Burgmuller

Burgmüller - 1. La Candeur (Openness) in C major (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

Cultivate a singing style in the RH (legato cantabile), shaping the line expressively with nuances. The short phrase marks (slurs) do not necessarily imply a lifting of the hand at the ends but show how the notes are to be grouped (in the manner of string bowing). Interpret these with a slight emphasis on the first note of each group and a subtle diminuendo towards the end of the group. A chord legato wherever possible in the LH progression ensures the smoothest connections and the best control of sound: Crescendo means soft! Start... Read >>

Burgmüller - 2. L’Arabesque (Arabesque) in A minor (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

Keep the LH chords close to the keyboard, the fingertips firm and somewhat active, the wrist loose but relatively still. When practising the LH separately, the following patterns will help to learn the hand shapes: Play RH semiquaver patterns lightly using a drop-roll (down-up) movement generated from the arm. Small lateral adjustments in the wrist keep us free and loose by assisting finger articulation. The first note of each RH group is the strongest, the last note lighter and short. You might practise chaining the drop-roll slurs thus (RH alone): ... Read >>

Burgmüller - 3. La Pastorale (Pastoral) in G major (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

Feel two beats in a bar (‘1-and-a 2-and-a’). For the dolce cantabile singing line play beautifully legato, keeping the fingers close to the keys and the wrist flexible. Sing the melody line out loud to find the phrasing; in keeping with the descriptive title we might even imagine a shepherd playing a flute. Aim for a tonal balance of mp in the RH and pp in the LH accompaniment. The LH stays very close to the keys in the repeated chords to avoid any clatter. No pedal is necessary, but if you want a warmer sound you could... Read >>

Burgmüller - 4. La Petite Réunion (The Little Party) in C major (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

The LH is the leader in the introduction. Let the melody sing out as it invites us to the party. Imagine the RH as excited chatter or laughter from the other guests, who are excited to be at the gathering. I recommend small forearm bounces close to the keys, the wrist unbending. For stability in the hand, practise repeating each chord two (or more) times. Thinking of the double notes in two parts (soprano and alto), first play each part by itself, making sure to use the fingering you will use when playing both parts together. Tapping the... Read >>

Burgmüller - 5. Innocence in F Major (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

The tempo is moderate (crotchet = c.100) and the mood graceful. The short RH slurs imply a very slight stress on the first note of each group. A very delicate touch is called for here, the finger tips active and the wrist flexible. This supplementary exercise helps develop the touch. This tapping exercise is useful to secure the hand positions for the progression of chords. Keep fingers close to the keys, and make sure the wrist stays free at all times. Play the expressive sighs in the RH using a... Read >>

Burgmüller - Burgmüller - Innocence (No. 5 from 25 études faciles et progressives, Op.100) (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

ABRSM Grade 3 – A2

A study in delicacy of touch and articulation, tonal balance between the hands and scale patterns in the upper register, Innocence gives plenty of scope for understanding harmony and developing musical as well as technical skills. Please sign-in to view the full video if you are already an Online Academy subscriber or click here to find out more about the Online Academy. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 3 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click... Read >>

Burgmüller - 25. La Chevaleresque (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

ABRSM Grade 5 – A1

Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 5 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click here to view the Online Academy walk-through for this work. Click here to view open domain editions for this work (external link). The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced by permission of... Read >>

Burgmüller - Berceuse (No. 7 from 18 Characteristic Studies, Op. 109)

Burgmüller’s educational piano music is still among the very best. This exquisite little Berceuse requires considerable control of tone, texture and pedalling to bring out its beauties. Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music form the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link, see page 12). Click here to view the index for our Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus. ... Read >>

Burgmüller - Velocity, Op. 109 No. 10

ABRSM Grade 6 – A6

Velocity is the tenth piece in a collection of small character studies by Friedrich Burgmüller (1806-1874). In the tradition of the very best studies, each piece presents a technical problem to be overcome and practised, while at the same time having a distinct musical appeal that raises it to the status of art. In Velocity, the main challenge is control of right hand semiquavers at high speed as the patterns move across the keyboard, even crossing over the accompanimental left hand’s repeated chords in two places. The player can develop the necessary leggiero touch by practising the semiquavers at first... Read >>