Elaine Comparone, a well-regarded harpsichordist rendered a dance movement from J.S. Bach's French Suite No. 5 in G, (BWV 816) that I'd performed on the pianoforte. In the Loure, (written in G Major) I was immediately struck by a pitch disparity between our respective instruments. While Loure was composed in the key of G Major,… Continue reading J.S. Bach, the piano, harpsichord and early music tunings
Category: Elaine Comparone
Baroque Ornaments, execution, style, context and taste: A Conversation with Elaine Comparone
One of the delights of my trip back to hometown New York City, was an encore visit with Elaine Comparone!
Piano Instruction: Piecing out and Practicing J.S. Bach Little Prelude in F, BWV 927
One of my colleagues who filmed a tutorial on this gem, called it a "BEGINNER" composition, yet, in truth, it's not in the easy column. It demands a fluent technique and a thoughtful approach to learning that includes harmonic analysis, blocking, understanding counterpoint, making sensible decisions about articulation, and shaping phrases. Therefore, this "LITTLE" Prelude… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Piecing out and Practicing J.S. Bach Little Prelude in F, BWV 927
Should a teacher demonstrate phrasing and interpretation for a student?
I asked a few piano teachers and a harpsichordist if they felt playing passages, phrases for a student was a viable way to teach, and why? Seymour Bernstein, author, With Your Own Two Hands, rendered a riveting opinion: "I have never taken a lesson with a pianist-teacher who didn’t demonstrate musical and technical points under… Continue reading Should a teacher demonstrate phrasing and interpretation for a student?
Comparone plays Bach on the harpsichord with a palette of emotions
I must admit that I usually experience the "minor" key with poignant intensity, but when I heard Elaine Comparone's most recent performance of J.S.Bach's celebrated D minor concerto, I felt her inner smile radiate through ripples and waves of luscious phrases even as a tragic dimension blanketed the work. Comparone's tapestry of moods, feelings and… Continue reading Comparone plays Bach on the harpsichord with a palette of emotions
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 Bach's D minor concerto. Soon enough, it was recorded in full force with ensemble on… Continue reading My side-by-side harpsichord/piano chat with Elaine Comparone in her NYC musical sanctuary
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!,… Continue reading Bach with and without Pluck
Piano Instruction: Can we over-analyze a Bach fugue?
Little Bach Fugue in C, BWV 952 required insights into its organized structure so I could better teach it. But how much analysis was required and could it be trusted?
A pianist is a COLLABORATOR NOT an “accompanist”
The "A" word is officially banished from my vocabulary, even if its residual usage in books, newspapers, old reviews, can't be controlled. To boot, anyone who's been handed a stack of music by the High School vocal teacher to ready for the mid-year Christmas program and a few others in between Thanksgiving and semester break,… Continue reading A pianist is a COLLABORATOR NOT an “accompanist”
Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten) 