My Great Uncle Ron introduced me to the piano when I was just 3 years old. He had a garage full of dusty old pianos that he bought, sold, tuned, and played. When he came to visit he would always tune my piano. He did it the old fashioned way – with his ear and a simple tuning fork. When he was satisfied with his work he would play the most fabulous tunes – old honky tonk numbers were among his favourites. Then we would play a little duet together. Usually heart and soul.
Last week my Great Uncle Ron passed away.
I wrote a little piece of music a few months ago, and although it’s incomplete I found myself playing it over and over again last week, while thinking about all the fond memories I have of my Great Uncle. If it wasn’t for his love of pianos, I’m not sure I would have ever learned to play. So thank you Uncle Ronny, this one is for you. I thought that maybe if I put this out in the airwaves, it might reach you, somehow…
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i’m sorry about the loss of your great uncle ron. the music is lovely and his legacy will live on every time you play the piano. xo, c
March 29th, 2009 | #
What a wonderful gift your uncle gave you once upon a time. You will cherish the memories, that’s for sure. My introduction to the piano was through my cousins as they played Heart and Soul as well as In the Mood. My grandmother lived with us and she would sit at the piano and play for hours – I loved it. The piano my parents bought for me over 50 years ago saw my children through their musical days, and it now resides next door so my neighbor’s daughters can grow up with the same love of music. Do I miss the piano in my house? – yes; does my husband miss it? – no. : )
March 29th, 2009 | #
divine. I stumbled across this page and had to respond. My father is a pianist and I have always sworn (as morbid as this may sound) that he simply has to die after I do – so that his music can be present at one of the most major events in my life: its end.
I love the sound of your cabinet piano (the recording really sounds like it a cabinet…am I right?) and your mention of Heart And Soul hit right to the core because my father can play that piece with all the thrills, trills, and whistles that one could imagine. I love my father and I know how loving someone and the beauty that something they produce brings to this world feels like having a priceless secret in your life.
Sorry for your loss but it definitely seems that he also had much to gain in having you around.
cheers.
March 29th, 2009 | #
what a beautiful, sad piece. thank you for it. and sorry about your uncle.
xoj
March 29th, 2009 | #
pia, your uncle ron gave you a special gift through his love of piano; you honor it and him beautifully.
March 29th, 2009 | #
this is such a pretty piece. a perfect sunday morning listen. i am very sorry for your loss. i am certain your uncle ronny is very proud.
March 29th, 2009 | #
I am an improvisational composer as well and have played since age four. I heard my sounds in your recording. People are placed in our paths to open doors, doors which open to and other doors and different rooms. Your uncle opened a door to a large room, a large room where your creativity was requested and where you obliged. And the doors kept opening from there, and here you are now, a person to whom others look for their inspiration. Quite a journey that I hear in that song.
March 29th, 2009 | #
so lovely pia to have been able to recieve this gift from your uncle and how because of it you can find yourself calling out to him with this lovley piece. it is beautiful pia.
March 29th, 2009 | #
What a beautifual piece. Simple and so appropriate for a Sunday morning in San Francisco. I am sorry about your Great Uncle but so happy that you have such fond memories of him.
March 29th, 2009 | #
oh pia. That is perfect. I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure your uncle loves this music dearly. I do.
March 30th, 2009 | #
So sweet. I’m sure your uncle is smiling down on you right now!
March 30th, 2009 | #
You bring it with such much love, i’m sure he loved it too.
March 30th, 2009 | #
stunning and gorgeous piece. i loved it. so sorry to hear about your loss. i am sure your great uncle is glowing with love and pride listening to your lovely music.
March 30th, 2009 | #
Beautiful — what a wonderful way to remember your great uncle.
March 30th, 2009 | #
very sad to hear this Pia. But what a great gift he has given you.
March 30th, 2009 | #
It might just be the seagulls in the background, but this piece had me sitting on a wharf at sunset on a warm summer evening, catching flat head and eating hot chips, magic!
Godspeed uncle Ronny, you’ve left a great legacy!
March 30th, 2009 | #
I’m sure he is proud to hear what you composed for him, it’s beautiful.
March 30th, 2009 | #
I’m sorry about your loss. It’s good to think that he has passed his piano love on to you.
March 30th, 2009 | #
remember the end of one thing is the beginning of another…but i know not being able to touch and see or hear is the hard part.
your music is sublime…i’ve listened to it all morning as i know your great uncle is every time someone plays it.
if you finish it, you’ll have to share it too.
