Canon in D - Declan's Version

A student of mine this week was proud to show me something he has been working on at home by ear on his own.  It was so beautifully done, that I thought I'd share it with you here.  What are YOU working on at home?

Well done, Declan!

(For a comedic version of Pachelbel's Canon, click here.)

Oh cool!  Amber figured one out on her own too!  Anybody else care to share?


 

Victor Borge - William Tell

If we talked about inverted themes in your lesson this week (ahem - Pauline.....) this video is for you!

(It is also for you if we've discussed fugues or counterpoint (hey Criss.....) or variations (that means you guys - Katie, Mary, Erica, Jimena and Whitney!)

Mozart Sonata K.283 for Saturday Group Class

The following is a recording of the first movement of the Sonata K.283 by Mozart which we discussed in class performed by one of my favorite performers of Mozart's music, Mitsuko Uchida:

And for those of you who weren't in class on Saturday and don't have your own copy of the Mozart Sonatas, here is a link to the complete free downloadable score of this sonata:  http://imslp.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_No.5_in_G_major,_K.283/189h_%28Mozart,_Wolfgang_Amadeus%29

Be sure to mark all parts of the movement as we have discussed in class and label what key each portion begins and ends in.  And enjoy!  This is a charming sonata!
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Sonata Form

Here is a quick version of the notes from last week's Sonata lecture:

Introduction

• Slow and stately, Commanding, Catches your attention
• Varying lengths
• Not always present

Exposition

• This section introduces the main themes of the piece
• The first theme is usually grand, and the second contrasting, and usually lyrical
• The first theme is in the tonic key and the second theme is usually in the dominant
• The entire exposition is usually repeated

Development

• One or more of the themes are played around with and changed up
• The development often ends with something called a retransition - that part that feels quite intense and builds up, usually with new material or transition material to bring us back to the main theme.

Recapitulation

• This is when the two themes from the exposition return in their original form
• The second theme though is usually in the tonic key

Coda

• Though the piece may end with the recapitulation,  many sonata-allegro form pieces have a coda
• A "tail" end - with a grander variation on one of the themes, a piece of the development, new material or very grand sounding final material

Suzuki Book 2 and 3 students are challenged to find these parts in their own Sonatinas!

Christmas Day Secrets

Anybody looking for a beautiful version of Christmas Day Secrets to aid them in their practice of Suzuki Book 1 should look no further!  Natalie has graciously supplied us with a thoughtful, carefully articulated and beautiful version.  Enjoy!

Billie Jean for Piano Duo

This is one of the reasons I love the piano.  As a pianist, one has such a great expanse of sounds truly at the fingertips.

Today I really enjoyed hearing a version of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean done by the Anderson and Roe piano duo.  Below is a link to a duo concert they did.  Billie Jean comes in at about minute 41.  Check it out!!!

Billie Jean done by the Anderson and Roe piano duo.

Awesome, right?  Yeah!  Go practice!  :)

Recital - November 2011

Well done!  Here's the proof!

To view the performances of Natalie, Katie, Maeve, Declan F., Pauline and Erica:

To view the performances of Whitney, August, Ioannis, Anne Marie, Cole, Diego and Adrian:

To view the performances of Amber, Fiona, Evan, Kabir, Jimena, Eddie and Declan H:

To view the performances of Mary, Chloe, Jerecho, Graham and Criss:

To view Ms. Aubrey's performance:

Thank you so much everyone - this was a lot of fun!!  Let's meet back here in the spring so we can show off all the hard work we do this winter!

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