Dear friend
From you have I been absent in the spring,
When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim,
Hath put a spirit of youth in everything,
That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him.
Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell
Of different flowers in odour and in hue,
Could make me any summer’s story tell,
Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew:
Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white,
Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose;
They were but sweet, but figures of delight
Drawn after you, – you pattern of all those.
Yet seem’d it winter still, and, you away,
As with your shadow I with these did play.
[William Shakespeare, Sonnet 98]
When you have Shakespeare describing anything, mere mortals need to not attempt to add words. Thus all I need to add is music - the incomparably seductive Suite Nr. 1 for two pianos by Sergei Rachmaninoff. A celebration of Spring is complete.
And a reminder to look forward to another celebration – that of the talent of our young poets. Please don’t forget to secure your tickets for Piano Slam 2022.
Have a beautiful week.
Warmly,
Gabriele Fiorentino
President,
The Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation
Piano Slam
