|
"Why we play" -Anthony Lau |
|
|
|
Why I played the Chromatic Harmonica
"
When I was 7, I listened to "Vocalise" by Rachmaninoff played by Jascha Heiftz in one of his LPs. I was deeply touched by this melodious piece. To imitate the sound of the violin, I use the upper note of a tremolo harmonica (which has two notes in one hole, one upper and one lower, in slightly a different pitch in order to produce a trembling sound) to play this piece. I was not satisfied with the sound and hoped I could have a single note harmonica to produce better sound. Diatonic and chromatic harmonicas existed but were not known in the 1950s. I listened to weekly radio programs in which Mr. Lau Mok, played classical pieces and was fascinated by the beauty of the chromatic. After attending his concert in 1956 accompanied by a symphony orchestra, I was hooked to this instrument that has given me immense pleasure in life. I asked myself, why bother trying to learn other musical instruments when the versatility of the chromatic satisfies my desires of musical enjoyment?
Anthony Lau
|
