Escaping the miseries of Panama hats and the aggression of the Opposition and its acolytes is a must in order to retain one's well being and as much joie de vivre as possible even if, as one blogger put it, one foot of mine is in the grave. However, there is no saying in life who might outlive whom. I know this from bitter experience. Age, often, has little to do with how long we live or how early we die.
The concerts organized by the President's office usually at San Anton Palace and sometimes at Verdala Palace are an oasis for those who enjoy music combined with elegant surroundings. In fact I cannot imagine how anyone can possibly live without music. I always feel sorry for myself when for one reason or another I have to miss one of these concerts.
One such rewarding evening was a concert given by 14-year-old Laetitia Amodio. Goodness, at that age I was struggling with Czerny and still playing with beads and a skipping rope. This concert was within the programme of the International Spring Orchestra Festival organized by composer Karl Fiorini. Laetitia chose a very demanding programme starting with Beethoven's Waldstein, Sonata No 21 going on to Liszt and ending with Debussy's Feux d'artifice.
But the young pianist was in complete control of the situation.
The Waldstein does not enjoy the same popularity of the Moonlight, the Pathétique or the Appassionata but it has its own beauty and share of popularity. I admired this young pianist for her concentration, her command of the situation, her technique. I felt that she brought her own individuality in every bar and a clarity and sparkle that make you want to go on listening. She gave a deeply satisfying reading of the Waldstein sonata. There was a degree of restraint where necessary and the occasional hesitation which showed that her approach to the work was thoughtful. She seemed to be enjoying herself in her own way and the audience shared her enjoyment in the celebration of a beautiful sonata.
Beethovan was sitting on a piano stool at the age of four while Laetitia who showed musical talent early was taught by her mother, Charmaine, starting lessons at the age of five years. Her mother continues to teach her, however, this young pianist has also attended a number of master classes both in Malta and abroad. Apart from being a soloist she is also a member of the Malta Youth Orchestra. She has won several competitions and prizes among them a two-week scholarship at the Kent State University in Ohio which she will take up this July. And last but not least she has been offered a place at the Wells Cathedral School, one of only four Specialist Music Schools in England and will be continuing her academic and musical studies there, starting this coming September.
Liszt's Après une lecture de Dante which followed the Waldstein is about technical prowess - mostly. There is little of the lyricism one loves so much in his Consolations for example. The moments of magic are relatively few. Laetitia played this difficult piece with poise, flair and technical skill. I felt quite exhausted at the end of it, let alone the young pianist. Although her mother had warned her that this is a difficult piece she was determined to play it and practiced and mastered the technically difficult passages.
Mrs Amodio told me that Laetitia practices piano for about three to four hours daily, depending on the quantity of homework. In summer with more time to spare, she practices for five hours. She listens to classical music all the time, even while doing her homework. When she encounters a particular piece and falls in love with it she immediately asks her mother to teach it to her and help her overcome the more challenging passages.
Laetitia has one sister, nine year old, Thea. In Mrs Amodio's words: 'Their bond is unique. Thea doesn't play any instrument but practices gymnastics and is very sportive.'
Debussy's Feux d'artifice, the last piece on our programme, is not an easy piece to play but it allows the most accomplished pianists to shine and Laetitia did shine.
We were hoping for an encore but the young pianist must have been emotionally exhausted at this stage and went backstage only to return to receive congratulations and a present from the acting president, Mrs Dolores Cristina.
It is not my crystal bowl which tells me that this girl will get far, it is the evidence at hand.
O'Hea launches the latest Silhouette collection
Cilia Melillo always manages to look as if she is a lady of leisure and pleasure who doesn't do very much apart from bringing up her children and generally look after her home and family. She is a 'smiley' - a life enhancer. The truth is slightly different. She is a successful business woman too, who shot through the glass ceiling and never allowed it to get in her way.
The evening of the launch Celia introduced Tania Attard the new Silhouette ambassador. Tania is a friend to those of us who are patrons of The White Sheep. She told me that she owns several Silhouette spectacles and will not wear any other brand. There were other guests who told me the same thing so there must be something special about them.
This was a lively evening and another occasion to meet old acquaintances and make new ones. I particularly enjoyed talking to Muccia Manduca and Mrs Radmilli, both wearing their Silhouette specs. They told me how they do a great deal of walking mostly to raise funds for those in need. Mrs Manduca seems to know a great deal about food and what one should and should not eat. I can see that both of these ladies, quite unlike me, practice what they read and don't just accumulate knowledge of what is good for our health. Monday is the beginning of another week, and therefore renewed resolutions.