Inventions and Etudes

Etudes and Inventions

David C. Russell

Ðon’t ever do that again,” Alain said in protest.

“It’s the beginning of a new year, 2015, new things, everybody does it,” Rene Exclaimed.

“Just in case you forgot, or don’t know, I’m not everybody; I am Alain.”

Festivity floundered shortly after midnight on January 1, 2015. At the time, I was eleven, few old acquaintances forgotten, and not ready for romantasy, political, or things young adult. Baseball cards, race cars on TV, models or toys, picking on my sister, modes of eructation, were my stuff of life. I did have a serious side, playing piano. This side began development at age six.

As 2015 began, Mr. Maxwell, my piano instructor offered me my first gig.

“At the end of Spring there is a piano competition to be held at Meadow Brook Theatre. This will be on the campus of Oakland University.”Late Spring seemed way off.

“Is this on a Saturday?” I asked.

“By the way it is.” He chuckled and added “Would you consider doing this?”

“I will consider. I’m not saying yes, and not saying no.” I learned that response from parents who also used the infamous, “We’ll see,” when asking to indulge in something.

After some hemming, hawing, attempted cajoling, my consideration changed to an emphatic “yes” to being a participant in the competition.

“I want you to know that like any other preteen, I enjoy most Saturdays and holidays. The pressure to have kept responsibility was generally laid back,” I tried to argue.

“As long as you live under our roof you will…”

Three Weeks Later

My piano lessons occurred on Tuesdays after school. It was now the start of February and the groundhog had not see his looming shadow. I had learned to play the first two pieces of Kinderszenen by classical composer, Robert Schumann.

“How about adding two more pieces to memory of this Schumann series. You are still a child after all,” Mr. Maxwell said, no chuckle.

“What’s the reason to learn four of these pieces?” I asked.

“The Alfred Brendel competition on Saturday June 13,” he said.

“Who is Alfred Brendel?”

“Alfred Brendel is a well-known pianist internationally. He will likely be on hand for this competition bearing his name,” Mr. Maxwell said.

“I’d rather meet Brian Adams or someone like Lady Gaga,” I said.

“They might be there too, one never knows,” Mr. Maxwell quipped and chuckled.

“All right. Am I going to play these four pieces?” I asked.

“I’m sure you could. Begin to challenge yourself, life will require you to do that repeatedly,” he urged.

Saturday, March 1

My sister, Andrea, age nine at the time, played soccer in Spring on Saturday mornings. We were messing around with the soccer ball at home, and on a play, I turned my ankle.

“No cast needed,” the Physician Assistant said, adding, “You will need to treat it tenderly for a few weeks.”

“Alain has a piano competition in early June. He will be fine by then won’t he?” Mom asked.

“If he plays piano with his hands, no problem. He’ll be good to go,” said the PA.

To ramp up learning responsibility, I got one of the last delivery paper routes known in America’s illustrious history. It was to deliver 150 circulars each weekend that featured local coupons and ad specials.

“From your route, you need to donate at least a buck to charity each time, and put a couple bucks in your bank account,” Dad advised.

“It’ll add up before you know it,” Mom said.

“I hope you’re right about the before you know it part,” I said. This continued to be my income for over a year. My parents were right, the savings did add up steadily.

Saturday June 13

It was the big day! Summer unofficially underway since the recent Holiday weekend. Breakfast completed, dishwasher at work, we piled in the car to head for Oakland University’s Meadow Brook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan. My first time to this theatre, this university, this city. Andrea and myself played on our respective mobile devices much of the trip from the backseat of our family car, a Buic.

Dad remarked, “Once in a while the Oakland basketball team gets selected for March Madness. They did okay this year,” he said.

“Dad, you should root for MSU or U-o-M, and not some small unheard of place on earth,” I said.

“You like the minor league baseball teams. I can like the small schools to make it in sports,” he said.

“Okay dad, different strokes, have it your way,” I teased.

“Alain, you ready to play your songs?” Mom asked. I shook my head.

“I didn’t hear you,” she said.

“He doesn’t have a brain so you couldn’t hear it rattle,” Andrea said.

“Yes, I am ready, willing and able,” I said, somewhat loud tone.

“Don’t sass your mother,” Dad said as he swerved to avoid a motorcyclist.

Prep and Playtime

Mr. Maxwell met us as we entered the lobby of the theatre where the Alfred Brendel competition would occur.

“The program has been significantly trimmed,” he said on greeting us.

“Bad storms are threatening to rumble through this afternoon with high winds and possible hale.”

“Want us to go home?” I asked.

“Not you. After all, you’re my star pupil,” he said, patting my scalp.

“We drove over here, so you’re going to play,” Mom chimed in.

Andrea had gone off to the vending machine and returned with a small bag of chocolate candies.

Mr. Maxwell escorted us inside the theatre, which was two-thirds full on our entry. I was second listed on the program, which now meant anything as there were some cancellations.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first Alfred Brendel Piano Competition! Though our weather is threatening, the young talent here will bring out the brightness of Summer within the pieces they are slated to perform. Mr. Brendel will welcome you shortly,” a voice proclaimed over the public address system.

Chatter resumed for several minutes, and then the lights were dimmed to signal the appearance of the competition host, Alfred Brendel.

He spoke with an international accent. The program stated he was of Czech descent, had lived in Austria, traveled abroad in his music career of over four decades, and lived now in England with his wife, Irene.

After welcoming all attending, he played the National Anthem, and turned the host duties over to one of the music faculty from Oakland.

I would be third on the program. Altogether seven persons would be in performance at this competition.

“Alain will be favoring us with four songs from Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen, Scenes From Childhood,” the program host said.

Slight laughter occurred after I moved the piano bench without lifting it from the floor. I felt perspiration form on my forehead as I played the first few measures of song one in G major.

Applause was long, loud, encouraging, like nothing else ever experienced.

“Excuse me ladies and gentleman, I want to commend Alain on his performance today. When I was eleven, I was helping my family run things at home. You are very fortunate to have this opportunity young man,” Mr. Brendel said.

I felt excitement all over and inside my being. Someone famous noticed me! It wasn’t Brian Adams or Lady Gaga, but what the ehck.

Announced Winners

We were dismissed for lunch break after the seventh performer played four etudes by Chopin. The sandwiches were the finger type from a local sub-shop. Beverages were bottled water since water fountains had been removed from the premises around 2010 according to overheard chatter. We went back into the theatre for the announcement of the competition’s three placing winners.

The first winner was another performer whose name was Ross. Instead of sitting at the piano bench, he wheeled himself to the piano, adjusted the setting on his wheelchair, and from there performed several Bach two-part inventions. He won a check for $500.00, which was presented by Alfred Brendel. Moreover, all the winners personally met Mr. Brendel.

Receiving second place honors was a young girl from Flushing, Michigan near the city of Flint. She received a check for $250.00, and a hug from Mr. Brendel.

“Our third place winner has as his teacher, Mr. Alfred Maxwell. He has studied piano since age six, and did a remarkable performance for his first time. Alain, come on down!”

Applause kept coming as I again walked up to and on to the stage. Mr. Brendel gave me a check, told me, “By your favorite video game and think of me.” He seemed to be a cool guy who really cared. The check presented to me was valued at $150.00. I could get a nice game for that amount!

End