March 30th, 2009 | #
so sorry for your loss. Clearly, your great uncle’s inspiration lives through you. May his memory be for a blessing.
March 30th, 2009 | #
thank you for all your beautiful comments, I’m glad I posted the piece.
Estelle, your comment put a big smile on my face – i’m there with you, catching flattie and eating hot chips!
xx
March 30th, 2009 | #
I robin just came by and whispered in my ear. “Tell Pia he got it.”
March 30th, 2009 | #
A robin. (not I robin)
March 30th, 2009 | #
oh i am truly so very sorry for your loss. such a beautiful memory you have and it’s an honor that you have shared it.
March 30th, 2009 | #
That was a beautiful piece, Pia. I think the birds in the background make it all the more magical. I am sorry for your loss and think that your Uncle Ronny would be very proud of you. You are a very accomplished pianist.
March 31st, 2009 | #
que bella pieza de musica! what a beautiful piece of music! thanks for sharing Pia:)
March 31st, 2009 | #
Hi Pia,
Jess here, remember me? Nan just told me about this (she loved it – gave her a tear), and I just found and listened to it, its really beautiful, i was proud of my speech until I heard this….it reminds me alot of Pop hearing it and i also played heart and soul with him, its the song i enjoyed playing the most with him.
Thanks for sharing, and your website is beautiful, i am going to explore it all right now.
I will also make sure Mum, Mel and Aimee get to hear this aswell.
Love from A far
Jess xo
April 1st, 2009 | #
Dearest Pia,
Your music is lovely. I felt so uplifted tonight listening to it from here, faraway from you, in my New Hampshire home. I loved hearing the little bird as it reminded me of the day I was married outdoors and we had a bird singing throughout our vows directly near us. When I was married, I imagined that bird was someone special in my life that I had lost, visiting me there on my precious day. Perhaps this little bird was someone special for you to, dropping in to thank you for your song but, being that it was so beautiful, he decided to sing along? Hmmm.
Much love to you over the waters sweet girl.
Holly
April 11th, 2009 | #
Hi Pia,
I discovered your blog the another night and have enjoyed looking back at all your wonderful posts, especially this one. This is a beautiful composition and I love how you can hear the birds in the background of your recording. Thank you for being so inspirational.
B.
April 28th, 2009 | #
Thank you so much for sharing. That was a beautiful piece of music.
May 9th, 2009 | #
Oh Pia. This piece is *BEAUTIFUL!!!*
What is it called or did you make it up?
I will listen to this over and over again.
Thankyou so much for sharing, you are so talented. x
May 17th, 2009 | #
Pia, I’m so sorry about your family’s loss. Your great uncle sounded like an amazing man, who helped to instill the beautiful love of life and music you exude. That song was so lovely, I’m sure he heard it somehow.
May 18th, 2009 | #
Ohhh…..Just beautifully gorgeous. I want more.
May 18th, 2009 | #
You play beautifully…
June 4th, 2009 | #
I absolutely love the sound of the water birds in the background. So very lovely~
xo
June 4th, 2009 | #
beautiful and haunting….i’m sure Uncle Ronnie would love!
June 30th, 2009 | #
ahhhhhh im in utter LOVE with this piece – i keep playing it over and over and over again. so romantic and beautiful and heart warming. so moving, makes me want to cry!! x
July 11th, 2009 | #
pia – i am so sorry for the loss of your uncle. this piece of music is SO beautiful, and i thank you for sharing it. WOW!
July 12th, 2009 | #
Hi Pia, I would dearly love to have an album of your compositions.please announce it to the world when you have completed it and are releasing it. i am infatuated with the music I have heard so far.please share more of your gift.I can’t wait.
mela
September 5th, 2009 | #
Hi, this piece of music gave me goosebumps! I too started to learn to play when I was about 4 but unfortunately stopped around the age of 18. I recently have started to play again (after 15 years!). Will be looking out for your album! I’m sorry about the passing of your uncle.
