Tag Archives: Johann Sebastian Bach

“Great pianists speak about imagination and the singing approach”

Posted on May 20, 2016 by

I’m grateful to Pianist/Teacher Emma Leiuman for posting this recorded ensemble of inspired voices. Leon Fleisher, Daniel Barenboim, Gyorgy Sebok and Arthur Rubinstein share an approach to music-making that is devoid of mechanics, didactics, and methodology. They speak about a … Continue reading →

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Piano Technique: Shaking out Bach Ornaments! and the influence of Claudio Arrau

Posted on March 24, 2016 by

When working on executing ornaments with an adult student as they appear in J.S. Bach’s Prelude in F minor, I thought instantly of Claudio Arrau’s allusions to “shaking” these out, without having a thread of tension in the arms, wrists, … Continue reading →

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Learning J.S. Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” (Egon Petri piano transcription)

Posted on March 20, 2016 by

Egon Petri offers a transcription of J.S. Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze,” (based on the Baroque composer’s “Birthday” Cantata) and it’s drawn a cult of admirers, mostly adult students begging to learn it. The work originally scored for two flutes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bach, Egon Petri, J.S. Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach, piano, piano arrangement, piano transcription, Sheep May Safely Graze, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Smith Kirsten | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

No piece is too easy

Posted on January 20, 2016 by

Having recently started mentoring a new student whose principal instrument is guitar, I realized that repertoire offered at the beginner level requires the same sensitive understanding of phrasing, nuance, framing rhythm and the underlying singing tone that applies to music … Continue reading →

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A balanced piano lesson of Technique and Repertoire

Posted on January 5, 2016 by

If a student is well-prepared, having devoted quality time during the week to practicing scales, arpeggios, and pieces assigned, a lesson can contain a nice balance of ingredients. Barring holidays, long distance travel and time zone changes, most pupils will … Continue reading →

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Putting Slow Practicing to good use in a J.S. Bach Fugue Analysis

Posted on December 21, 2015 by

I’ve been my own mentor to the exponential these past intensified 48 hours as I immersed myself in a slow, deep-layered analysis of J.S.Bach’s Fugue in Ab, BWV 862 (Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1) The detailed exploration not only heightened my … Continue reading →

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A Bach Fugue is a neuron booster and soul searcher

Posted on December 2, 2015 by

In my tepid re-entry into the universe of piano repertoire for two hands, I chose what would be the antithesis of a comfort zone in my injury recovery phase. But just the same, my brain needed stimulation, building neurotransmitters, as … Continue reading →

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