Alessandro Deljavan is a Cliburn winner for me!

Over at the Piano World forums, it's the morning after selection of Cliburn Competition finalists, and many are aghast that a dynamic, soulful, and risk-taking pianist was overlooked. Here's what one poster said: "Competition winners are typically the reliable pianists somewhere in the middle when it comes to interpretation--those who don't go out on a…

Seymour Bernstein’s riveting statement about the piano competition environment and what changes are needed

"Are all of you listening to one spectacular young pianist after another? (Cliburn Competition in progress) "Why should they have to be placed in the position of competing against one another, and facing the possibility of being rejected by a jury? It would be just absurd if a jury was chosen to decide who is…

My side-by-side harpsichord/piano chat with Elaine Comparone in her NYC musical sanctuary

My visit with Elaine Comparone, harpsichordist, was the first of my musical treats after touching down in hometown New York. While the weather was a bit gray and unseasonable, Maestra Elaine lifted my spirits with her impeccably beautiful reading of Bach's D minor concerto. Soon enough, it was recorded in full force with ensemble on…

What pianists can learn from opera singers

As pianists, we're allied to opera singers and their creative process in more ways than we think.

Interpreting piano music: Should we truly realize the composer’s intent?

Matters of interpretation came up at the "Y" Gym yesterday when I bumped into the pianist from a North Berkeley house of worship. Aline is a fine musician who intersperses the service with great masterworks. Recently she played Grieg's "Wedding March" during the basket-passing which lifted spirits as it amassed $$$$. At that very instant,…

Learning a J.S Bach Sinfonia from the ground up (F Major, BWV 794)

On to three voice counterpoint, following a two-dimensional Bach Invention journey in the company of several piano students. So why not open the door to my private practice room for a layered learning sample a trois. I'm no different than those I teach. The double standard does not exist for those of us who embark…

A Tribute to traveling piano teachers

I'm lucky that for decades I've been a stationary piano teacher, home-based for Skype, but having two youngsters whom I teach at their house up in the El Cerrito Hills. Fortunately, I get chauffeured to and from the location so I don't have to schlep to Bart, or burn up gasoline in my non-existent car.…

Advice for teaching piano students about dynamics and phrasing

This was the hallmark topic at a Linked-in piano forum board, with many piano teachers chiming in with great suggestions. For me, singing beside a student or nudging him/her to join in is always helpful. I focus on shaping phrases in this way while also enlisting conducting motions. Finally, insights into how harmonic rhythm or…

Piano Technique: Are arpeggios “boring?” I don’t think so!

Arpeggios don't deserve a bad rap!

Piano Lesson: What I learned from an adult student about Bach Invention 4 in D minor (VIDEOS)

Today was an ear-opener, though I admit to having had a set of preconceived ideas about this Bach composition. (in two-part counterpoint) Just from having studied it myself, parceling out each separate voice in a step-wise, layered approach, I could impart what I learned as a self-delivered lecture. But the ingredient, of adding a student…