Contrary to recent evidence to the contrary, we here at the Well Tempered Conservatory play music other than that composed by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel. For the past few weeks, however, it has been and will be even more concentratedly till Saturday, All Fanny All the Time as I ready myself to perform her Nocturne in G Minor in a master class led by a Venerated Elder in the piano community. The Nocturne, or Notturno( as far as I can tell a nocturne with an italian accent) as she titled the piece is an exquisite 90 measure rumination on a past love or deep romantic feeling, now leavened in the equipoise of maturity. Last night one of my Well Tempered teachers told me to strive for transcendence as in the Transcendentalist kind, but that I should be more Emily Dickinson than Emily Bronte.

At this point, I'd settle for being the title character in this transcendental picture book. As I will be among school children who will also perform, Mr. Sillypants is a good role model. He really does want to learn to swim (He lives next to an ocean for goodness sakes) and is willing to swallow his adult pride and undergo a dark night of the soul (A large cold cut sandwich is involved and nightmares of sharks and roiling seas) in order to pursue his dream.
I however will be wearing a classic little black dress and pearls.
I however will be wearing a classic little black dress and pearls.