Small hand challenges playing Gershwin’s Prelude No. 2

As teachers, we're in a position to advise our students about navigating big stretches that may not comfortably fit hands that are small or even moderate in size. George Gershwin's Prelude No. 2, a bluesy lullaby, is exemplary in requiring artful phrasing of relentless measures that have these wide interval spans beyond the reach of…

Interpreting piano music: Should we truly realize the composer’s intent?

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,…

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…

A musical birthday shared that can’t be overlooked

It's still the right side of midnight on this Coast before the day melts into another, so I have a snatch of time to celebrate the birthday of two favorite musicians, Irina Morozova and J.S. Bach--both born on March 21rst. My feelings about J.S. are well known, as evidenced by reams of you tube postings…

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…

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.…

Irina Morozova, pianist, shines playing Gershwin Virtuoso Transcriptions on CD!

Irina Morozova, a name that drew my attention amidst a flood of star-studded "Irina's" in the teaching and performing realm, came through with shining colors in her nuanced readings of George Gershwin Improvisations. The CD title, "Gershwin Virtuoso Transcriptions" encompasses "improvisations" originally delivered by the composer himself on piano rolls, later transcribed by Artis Wodehouse,…

My favorite Gershwin performances (Videos)

Surfing the Internet, I discovered four inspired readings of my favorite Gershwin selections. These included performances of "I Got Rhythm," the three piano Preludes and Rhapsody in Blue. (I've already regaled Yeol Eum Son's riveting "Embraceable You" in a few previous blogs) First, Irina Morozova delivers a show-stopping, "I Got Rhythm," track 13 of Gershwin…

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…

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…