Comments for From the bench

Comment on Pianos are more fun than climbing stairs by Shauna Holiman

Shauna Holiman — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:17:21 +0000

If you love the piano, you will enjoy and probably get a chuckle out of Piano As Art, a three way collaborative exhibition by 2 artists, Penny Putnam and Shauna Holiman, and Faust Harrison Pianos. The art, inspired by piano parts and in many cases made up of the parts themselves (antique ivories, hammers, oddly shaped inner mechanicals and bits of casework) is entirely collaborative, the artists having abandoned their individual styles and notions of authorship to create together. (Much like playing chamber music.) You can see all the art and the exhibition schedule at http://www.pianoasart.com.
“Fascinating for anyone interested in the piano, music or art, the sculptures of Penny Putnam and Shauna Holiman are both intricate and beguiling, taking what looks on the surface like a familiar form and transporting it into the realm of Surrealism.”
John Rockwell, Former Arts Critic, New York Times

Comment on Class taught by Chris Lewis by Linda Thorne

Linda Thorne — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 03:48:19 +0000

In Spring of 1981, I had the pleasure of performing a song recital with Chris Lewis at the piano. One of the performances was at SUNY Purchase and one at St. Peter’s in the Citicorp Building in NY.
I tried to find his address online, but am not sure at all where he is at this time. When I listen to the recording of our recital, I am amazed at the clarity and yes, speed with which he played the Suleika Lieder of Schubert, but also by the overall sustained parts as well. Is it possible that thirty years have flown by? Please, if you can, give him this message. Thank you very much. Linda Thorne.

Comment on Memorization practice ideas from Christine Kissack by Peter Tarsio

Peter Tarsio — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:55:18 +0000

Excellent suggestions and I copied it out for reference and things to keep in mind for my students. Thank you Christine.

Comment on Chuan Chang on memorization by Peter Tarsio

Peter Tarsio — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:51:27 +0000

I know his work and have corresponded with the author and the main contentions in his book are useful but not the entire picture for sure. Memorization is a complex process and to do a lot of repetition is not the only way to learn the music although that is what many do to at least put it into the fingers. Beign able to hear what you play and understand the harmonic elements are important and the ability to read music well and have a good ear are essential to do what a musician is required to do which includes a hight caliber form of musicianship.

Comment on Discussion of memorization on Sonata newsgroup by Peter Tarsio

Peter Tarsio — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:47:25 +0000

Memorization is a topic that is not often talked about and that is unfortunate and we all have to do it but very rarely know how to explain how one goes about doing this and the procedures involved. There are certain theories how this is to be done and the four standard ones are tactile, visual, auditory and analytical. Of all the ones mention here the tactile, motor or kinesthetic is considered to be the least reliable although we spend a good deal of our time playing and practicing the piano with the technical demands that it requires but in the end we have to use whatever is available to us to memorize a score.

Comment on Schumann’s rules for young musicians by Peter Tarsio

Peter Tarsio — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:43:06 +0000

Great book to read and I have a copy in my library and recommend it to any aspiring musician.

Comment on The great pianists on YouTube by Peter Tarsio

Peter Tarsio — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:41:41 +0000

I have been a pianist for a very long time and worked with a pianist who was a student of two of Liszt’s pupils who names respectively were Maurice Rosenthal and Emil von Sauer who taught Robert Goldsand who taught me. You can go back to Czerny and Beethoven in the lineage that he came from. I studied with Goldsand at the Manhattan School of Music back in the 1970′s.

Comment on Yuja Wang: Force of nature? by From the bench : Yuja Wang coming into her own

From the bench : Yuja Wang coming into her own — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:50:45 +0000

[...] 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 [...]

Comment on Yuja Wang: Force of nature? by From the bench : Online master classes

From the bench : Online master classes — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:11:01 +0000

[...] learn the G Major). As a special treat, one of the four performers is Yuja Wang whom I’ve written about before. Posted by jmm on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 2:08 pm. Filed under Learning, practice. Follow any [...]

Comment on Deliberate practice: delay automaticity by chtmom

chtmom — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:45:38 +0000

I find Daniel Coyle’s book, The Talent Code, to be an exceptional piece of research and writing. The deep practice that he and you talk about gives me a whole new way of approaching my child’s piano and violin practice. I heartily recommend this book.