While this scene may not be exceptionally beautiful or
aesthetically pleasing to the eye, it represents something of great
significance. This scene, in
particular, showcases Ada’s use of her piano to communicate with the outside
world—to “speak” her mind through music.
Throughout The Piano—through it’s ups and
downs—Ada’s use of music as a means of communication is prevalent. Even in her sleep, Ada conjures up
wonderful arrangements, providing a soundtrack to her dreams (at least, that’s
how I like to think it would work).
At this point in the film, Ada’s husband gossips (for lack
of a better term) with a few women of the village about the possible departure
of Gaines. The villagers speculate
over his reason for leaving, concluding that he must have had trouble with the
natives. This, however, is not the
reason—as Ada and her husband are all-too aware.
Hearing news that Gaines is leaving, Ada, with her usual
melancholic glare, sits at her beloved piano—her mode of speaking, of
expressing her feelings. As she
keys a sorrowful but beautiful tune, the people surrounding her begin to
stare. The expressions, especially
worn by Ada’s husband, look as if they comprehend the desolate melody—as if
each note had hit them where it counts.
Later, one of the onlookers commented that Ada’s playing was like “a
mood that passes through you … a sound that creeps into you.”
The Piano’s rich
melodies passed through me, too—the score is very moving and well written.
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