a personal relationship with a person who served as a guidepost or a particular way of thinking musically. The fruit is there for the picking. But we need to recognize it, and we need to reach for it.

So often when playing Haydn Quartets I hear tinges of Schubert in the Haydn. That might be because Schubert and his family would have played everything available to them that Haydn wrote. The eleven-year-old Franz Schubert, who sang in the Vienna Boys Choir, might even have had the chance to meet Haydn because of his relationship with Antonio Salieri. Franz entered the Choir in 1808, and Haydn died in 1809. I like to think that it was through Haydn that Schubert found his way to express himself, and I constantly need to remind myself that it is Haydn I hear in the Schubert.

It wasn't that Haydn was "ahead of his time," channeling what would become known as the Romantic Period. Haydn, like Mozart, was a person of his time. Schubert was of his time, as was Beethoven (and they lived in Vienna at the same time). But with all that amazing musical and creative energy dancing its way around Vienna, what a time it was!

Alysa Liu and Jacqueline du Pré

Michael and I watched "Genius and Tragedy," the 2025 documentary about Jacqueline du Pré the night before I learned about Alysa Liu and saw her scate during the 2026 Olympics. And now I don't think that I can think of one woman without thinking of the other. Maybe some day Alysa Liu might scate to one of Jacqueline du Pré's recordings. Can you imagine the joy that such a convergence of creative souls would bring to this bruised and battered world?

Recently Updated!

Rebecca Johnson and Cara Chowning have a new date for their recital: March 1, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. I have updated my earlier post.

The Schoen Duo's "A Child's Garden of Verses" Project

You can find your way through this link to a series of artfully made video recordings that combine readings, images, "field" video recordings, and stage performances that the Schoen Duo assembled as an educational package to appeal to children (of all ages).

And you can find a link to the music (in versions for different instruments) on this page of the IMSLP.

Ten Years

[Yesterday's Sunset, a painting by June Fine]

Ten years ago on this day my mother, June Fine, died from tongue cancer. She had been unable to see for many years, and was unable to walk because of severe edema. When she was diagnosed with tongue cancer she told me, "The good news is that I have cancer--the bad news is that it is treatable." Treatment for my mother would deprive her of the ability to talk and the ability to eat. I respect her choice, but her willingness to die has haunted me for a decade.

Fast forward to Valentine's Day 2026.

When I first suspected that I might have cancer back in December I thought about my mother. I always felt that I was her protector: I became a flutist because she could no longer play due to an operation she had on her left hand, and I tried my best to encourage her and support her, even though she was reluctant to relate to me in a maternal way. I very often said (and thought) that she would be a person I would choose for a friend, but not as a mother.

With every anniversary of her death I forgive her just a little bit more for not being the kind of mother she was unable to be. I know that she never meant to hurt me. She might have even thought that she was protecting me from having the kind of over-protective mother that she had. But that is neither here nor there.

What is here is my unwillingness to repeat my mother's mantra regarding cancer. I have places to be and things to do, and I have people I want to be with and do things with.

I am eager to begin getting infusions and taking oral medication (I begin on Thursday). I am  curious about which side effects I will have, and wonder how I will feel while doing this serious science-based battle with an entity that is attacking the marrow of my bones. But I also feel (to use the expression "in the marrow of my bones") that I will regain control of my body and my future.

I like to think that my mother would be proud of me.

My flutist friend Meysam Ghodraty needs help

Meysam Ghodraty spent a couple of years as a graduate student at the university in my Illinois town. The last time I spoke with him was just before graduation in April of 2025. He told me that he was headed to California to find a doctoral program. Michael and I just learned today that Meysam has spent the past two months in ICE detention in Louisiana.

The university music department started a GoFundMe page today to raise money for Meysam's legal assistance:

He came to the United States legally and was in the process of obtaining an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension to his visa in order to start a Doctoral program in flute performance in Fall 2026. We believe that his OPT may have been denied due to a clerical error and want to help him correct this situation.

While he was a student here Meysam lived in an apartment very close to our house. I enjoyed hearing him practice when I walked by.

UPDATE from the gofundme page:

Thank you so much to everyone who has so generously supported Meysam Ghodraty’s legal fund. We are deeply grateful for your kindness, encouragement, and willingness to stand with him during this incredibly difficult time. Your support truly means more than we can express.

Yesterday, we learned that the Fifth Court of Appeals (which covers Louisiana) issued a decision on Friday (Feb. 6th) indicating that bond may not be permitted in cases like Meysam’s. Because he has a court appearance scheduled for Monday, we are very concerned that his bond could be reconsidered.

Our immediate and urgent goal is to post his bond (which we are working on right now!). If he can be released, his case would move to the non-detained docket, which—while slower—would at least allow him to continue his case outside of detention. Importantly, being out on bond may also give him the opportunity to resubmit his OPT visa application.

Thank you again for your generosity, compassion, and support. We could not do this without you!

UPDATE: Meysam is safely back in Illinois. Thank goodness.