The Music ’Tis madness. Truly. To the Portuguese, who originated this musical form in the late 15th century, La Folia (Foh-LEE-ah) was music for singing and dancing, and the singing and dancing were often so riotous that the participants appeared “empty-headed.” The Folia was a 16-bar melodic and harmonic pattern,…
Developing Artist Literature
Piano practice often seems like a lonely business. No partners. No other members of the band or orchestra with whom to make music. Yet, when you think about it, the hands themselves need to be partners. Unless they are a team, with each “member” playing its own role, the results…
If you asked someone living in Germany when J.S. Bach was alive—who is the best and most famous composer?—the answer would be Georg Philipp Telemann! His music topped the charts in those days, and he earned in Hamburg nearly three times what Bach did in Leipzig. He was prolific. His…
At first glance, Spindler’s two Preludes in G present a flurry of eighth notes—first in the treble line, then the bass line. However, if we look through our “theory glasses,” patterns emerge! This video explains how grouping the 8th notes into chords allows us to see the harmonic structure of…
It’s that time of year! An avalanche of leaves, of cornstalks and pumpkins—and of fast notes in A minor skittering wildly about the keys. An avalanche is sudden and overwhelming. Enjoy this riveting performance of Stephen Heller’s famous “Avalanche” by Ms. Kate Acone, from Piano Literature for a Dark and Stormy Night.…
The musical focus is on how the composer repeats and extends phrases to build to the “heroic” ending. Sam’s body language shows his involvement and how quickly he catches on as he tries out the dynamic scheme. The accompaniment adds to the “con forza” entrance as the hero struts right…
In keeping with the Year of Technique and Artistry, Nancy and Randall Faber are pleased to present Hanon-Faber, The New Virtuoso Pianist—a fresh, new approach to the 150-year-old keyboard exercises of Charles-Louis Hanon. Why This Edition? Concert artists recognize that finger strength is subordinate to the coordinated use of fingers, wrist…
Developing Artist Preparatory Piano Literature, Pg. 16, Circle Dance Warming up with A Minor five-finger scales, Sam is learning to express “con moto.” He clearly makes his “con moto” approach a musical shape, and he applies this idea to Circle Dance with natural ease. It’s evident that he is thinking…