Pirata's Stories

”look back” by Martin Phipps from the North & South score (via my sugalumps) … access the entire score here.

The Creaking of the Fallboard

when i listen to this i cannot help but be carried back several hundred miles, back to a room in my parents’ home.  when no one was home but myself and i could sneakily unearth the piano and its bench from the compulsive clutter of my mother, taking care to remember where each piece lay, for although it was clutter, it was an organized heap to one person and one alone, the very same person you did not want to anger with such interferences and the brutality they may incur.

although no one was home, the creak of the piano’s fallboard would often seem loud, loud enough to give me away, like some sort or traitor.  frozen for a moment, but finding no response to this, i could remind myself i was alone, and i would relax again.  

i would experiment with the lower keys first, then dabble my way up higher.  sometimes i would pick apart tunes overheard from here and there until i figured out each note.  other times i would make up little pieces.  they would sound a lot like the very beginning of that track.  simple, yet strong.  dark and almost brooding, yet beautiful and hopeful perhaps as well.  

now that i am no longer living under that roof, i wonder if a piano will feel as secretive and almost mysterious to me as it once was.  perhaps one day i shall find out…

i am grateful for finding this piece.  the music stirs up many things yet inspires many more.  i would like an hd camera one day too and i would capture things to set these pieces to.  

so many ideas so many ideas.  i am swimming.

(originally written 26 May 2009)