Quarantined Diabelli
Well who would have known after my website launch party was canceled on March 16, 2020, that life as we basically know it has halted. Fortunately, my family and I are safe and healthy and staying home! I have, like many musicians, been given a gift of some more focused practice time (or at least that should be the case). In reality, I have been forcing myself to practice, but with difficulty. I find myself unfocused, unmotivated, and probably depressed.
But I try to press onward, as I am still planning on recording Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, Op. 120 this summer as part of my project. I have secured two new variation commissions from South America and Asia and I am quite excited to learn this new music. And finally, I am finding new joy in practicing all of the new music. So here is to finding joy and peace in these difficult times. I hope to have some recordings posted later this summer after our campus (hopefully) opens up so I have access to our recital hall to record. I wish anyone reading this health, rest, and purposefulness in this difficult time. Perhaps this quarantine enlivens my concept of the Diabelli Squared project even more, as its main focus is to bring the humanity of music together.