Matters of interpretation came up at the "Y" Gym yesterday when I bumped into the pianist from a North Berkeley house of worship. Aline is a fine musician who intersperses the service with great masterworks. Recently she played Grieg's "Wedding March" during the basket-passing which lifted spirits as it amassed $$$$. At that very instant,… Continue reading Interpreting piano music: Should we truly realize the composer’s intent?
Category: George Gershwin
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… Continue reading Irina Morozova plays Gershwin!
Pianos, Old Age, and Cosmetic Imperfection
I wish I could order an instant make-over for gorgeous-sounding pianos that suffer rejection because of imperfect exteriors. By example, one of my students who'd grown attached to her respectable-looking, 70′s era, walnut console piano, was devastated when her family whisked it away during a move to a bigger house. Apparently, the instrument's wood grain… Continue reading Pianos, Old Age, and Cosmetic Imperfection
Piano Instruction: Gershwin Prelude no. 2 in C# minor (Videos)
About Prelude #2: Published in 1927, the work was first performed by George Gershwin in a concert at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York City. A challenge to play, it doesn’t fit easily under the fingers because of large note spans, and it requires a tasteful amount of tempo rubato of a bluesy, moody character.… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Gershwin Prelude no. 2 in C# minor (Videos)
George Gershwin’s Prelude no. 2, and the retirement home circuit (Videos)
When I did my retirement home tours, feisty tunes were more well-received than the melancholy Prelude no. 2 in C# minor. Everybody knew Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm,” and “Rhapsody in Blue,” plus a truckload of Hoagy Carmichael favorites. So, looking back, I should have thought twice about featuring this musical gem as my opener. (as… Continue reading George Gershwin’s Prelude no. 2, and the retirement home circuit (Videos)
Exceptionally beautiful playing on You Tube (Piano)
I stumbled upon Yeol Eum Son performing Gershwin's "Embraceable You," and I had to keep replaying it. Her phrasing, fluidity, nuances, palette of colors, and wide dynamic range all added up to a divinely inspired reading. On a physical level, she had flowing arms, supple wrists and breathed through phrases with rolling crests and varying… Continue reading Exceptionally beautiful playing on You Tube (Piano)
Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten) 