07 MAY 2026

Music is like a time machine — it takes you straight back to the past.

Last Thursday after training, Luke and I went into the city to attend a concert. The Palau de la Música Catalana is known as one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world. The colorful stained-glass ceiling is truly unique, and the whole space is surrounded by the vibrant Catalan decoration. The stage itself is quite small, which felt just right for the piano recital that evening.

The first half was Schumann’s Kinderszenen — Scenes from Childhood. Nikolai played it beautifully; he had a great sense of rhythm and dynamics. The seventh piece, Träumerei, was something I used to listen to every day 19 years ago when I was pregnant with Luke. The baby who once listened from inside me was now sitting next to me, listening to the same piece again, together.

The second half was Liszt’s transcription of Wagner — this was the piece he played for his Year 12 music scholarship exam. In the second half of last year, he practised it every day after school. I remember coming home from work, rushing to cook dinner in the kitchen with all the doors shut — it was just too much for me. It’s one of those pieces that builds to an explosive climax. You can imagine coming home exhausted, feeling like your head might burst, yet still needing to be a supportive mother. There were days like that.

As soon as Nikolai touched the first note, the rest of the music was already playing in my head. It felt that familiar. It took me back to that time — coming home from work, the younger ones playing LEGO, and him practising the piano, as always.

What once felt so routine has now quietly slipped away. Somewhere along the way, our lives have moved into a new chapter.