VICTORY!

Unless you have been stalking me creepily, or perhaps I've told you in person, or maybe you have a really good memory, you've probably forgotten by now that last night was S and I's little performance.

We were the only pair that actually performed. The rest of them just walked up there, played and fled.

I will give credit where it is due; the Fazioli full grand I played was pure magic. It was so much lighter (in terms of the firmness of the keys) than the Bösendorfer, and the upper registers produced sounds that were so round and soft and yummy that they were almost... Transensual. The sustain pedal was also very shallow and firm, similar to what I've been used to playing on my Casio keyboard.

We were close to the end of the program and had to wait about an hour for most of my other peers to finish up their selections; there were about 6 soloists playing multiple pieces each and two other ensembles, a flute & piano, and a piano duet (that was AWESOME). And, for good or ill, I discovered whom my competitor is. ;)

After we arrived onstage and I'd settled myself before this magnificent beast of a piano, S translated the lyrics of C'est ainsi que tu es for the audience, and then took his place. He stood there for about 15 or 20 seconds and looked up, but I still hadn't gotten through the initial adrenaline rush and waited about 10 seconds more before starting...

And we nailed it. We were the best for two reasons: Our technique was flawless (I made two minor mistakes) and I didn't skip or add even a fraction of a beat (rubato doesn't count); and our expression.

I know, I know - it was just a little recital in front of my peers and their families, but I was so elated. My parents were there, too, and I was grateful that two people who know me well were there to hear us. One of my peer's wife is French, and we brought her to tears. No matter how small your audience, no matter how insignificant the performance, there is always opportunity to influence somebody - and one shouldn't discount any opportunity to perform.