A Gift for You:

this Tuesday morning... beautiful, beautiful music by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), Piano Concerto No. 2 in F, written for his son Maxim's high school graduation. This version is conducted by Maxim and the piano is played by his son Dmitri Shostakovich Jr. (father, son, grandson).

Let me try to describe the way it makes me feel: When the piano answers the strings and wind instruments, it sounds forlorn but happy at the same time. I close my eyes and feel like I'm floating on a raft down a soft current in dappled sunlight. The light is blinking on my eyelids and the rays are warm on my face but the water is cool underneath.

Close your eyes and try visualizing that scene. Like I said, truly this is a gift for you.