Colorful miniatures that grow piano technique and musicianship

Most piano students know first hand about Burgmuller and his Progressive character pieces in the Romantic genre. They are a bundle of delights with picturesque titles that match the music. But few might realize that Bela Bartok's collection of miniatures is an easy rival, having glowing melodies and dance-like folkloric rhythms. Still, both composers from…

Irina Morozova plays Gershwin!

Here's a photo-imported version of "I Got Rhythm!" (Click HD) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vaOK7MosFo&feature=youtu.be On the artist's CD menu are the following treats: 1. Gershwin Improvisations for Solo Piano: Clap Yo' Hands 2. Someone to Watch Over Me 3. Sweet and Lowdown 4. Maybe 5. S'Wonderful/Funny Face 6. That Certain Feeling 7. Looking for a Boy 8. Earl…

Bach with and without Pluck

Elaine Comparone and Dusan Bogdanovic produced a stunning CD, combining harpsichord and guitar in their J.S Bach Inventions and Sinfonias collaboration. Both musicians have firmly established reputations as fine performers and recording artists so their get-together has surely been a treat for listeners far and wide. Just today, I broke out my Bach with Pluck!,…

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. Pieces of the subject, or motifs, therein, are identified along with any treatments by inversion.…