There's no doubt in my mind that Chopin's music is allied to the opera and the New York Times featured an article on this very subject that resonates in my teaching and playing the composer's works. From Tommasini, Arts editor: "It’s a wonder that Chopin, born in 1810, never tried to write an opera, because… Continue reading Adult piano instruction: the singing model in playing/practicing Chopin
Tag: Chopin Waltz in C# minor op. 64 no. 2
The El Cerrito Hills are alive with the sound of music
In the old days, I commuted by Amtrak from Central CA to the East Bay, chugging along the scenic route with my digital camera pressed against the train window. A few awesome seascapes managed to squeak through the bumpy ride, and these were memorialized by photographic import to my soundtracks, then posted to YOU TUBE.… Continue reading The El Cerrito Hills are alive with the sound of music
A Love Story Woven on a Chopin Canvas
A few years ago, I received a telling message through my Authors Den website. John Bidwell, a spirited short story writer and poet, shared more than a literary connection with me. He waxed poetic about his late mother and father, Eleanor and David, who were pianists and 1950's classmates at Oberlin. (my alma mater) A… Continue reading A Love Story Woven on a Chopin Canvas
Aiden Cat choreographs the Chopin C# minor Waltz.. seeing is believing
Watch this amazing cat at the beginning and close of this "foot"-age. If any ballet companies are looking for new talent, this floating feline is up for an audition. In any case, he earned himself a well-deserved catnap after a virtuoso "paw"-formance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v38sPHrPSP0 Notice his graceful balletic form as he sleeps. purrrrr......
Hitting new lows with SKYPE/Comcast: How one Chopin Waltz was eternally hexed! (Videos)
Last night was a first. This time it wasn't Aiden cat who short-circuited my re-recording of the Chopin C# minor Waltz. It was a Communications giant that was somehow to blame. Aiden was off the hook: Two belches into measure 66, (one 6 short of the Devil's doing) and my performance was corrupted. A few… Continue reading Hitting new lows with SKYPE/Comcast: How one Chopin Waltz was eternally hexed! (Videos)
Aiden Cat crashes the piano bench and messes up a video in progress (Chopin’s C# minor Waltz, Op. 64)
It's one thing to invite Aiden onto the piano bench for a front row seat, but it's quite another when he appears out of nowhere, lands beside me, and ruins a recording in progress. Last night Aiden did just that. After he broke into the Chopin C# minor Waltz, he knew he was the lion… Continue reading Aiden Cat crashes the piano bench and messes up a video in progress (Chopin’s C# minor Waltz, Op. 64)
The woes of technology: No, I wasn’t finger synching someone else’s Chopin Waltz in C# minor (Videos)
I watched in disbelief as my 55th take of the C# minor Chopin Waltz Op. 64 went up in smoke. That is, it had been the most satisfying re-do, until I discovered that for 50% of the iMac iMovie, (commencing on p. 2) my hand motions and the music were out of synch. Add to… Continue reading The woes of technology: No, I wasn’t finger synching someone else’s Chopin Waltz in C# minor (Videos)
At the piano: Exploring the Chopin Waltz in C# minor, Op. 64 No. 2 (Video)
I finally sat down at "Haddy" (my Haddorff piano that sings like a nightingale) and spun out a few ideas about the Waltz in C# minor. A slow motion journey through the composition underscored the suspensions and harmonic rhythm on the first page, then moved on to the piu mosso, 8ths with their rounded contour,… Continue reading At the piano: Exploring the Chopin Waltz in C# minor, Op. 64 No. 2 (Video)
