As some you may know, when I’m not busy reading, reviewing, and blogging about a-never-ending-list-of-Austenesque novels, I earn my bread by teaching piano lessons and running a little music studio in my home. When I was working as a K-8 music teacher during the day in the past four years, I unfortunately was forced to give up playing piano for my own personal enjoyment. 🙁 Between waking up early to teach a bunch of kiddos at school and teaching piano until 7:00 at night I just didn’t have the energy or desire to sit down and play that often.
But now, thanks to Mr. Bingley and his new job, I’ve returned to the piano bench and I could not be happier! Like Lady Catherine, I am well aware “that no excellence in music is to be acquired, without constant practice,” and I have been at work trying to practice as often and as diligently as Georgiana Darcy or Marianne Dashwood!
I decided to take on a new project with my practicing – what could be more perfect than combining two things I love – Music and Jane Austen? I have two Austenesque piano books in my collection., and in the past, I’ve enjoyed reading through these books for fun. But I never seriously spent time finessing any of these pieces – working on the fingerings, dynamics, and phrasing (you know…all those things I’m always encouraging my students to pay attention to…) I thought it might be fun to work them up to a performance level and make little videos to share with you all.
Here is my first musical offering for you to enjoy, dear readers. I’ve selected a piece from the film score for the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, composed by Dario Marianelli, and the first piece I have recorded is “Stars and Butterflies.” I believe (please feel free to correct me if I am wrong) that this is the music that is playing when Elizabeth Bennet escapes outside from her family at the Netherfield Ball…stealing a moment away from all their improper and mortifying behaviors. And I think the scene follows through to the Bennet’s “early” morning departure from the ball.
I’m attracted to this piece because it feels pensive and also a little wistful. I love me some slow, moody music! I like the name “Stars and Butterflies” and have been pondering on how it came to be titled thus. My theory is that it is illustrating the change from night to morning…stars are out at night, butterflies come out during the day? maybe? What do you think?
I hope you enjoy my little performance! I’m so thankful to Angie Kroll for making the video – it is a million times better than what I was going to do! (btw – check out Angie’s awesome Austen Admirers App!)
I hope you enjoyed the first installment of Austenesque Melodies!
What piece are you interested in hearing next?
Now that was a wonderful way to start my day. I’ve only seen the 2005 P&P once, so I don’t recognize the music, but I thought it very beautiful.
So glad you can enjoy your talent and skill–play on, play on!
The S&S Ang Lee has some marvelous music in it, if you’re willing to stray from P&P. 🙂
Thank you, Jane! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post! The second book I own has some pieces from the S&S you are talking about. I love the music from that movie, especially My Father’s Favorite!
How lovely, Meredith! I love that soundtrack so much–it’s an important part of my “writing music” playlist–and you did a fabulous job on this piece.
Me too, Nancy! I have this soundtrack and others on my “reading” playlist! LOL! Thank you for your kind words!
Oh, Meredith, how beautifully you play!!!
I would be delighted if I just got to listen to you for a few hours…and I’m thrilled you shared your musical talent with us!!
Thank you! 🙂
p.s. I love Angie’s video, too!
Thank you, Marilyn! I’m looking forward to pushing myself to do more posts like this! It was a lot of fun! Angie is just amazing, right?
I really enjoyed your performance, Meredith. At least once, let Mr. Bingley video YOU for us. I would love to see you play.
LOL! Mr. Bingley might be able to do that… Thanks for your kind words, Robin. It means a lot of coming from you! 🙂
Maybe I should have said, “Let Angie video you,” since she did such a wonderful job with this recording.
Mr. Bingley would be the one to hold the camera…Angie would be in charge of editing out any silly faces I make! 🙂
YOu play beautifully, and I think the score for the 2005 film was just gorgeous. My favourites include Dawn, Liz on Top of the World and The Secret Life of Daydreams, which we had played at our marriage blessing during the period of reflection.
Like Nancy, I play most of that soundtrack whenever I am writing.
I would love to be able to play the piano and I envy you your talent! Do please let us hear some more soon!
Loved the video, too!
Thank you, Cassandra! Me too! I’m so happy they made a whole piano book for the movie! Wish they would do that with some other movie and miniseries that I love! Thanks so much for the encouragement! Will post another soon!
How pretty! I really should pay more attention to the musical scores when I watch films. I agree with Robin, next time I would like to see you playing! (Not that Angie’s video isn’t great because it is!) I myself would be a superior pianoforte player – if I had ever learnt. (lol sorry, I couldn’t resist). Definitely envy your talent.
HAHA! Love it, Monica! Will work on the visual…right now I record using our keyboard because my piano makes too much “extra” noise. As soon as the piano keys are fixed, you might see some of my fingers… 🙂
It was beautiful and magnificently executed. I haven’t played since I was a child. My grandparents bribed me to play the organ. smiles. I love music but practice was …..well…..practice. I didn’t enjoy it. That music sticks with me. What everyone else said…..I think we should have seen you playing. Hopefully next time….please. Even little snippets of you in between whoever else if you are camera shy.
Aw thank you, suzan! I was a terrible practicer until about high school (it took awhile for me to get serious!) As soon as I can, I’ll post a visual video!
Beautiful, Meredith!! You play wonderfully, and I look forward to hearing more. I concur with Robin, Monica and Suzan, I would love to SEE you play too!
Thank you, Candy! These encouraging words are so wonderful! Thank you!
I loved it so much Meredith.That was a sweet version.
Keep doing it.
Thank you, Elisama! I really appreciate it! 🙂
Piano music always makes my soul happy. Very beautifully done! I love that piece. I have the soundtrack and love it. Bravo bravo!! And I agree with the majority, it would be nice to see a piece of YOU playing as well as Georgie and Marianne…=D
Thank you! LOL! I must not disappoint you all, I promise to post a video of myself playing soon! 🙂
Meredith fantastic playing! I envy your talent. I can’t wait for more of these installments!
Thank you, Kimberly, for the support! Hopefully I’ll post a new one soon!
Beautiful…..took my breath away…you are very talented..music is a gift..Glad you shared it with us…
Thank you for the encouraging words! 🙂
I agree with everyone. Next time, let’s add you playing! 🙂
okaaaay…LOL! Thanks for making this video so beautiful!
That was lovely,Meredith! I do hope your next one is from S&S,particularly that piece Marianne is playing as Colonel Brandon walks in and sees her for the first time(you don’t have to sing,if you don’t wish to!).
Thank you, Tara! My favorite piece Marianne plays is “My Father’s Favorite” (in the movie she plays this as Elinor is watching her and weeping a little). I’ll have to see if I have a music for the one you mentioned!
Lol! Definitely will not be singing. 😉
Beautifully played! You make me want to sign-up for piano lessons. I enjoyed the music video and will patiently wait for Melody #2.
Thank you, Beverly! I love playing the piano and I’m so happy I can play music from movies I adore like this one! Will get to practicing #2 straight away!
You are very talented, Meredith. I love hearing you play the piece but I thought the music should be a little faster.
Can’t you play by hearing? If you can, maybe you could try playing the opening title for the 1995 P&P mini-series?
Thank you for the kind words, Sylvia! I don’t play very well by hearing, only a little. But I do have the sheet music for the opening title of 1995 P&P mini-series, so I could definitely do that one in the future!