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In a touching video shared on social media, 107-year-old Colette Maze from Paris shared the moving story behind her life as a pianist — a career that saw her release her first album at 84, and now at the grand age of 107, her just-released sixth album has been dedicated to her favorite composer, Debussy.
Maze started playing the piano at the very tender age of five. As she shared in her video, it was a form of release from the strict parenting of her mother, whom the pianist described as being cold and disinterested. In fact, heartbreakingly, Maze shared how she lived in fear of annoying her mother and being spanked for reasons she didn’t understand.
It was this fear and need for tenderness that drew her to the piano. The Parisian found that gently embracing the keys of the piano with the tips of her fingers was very soothing. Her passion for the piano has remained with her for over 100 years.
Her son Fabrice also spoke of how piano playing has remained a constant positive force throughout his mother’s life, inspiring her during years when times were tough. This positivity seems to be an attitude she holds firm to, as she advises people on what’s important in life:
Everything is there to be discovered, you must marvel at everything, and not be blasé.”
And it seems that Maze’s ability to see the beauty in life is captured in her piano playing. As she continues to play four hours a day, she is able to impress her fans with her passion for music, and for life. This same passion is no doubt helping her to keep her mind sharp, and her fingers nimble as she continues to age with grace and strength.
And today we celebrate...