Sonata Pathetique

Last Saturday, I went to see the dance company "Momenta" perform. They did a work by Doris Humphrey called "Sonata Pathetique". This piece was first staged by Momenta in 1989, when I was a member, and I remembered the piece as soon as I heard the first few bars of music. It is such a arresting piece of music and the dance is as captivating. In 1989 when I first saw it performed I did not appreciate it as I do now because I did not give my attention to anything that was not danced on pointe. Momenta is performing it again this coming weekend, and I am almost considering seeing it a second time.

The music from this piece has consumed me. I have been "huming" it since Saturday evening. On Sunday morning at breakfast, I discussed the dance with my husband because it was still consuming so much of my conscious thought.

On Monday morning, I decided to drive my husband to work since he was running late. I turned on the radio, turned it to a classical station, and something was playing that I instantly responded to. It was in minor key, and I like almost all music in minor key, and suddenly I realized it was Sonata Pathetique. I turned it up and "let it consume me", to quote my husband (he said this yesterday when he was driving through the forest and listening to classical music).

This evening, I taught a class, and learned that one of my students is taking private piano lessons. As soon as I found out she was a pianist, I mentioned Sonata Pathetique and how I came to know it and she told me that she had played the piece in concert. I wanted to get her a piano and make her play it for me.

So that is why I went to Borders this evening and bought the CD and played it in my car on the way home, twice, and am listening to it right now as I write this.