Tag Archives: Berkeley California

Piano practicing and blocking techniques

I was originally enlightened about the value of blocking out intricate and tricky passages when I attended a rehearsal of Rudolf Serkin and the New York Philharmonic. He was about to play the Beethoven “Emperor” Concerto No. 5 with its … Continue reading

Posted in Beethoven, Beethoven Sonata Pathetique Op. 13 No. 8, classissima, classissima.com, piano, piano practicing Sonata Pathetique Op. 13 No. 8, Uncategorized, word press, word press.com, wordpress, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Love story born of flowers and set to the music of Bela Bartok

It was my birthday a few days ago, and I was blessed with the gift of flowers and a plant from two close friends. These sit side-by-side atop my upright piano: Little did I know that “Roy” who delivered the … Continue reading

Posted in "Evening in the Country" by Bartok, Ana's Flowers in Berkeley CA, Bela Bartok, bela bartok, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, wordpress.com, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The rolling wrist through Bach Invention 1 in C Major with a slow motion replay (Video)

Practicing the Bach Invention 1 with a supple wrist, behind tempo. Continue reading

Posted in J.S. Bach, J.S. Bach Invention 1 BWV772, Seymour Bernstein, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Braving the Berkeley apartment terrain and coming out a You Tube survivor!

Recording and apartment living can be at odds with each other… Continue reading

Posted in Bach Little Prelude in G minor BWV 929, J.S. Bach, Mac computer, recording Bach in an apartment, recording in an apartment, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ensler Lighting on Solano has a musical “connection”

In a routine search for a lamp shade to fit my old Stiffel, I stumbled upon an awe-inspiring space with a musical tie-in. Continue reading

Posted in 1793 Solano Avenue, antique lamps, Berkeley California, Ensler Lighting, lamp restoration and repair, lamp shades, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, Solano Avenue in Berkeley California, word press, wordpress.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My new home in Berkeley, California

My dreams of living in Berkeley have been fulfilled! Continue reading

Posted in "Did Somebody Say Fresno" compiled by Aviva Kirsten, Berkeley California, Berkeley piano studio, El Cerrito California, El Cerrito piano studio, Monterey Market in Berkeley California, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New, second blog site at Word Press…

Hallowed ground or a dumpsite of Bezerkeley rental rejects? Continue reading

Posted in Berkeley CA, Berkleley housing search, craigslist scammers, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Hillside Club: A Cultural Treasure with Three Lovely Pianos

Winding along a walking path to Berkeley’s Arch, I clutched a self-made map as a guide to a posted rental. On Cedar, as I was about to make a left turn, I stopped to investigate a house that had an … Continue reading

Posted in Berkeley CA, culture club, Donald Pippin, Donald Pittman, Erma Wheatley, Etude Club, Hillside Club in Berkeley California, hillsideclub.org, John Feld, Offenbach, piano, Steinway pianos, Tales of Hoffman, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grammy award winner Murray Perahia shines at Zellerbach Hall! Encore, Schubert Impromptu Op. 90 in Eb in two “live” performances (Videos)

Murray Perahia, Poet of the Piano Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley is a regular stop for Murray Perahia, who happens to be my former classmate at the New York City High School of Performing Arts (The “FAME I wanna live forever … Continue reading

Posted in Barbicon in London England, Cal Performances in Berkeley CA, classissima, classissima.com, FAME NYC HS of Performing Arts, Grammy awards, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, Murray Perahia, Murray Perahia poet of the piano, New York City High School of Performing Arts, pianist, piano, playing piano, Schubert Impromptu Op 90 in Eb, Sony recording, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, Zellerbach Hall, Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment