Hi teachers, I need your opinions on farewell gift for my teacher. I actually opened a thread a few months ago for the same topic. But this time I am going to finalize what I am going to do for him:

1. A thank you card with pictures of us

2. Heat and reveal "world's best teacher" mug from moonpig.com with a CARTOONIZED PICTURE of him

3. Classical CD - not quite sure what to buy:

Any comments? Thank you!

The Ashkenazy complete Chopin album sounds like the gift of a lifetime to me!

A money card from a restaurant that is part of a family of restaurants, so the teacher can choose which one, along with a personalized thank-you card.

As far as making a gift of a CD or a CD set, you should be sure that the teacher
- likes the particular composer
- likes the artist performing
- doesn't already have the sets or something equivalent.

When I buy a year-end gift for my piano teacher, I keep my eyes and ears open starting in January. Throughout the late winter and early spring, I listen for clues in our discussions about performers, books, videos.

A couple of months ago, in a discussion about performing the keyboard works of a particular composer, I mentioned a book written by a distinguished artist concerning the performance of that composer's works, and my teacher remarked that she had always "coveted" that book when she saw it in colleagues' homes. Bingo!

I bought the book two months ago and it is wrapped and ready for presentation at my last lesson.

What happened to the thread that you opened a few months ago on the same topic? Did it not bring you any ideas? If the year is now winding down, it may be a little late to be looking for the right gift, and asking others for ideas seems like a last-ditch effort that lacks a personal touch. Do you really think that a gift, suggested by someone who doesn't even know your teacher, is the best way to show that you care about him?

Then, perhaps, you always do your gift shopping at the last minute and just have to hope that the choice is a good one.

Regards,

Thanks everyone!

To Bruce, shame I have to admit I don't know him well enough. But I have gathered some information:

- According to my informant (quite reliable I suppose), his favourite pieces are

beethoven 4th concerto, waldstein sonata
brahms 1st piano concerto
chopin barcarolle, b minor sonata

- He likes Richard Goode so much. He lent me lots of recordings of him to listen - if I buy him Richard Goode recordings, there will be a high chance that he already has one.

- I think he will definitely love Great Pianists of the 20th Century (1999, Philips Records) (Seriously, who would not like one?). I definitely cannot afford the US$3500 box set but I can select a few recordings from amazon.com. I know he has got a few CDs already - But we have been discussing it recently so I can try to ask him which one he has got.

- Regarding books, I reckon he quite like Charles Rosen (he said Rosen was a very intelligent man) and Alfred Brendel (he bought me one as a gift)

I things you have made yourself always hit home the hardest

Why

Don't get him a classical CD - he probably has TONS and tons. I stay away from getting them anything music related.

For the woman teacher I had for two years (and the best one yet), I bought a Prada perfume. But that's because it was my last lesson with her, before I switched to another teacher (she knew that).

It really depends what you want to say with it - is it a "goodbye forever" gift or just for end of the year? Has he done a lot for you - not just in lessons, but favours too? My ex male teacher did SO much for me, free chamber coachings, he still gave me personal coachings, let me use his studio when I really needed it, let me get away with skipping masterclass to practice, at times heard me b*tching about stuff and acted as my therapist, encouraged me when I was going through a "I'm going to quit music" phase, etc. So I got him a very nice bottle of Scotch this year, even though he wasn't my teacher anymore.

But sometimes, even a thoughtful card or a small gift card goes a long way. Especially if your relationship with him is more casual.

Thanks Angelina. Yes, it is a "goodbye forever" gift - I am switching teacher because I am going to study at a music college soon. He did a lot to me, even though some may seem very trivial - he give me extra times, come to my school specially for an extra lesson before an audition/exam, come to see my concert, allows me to annoy him constantly, gives me little presents, writes me a good report (lol). But very importantly, he helped me improved A LOT!

I want to get him some posh items as well, but he is a male and I'm not quite sure what he might like. If I am really going to buy a CD, I may buy Ingolf Wunder's Chopin recital because it is quite new (not even released yet) and my teacher really likes B- Sonata.

It's also dangerous if he likes that piece that he most likely has an ideal interpreatation of it and might not like it. I don't know though, you know better! For male piano teachers, it's always safe that they like strong alcohol/cigars. At least in my experience, haha!

Geez, what stereotyping!

Yes, but a love for the drink is fairly widespread in my experience too, at a very prestigious conservatory near me, not naming any names! At least half of the department, and that's just from my personal experience and knowledge. Who knows what the rest of them are up to! =P

It seems to me that Feebee is a bit young to give a bottle of whiskey or a box of cigars. It would be incongruous.

I agree with Pogorelich that a CD isn't the way to go. Besides, everybody gives CD's, or a piano coffee mug, it's so obvious. The photo and the world's best teacher mug ("heat and reveal", really !) sound perfect to me, I'm sure that he will be touched, anything more is superfluous.

I said in my experience........

I agree. Just as many female teachers would want strong alcohol, too.

I gave a teacher, who loved Beethoven, the DVD's from Barenboim's master classes. I knew she didn't have it and she seemed very pleased.

Not in my part of the country. They're more likely to like yoga mats and green tea.

When one watches these videos and becomes aware of the superb musicianship, scholarship and the warm humanity of the man, one wonders why Barenboim doesn't rate higher among the public as a world-class pianist.

Regards,

He really is quite good. Have you read his biography "A Life in Music"? He took the high road and confined the writing to a very interesting tale about his musical career and choices. He chose to leave out the intimate details of his marriages, which, I think, makes it a better book. Early on, he was told he must choose between conducting and piano. He refused and pursued both with great success. HIs political views are controversial and fascinating. Interesting man. And the book would make a nice gift!

Sometimes simple things are the best. Last year I sent a teacher I had in Vienna a calendar with inspirational quotes, and she really loved it. It is not that she just said so, she really did. She kept mentioning it several times throughout the year, and how good the quotes were.
I am not suggesting you buy a calendar in June of course , I just wanted to say, as we had also discussed in the other thread, that it must not be an expensive gift....

If you get a CD that is newly released, it is less likely that he would already have it.

Thanks everyone!!!

Bruce: I like him as well. Learnt a lot watching his masterclasses.
Deborah: Thank you for the book! Added it to my "wish list" now
landorrano, ChopinAddict: Ya I agree. I think my mug and card will be sweet enough
David: True. I may be ordering Ingolf Wunder's new CD (which is not released yet).

Just in case any of MY students are reading this...STOP WITH THE WINE!!!!!!!!! I have, at last count, 32 bottles of unopened wine that have been given me on various occasions from students.

Maybe you can give a couple to Angelina...

Well, let's have a party!

She's asked before many times =p

Or Soda King.