Interpretations of Music: Mendelssohn: Piano Trio no. 1 - 1st movement

Interpretations of Music: Lessons for Life with Benjamin Zander
Clara Garriga, violin; Abby Lorimier, cello; Lior David, piano 
Dave Jamrog Audio/Video

Today we bring you an Interpretations of Music: Lessons for Life Class on the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1, performed by Clara Garriga, violin, Abigail Lorimier, cello, and Lior David, piano, who were all in high school at the time of the class. They have since gone on to study music in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Maestro Zander coaches them: “You play this music with great fire…You have to modulate excitement. The secret is timing…Tell the story…Don’t think about the notes. Think about every two bars as an event…Think of it in terms of a gesture…Find the freedom in the music…Always find the shape and the direction that the music requires…Whenever there’s a surprise, allow yourself time to express the surprise. Otherwise it just goes by…Always play as if it’s the last time.”