Poetic Musings on Pianos, Music & Life - Volume II
In great joy, excitement, and curiosity Ann describes a rediscovered world of sound and music after she retired from busy careers in trial law followed by a business career in fashion corset design and image consulting to the trans community.
Seeking solace during the pandemic lockdown and after retirement in 2020, one day she noticed her spinet piano sitting untouched since graduation from high school. At age 76 after not playing her high school piano for 63 years, Ann Grogan decided to take piano lessons again. She began by reviewing elementary piano books and a year later the thought struck her to "borrow" a friendly neighbor's grand piano--to play at least once in her life--in exchange for a gourmet home-cooked dinner. No less than two weeks after playing her neighbor's gorgeous semi-concert grand Bosendorfer, Ann decided she wanted her own grand piano and went on an arduous ten-month search for The Duchess, a Golden Age 1927 Steinway Model M parlor grand that she had completely rebuilt and refinished.
Soon thereafter music about poetry took hold and in this, her second poetry book, Ann continues inspirational musings about the piano and life. She considers various composers and musicology topics that caught her attention during her breakfast "music appreciation hour" including how women have been left out of public recognition and support in music as in other aspects of artistic, social, and political life. Reflecting a common angst about divisive politics, retrenchment in gender and racial civil rights, the rise of violence, and the rejection of science in public health, Ann retains and expresses irrepressible hope that music will continue to lift spirits and carry us forward to a happier world full of art and song.
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"Reflecting on the myriad of emotions and moods that music evokes within us, this volume, like Ann Grogan's first volume of poetry, will be especially meaningful to music lovers and makers. I particularly enjoyed learning of the specific sources of her inspiration. Whether it was Lupu's magnificent tone, Yudina's intense character, or Yuja's glittering pianism, it made me reminisce about my own experiences. We often say how music can speak where words fail. What a delightful twist to read about the deepest emotions that music evokes within us." -- Anna Shelest, pianist, annashelest.com
"I absolutely loved this second volume of light hearted poetry about playing the piano in maturity. "Andante" or "Allegro" particularly resonated as I try to live my life at an Andante tempo, while my brain tries to force Allegro upon me! And Grogan captures the state of flow at the piano with her poem "I Heard My Piano Play." This is a great collection for older adults who brave the bench, and know what it is to love the piano, the process, the pain, and the deepest pleasure." -- Gaili Schoen, author, Upper Hands PIano: A Method for Adults 50 to Spark thye Mind, Heart and Soul; UpperHandsPiano.com
"Ann Grogan is truly a force to be reckoned with when she sets her mind to it. First is her focused pursuit of creative expression through the piano. Second is the refinement of her search ultimately culminating in the rebuilding of a nearly lost instrument. When the piano of her dreams was not found, she brought one back into the world by re-envisioning a lovely instrument on which she could stretch her wings. These poems tell the fortuitous story of her journey into piano and poetry, which is wonderful to witness." -- jordan hines, artist, JordanHines.com
"I love learning from experiences Ann expresses in her poetry, and gained insight about the importance of never forgetting my dream and love of playing classical guitar. She encourages me to play more and keep going after new and old songs to perfect them. I remembered how much I loved music when I came to it 18 years ago. I'm now motivated to share more of my playing which I also hope to do in my senior years to come." -- Tung Vu, classical guitarist, composer & teacher, BA, University of California, Los Angeles, Herb Alpert School of Music, Program in Music Performance for Classical Guitar
