Posted by Helen on: 01.14.2009 /
This week’s local newspaper has an article about the upcoming concert my son is in: Sibling rivalry at the symphony? Young musicians highlighted at Jan. 18 family concert. The author of the article called Ben last week and interviewed him over the phone. Here’s the part about him:
Ben Mildenhall won out in a rivalry of a different sort, since the 2008 competition is the second in which he was declared a winner. His rivalry is with himself. Currently a sophomore at OPRF, Ben entered the 2006 contest as a violinist, winning over older musicians with the glittery Tsigane of Maurice Ravel. Prohibited from competing a second time as a violinist, but undaunted, he stayed within the rules by entering again this year as a pianist.
Sharing first prize with Ryan Murphy, Ben will perform an athletic and dramatic work for solo piano, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1. His teacher, Angela Wright, gave him a choice of preparing the Liszt concerto or the more frequently played concerto of Edvard Grieg. He listened to both pieces and decided that Liszt would be the winner. So far, Ben has been able to manage the competing demands of playing violin vs. piano. He also enjoys competing in math contests, which “are usually a lot less stressful than performing, until you get to the last five minutes.” At OPRF, he also uses his hands for something quite different: competing in the school’s ping pong club.
(You can see videos of both my children playing violin and piano on my personal/family blog)
Comment by: Rick Lord
1Hi Helen, good to hear from you, I admire the design you have for your blog “Conversation at the Edge.” It was great to read about your son Ben and his considerable talent on violin and piano – go Ben!
Peace,
Rick+
Comment by: Helen
2Thanks Rick! Thanks for stopping by. This blog is sponsored by Off The Map. Todd Hiestand designed and set up the blog for Off The Map a couple of years ago.