He might as well be human. Left with me by one of my daughters over 4 years ago, this atypical cat had a history of jumping into the shower, then going to sleep on his owner's head. When brushed, he molded himself in his caretaker's lap, enjoying each of her lavish strokes. A pedicure that… Continue reading Aiden cat, our loving companion and musical mascot
Category: Haddorff piano
Aiden cat and music in a mixed media blend (Video)
This morning I had an idea to synchronize Aiden's instrumental choice photos with pertinent musical excerpts, so I propped up sheet music selections on Haddy Haddorff's rack and imagined what kitty pics would best fit. Once I had captured all my music with attached video, (I wore a purple sequined jacket for the occasion) I… Continue reading Aiden cat and music in a mixed media blend (Video)
Piano Instruction: Chopin Prelude No. 4 in E minor, Op. 28, Teacher, Shirley Kirsten
http://youtu.be/By2h_rr9JSM http://youtu.be/TIWxLbW3Z38 Chopin composed 24 Preludes in Op. 28 exploring 24 different keys (Major and minor) with each Prelude having its own mood and character. In my step-by-step practicing of the E minor Prelude, I start with the Left Hand with its chordal mosaic, and listen attentively for descending chromatic movement between chords. In the… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Chopin Prelude No. 4 in E minor, Op. 28, Teacher, Shirley Kirsten
Aiden Cat Dozes off to Debussy (Video)
Looks like Aiden was out like a light... except for 2 well-timed ear twitches ... otherwise, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Arabesque no. 1 Played on my Haddorff console piano (manuf. 1951) a real musical treasure with divine resonance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0QF8ahBJ88 Aiden's awake-time pics: RELATED: A Purrr-fect Musical Match Made in Heaven http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyY3XSl5Wuc Aiden Cat Joins Ilyana, 8, at the… Continue reading Aiden Cat Dozes off to Debussy (Video)
The view in my living room with an iMac, Tripod, Three Pianos, and Aiden cat
This about sums it up. Now that the iMac arrived right after Haddy Haddorff replaced a digital keyboard, Aiden cat found space for himself dwindling, yet he still managed to plop himself right in the middle of the muddle. RELATED: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5MLPxKFl2c Aiden cat sits in on a concert...
Piano Instruction: Part Two Debussy Arabesque, No. 1, Teacher, Shirley Kirsten (Video #2)
Part two transitions to A Major. (The composition is in E Major) and has a different character though motifs and ideas from the opening section intersperse this portion of the Arabesque. A very noteworthy change that occurs with the modulation to A Major, is a prevalence of chords, some of which move homophonically (in the… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Part Two Debussy Arabesque, No. 1, Teacher, Shirley Kirsten (Video #2)
Piano Instruction: Debussy Arabesque No. 1 (Video)–and playing through the whole composition
I first came to know this piece when a fifth grader at P.S. 122 in the Bronx was selected to play it at our student assembly. The ebb and flowing beauty of this work was so poignant, that I stored it away in my memory until I was able to personally experience this composition years… Continue reading Piano Instruction: Debussy Arabesque No. 1 (Video)–and playing through the whole composition
Digitals, Acoustics, the economy, and piano lessons
After I showered myself in digitals these past two days, I pleasantly dried out and came home to my dearly beloved acoustic pianos. (Two Steinways and a Haddorff) Now nothing is perfect in the world of electronics or acoustics. There are a repository of pitfalls associated with each, and it can be maddening to deal… Continue reading Digitals, Acoustics, the economy, and piano lessons
My Haddorff piano plays Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata, First Movement: Adagio Sostenuto (Video)
A piano with Old World character and honey dipped resonance. Pat Frederick of the Frederick Collection of Keyboard instruments, agreed that my Haddorff has something very special, and she proceeded to share the news of her latest additions: a 1902 Chickering, and Pleyel. These pianos, among other treasures, are living, breathing instruments that are played… Continue reading My Haddorff piano plays Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata, First Movement: Adagio Sostenuto (Video)
