Posts Tagged ‘ polyphony ’

Basic principles of efficient practicing – I

Did you ever ask yourself whether your piano practicing is in fact efficient? Or have you ever had the feeling that your exercises on the keyboard are just a boring routine you daily repeat while not knowing why you do it?
Remember first: Practicing means exploring every unknown detail of the score you are studying; it is like disclosing the secret of music and discovering the unlimited power of the composers´masterworks.
A good approach to your daily practice should include a Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S.Bach. This repertoire represents the absolute fundamental work for a pianist.
Studying meticulously Preludes and mostly Fugues by Bach requires a high concentration, especially when pointing out the plurality of voices (polyphony) relating together through counterpoint. This is the basis of efficient practicing and, in the long term, the perfect construction of high professional piano playing.
After your first approach with Bach, choose a piece [...]



The Art of Motivic Thorough-Composition Part II

The interpretation: the motivic thorough-composition is hearable through a modified piano playing.
What is actually the art of the motivic thorough-composition?
Developing a theme is nothing but the quintessence of the composer´s work.
How does it happen?
No matter how often, how slowly, or fast, or even loud or soft the theme is announced, this is a very personal decision of the composer. The motif could even be the emblem, which is representing the entire musical work of the author.

Let´s draw our attention to the striking theme from Beethoven´s fifth symphony:

Score picture: Beethoven – Main theme from the Symphony No.5 Op.67- Source: Wikipedia

This is doubtless one of the most important and innovative themes in the music history. Figuring the steady fight of Beethoven against the fate, this famous opening strongly influenced the further development of the traditional sonata form.
According with insiders, the sonata form represents the central point of the [...]



Glenn Gould – 1932-1982

This column is dedicated to extraordinary personalities of the piano world. Great pianists of the past, sometimes remembered as “Immortals” or even “Legends” will be featured on this place.
It will be different from other portraits or features about those artists, it will be more like a portrait of pianists who deeply influenced and inspired other musicians and non-musicians.
Thepianist.com starts with Glenn Gould, the eccentric Canadian pianist who certainly set a milestone in the history of the piano and pianists.
A large source of information has been written, spoken, broadcasted about Glenn Gould.
It will not be necessary to put more information about him, as it is already available. And everybody knows that there are controversial opinions about his interpretations.
Let us simply remember Glenn as someone who wanted to change the old patterns of classical music, to bring more life in the masterworks of great composers, to suggest new and original approaches to [...]