Category Archives: Performance

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 →

Posted in Bach, Inspirational, Music History, Music Videos, Performance | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Decipher the handwriting. And more.

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

“You have survived this season’s run of music festivals and competitions. You have your certificate. Maybe you even earned an award. Perhaps now you’re asking yourself, “Now what?” Please bring your written adjudication sheet(s) to your next music lesson … Your … Continue reading →

Posted in Examinations, General, Performance, Piano pedagogy | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

… and don’t blame the page-turner

Posted on May 9, 2013 by

“What is it to be musical? You will not be so, if your eyes are fixed on the notes with anxiety and you play your piece laboriously through; you will not be so if, supposing that someone should turn over … Continue reading →

Posted in Music History, Performance, Practice Tips, Quotes, Technic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finally, colors dominate your sounds

Posted on May 5, 2013 by

“At a young age, when you are playing something in the early stages of your life, you are striving to be up toward the unattainable perfection, mainly based on the musical laws and regulations. Later on, you start being interested … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspirational, Performance, Quotes, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

I’m in love. With an update :)

Posted on May 4, 2013 by

I’m in love. With 81-year-old French jazz pianist Michel Legrand. I can’t enough of his jazz piano stuff after having discovered him at Espace Musique’s jazz streaming site. Legrand is well-known as a film composer – probably best known for … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz, Music Videos, Performance | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Music. With birds and a paintbrush.

Posted on April 22, 2013 by

I started out looking for a recording of a piece I heard in concert yesterday. The Calgary Civic Symphony treated us to performance of Cantus Arcticus (Concerto for Birds and Orchestra) by Einojuhani Rautavaara. The rather impressionistic music incorporates tape … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspirational, Music Videos, Performance, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

With Shining Eyes

Posted on April 8, 2013 by

Conductor Benjamin Zander “has two infectious passions: classical music, and helping us all realize our untapped love for it – and by extension, our untapped love for all new possibilities, new experiences, and new connections.” This 20-minute video is packed … Continue reading →

Posted in Mozart, Music History, Performance, Videos | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

This place was made by God

Posted on March 29, 2013 by

Locus iste a Deo factus est,  Inaestimabile sacramentum, irreprehensibilis est. This place was made by God, a priceless sacrament; it is without reproach. Good Friday. The most sacred day in the Christian calendar, and indeed, in Christianity itself. Inspiration for … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Performance | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nervousness only increases …

Posted on March 26, 2013 by

We search for performance opportunities for our students. The more they play in public, the easier it is to calm those nerves, right? I do believe this. I see a remarkable difference with every group class, every festival entry (competitive … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Performance, Quotes, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Tears on the bench

Posted on March 22, 2013 by

This time it wasn’t my fault. Earlier this week one of my students waited quietly on the sofa for her lesson, then sat down on the piano bench and promptly burst into tears. I quickly shooed the previous student out … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Performance, Studio News | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

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

Worth a thousand lifetimes

Posted on March 18, 2013 by

On behalf of all my singer friends, I must protest the separation of “singers” and “musicians.” Otherwise, this quote is spot on. “Singers and Musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspirational, Performance, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments