Sheep May Safely Graze
My piano is an old love, a dusty, overlooked and abandoned love. But reading Leon Fleisher’s book (see April 14 post) made me seek out the piano again, the rent-to-purchase spinet that my parents bought for me to learn on and then gave me when I had a house of my own.
I had watched Fleisher play “Sheep May Safely Graze” on YouTube last week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzLYxiLNJj8 It was sublime — and even more moving because you could see his little finger curl up after striking the high notes. You could see the effort it took him to play this piece.
I did something impulsive. I ordered the sheet music. And when it arrived yesterday I took it right to the piano. I’ve always loved this Bach cantata, even had a string quartet play it at our wedding. It is sweet and simple, with a melody that wanders off a bit, like a lost lamb. The piece starts off easily enough, but by the second page there are intricate fingerings. You must bring out an inner melody amidst scores of other notes — not easy for someone who’s been doing a lot more typing than playing the last few decades.
Still, I vow (and I vow it here, in a semi-public place!) to learn “Sheep May Safely Graze.” To prepare each part separately. To take it slowly enough that the notes enter my hands and my head. To increase speed only when I’ve mastered the voicing. To bring that lamb home. To play again.
5 thoughts on “Sheep May Safely Graze”
Oh– I'm so jealous! I don't have a place for a real piano in my home. I did have a full size keyboard electric one for a while, and even took a semester of lessons at Levine. Brought back some of the muscle memory from my elementary piano lesson days, and I enjoyed playing. But, it seemed, even after I got the kids squared away, the dogs walked and fed, and everybody happy doing something else, once I started practicing all souls in the house would be drawn to me like a magnet. I never got any peace! Maybe now that my nest a little emptier. . .
Kathy, it's interesting what you say about how your playing seems to bring out the needs of your family. I can't tell you how many times I get up and down during a "half hour" at the keyboard. If it isn't to stir something on the stove or answer the phone, it's to let the dog in and out. No rest for the weary, right?
Some of us are at the age where we need to return to "first loves," such as playing the piano, reading those books on our 'bucket list' and so forth. To stay with it, despite the distractions…
What a beautiful piece, and how appropriately you described it! I am having a used church organ delivered to my house today and would like to learn this piece. I have trouble with making the fingerings smooth with the right hand playing the recorder duet part moving in parallel sixths (key of Bb). I have been looking for someone to show me how to smooth this out and have not yet found the answer. The organ obviously doesn't have a sustain pedal like the piano, so it has to be played smoothly. Good luck learning it on piano, if you haven't done so already.
Dear Robbie, Thank you for writing. Reading your comment reminds me that I'm doing the same lazy thing I always do on the piano, which is rush to make a piece "sound right" and not take the time to learn it well. I vow to do what I said I'd do almost a year and a half ago! Meanwhile, I wish you well with your church organ. Happy playing!