Tag Archives: Debussy

Piano Student: “I don’t know what I want to hear?”

Posted on June 22, 2017 by

A commonly registered concern among my brood of adult students circumscribes an uncertainty about phrasing and overall musical expression. Many don’t trust their native musical instincts as they might apply to practicing fledgling pieces that are in early stage development. … Continue reading →

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Teaching the Language of Debussy in Reverie

Posted on March 7, 2017 by

Yesterday afternoon I found myself mentoring a student about the nuances of a composer’s language and style in the Impressionist genre. Claude Debussy’s Reverie, with its palette of blended colors was on display–naturally intoned in vowels rather than consonants, while … Continue reading →

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Reviewing Debussy’s Arabesque 1 with its Impressionist palette

Posted on November 29, 2016 by

It’s been years since I learned Claude Debussy’s coloristic Arabesque No. 1, so my recent revisit was a reminder of how a solid learning foundation can deepen a musical reconnection. Reviewing an “old” piece brings a renewed opportunity to delve … Continue reading →

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A Big New York Debut Recital for Pianist, Marianna Prjevalskaya

Posted on February 2, 2015 by

After many international victories and a stash of prizes, honors and recital appearances flowing out of them, Marianna Prjevalskaya, will make her debut in New York City’s cultural limelight. EVENT DETAILS “MARIANNA PRJEVALSKAYA, 2013 GOLD MEDALIST OF CINCINNATI WORLD PIANO … Continue reading →

Posted in Carnegie Hall, Chopin, Cincinnati World Piano Competition, Debussy, Marianna Prjelvalskaya, Naxos, piano competition, Rachmaninoff, Weill Concert Hall, you tube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Debussy Arabesque No. 1 blends well with East Bay seascapes (Video)

Posted on June 5, 2012 by

I couldn’t resist the temptation to embed Bay panoramas in a Debussy soundtrack. It followed my journey along the scenic Amtrak 711 route. A new set of vistas were framed by a whizzing train’s marred window. Yet the mood paintings … Continue reading →

Posted in Claude Debussy, Debussy, Debussy Arabesque no. 1, El Cerrito piano studio, piano, piano playing, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten, you tube, you tube video, you tube.com, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Ena Bronstein, pianist, plays Debussy’s “Feux D’artifice” (recorded “live” in concert)

Posted on May 30, 2012 by

A further blend of music and seascapes, not to mention muted swans. Ena Bronstein was my former teacher in Fresno before she departed for the East Coast. Currently, she’s on the faculty of Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Princeton, … Continue reading →

Posted in Claude Debussy, Debussy, Debussy Preludes, Ena Bronstein, Ena Bronstein Barton, word press, word press.com, wordpress, wordpress.com, you tube video, yout tube, youtube.com | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Piano Instruction: Debussy Arabesque No. 1 (Video)–and playing through the whole composition

Posted on July 20, 2011 by

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Claude Debussy, Debussy, Debussy Arabesque No. 1 by Claude Debussy, ear training, El Cerrito, El Cerrito California, Fresno California, Haddorff, Haddorff piano, Impressionist Music, long distance piano teaching, mental imagery, mind body connection, molasses, MTAC, music, music and heart, music and the breath, music history, music teachers association, music teachers association of california, music theory, musical inspiration, musical phrasing, New York City, New York City High School of Performing Arts, Oberlin, Oberlin Conservatory, phrasing at the piano, pianist, piano, piano instruction, piano instructor, piano lesson, piano lessons, piano pedagogy, piano repertoire, piano student, piano studio, piano teacher, piano technique, piano tutorial, Piano World, pianoaddict.com, Pianostreet.com, pianoworld, pianoworld.com, playing piano, public school 122, self-analysis, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Kirsten blog, Shirley Smith Kirsten, singing tone legato, slow piano practicing, Teach Street, teaching piano, technique, Theory, uk-piano-forums, whole body listening, whole body music listening, word press, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments