This is the program that I preserved from the event. It was contained in a boxful of musical artifacts that my mother sent me. On March 28th, 1960, I was present at Madame Rosina Lhevinne's Eightieth Birthday celebration concert held at the Juilliard School, and it was an evening to remember. I received the ticket… Continue reading An ageless pianist and her historic concert (I was there)
Month: December 2011
Playing the Schubert Impromptu in Eb, Op. 90 on a very bright, resonant piano with a history to it (Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtIGzTiw7Y8 By contrast on my Steinway Grand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHFOPFzUxUw I almost dared myself to play this gorgeous composition on my Haddorff console with its imperfect regulation and "temperament." (tuning) It's one of those rare instruments that has the ring of the Romantic era, as if it was a period instrument. Pat Frederick, of the Frederick collection,… Continue reading Playing the Schubert Impromptu in Eb, Op. 90 on a very bright, resonant piano with a history to it (Video)
The come and go, passing through Age of piano study
It’s always nice to blog about a devoted cadre of piano students who show up each week prepared for their lessons, wanting to grow and develop in creative directions. Such a pleasing landscape had been presented in REACHING BEYOND, a film tribute to Irena Orlov’s remarkably inspired piano teaching. Her students couldn’t wait to go… Continue reading The come and go, passing through Age of piano study
“Piano Student of the Week,” Claudia S. practices Bach and improves her playing (Video)
Claudia is one of the old-timers around here at age 11. She came to study piano with me when she was just 6 and in those days, I gave her Noona's "The Red Drum," in addition to selections from Book One, Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto: Hook "Minuet," Schein "Allemande," Telemann "Dance" in… Continue reading “Piano Student of the Week,” Claudia S. practices Bach and improves her playing (Video)
Bach to basics, Bach to nature, and Bach forever! (Videos)
When it comes right down to it, I'm always drawn back to Bach for solace, counsel, wisdom, insight, and more. He was the Father of our Western music in all its infinite forms. In the composer's ingenious 2 volume, Well-Tempered Clavier, Bach explored all keys around the Circle of Fifths in impeccable counterpoint. It's the… Continue reading Bach to basics, Bach to nature, and Bach forever! (Videos)
Piano Lesson: Rina, 4, learns “Frere Jacques” in steps (using my staircase) Video
To spice up and vary today's lesson, I had Rina transfer her stair climbing to hands-on piano exploration. She already knew her 7-letter music alphabet and had followed flashcards with note names placed consecutively on each step in three previous stair-related activities, so it was time to put "Frere Jacques" into motion, with a few… Continue reading Piano Lesson: Rina, 4, learns “Frere Jacques” in steps (using my staircase) Video
