“The mightiest lever known to the mortal world. . . Imagination.”       William Wordsworth

I have experienced a lot of great faculty recitals at Carthage over the last 19 years, both as an audience member and participant,  but none any more moving and inspiring than the one delivered tonight by my colleague, office neighbor, and friend:  Dimitri Shapovalov.   What a treasurable addition he is to our department. . . a wonderful scholar, teacher, pianist, conductor, composer, and colleague.  It’s little wonder why I hate the guy.

Dimitri’s recital was designed as a celebration and an exploration of the importance of Imagination in the Romantic  Era – both in how works were created as well as how they were experienced and appreciated.  But beyond that,  it served as a reminder for all of us there that Imagination is one of the most precious gifts that human beings have been given and it’s something we should never take for granted.

Dimitri’s program consisted of music by Beethoven,  Chopin, Schubert, Rachmaninoff, and Medtner. . .and every piece was played with consummate grace and expressivity, to say nothing of technical poise and assurance.  One clear indication of this uncommon excellence was the rapt stillness of the audience,  which consisted almost entirely of students (most of whom are not pianists).  That there were so many students there on a Saturday night is a testament to the affection and esteem with which he is regarded by our students-  but the intensity of their attention and appreciation was largely due to the magic he made tonight.

And thus far I’ve only really talked about his piano playing.  The other element in tonight’s program was his elegant spoken remarks, which were at once simple and direct yet profound and intriguing. . . as well as profoundly personal and sincere.   And as I listened to him,  I found myself marveling at an astonishing fact that Dimitri talked about in a visit to my morning show last year:  that he basically did not study English in any concerted fashion until he was about 17 years old as a new immigrant in America.   And here he is,  just a few years later,  wielding words as expertly and effectively as anyone I’ve ever known.   Yup,  I really hate the guy.

As I listened to Dimitri introduce his last piece-  a single movement sonata by his compatriot, Nicolai Medtner – I found myself so touched by his remarks about his beloved teacher back in St. Petersburg who taught him this piece- and whose score he still possesses and cherishes.  As I heard him talk about his deep personal connection to this piece and then as I heard him play it with such a feeling of gratitude,  I found myself imagining what I might do on my own faculty voice recital this fall.  Suddenly it became clear to me:   I will celebrate my 50th birthday by revisiting some of the most important songs I’ve sung at various stages in my life.  And beyond the actually re-singing of these songs,  I will endeavor to explain how I was shaped and changed as a person and musician encountering, studying, and ultimately performing these songs.   What had been nothing but a vague,  fuzzy notion became almost tangible enough for me to touch!   And all because I imagined it !

So I guess I don’t hate the guy after all !    Not when his wonderful recital ended up inspiring the best idea I’ve had in years.

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure
fills And dances with the daffodils.

— William Wordsworth

pictured above:  My colleague,  Dimitri Shapovalov,  in mid-performance.