Many students play J.S. Bach's music with a typed out, articulated approach, forgetting to shape and contour phrases. In Bach's F Major Invention, BWV 779, the tendency is to overemphasize every element of broken chord F, A, C, F, in a perfunctory detachment, when musically the line tells us otherwise. Because the very first note… Continue reading Shaping a J.S. Bach Two-Part Invention
Tag: Word Press
Ornaments, Romantic Style: Don’t be enslaved, but master them
There's nothing more inhibiting to piano playing than being boxed in by ornaments--tied down by their inertia and lack of smooth resolution. For certain, if you're threatened by them, or anticipate the worst possible outcome, ENTRAPMENT, then it guarantees a hasty entry and debilitating departure. Sadly, breath-LESS and anxiety-prone pianists often impede their journey, leaving… Continue reading Ornaments, Romantic Style: Don’t be enslaved, but master them
Pianist, Seymour Bernstein is the subject of an Ethan Hawke produced documentary
It's about time a pianist, teacher, composer and author made it to the big screen. Seymour Bernstein is the star of a 81-minute documentary that's drawing critical acclaim in early Festival showings. On the East Coast, Seymour: An Introduction is slated for two important fall screenings at the prestigious New York Film Festival at Lincoln… Continue reading Pianist, Seymour Bernstein is the subject of an Ethan Hawke produced documentary
Staccato scales: Staying on the PLANE without a bumpy ride
Most students become very disconnected when traveling through a staccato scale so their journey from lift-off to landing is often bumpy. In the E minor Natural form, for example, a redundant E, F# occurring in every octave will fool a player into thinking he's got to brace for ELEVATION that makes his hand jerk forward… Continue reading Staccato scales: Staying on the PLANE without a bumpy ride
Pianist, Beth Levin weighs in on Competitions
Beth Levin is more than a pianist. She not only concertizes, records, presents symposia and teaches, but devotes quality time to arts commentary. At La Folia.com, she critiqued Schumann's Kreisleriana in tribute to an era she embraces in her spread of LIVE performances and recordings. http://www.lafolia.com/schumanns-kreisleriana/ *** http://youtu.be/m8SL7ub1VJI (Imported photos and video produced by Randolph… Continue reading Pianist, Beth Levin weighs in on Competitions
Going into the Finals at the Alaska International Piano-E-Competition, and thoughts about COMPETING
Neither memory lapses nor occasional note slip-ups impeded any of the five selected Piano Finalists from forging ahead to the Chamber Music and Concerto Rounds of the Alaska-based E-Competition. My two particular favorites, Marianna Prjevalskaya and Alexey Chernov honored Schubert with gorgeous performances of the composer's A Major (D.959) and C minor Sonatas (D. 958),… Continue reading Going into the Finals at the Alaska International Piano-E-Competition, and thoughts about COMPETING
Piano Technique: Executing Tremolos as occur in Beethoven’s Sonata “Pathetique”
I've picked up various ideas about practicing tremolos from the piano forums as applies to the Alla Breve section of the "Pathetique" Sonata No. 8 (movement 1) and extracted a valuable tutorial from a colleague who posted it to you tube. At first I concurred with pianist/teacher Benjamin Steinhardt that rolling the C broken octave… Continue reading Piano Technique: Executing Tremolos as occur in Beethoven’s Sonata “Pathetique”
Seymour Bernstein: From Maine with Love
When Seymour packs his bags for the summer, escaping Manhattan's stifling heat, he takes along his soulful music and fistfuls of almonds. The maestro, known for his beloved book, With Your Own Two Hands retreats to an awesome, cabin-like sanctuary that sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean. (It's his daily source of inspiration.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeQ2tJ90OMs… Continue reading Seymour Bernstein: From Maine with Love
Pianist, Christyna Kaczynski-Kozel, a local “classic” with an International profile
Christyna Kaczynski-Kozel is a credit to many nations. She's spun around Canada and the Continent, savoring ties to great music mentors, one of whom was a towering figure in the conducting world. In a thread of scintillating and informative conversation, Christyna paid tribute yesterday to her most influential teacher, Sergiu Celibidache. About the conductor: (WIKI)… Continue reading Pianist, Christyna Kaczynski-Kozel, a local “classic” with an International profile
A common chorus among adult piano students
As decades pass, and each adult piano student on his personal journey chimes in with a greeting at the start of a lesson, I've noticed a synchronized choir of commonly expressed thoughts. The riveting idée fixe that resonates LIVE and through SKYPE channels, is like the redundant motif of Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique. "I really want… Continue reading A common chorus among adult piano students
Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten) 