It's amazing that at 3 a.m. in the morning, I'd be fussing around with the Chopin Nocturne in E minor (Op. 72, No. 1) that I'd previously embedded in a blog about revisiting old repertoire. Either my kind neighbors love classical music, or they've managed to double pack their ears with spongy stopples. (These can… Continue reading A long distance Chopin Nocturne Makeover that might help others
Tag: Word Press
What “authentic” edition should a piano student use when learning repertoire of the Masters?
I'm thinking back to my ancient days studying with Lillian Freundlich in New York City. During this period, like any fledgling I relied on my teacher as an "authority" figure to recommend what Mozart Sonata edition, for example, I should buy down at Patelson's. (This was decades before the quaint hub for musicians seeking authenticity… Continue reading What “authentic” edition should a piano student use when learning repertoire of the Masters?
Lugansky’s piano teacher, Tatiana Nikolayeva, displayed greatness in her own right
What an irony that Nikolai Lugansky, star pupil of Tatiana Nikolayeva was bestowed, perhaps by chance, the masculine form of his teacher-to-be's last name. A prophetic link for both. I noticed that the esteemed teacher Dimitri Bashkirov, refers to his daughter's surname, Bashkirova, so the feminine equivalent of Russian names is often taken within a… Continue reading Lugansky’s piano teacher, Tatiana Nikolayeva, displayed greatness in her own right
The Piano Repertoire: Does making fingering/hand adjustments constitute a “swindle?”
Seymour Bernstein, author of With Your Own Two Hands, remarked that "Chopin wrote out an outline for an intended method of teaching piano. And when he died he left it to Charles Alkan who never finished it. Wouldn't you think that Chopin would stress at the beginning that everything depends upon a deep emotional involvement… Continue reading The Piano Repertoire: Does making fingering/hand adjustments constitute a “swindle?”
Nikolai Lugansky, pianist, plays chess and loves poetry
The nearly 7-minute You Tube interview was telling. Luganksy waxed poetic about poetry, and recited one of his favorites by Boris Pasternak. It was in Russian, but it's lyrical lines stole the show. No translation needed. He was seated beside a conductor named Petrenko, and both were being queried by the first bassist of the… Continue reading Nikolai Lugansky, pianist, plays chess and loves poetry
A fine pianist and comedian rolled into one!! (plus a bonus peek at a hilarious duo)
The multi-talented Mitchell Zeidwig is one of a kind. While Victor Borge considered the safety of the piano bench his principle domain give or take a few slips and slides, Zeidwig tempts the gods by going the greater distance with his super-daredevil routines. He'll climb in and out of a grand piano's cramped space and… Continue reading A fine pianist and comedian rolled into one!! (plus a bonus peek at a hilarious duo)
Piano Performance retrospectives: The seeds of greatness were sown early in life
It was fascinating to discover videos of pianists in their teens that hearken back to their earlier years of study. In all, a hallmark feel for the phrase and nuance highlights their performances in the past and present. In addition their heartfelt playing rises above the notes and communicates a musical passion that is unabashedly… Continue reading Piano Performance retrospectives: The seeds of greatness were sown early in life
Birds spring to life in these collections for piano!
Here's a case of music composed by a pianist who has an abundance of talent in so many directions that it's dizzying! If I thought LEONARD Bernstein was the renaissance man, with gifts as a conductor, pianist, composer, and mentor, well here comes SEYMOUR Bernstein in a shimmering spotlight of his own! I'm awestruck! Having… Continue reading Birds spring to life in these collections for piano!
Fresno isn’t such a bad place, after all (“Did Somebody Say Fresno?! Part V” on You Tube)
Not to be a stage mom, but my daughter, Aviva is having a good time doing her thing archiving Hollywood movies that more than mention Fresno. (She's just released, "Did Somebody Say Fresno?!" Part V.) Producer/video editor all in one, Ms. Kirsten makes a blockbuster cameo appearance in the opening, evoking Alfred Hitchcock's movie-making days.… Continue reading Fresno isn’t such a bad place, after all (“Did Somebody Say Fresno?! Part V” on You Tube)
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… Continue reading George Gershwin’s Prelude no. 2, and the retirement home circuit (Videos)
