First Harp Recital

[Molly]

How fun, I’m glad it went well! That’s great you were able to go to the church to practice beforehand, I can imagine that put you more at ease. How nice to be able to have that option! The church I am performing at (just in three days, eek!) I have never been to before, and will not have access to the building until about an hour before my recital. I am extremely nervous about that, but I am sure I will have some time to get my bearings before we begin. I have to get the Zoom room all set up as well so I am not sure how that will work either, most of my family lives out of state and will be attending virtually. Lots of things to figure out.. sigh…

[balfour-knight]

Thanks, Molly. We were thinking that maybe the church where you are performing has a website with photos of the interior. You could check out what it looks like beforehand, to make you feel a little better. Yes, it is wonderful to be able to rehearse in the place where you will be performing. We have not always had that option, either, and it makes a real difference.

Wishing you the best,
Balfour (and Carol Lynn)

[Molly]

Yes I’ve seen photos, it does make me feel a little better for sure!! I’m confident it will work out just fine 🙂

[balfour-knight]

Keep that confidence, Molly, and we know you will do well this Saturday! We will be thinking of you, and please let us know how it turns out.

Harp Hugs,
Balfour and Carol Lynn

[Molly]

Well, the recital went very well! Unfortunately my hands were very cold from loading my Prelude in and out of our truck, so I wasn’t as dexterous as I normally am. My fingers felt very stiff and it caused me to stumble over some songs. But I was told by seasoned performers that it was a great recital, so I’ll take it!! Ha ha.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by Molly.

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[balfour-knight]

Good morning Molly!

What wonderful news. We were sending good thoughts to you yesterday! We LOVE the nice photo of you and your harp, in a beautiful setting. Christmas is coming fast this year! Now you can breathe again. Sorry to hear about your cold fingers. I know what that feels like. It is bad enough on piano and organ keys that are cold, too, but it is especially difficult on the harp. But you made it through this first recital, very well, from what you wrote.

Thanks so much for posting this message with the photo. That helps us to visualize what you look like. You can search “Balfour Knight harpist” and maybe find a few little clips of me playing Cherie! I don’t post them myself, but other folks have a way of doing that, ha, ha!

Merry Christmas and we are so proud of you! Keep playing and enjoying your harp.

Harp Hugs,
Balfour (and Carol Lynn)

[Molly]

Thanks for your kind words! I am very pleased with my performance, and gave myself some grace for the mistakes I made due to cold fingers, and nerves… I think I did great overall, all things considered!

I loved the photo of you playing your harps that you posted in another thread- I will have to find some video clips.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas too!!

[balfour-knight]

Hi Molly!

We are so pleased that you are happy with your performance. People who “beat themselves up” after a performance are always very unhappy. It is DONE, so they need to get on with it. There can be a lot of hope for the next performance, and a chance to apply what we learned from the previous one. After performing professionally for some 60 years (I began when I was only 8) I seem to have learned how to do it, ha, ha!

I apologize in advance for the poor recordings that exist of my playing on Youtube and Facebook! There are “skips” and other imperfections because of technical problems, and the fact that those were not professionally recorded. But folks have told me that at least it gave them a chance to hear and see a little glimpse of me playing the harp, ha, ha! I always have a good time when I play.

You and your harp look so elegant and beautiful in that photo you posted above. Keep up the good work!

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas,
and harp hugs,
Balfour (and Carol Lynn)

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