The first week with my Spinet recalls me the days when my sister just born. First thing to do after wake up was to visit her bed and play with her. After school, my first thought was to go home to play with her. I felt responsible for her, observed how my mother take care of her and I imitated my mother. Friends come to our home to have a look at the new born baby. Friends far away send their greetings by phone call. That time no facetime, whatapps, emails yet.
Similar to the situation when my sister was born, to play with my Spinet is the first thing I do in the morning and when I come home. I keep checking the humidity in the room and place a wet towel nearby when necessarily. Friends come to look at the Spinet, or ask for a picture of my new spinet. The two violinists and the harpsichord builder were excited about my Spinet and congrats me.
To have this Spinet is really convenient. I still could not believe that I do not have to go out to church or music conservatory to practice on a real instrument. The keyboard react immediately to my touch, merciless sound badly when I was not careful enough or start to sing when I did it well. I was having so much fun playing the 3rd variation of “Onder een linde groen” (Under the green Linden tree) using early music keyboard fingering.
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck written four variations on this Dutch folksong. A story took place under the linden tree in summer, when the leaves were green. Yes, I have an organ recital to play on next week Saturday and this piece is in my programme.
Since we are now under the linden tree, let me share another song with you about linden tree. You can feel the breeze and even smell the fragrance of linden tree by listening to it! Scroll down for text and music. (Lime is another name for linden. )
I breathed a gentle fragrance!
In the room stood
A spray of lime,
A gift
From a dear hand.
How lovely the fragrance of lime was!
How lovely the fragrance of lime is!
The spray of lime
Was gently plucked by you;
Softly I breathe
In the fragrance of lime
The gentle fragrance of love.
Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft – Friedrich Rückert.
Translation © Richard Stokes, author of: The Book of Lieder (Faber)
Provided via Oxford Lieder (www.oxfordlieder.co.uk)
It is almost middle night now, let the most charming music about linden tree by Schubert be the lullaby.
“Here you shall find rest!”
Der Lindenbaum, Wilhelm Müller