Tag Archives: Romantic music

A musical journey through a Chopin Waltz in glowing terms

Posted on November 7, 2016 by

A particular composition that’s explored during a piano lesson can afford a multifaceted examination of phrasing. In this beauty-seeking musical cosmos, no singular focus will necessarily supersede others. Instead, a panoply of framing cues or prompts can nourish well-shaped phrases … Continue reading →

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Don’t Choke through peak sections of a Chopin Nocturne

Posted on June 10, 2016 by

Many adult students get bent out of shape when a piece of “night music” blooms with “improvised,” decorative passagework at peak expressive levels. Add in prolonged trills with lower notes tied (held down) leading to a decisive crescendo through a … 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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Schumann’s ‘Rocking Horse’ comes with a spring forward wrist

Posted on October 2, 2015 by

Schumann’s Kinderszenen album, (Scenes of Childhood) includes a child-inspired Rocking Horse piece that enlists spring forward wrist motions to help frame its character. If the pianist tightens up and tries to realize third beat accents with a tight jolt of … Continue reading →

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An adult student excels: Chopin Waltz in C# minor, Op. 64, No. 2

Posted on December 30, 2014 by

I’m beaming from ear to ear, as I showcase Julie’s progress by way of a recent lesson collaboration. I say collaboration, because students and teachers learn together and gain insights as they take a common musical journey. Julie happens to … Continue reading →

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Dedicating my birthday to Chopin!

Posted on April 7, 2014 by

I’m often asked to name my favorite composer, and nearly always, it’s the one whose music I’m currently studying and teaching. In this case, Chopin’s posthumous Waltz in A minor, discovered by musicologists in the 1950s, is the CHOSEN. Not … Continue reading →

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Tchaikovsky and his solemn chorale

Posted on December 24, 2013 by

Last night I discovered one of the most gorgeous hymns composed in the Romantic genre. It is Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “In the Church,” Op. 39, a perfect segue way to Christmas. My diverse journey through the composer’s Children’s Album has … Continue reading →

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