It's time for another sit-down at the piano. On cruise ships, there is always some crew musician playing schmaltz on a baby grand somewhere on board, especially during rough seas. Last week on the roughest day at sea, I was in a gift shop buying a jacket (the Caribbean was not warm that day), and in the atrium just beyond the balcony rail was a guy playing Claire de Lune in the most peaceful manner. We hit a big wave that felt as if we hit something large and solid, and some ladies screamed, but the guy kept playing. It was so effective—calming schmaltz.
My Claire de Lune is in sad repair, so I have opted for a dreamy arrangement of Over the Rainbow instead. I have held onto this ragged piece of sheet music since high school because it was left to me by a friend who died when we were seventeen.
May your troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops. How's that for schmaltz?
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May your troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops. How's that for schmaltz?
Comments
I can picture you playing that in the lounge bar of a cruise liner while the passengers are tossed about by the high seas.
I'm glad you're not stuck doing that but can get back home and play your piano for us.
Peahen, there is coordinating the two hands, and then there is actual skillful playing. I'm afraid I miss too many notes to count myself as skillful.
Rich, Ha! I thought that exact thing. My little storm didn't compare to slamming into an iceberg, but I did think of the band playing Nearer My God to Thee.