Getting More in Touch With Bellini and Liszt (May 1, 2025)

Today in Mr. Cosmo's lesson I studied Liszt's Reminiscences de Norma. The discussion as well as the lesson itself was one of the most intense we have ever had. Bellini's melodies are so beautiful, and the march theme is especially amazing!

Mr. Cosmo shared his wonderful ideas for each part, which helped me deepen my interpretation even more. He also said that I am really making the work my own, which made me very happy because I really love this piece.

For me, learning how to express tension is a big challenge. It is not enough to make something loud, because you often need tension, even when playing a small sound. Other elements must also be included such as effective intervals and also moving things forward by pushing through with a sense of urgency, just as sometimes it is necessary to hold back a bit and not give too much.

I’m learning to play while imagining the emotions of the characters and the story scenes of the opera "Norma" to the maximum. In today's lesson, Mr. Cosmo skillfully put me in the zone, and I played this piece with vivid images. In fact, I even played while sensing smells that are not actually there, but that helped me with my interpretation. It was a really great lesson.

And at the end of the lesson Mr. Cosmo told me, "Make it your own performance." I would like to think more deeply about opera, and about Norma for Liszt, and improve my performance to one that truly takes the audience into the world of this wonderful scene of the opera.

As soon as I got home, I reviewed everything, as usual. I think that by reviewing what I learned today before the end of the day, it will be more deeply retained.