If "complete rest over the holidays" was something that those who don’t know me well would think I had, I would have to wake them out of that illusion because the truth is, I had an extra gig.
Or three. Maybe four... the number doesn’t even matter anymore. While normal people associate Christmas with being with family, doing nothing and having festive meals, this year I associated it with: Where is the piano? What is the repertoire? What key is this song in? 🎶
So, let’s start with Christmas. December 25th.
It is a Holy time; families all over the world are gathered. Everything is calm, the majority of people are having a day off or some longer holidays, and I? Guess! 😁 I played the piano at a private birthday party. Well, what can we do if a baby boy decides to come into this world exactly on Christmas Day? 🤷♀
Now, when he celebrated his birthday for the 50th time, I asked him isn't it cool to have a birthday on this festive day. Nope, he said. It means that as a child, I couldn't have gifts for Christmas AND for my birthday - it was all in one. I understood his "trouble".
Making that day even more festive for that family with my piano playing, I also reflected on my "troubles" and what work-life balance means. Somewhere between the songs Let it Snow and Happy Birthday, the conclusion wove itself into the tunes - I wouldn't change my profession for anything else.
At that moment, I think the universe clearly heard me and decided to give me a little more of this pleasure of playing on black and white keys. That same evening, while others had already taken up a horizontal position on the couch, I shifted myself to a hotel performance. Another location, the same pianist, half an hour of rest with a cup of tea. At this point, the piano bench could have been my home address, but then this red guy would be a family member of mine? 😯
Just a decoration around the piano, luckily.
Then came December 31st. New Year’s Eve, the final touch of the holiday season — perfect for being wrapped on the couch in the warmth of my home, while the lights on my modest Christmas tree would remind me of all the good and sparkling things of the whole year. Do you think I spent my night that way..?
Although being at home would be indeed perfect, I chose a very fancy place — the kind with a beautifully decorated dining area that whispers luxury. Actually, it chose me just two days before the event, but it is just a minor detail.
Now, the real plot twist: I had to play with a cellist.
But we had never met before. Not once. No rehearsal. 😱
Just a phone call, a few messages and some voice notes in those two days before the event. We had a constructive, rational discussion about the pieces we both know and can perform together, but we also decided to learn some new ones, because why not make life harder more interesting? 😂
Somehow, it worked. Because... of course it did, as it simply had to work. 🎶
Because being a musician also means turning chaotic notes into harmony and holidays into a fully booked performance schedule.
Now you have the right to ask me whether being a workaholic is a great thing. 😂
Maybe. But it is exciting and charming not to count just numbers, days or years, but also musical pieces and new people you meet at the performances.
And honestly? Someone has to keep the pianos busy during the holidays.😁✨
