Performance Journals

Performing Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 2 reminded me that chamber music requires a different kind of listening. Reflecting on the recording afterwards revealed how collaboration, timing, and communication are just as important as individual playing.

A brief moment of misalignment during a lunchtime concert became a quiet test of listening and adaptability. While accompanying singers, I had to quickly adjust when the entry came earlier than expected, finding my place again without interrupting the musical flow. It was a reminder that true accompaniment is not just preparation, but the ability to respond calmly and musically in real time.

An outdoor performance at the West Ryde Easter Celebration on a Roland stage piano brought unexpected challenges and rewards. From adjusting to a different touch and sound projection to connecting with a warm, supportive audience, this performance became a memorable reflection on music, community, and shared joy.

Performing Recercar su Sancta Maria at the Bach Birthday Organ Concert became a deeply rewarding experience, especially when the addition of live singers transformed the texture into something richer, clearer, and more expressive. The interplay between the delicate organ tone and the purity of human voices brought a new depth to the music, highlighting the importance of listening, balance, and collaboration in Baroque performance.

A reflection on adapting to different pianos and acoustics, and how performing Chopin in a live hall means learning to “play the space,” not just the instrument.