I said "Good-bye" to Julia last week. She had been my student for nearly ten years but is now heading to college. I think she will do great things in her life if given the chance and I wish her well. The "last" lesson is always awkward. I can't really give her an assignment, just some general advice. Mostly it's an opportunity to reflect and just chat some.
Near the end of our time she asked, "What is your all-time favorite song to play?" Surprisingly I had never been asked that before. I thought for just a moment and then answered, "The Bouree from the first Lute Suite by J.S. Bach." I'm sure I had played it for her before, but I played it again just to be sure.
Although I had never categorized it like that, it was an obvious choice. Before I became involved with classical music I played and sang folk music. Mostly the new stuff, from Dylan to Paul Simon to Cat Stevens etc. I was attempting to write my own songs but always seemed to fall short. I was also listening to a lot of pop and rock music. The first time I heard "Bouree" it was a rock/swing version by Jethro Tull. For the longest time I actually thought they wrote it. Either way it was a favorite of mine at the time.
The first classical guitar album I purchased was by British guitarist Julian Bream. He played two of the four Lute Suites by Bach. When it got to the Bouree and I heard it as it was meant to be I nearly fell over. Not only was it by J.S. Bach (I would have known that if I had read the credits on the Jethro Tull album.) but it was being played by only one person. To my ears it was the coolest thing ever. "If I only ever learn one classical guitar song in my life, it's gotta be this one."
Prior to that moment in my life, I had met pop star Jose Feliciano. In our brief conversation I told him that I had very unsuccessfully been trying to learn to play the way he did. His suggestion was to learn to play classical guitar. That started my curiosity in the direction which lead me to the Bream album. But playing like Bream quickly replaced playing like Feliciano as a goal.
That all happened over 45 years ago. I, of course, learned the song and have had many years of enjoyment from it. But also it truly changed my life. Because of that song I became a classical guitarist/teacher. I've learned to play music that most likely would have fallen beneath my radar otherwise.
The effect that great art can have on our lives can be dramatic. The right song at the right tine can cause us to fall in love. The right photo at the right time can bring us together or inspire great acts of charity. A book, a poem, or well acted play can entertain and enlighten. I have never grown weary of the Bouree and am still inspired by it. It is, to me, the most perfect example of two-part counterpoint I've yet to encounter.
I'm grateful to Julia for her question which caused me to reacquainted with an old friend. Once again the student teaches the teacher.