Pianist Sergei

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As a Healer for the Distant Healing Network, I am often asked questions about pets who died and gone on to other realms: do they remember us, can they visit us here on earth, will we meet again ... etc. Below is a true story that might bring grieving pet owners some comfort:

My beautiful long-haired cat Angela reached the age of seventeen earth years, raised Sergei and Igor Alexander during her final year here on earth - and then left for other realms.

The kittens stayed with Angela those last few days, lying happily on the bed upstairs with her while I did my various chores and errands. When I was able I joined them, and on one of these visits during her last day with us - I clairvoyantly saw my dogs Dominique and Guinivere, whom Angela had loved so deeply. They were hovering above and a bit in front of Angela as she rested in the upstairs bedroom. It appeared as though a transparent sheet of glass or some other substance, separated us from them. And both dogs had their noses pressed against this glass, or the edge of their realm, and were looking directly at Angela - not at me, but at her. Dominique was actually wagging her tail, a thing she rarely did while on earth. This clairvoyant vision persisted well into evening. Dominique and Guinivere were obviously waiting for Angela, and were there to greet and perhaps guide her to wherever she was supposed to go.

This vigil continued throughout the afternoon and evening, and on one of my visits upstairs, I gently put my hand on Angela's soft head and she left the body soon after. Several hours later, I realized that the clairvoyant vision of my two dogs - had disappeared. And it never returned.

Later, I thought what comfort the presence of Dominique and Guinivere must have given Angela that last day. For if I could see them waiting for her - certainly my little clairvoyant cat could.

This experience taught me that not only do our pets remember us, their owners, once they have gone on to other realms - they also remember each other. And the love and caring they have for those they loved who are still on earth easily flows from realm to realm.

Clairvoyant Laurie Conrad is a pianist and composer living in Ithaca, New York. "Dominique and Guinivere Wait for Angela' is a story from Conrad's new book, "Realms of Light: Clairvoyant Experiences of Life After Death", from the chapter devoted to animals. For more information about Laurie Conrad and her writings go to: http://www.figarobooks.com/

Four of the Greatest Modern Classical Pianists of All Times

Every serious piano student eventually learns to play some of the most well-known classical pieces during his or her studies. Nary a pianist didn't learn Palchabel's Canon in D or Beethoven's Fur Elise. Even non-musicians recognize names like Bach and Mozart.

But what about modern classical pianists who have also made notable contributions to cultural history? Here are four the most well-known modern classical pianists and their contributions:

* Glen Gould: The eccentric Canadian-born classical pianist spent more of his prolific career in the recording studio than on stage. Gould covered many of the original classical greats, such as Bach and Beethoven. Gould may be best remembered though for his recordings of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Gould was widely acclaimed for his unusual technique and eclectic renditions of famous classical works. Though he spent many years on the road, touring several countries, he gave up concert performances in 1964 at the age of 32. Though he could have spent decades longer on the road, he preferred to live out the remainder of his career in the studio.

Gould's career was cut short by an untimely stroke at the age of 50, which ultimately took his life. Still, his recordings live on today and have been released and re-released numerous times.

* Arthur Rubinstein: He has been referred to as one of the greatest piano virtuosi of the 20th century. Born in Poland in 1887, Rubinstein's family recognized a depth of unique talent in him, despite the fact he didn't speak until age three. A childhood filled with unusual behavior and outbursts fuel speculation that Rubinstein may have suffered from a learning disorder or autism.

Eventually, Rubinstein's temperament gave way to the talent for playing the piano that he eventually became known for. Rubinstein made his concert debut in New York in 1906 and toured until 1976. He reluctantly retired from public performance at the age of 89 when his hearing and eyesight began to fail. Though he passed away in 1982, Rubinstein is still highly acclaimed among modern musicians.

* Sergei Rachmaninoff: This Russian classical pianist was also a composer and conductor. Perhaps it was his unusual 12-inch hand span that helped him become a legend for his technical proficiency. Rachmaninoff not only commanded the stage, but at a height of 6 feet, 6 inches, commanded a room as well. Though he began piano study casually under the tutelage of his own mother, his extraordinary talent quickly emerged.

Rachmaninoff was mediocre in academics, even failing many of his subjects for lack of motivation. However, his piano instructor, who recognized his potential, insisted on a strict and disciplined practice regimen. If not for him, Rachmaninoff may have given up on his musical studies as well. A later meeting with Peter Tchaikovsky also served as inspiration for him to continue his musical career.

He managed to overcome several setbacks in his career, including scathing public reviews and a long period of writer's block. After several years of performance and changes in location, Rachmaninoff moved to the United States in 1918. He continued performing until February of 1943, just a month before his death from cancer.

* Myra Hess: This British pianist stands out in a genre typically dominated by men, especially during her years of public performance. Even as a young child Hess exhibited extraordinary talent. She was admitted to the Guildhall School of Music just two years after beginning lessons at age five. She gave her first public performance at the tender age of 17 in 1907, when she toured throughout Europe for several years. Eventually Hess debuted in the United States, where she realized almost instant acclaim. In an effort to boost morale during World War II, Hess organized a series of free public concerts in London. Her efforts during a time that saw the closure of concert halls and art galleries due to the war was deeply appreciated and received by the public. Hess herself performed at many of these lunch hour concerts. It may have been these efforts that endeared her to the public and stirred lasting interest in her music and career.

About the Author

Duane Shinn is the author of the popular online newsletter on piano chords, available free at "Exciting Piano Chords & Chord Progressions!"

Your views on Rachmaninov?

It was recently my Birthday and my sister purchased a 2 hour documentary on Sergei Rachmaninov. He's been quite an influential figure to me but I really didn't know much about him so I thought this would be a great DVD to watch.

For quite a long time, Rakhmaninov was very 'unfashionable'. For his time, Rakhmaninov was a very conservative composer. His style owed a great deal to the heritage he inherited from composers such as Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodin. If you compare Rakhmaninov's music to that of two of his closest Russian contemporaries, Skryabin and Nikolai Tcherepnin, you will notice how much more steeped in the past Rakhmaninov's music is than theirs.

Rakhmaninov's music hardly evolved at all throughout his career, although I believe his style might have developed slightly more adventurously had it not been for the disastrous failure of his First Symphony in 1897, whose language was among the most advanced of any of his compositions.

For this reason of perceived conservatism and living in the past, many people who believed all music should be experimental and forward-looking dismissed Rakhmaninov as a relic from the past. He was one of the last great Romantics and love his music. Who cares if it's sometimes over the top? His music is never less than completely sincere and from the heart, which is more than can be said for that by some of his detractors. Fortunately, people do not seem do influenced by 'fashion' in music nowadays and Rakhmaninov's music is enjoying something of a renaissance.

Former Portland pianist Benjamin Kim proves he belongs on the world stage
Raised in Lake Oswego, Ben Kim plays a demanding program in front of a hometown crowd.

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