xxxx
September 23rd, 2009 | #
[…] Si chiama Pia, è una giovane fotografa di design d’interni, e come molte sue colleghe ha una doppia vita. Mentre per vivere, e anche per viaggiare, fotografa le case degli altri per le grandi riviste internazionali di arredamento, tiene anche un blog molto personale, nel quale lancia i piccoli libri di cui è art director. Come molte sue colleghe, ha un occhio da scenografa, un immaginario molto più intimo di quello che il lavoro giornalistico le consente di mostrare, ed è sradicata. Australiana di origine olandese, si è trasferita presto a Parigi, dove ha conosciuto il suo fidanzato francese, con il quale si è trasferita ad Amsterdam. Sul suo blog trovate un diario della vita sui canali, in forma di foto straordinariamente delicate, spesso Polaroid, e di testi un po’ sognanti. Ecco il suo resoconto di come ha scoperto la piccola casa galleggiante dove abita adesso, godetevi nella puntata qui sotto anche i suoni che registrato dalla finestra sul canale, e quelli di lei che suona il pianoforte a bordo. […]
November 18th, 2009 | #
i just found this.. really beautiful pia!
i didnt know you played 🙂
November 26th, 2009 | #
Veronica? OMG you like Pia’s work too? What small world. Geez marry me! You’re beautiful! You’re amazing! You’re the one….
December 10th, 2009 | #
Wow…this was so beautiful…thanks for sharing it on your site…it’s completely lovely.
December 15th, 2009 | #
Pia! I just cried listening to this beautiful piece and reading your little entry. Your music is so so beautiful. You must be the most talented person on earth I think! Is there anything at all you can’t do beautifully? I doubt it.
Sending you lots of love.
e xxx
January 16th, 2010 | #
Im sorry for the loss of your uncle Pia..im certain that somehow your music reached him..and that he is smiling down..& looking over you now..he truly bestowed a gift upon you..
You play very beautifully..& its truly a captivating and whimsical piece..filled with calming and soothing notes..i love the sound of the seagulls..they bring about a calming and summery air..his spirit is forever with you..
ai.x
January 17th, 2010 | #
[…] Pia jane Bijkerk~{Uncle Ronnie}<click […]
January 19th, 2010 | #
all i can say is i loved it and it has the most beautiful feeling it gives to you.
May 14th, 2010 | #
Lovely!! Thank you for sharing! xo
June 7th, 2010 | #
Pia your music says it all. So lovely. Bravo to your wonderful Uncle Ron and bravo to you. x
September 3rd, 2010 | #
this song makes me cry.
Just precious.
March 3rd, 2011 | #
Pia, this is so evocative, your uncle would be proud!
Thanks for sharing.
Any plans to launch your new book in Melbourne?
June 16th, 2011 | #
Pia, amazing…what a blessing in memory of your Grandfather ! When will the album be released ? Feeling so grateful for finding your blog tonight and now your music, you are inspirational…thank-you for sharing your many talents, I’m off to purchase your book tomorrow 🙂 x
July 30th, 2011 | #
Sorry, your Great Uncle x
July 30th, 2011 | #
What a lovely blog! Thanks for sharing! I am also considering to buying a houseboat. It’s a little tricky, there are loads of beautiful boats with stunning interior Design in England. But… I live in Ireland :). Someone recommended to buy a cheap-ish barge here in Dublin and build the houseboat / interior Design myself. So that’s what I am looking into now. I always wanted to build my own house – why not a house boat :). Fingers crossed I’ll make this dream come true!
July 7th, 2013 | #
[…] Si chiama Pia, è una giovane fotografa di design d’interni, e come molte sue colleghe ha una doppia vita. Mentre per vivere, e anche per viaggiare, fotografa le case degli altri per le grandi riviste internazionali di arredamento, tiene anche un blog molto personale, nel quale lancia i piccoli libri di cui è art director. Come molte sue colleghe, ha un occhio da scenografa, un immaginario molto più intimo di quello che il lavoro giornalistico le consente di mostrare, ed è sradicata. Australiana di origine olandese, si è trasferita presto a Parigi, dove ha conosciuto il suo fidanzato francese, con il quale si è trasferita ad Amsterdam. Sul suo blog trovate un diario della vita sui canali, in forma di foto straordinariamente delicate, spesso Polaroid, e di testi un po’ sognanti. Ecco il suo resoconto di come ha scoperto la piccola casa galleggiante dove abita adesso, godetevi nella puntata qui sotto anche i suoni che registrato dalla finestra sul canale, e quelli di lei che suona il pianoforte a bordo. […]
July 24th, 2014 | #
[…] and deep respect for music, its importance in life, and mostly how to feel it within me. When I was three, she noticed that I loved to sit at her uncle Ron’s piano whenever we visited, so she got an old […]
March 31st, 2015 | #