On Father's day, the accomplished pianist (who used to bang on the piano), prepared a piano accompaniment to Amazing Grace, sung by two young, beautiful, lady missionaries. The accompaniment wasn't the traditional tune but instead a classical piece which I recognized but can't name.
Somehow, the pairing was magnificent. Each tune, a compliment to the other.
I only know that the pianist used to bang on the piano, because before the musical number began, she stood before the congregation and shared her thoughts about Father's Day. She had prepared this number to honor her father--a musician, and a loving, patient father.
From a very young age, she was drawn to the piano. But lacking the skills to play, she reached up and banged on the piano keys. She continued to bang on the piano keys, so her father put the piano in her bedroom. Imagine growing up with a piano in your own room. With freedom to bang on the keys along with learning a soft touch.
When the pianist was an angsty teenager, she especially banged on the piano. She took her frustrations and disappointment out on the piano keys. While "playing" her father would come into her room, lay on her bed and listen to her kill the piano keys.
He never asked "What's wrong?" He just listened. And he would say, "Play that one again." She would and then when she banged out another piece, he would again request, "Play that one again."
She realized that with each rendition, she would calm down.
This was a musician father, loving his daughter. It was his way of helping her work through the uncertainties of growing up.
Without her ever knowing.
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