Beethoven

Jacques Ibert - Little White Donkey

(Op. 68 No. 12)

Knight Rupert, No. 12 from Schumann’s Album for the Young, Op. 68, is a favourite recital piece for the intermediate player, and great fun to play. The rousing A section contrasts beautifully with the more lyrical B section. Come up with a story line from your imagination, but first do some research on the character - according to German folklore Knight Rupert is Saint Nicolas’ companion, but someone who might give lumps of coal to naughty children instead of a more welcome Christmas present. The piece places plenty of demands on the player, and I have selected three Q-spots that... Read >>

Beethoven - Für Elise (Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor, WoO 59)

Le petit âne blanc (The Little White Donkey) is the second piece from Jacquest Ibert’s set of ten pieces entitled Histoires (1922). In the key of F sharp major, it paints a vivid picture of a day in the life of a donkey, and requires plenty of imagination to play it with the colour and vibrancy it requires. I have selected two Q-spots that will need your careful attention: Bars 20 – downbeat 25 Bars 25-29 Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources... Read >>

Beethoven - Sonata No. 8 in C Minor ("Pathétique") (Op. 13)

(Op. 13)

If you have ever struggled with Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata, this series of 11 videos is designed to help you solve some of the main technical and interpretative problems the work poses so that you will be better able to bring out the drama and intensity of the music as you... Read >>

Beethoven - Für Elise

We’ve probably all come up against difficulties in a piece where our fingers seem to baulk – we hesitate, stumble, or approximate the notes with a mañana attitude to fixing them. Our unconscious thoughts go something like: “All I need is a few days, it’ll sort itself out eventually”, or “I’ll wait for my teacher to correct it in the lesson”, and so on. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and unless we address these problem passages thoroughly they are likely to let us down in performance. The problem We all know that in a performance... Read >>

Bach - Invention in D Minor No. 4

(Bagatelle No. 25 in A Minor)

This evergreen miniature of Beethoven scarcely needs any introduction at all, since Für Elise is known to the world at large. What beginning piano student does not itch to play it, pestering their teacher long before they are ready? Any piano teacher reading this will identify with the two Q-spots I have selected from the piece, places where students regularly trip up: Bar 22 - 23 Bar 29 - 35 Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links ... Read >>

Schumann - Knight Rupert (No. 12 from Album for the Young, Op. 68)

(BWV 775)

The Inventions (in two parts) and the Sinfonias (in three parts) were begun in 1720 as part of a manuscript book devoted to the musical education of Bach’s eldest son, Wilhelm Friedemann, then 9 years old. These pieces have certainly withstood the test of time, and are played throughout the world by intermediate players and concert artists alike. I have identified two Q-spots in this work where many people get stuck. You’ve probably guessed where these spots are – the two places where we find extended trills: Bar 18 – Downbeat of 23 Bar 29 – Downbeat of bar... Read >>

Beethoven - Sonata No. 14 in C# Minor ("Moonlight") (Op. 27 No. 2)

Op. 27 No. 2 (1st Movement)

This collection of nine videos gives a step-by-step guide to playing the first movement of Beethoven’s Sonata in C# Minor (Sonata quasi una fantasia) or "Moonlight" (Op. 27 No. 2) with detailed advice on style, tempo, pedalling, fingering, practice method and technique - especially on how to avoid tension when... Read >>

Beethoven - Sonatina in G (1st Mvt, Anh. 5 No. 1)

This walkthrough of the first movement of Beethoven’s popular Sonatina in G will help students to assimilate essential elements of the Classical style: articulation, balance, ornamentation, and clear phrasing. The series of reduced scores provides students with a step-by-step approach to learning the piece, and makes it easier for teachers... Read >>

Beethoven - Sonatina in G (2nd mvt - Anh. 5 No. 1)

This walkthrough of the second movement of Beethoven’s popular Sonatina in G will help students to assimilate essential elements of the Classical style: articulation, balance, ornamentation, and clear phrasing. The series of reduced scores provides students with a step-by-step approach to learning the piece, and makes it easier for teachers... Read >>