Over the past two years, Andras Schiff played the entire Beethoven sonata cycle in a series of concerts. As I recall, he played them only in Chicago, Ann Arbor, and New York (Carnegie Hall, natch). I attended all of the Ann Arbor performances. They were delightful: Schiff brought a different, very thoughtful and warm sensibility [...]
The Fun Theory (from VW!)
I just read The Song is You, by Arthur Phillips. Usually I only write here about books concerning pianos and pianists, but this novel about music and art and passion is so good I wanted to make note.
The story focuses on Julian, a young middle-aged director of commercials who loves his iPod, and Cait, a much [...]
A year and a half ago I was effusive after seeing 21 year old Yuja Wang in her debut recital in Ann Arbor. This year, she has been getting glowing to ectstatic reviews from around the world during her major tour. This one is from the SF Gate, after her Wed 20 May 2009 concert [...]
Tagged performersI like reading books about pianos and pianists. I sometimes write about them here. Turns out Joe Queenan likes doing both (the reading and the writing about it) as well (though he doesn’t write here). He seems to feel more strongly about it than I do.
Tagged booksWell, this is pretty cool. I’m probably the last pianist on the web to discover this, but: the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall has put some master classes online, with video, scores, some other supplementary material. They are organized into topics so you can experience them organized around the piece in question, or by [...]
Tagged Learning, online, teachingCognitive psychologists have found that one process in human learning is automatizing: complex tasks, when practiced or rehearsed enough, become automatic, so they can be performed using little or none of a very scarce resource: conscious attention. Anyone who drives a car is familiar with discovering one has been daydreaming and not consciously paying attention, [...]
Tagged books, practiceThe Economist recently published an article summarizing scientific research into why humans so universally engage in composing and performing music. Is it natural selection, or group selection? An accident that has been elaborated as an invention?
Tagged psychologyHere’s a charming piece in the New York Times about the authenticity of the snips of Beethoven scores that Charles Schultz drew to illustrate Schroeder scenes in “Peanuts”. There were a “soundtrack” to the strip. Fun example: a strip showing Schroeder doing strength and stamina training before going to practice…the Hammerklavier.
Tagged books, fun, inspiration, writingDon’t criticize my spelling: Mike Saville is British. And the blogger who publishes “How to Practise“, which is a site that provides a wealth of straightforward, often helpful practice tips, mostly in the form of exercises, drills, tricks (not really sure what to call them). Similar to a few books I’ve mentioned, like Practiceopedia, and [...]
Tagged Learning, practice