Notes from the Fires: Fire Victims Fight Trauma with Tradition

Notes from the Fires: Fire Victims Fight Trauma with Tradition

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We decided that we need to revive the tradition of musical salons. It’s reviving life. And what can be better than the Nutcracker?

— Maria Demina, pianist

I think it’s life affirming. It’s important for people to see that life goes on.

— Natasha Marin, pianist

On Sunday, November 30th, three-dozen people gathered in a home in Brentwood to hear music they’ve heard a million times before - and were delighted to hear one more time.

The music was a special 4-hands arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, played by pianists Maria Demina and Natasha Marin. As DoubleSharp Piano Duo, the St Petersburg natives have been playing together for years, but that ended when the Palisades fire destroyed the house Maria shared with her husband Matt Lichtenberg, and damaged Natasha and Cheech Marin’s home.

But Maria and Matt have resettled in a home with enough room to bring back one of their traditions - art salons - and both thought it was vital to show the power and importance of music in our lives - especially at Christmas.

Maria and Natasha’s full recording of the Nutcracker is available on iTunes.

After today’s episode, listen to The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies, performed by a different piano duo: Isata Kanneh-Mason and Jeneba Kanneh-Mason