Lessons from Olga

I must confess, I am a Country Western music fan. I love those cheatin', hurtin', heart-breakin' songs. I always thought I preferred songs like "All My Exes Live in Texas", "He Stopped Lovin' Her Today", "I'm A Red-Neck Woman" or "Mommas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" over anything by Chopin, Rachmoninoff, Lizt, or Scarletti. However, several months ago I had an experience of enlightenment at a recital where Olga Kern performed. Olga Kern won the gold medal at the Van Cliburn contest in 2001 in Fort Worth, Texas.

There was no Country Western music there. This music was written by some of the master composers of this world. I was amazed at Olga's concentration on the music - complicated music! I dare say a bomb could have gone off and she would not have noticed. This music was intricate. I'm not talking honky tonk music with a few chords here. I'm talking extravagant pieces that should have taken at least six hands to accomplish. Olga played those pieces with dedicated focus and the audience was enthralled in her performance. It was awesome!

During the intermission my friend and I went exploring in the lobby of the music hall. There was a board that had pictures of Olga with an interview of her by one of the music professors at TCU. I found Olga's answer to this question fascinating: "While in Fort Worth this week, you'll also teach at the PianoTexas Festival. What is the most important thing you hope to convey to the students?" Her answer was: "It is in our hands, the music of the great composers; we are responsible for how this music sounds. Through us, through the artists, their music is still alive. This is what I always try to give the students - inspiration, and a feeling of big love for what they do." What a responsibility and sense of obligation she feels for the music of the masters.

When I read her answer it reminded me of what I hold in my hands - the music of The Master Creator; His love, grace and mercy. I have a responsibility for how God's message sounds to those in my life. Through the Spirit working in me, His music is alive. I have an obligation to give those around me the inspiration and feeling of BIG LOVE for what God has done for us. I pray that I can be as dedicated to God's message as Olga Kern is to the music of the great composers. -Vickie Thompson