// Philip Glass Etude No.1 – My Morning Ritual

First, a confession.
I don’t play Etude No.1 as fast as Mr. Glass indicated in his score. The honest truth? It’s a little too fast for me—and for Mme Bechstein, as I call my piano. But perhaps that’s part of the charm of this version: it’s a bit slower, more grounded. And in that space, something opens up. The dynamic expression has room to breathe. The tempo becomes a gently rising tide, like waking up slowly, aligning fingers, mind, and breath into harmony.

Over the past weeks, it has become something of a quiet companion in the early hours of the day. I’ve worked from the published score, gradually sketching my own notation to help understand how the sections interlock, how the pulse shifts and evolves. This slow discovery revealed a surprising depth—a kind of secret logic running beneath the surface.
There’s something endlessly captivating about Glass’s harmonic language. It’s modern, never cloying, and crafted with quiet intelligence. His use of subtle shifts—almost imperceptible at first—creates patterns that, through repetition, become almost meditative.

This recording isn’t about perfection or polish and not meant to compete with the many beautiful renditions already out there, performed on the most luxurious grand pianos. It’s my personal take—played honestly, on my own instrument, at my own pace. A moment captured in sound, without the pressure to impress.

If you’re a pianist—especially one still finding their way, as I am—I warmly encourage you to spend time with this piece. It has a way of revealing itself slowly, like light unfolding across a morning room. And perhaps, in its simplicity, you’ll find something of yourself reflected there.

Yours truly,
Sebastian Morawietz