Category Archives: classissima.com

An interview with Rada Bukhman, pianist, teacher, author, about the “Russian School of Piano Playing”

Rada Bukhman, a Vancouver-based piano teacher with native Russian roots, has produced a 212-page soft cover volume that entices with its interspersed selections of compositions at various learning levels. The text offers a variety of fascinating topics, “Developing Initial Musical … Continue reading

Posted in classissima, classissima.com, Discovering Color Behind the Kyes The Essence of the Russian School of Piano Playing by Rada Bukhman, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano teaching, Rada Bukhman, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, The Essence of the Russian School of Piano Playing, The Russian School of Piano Playing, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One of the most beautiful slow movements ever composed for piano? (and a journey down memory lane)

I’m going to vote for the Adagio Cantabile from Beethoven’s Sonata “Pathetique” in C minor, Op. 13. It’s grown on me ever since I was seduced by the opener to Karl Haas’s weekly broadcasts on F.M. radio. (“Adventures in Good … Continue reading

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Artful piano playing: Rising above the notes by “feeling,” singing, and “shaping” phrases

Burmguller’s “Sincerity,” Op. 100 is the perfect vehicle for spinning limpidly beautiful phrases. But how does the pianist go beyond what appears to be strings of 8th notes that can easily sound typed out. To avoid the ponderous, vertical approach … Continue reading

Posted in Burgmuller, Burgmuller Sincerity, Burguller Op. 100 Progessive Piano Pices, classissima.com, Op. 100 Twenty-five Progressive Pieces, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What pianists can learn from opera singers

As pianists, we’re allied to opera singers and their creative process in more ways than we think. Continue reading

Posted in classissima, classissima.com, coloratura Joyce Di Donato, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, Joyce Di Donato, Joyce DiDonato, Metropolitan Opera, Murray Perahia, opera, opera singers, piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“Jerusalem of Gold” led me to a violin treasure

Yesterday, I decided to record Nemer’s “Jerusalem of Gold” to prepare for a luncheon appearance at an East Bay Jewish Community Center. Little did I know that after reviewing my you tube upload, that I’d spot a right column of … Continue reading

Posted in "I am the Violin", "I am the Violin" a documentary about Ida Haendel, classissima, classissima.com, director Paul Cohen, Ida Haendel, Ida Haendel violinist, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, violinist | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Advice for teaching piano students about dynamics and phrasing

This was the hallmark topic at a Linked-in piano forum board, with many piano teachers chiming in with great suggestions. For me, singing beside a student or nudging him/her to join in is always helpful. I focus on shaping phrases … Continue reading

Posted in classissima, classissima.com, Mozart Sonata no. 16 in C Major K. 545, piano, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano teaching, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Learning J.S. Bach’s B minor Invention No. 15 (BWV 786) in baby steps

Both embedded videos track my step-by-step approach to learning this beautiful composition. In the part one Instruction, I play slowly through the right hand to explore the subject, its articulation, fingering, execution of ornaments, and follow-up strand of 16th notes. … Continue reading

Posted in classissima. om, classissima.com, J.S. Bach, J.S. Bach two part Inventions, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, piano instruction, piano lessons, word press, word press.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Piano performance: The moment of creation can be deceiving and how we can learn from video playbacks

I was telling a musical friend about the discrepancy between what we think we’re hearing during our own performances and what bears out in a review of our self-made recordings. This is why teaching and learning opportunities abound in comparing … Continue reading

Posted in classissima, classissima.com, J.S. Bach, J.S. Bach Invention in 13 minor, J.S. Bach Prelude in C minor, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, pianist, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano teaching, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, videotaping piano lessons, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Piano Lesson to Brazil: Trills and Spills (Beethoven Presto, “MOONLIGHT” Sonata)

This was a SKYPE Day to remember! Not a sinking ship, but a catastrophic event at a musical climax. The Brazilian student, in good form, however, was SAVED by the NEAPOLITAN! He rendered the UNEXPECTED with show-stopping emphasis! Bravo, cavalheiro! … Continue reading

Posted in Beethoven, Beethoven Moonlight, Beethoven Moonlight Sonata Presto movement, classissima, classissima.com, Ludwig Van Beethoven, piano teacher, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Attentive listening, singing, and awareness of harmonic rhythm improve phrasing at the piano

I notice a common thread among many piano students, young and old. They tend to play measure to measure, doting heavily on downbeats as if the first beat of each bar begs for reinforcement. Perhaps a Marching Band might fall … Continue reading

Posted in attentive listening and phrasing at the piano, classissima, classissima.com, Minuet in G from Anna Magdalena's Notebook, piano lessons, word press, wordpress.com, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment