Before we begin today’s post, we would first like to wish all piano teachers a Happy Teachers’ Day in advance! It is through your hard work and effort that many students are able to play the piano today. Hence, you should be proud of your accomplishments. Today’s post is about a couple who have been playing the piano together for forty years. Misha and Cipa Dichter had to even be reminded of how long they have actually been playing piano on stage together.
Their first ever performance was in 1972 at the Hollywood Bowl, where they played W.A. Mozart’s Double Piano Concerto. That concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic served a dual purpose. Misha Dichter hoped and felt that the concert would help to keep his wife’s mind off the potential of post-partum depression. At the same time, he wanted to experience performing in a public setting with his wife. They have already been playing together in private settings since their days at the Juilliard School. “Playing for an audience was a natural outgrowth of what gave us pleasure – playing four-hand music,” he said.
Over the past 40 years, the couple have been have played some four-hand piano on one instrument, but majority on two pianos. Come September 8, the couple will be playing on two pianos at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales, which will be the debut concert in the 2012-13 Music in Corrales series. Majority of their program relates to classical music apart from Dick Hyman’s “Danzas Tropicales.” “It’s a real novelty, It’s an unusual addition to our repertoire. It’s new and it’s accessible. Sometimes contemporary music can be a little intimidating,” explained Misha.
Although the couple have been playing the piano together for 40 years, Misha stated that performing together as husband and wife can be rather challenging at times. He feels that it is actually more emotionally taxing compared to rehearsing with, say, a string quartet. “As any marriage is more complicated than a simple business relationship. … I get short-tempered at times. We always work it out,” he said. For the full story, do check it out here.
Performing in front of an audience can be rather intimidating at times. Imagine having to do that while synchronising your play with a partner. It is definitely nowhere near easy. However, before you can begin to work with a partner, you must be confident of your own capabilities. At Piano Lessons SG, we offer Piano Lessons For Adults of all levels. If you wish to enhance your skills, you can do so with us!