Tag Archives: Shirley Kirsten

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

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Revisiting Beethoven’s “Pathetique” Sonata, Op. 13 GRAVE

It’s nostalgia time for me, reconnecting with the Pathetique that I butchered as a teenager before I landed in the good hands of mentor, Lillian Freundlich. The teacher before, lived about 4 blocks away, but was miles off the mark … Continue reading

Posted in Beethoven Pathetique Sonata, classissima, classissima.com, Grave Beethoven Pathetique Sonata, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to Calfornia, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, Ludwig Van Beethoven, piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Piano Technique: Scoop it up, loop around 4-note Arpeggios (in inversions)

These particular arpeggios in 4-note sequences are some of my favorite warm-up routines. Although most students find them tricky to navigate, certain “cues” planted in the psyche assist a smoother ride. The video demonstration below lays out preliminary blocking techniques … Continue reading

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Piano Technique: Looping Arpeggios in Contrary Motion and how to master them

Arpeggios are fun-filled, broken chord escapades across the keyboard. In legato form, they’re chock full of rolling motions–but even if rendered staccato, they never really lose their SHAPE. In the attached video I explore the very build-up I use when … Continue reading

Posted in piano, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano technique, shaping arpeggios at the piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sister and brother piano lessons in the Hills

I enjoy my weekly journey to a home way up in the Hills of El Cerrito (neighbor to Berkeley) There, I teach Lucy and Fritz who play a lovely, resonant Baldwin Acrosonic that I advised mom to purchase (over at … Continue reading

Posted in Burgmuller, Burgmuller 25 Progressive Pieces, Burgmuller Inquietude, classissima, classissima.com, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, piano instruction, piano instruction by Skype, piano instructor, piano learning, piano lesson, piano lessons, piano lessons and parental support, piano lessons by Skype, piano lessons in Berkeley California, piano lessons in El Cerrito California, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, you tube video, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alessandro Deljavan is a Cliburn winner for me!

Over at the Piano World forums, it’s the morning after selection of Cliburn Competition finalists, and many are aghast that a dynamic, soulful, and risk-taking pianist was overlooked. Here’s what one poster said: “Competition winners are typically the reliable pianists … Continue reading

Posted in Alessandro Deljavan, Bohzanov pianist, classissima, classissima.com, piano competitions, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Beethoven Pianos on W. 58th is a treasure of restored pianos, and new ones, too.

It’s a good sign when a piano establishment is open on Memorial Day! In the glow of its colorful banner, Beethoven’s was such a welcoming opportunity of which I availed myself. An important “player” on Manhattan’s “piano row,” it’s one … Continue reading

Posted in Bechstein, Beethoven Piano Store in Manhattan, Carl Demler, classissima, classissima.com, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano restoration, piano restorers, restored pianos, Steinway vintage pianos, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seymour Bernstein’s riveting statement about the piano competition environment and what changes are needed

“Are all of you listening to one spectacular young pianist after another? (Cliburn Competition in progress) “Why should they have to be placed in the position of competing against one another, and facing the possibility of being rejected by a … Continue reading

Posted in Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano competitions, Seymour Bernstein, shirley smith, Shirley Smith Kirsten, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Van Cliburn piano competition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

My side-by-side harpsichord/piano chat with Elaine Comparone in her NYC musical sanctuary

My visit with Elaine Comparone, harpsichordist, was the first of my musical treats after touching down in hometown New York. While the weather was a bit gray and unseasonable, Maestra Elaine lifted my spirits with her impeccably beautiful reading of … Continue reading

Posted in Bach with Pluck, Bach with Pluck recorded by Elaine Comparone and Dusan Bogdanovich, classissima, classissima.com, Elaine Comparone, Elaine Comparone Harpsichordist, harpsichord, J.S. Bach, J.S. Bach Sinfonia in F minor BWV 785, Johann Sebastian Bach, Journal of a Piano Teacher from New York to California, piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube video, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The premier piano “haus” on W. 58th and its $750,000 Steinway!

The high point of my trip to NYC was inhabiting a paradise of pianos on “piano row.” That’s what they call “West 58th” between Broadway and 7th Avenue. In the imposing shadow of Carnegie Hall that envelops the neighborhood, Klavierhaus … Continue reading

Posted in 750000 dollar piano, Angela Hewitt, Bechstein, Fazioli, Gabor Reisinger, Klavierhaus, piano, Pleyel, Steinway, Steinway piano, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments