Category Archives: Bach

A balance for soul. A balance for beauty.

Posted on May 24, 2013 by

“People are craving this great progress in electronics, going after computers, the Internet, etc. It’s a great progress technologically. But they must have a balance for soul, a balance for human beauty. That means art has an important role.” ~Mstislav … Continue reading →

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A Top 5 List

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

High Fidelity is a novel by Nick Hornby about a guy named Rob who works in a record store.  It’s funny, poignant, heartbreaking, and hopeful. Rob has a penchant for making lists – of imagined conversations, ex-girlfriends, and pop music. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bach, Books about Music, Inspirational, Mozart, Music History, Music Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s okay to not love Beethoven

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

Tchaikovsky didn’t. He adored Mozart. And considered Bach, Handel, Gluck and Haydn mere forerunners to Mozart. From his diaries (1886):  “… I shall start with Beethoven, whom it is usual to praise unconditionally and whom it is commanded to worship … Continue reading →

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It’s Bach

Posted on March 21, 2013 by

I – we – get asked who our favourite composer is. That’s an easy one. It’s Bach. Occasionally that answer might depend on my mood, in which case, that’s my answer, but usually it’s Bach. I like the energy, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bach, General, Inspirational, Performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Intensely interior music

Posted on March 6, 2013 by

My own experience of the Bach’s Goldberg Variations is Glenn Gould’s 1981 recording. My interpretation is Gould’s. Such is the power of the first hearing of a piece of music. I’m not alone in this. Nor am I alone in … Continue reading →

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My little piece of heaven

Posted on February 27, 2013 by

Wednesday morning. 11:00. The start of the best teaching hour of the week. I have an adult student then – a teacher herself – playing at an early advanced level. She has no examination goals, just the thirst to learn. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bach, Inspirational, Piano pedagogy, Studio News | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The really big picture

Posted on February 5, 2013 by

Music history – from antiquity to the present – in 8 minutes. By one of those awesome illustrators. I bow to such talent. Complete with all the musical examples.

Posted in Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Music History, Music Videos, Musings about Chopin | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Memory: 3 Tips and 3 Posts

Posted on February 1, 2013 by

“For me there was something touching about seeing a great pianist play a Bach prelude and fugue using the score. Every wondrous element of this complex music is right on the page. It looks almost as beautiful as it sounds.”*  … Continue reading →

Posted in Bach, Business of Teaching, Memory, Musings about Chopin, Practice Tips, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The loneliness of the artist

Posted on January 31, 2013 by

In the Abbey de Cuxa in Prades, I spent several glorious hours with the master of the cello. Our rapport was instantaneous – he trusted me to carry his cherished instrument. I was so moved on listening to him play … Continue reading →

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Go home and listen.

Posted on January 30, 2013 by

Go home and find a recording on Youtube. Just make sure it doesn’t say “this is me playing…”  It should be someone on a stage. Even better if it just shows an album cover with no video. My words to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bach, General, Performance, Piano pedagogy, Pianos | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

It’s not work at all

Posted on January 4, 2013 by

“There is only one way in this world to achieve true happiness, and that is to express yourself with all your skill and enthusiasm in a career that appeals to you more than any other. In such a career, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Bach, Business of Teaching, General, Inspirational, Method Books, Piano pedagogy, Pianos, Quotes | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Bach would approve

Posted on December 16, 2012 by

Can’t help thinking Bach would totally approve of this. Goldberg Variations plus. The beat boxing captures and enhances the chugga-chugga rhythm of the Baroque era. This put a smile on my face. For the fortunate, life goes on. Thank you … Continue reading →

Posted in Bach, Inspirational, Performance, Rhythm | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments