Music, Love, and Survival
Part 4: Living at Willesden Lane
In this part of her performance, Mona describes Lisa’s feelings on
finding a piano at Willesden Lane. She also describes how Lisa’s playing
reminds the Kinder of home, and the way the Grieg Piano Concerto
in A Minor becomes an anthem for them as they struggle to survive together.
Questions to Discuss with Students
- As London is bombed, Lisa plays the cadenza from the Grieg Piano Concerto.
A “cadenza” is a passage that allows a soloist to shine while
the orchestra remains silent. Why do you think Lisa chose to play this
particular cadenza in the middle of a bombing raid?
- What musical styles or songs most remind you of your home, your family,
or your country of birth? Have these ever helped or comforted you? How?
