Comments for Laura Vanderkam

Comment on Best of Both Worlds podcast: Challenging ‘good mother’ myths with Nancy Reddy by Yukun Wu

Yukun Wu — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 17:42:45 +0000

I hope that you have received the email that I sent you that tells you that I’m unable to include any images, including the screenshots of the records of my discussion with Dr. Elena Lister about 2 to 3 years ago about what it means to be a parent and what makes me competent as a parent, in this comment, Ms. Laura Vanderkam. If you don’t have time to reply to this email right now, you can take your time to reply later.
I’ve also reached out to Ms. Nancy Reddy to connect.

Comment on Monday musings on Beethoven and more by Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:12:04 +0000

Great topic. I think it must be something anyone trying to make a living as an artist has to grapple with. I recently saw “A Complete Unknown,” the Bob Dylan movie. He was trying to evolve his music and got tremendous pushback from his fans. Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring caused a riot when it was premiered, and Beethoven’s 9th symphony was considered pretty radical . You have to wonder how much these artists tried to strike a balance- or did they just throw caution to the wind, go all out and see what happened? Think of the courage it took for them to create something so original.

Comment on Snow day and weekly rhythms by Jennifer Jones Robertson

Jennifer Jones Robertson — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:17:49 +0000

This post is so satisfying. Love the idea of routines and rhythms

Comment on Monday musings on Beethoven and more by Yukun Wu

Yukun Wu — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 16:47:36 +0000

I assume your conclusion on working artists’ endeavors to balance creating something groundbreaking while also having an audience is that only a few artists can manage to both make some groundbreaking works and create works so that they can have an audience, Ms. Laura Vanderkam. Is that right?

Comment on Monday musings on Beethoven and more by Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:34:52 +0000

In reply to Jeff Robbins. @Jeff- interesting! I am actually not familiar with the last movement of Moonlight - only the far easier part!

Comment on Monday musings on Beethoven and more by Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:34:18 +0000

In reply to Jennie Kay. @Jennie - and the first movement of Moonlight sonata (of course!) sounds big and important but is fairly straightforward.

Comment on Monday musings on Beethoven and more by Jeff Robbins

Jeff Robbins — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:11:45 +0000

I have to respectfully disagree that the earlier sonatas are written for amateurs. Numbers 2 and 3 for instance are full of severe technical difficulties. The last movement of the Moonlight is famously virtuosic. I am a very good amateur pianist and have worked at the sonatas all my life without mastering them.

Comment on Monday musings on Beethoven and more by Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:55:48 +0000

In reply to Jennie Kay. @Jennie - if you can find sheet music of it, some of the most fun might be the pieces that Beethoven himself wrote when he was 12! His first piece is called Variations on a March by Dressler (WoO 63) and then he wrote three early piano sonatas, WoO 47 nos. 1-3. These are the first four days of listening at CompleteBeethoven.com.

Comment on Monday musings on Beethoven and more by Jennie Kay

Jennie Kay — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:39:19 +0000

Would you recommend any of the sonatas for an 11 year old who’s been playing for almost three years? I’m always on the lookout for music that is achievable, but makes her feel accomplished as it’s by a famous composer! With my musical knowledge and ability similar to that of a kindergarten child, this may be a silly question! Please humour me.

Comment on Monday musings on Beethoven and more by Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:26:42 +0000

In reply to Mary Vanderkam. @Mary- new music can be tricky, but it is great when done well.