University of California Pianist and the Lobster Questions

What’s your lobster?

One of my takeaways from reading the Pianist and the Lobster, is how human the pianist Sviatislav Richter was, and how strange the life of a performing artist must be. On the other hand, if we think of performing music of that difficulty as a type of extreme sport behavior, it’s no wonder he had such an unusual ritual. My question today is what’s your lobster? We all have rituals before we enter into activity that requires some performance component – sports, arts, gaming, taking exams, public speaking, etc. Describe one of your own rituals surrounding “performance”. What do you do?, when do you do it?, why do you do it?, how did it emerge as a practice? If you are uncomfortable speaking about yourself, go ahead and describe the ritual of someone you know well, but please respect their privacy. Be specific. Saying that you pray, for example, is too general – what prayer is it?, why that prayer?, etc.

Here is some reading links

Aretha Franklin Had Power. Did We Truly Respect It?

Beyoncé: ‘Lemonade’ Album Review

Beyoncé: ‘Lemonade’ Album Reviewdifferent one

Every Good Boy Does Fine,

The Redemption of Sinead O’Connor

Edgar Varese: The Idol of My Youth

The Pianist and the Lobster,(The one TA used)

Candy Floss and Merry-Go-Rounds, Female Composers, Gendered Language, and Emotion

Speedy Beet,