Felix Mendelssohn – Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten)

Pianist, Leon Fleisher has given us his notable artistry over decades, while his insights about practicing and teaching have been invaluable for a vast community of mentors and students. In his latest interview that coincided with the release of a new album, All the Things You Are, Fleisher spoke eloquently about the intrinsic relationship of… Continue reading Beyond Leon Fleisher’s riveting words about pianists and vocal modeling

piano, Romantic era

Two Romantic era piano lessons are wedded beautifully together

January 18, 2017January 18, 2017 arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Why not pair Mendelssohn and Chopin in a harmonious duo. Two piano lessons transmitted over the Internet were framed by the same period expression: mellifluous melodic threads against relentless rocking motions in the bass. A Boat song and Nocturne respectively swayed in TWO, requiring an examination of recurring bass line arpeggios that frequently spanned beyond… Continue reading Two Romantic era piano lessons are wedded beautifully together

adult piano students, Mendelssohn, piano, piano blog, piano teaching, teaching adults

Transit among adult piano students and teachers

May 26, 2016May 26, 2016 arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

Many in the piano teaching universe KEEP a special sanctuary for adult pupils who rekindle an interest in music study. These pupils, of diverse ages and levels, often come with an initial spurt of enthusiasm to learn, grow and develop. Yet, like any demographic or body of new learners, their length of stay or commitment… Continue reading Transit among adult piano students and teachers

Classical music blog, Felix Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, piano blog, piano blogging, Romantic music, Songs without Words

Capturing the rocking motion of Mendelssohn’s F# minor Venetian Boat Song

August 10, 2015August 10, 2015 arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

In Felix Mendelssohn's Op. 30, No. 6 Gondola Song, the very character of the lilting motion is sustained in the Left Hand with a metrical awareness of Two beats per measure, not 6. The composition (from the Songs Without Words album) is in 6/8 but translated as duple compound, giving a leaning emphasis on the… Continue reading Capturing the rocking motion of Mendelssohn’s F# minor Venetian Boat Song

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When sight-reading is not enough: Learning a new piano piece from the ground up so we can teach it to our students (Videos)

February 22, 2012February 29, 2012 arioso7: Shirley Kirsten

I'm reminded of a quote attributed to Sviatoslav Richter when asked how he approached a challenging new composition of virtuoso proportion: His reply-- "I read a new piece and then start practicing the place that irritates me the most. After learning that one I move to the next irritation, etc." Well, most of us would… Continue reading When sight-reading is not enough: Learning a new piano piece from the ground up so we can teach it to our students (Videos)