2 Schroederisms
Lucy: “What happens if you practice the piano for 20 years and then end up not being rich and famous?”
Schroeder: “The joy is in the playing.”
I was at a ‘thank you’ dinner for people serving on the American Fork Arts Council a couple of nights ago, and my table neighbor remarked on how much I’m volunteering in the community with a hint that I was being ‘too’ generous with my time without compensation. He may be right, but what can I do? The joy is in the playing. If people aren’t willing to support financially what I give to the community, what can I do but continue to give?
In the past, when I’ve gotten caught all up in the business aspect of being an artist, I have tended to forget that the ‘joy is in the playing.’ After all, we’re making art here.
Lucy: Schroeder, do piano players make a lot of money?
Schroeder: Money? Who cares about money? This is art you blockhead. This is great music I’m playing and playing great music is an art. DO you hear me? An ART! ART! ART! ART! ART!
Lucy: You fascinate me.
Truth is, I’m lucky to have someone like Lucy who is willing to stick with me no matter how thick-headed I am about continuing on as a musician.
For more Schroederisms:
- Fascinating exhibit on Schroeder and Beethoven
- NYT article on the above exhibit (i.e. the short version)
