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… Continue reading Pianos, Old Age, and Cosmetic Imperfection
Tag: Steinway M Grand Piano
More and more “piano” students are going Digital. Is it a good idea?
It's sad but true that a glut of former piano buyers who would have considered piano lessons for their children at age 7 or so, have made the choice to invest in a DIGITAL. (known as a DP) Of further testimony to the culture's relatively new fixation on electronic piano technology, are the 35,000 plus… Continue reading More and more “piano” students are going Digital. Is it a good idea?
Memories of J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Video)
I love the carol medley sung in chorus at this time of the year, especially, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," which had a touch of Mendelssohn, though he was not the original composer; "Silent Night," "O' Come All Ye Faithful," "O' Holy Night," "The Little Drummer Boy," and "Angels We Have Heard on High." But… Continue reading Memories of J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Video)
Picking the right piano to record a selection (Videos)–“Fur Elise” by Beethoven
I've heard stories about great pianists such as Richter obsessing over a choice of piano for a concert. Allegedly, he was very fussy, and sometimes regretted the one he picked out for a recital. But when he found himself playing in Siberia and rural parts of the Russian landscape, he rose to the occasion, and… Continue reading Picking the right piano to record a selection (Videos)–“Fur Elise” by Beethoven
Piano practicing, performance, and gym routines: Always Reach Beyond! (Video, Bach Invention 8 in F)
http://youtu.be/7no8U9pV_SI I take my inspiration from the two Irina/Irena-s, each pronouncing their names slightly differently. Irina Gorin is the ingenious piano teacher from Carmel, Indiana via the Ukraine, and Irena Orlov is from Washington D.C.'s Levine School of Music via Leningrad. They both inspire students to explore and draw out their deepest creative expression. That's… Continue reading Piano practicing, performance, and gym routines: Always Reach Beyond! (Video, Bach Invention 8 in F)
The view in my living room with an iMac, Tripod, Three Pianos, and Aiden cat
This about sums it up. Now that the iMac arrived right after Haddy Haddorff replaced a digital keyboard, Aiden cat found space for himself dwindling, yet he still managed to plop himself right in the middle of the muddle. RELATED: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5MLPxKFl2c Aiden cat sits in on a concert...