Search

Ravel - Sonatine

Ravel wrote the first movement of the Sonatine in 1903 for a magazine competition run by a magazine but wasn't awarded the prize as he was the only entrant and had exceeded the length restriction! Fortunately for posterity, Ravel soon added a second and a third movement in 1905 and... Read >>

Chopin - Fantasie-Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor (Op. 66)

Annotated Study Edition

Chopin’s Fantasie-Impromptu (Op. Post. 66) is one of the most popular works in the piano repertoire and many pianists attempt it before they are ready for the challenges it poses. This collection of resources accompanies our study edition for the work and features detailed annotations, additional video demonstrations and practice... Read >>

Chopin - Prelude in B Minor (Op. 28 No. 6)

Chopin’s dark, somber Prélude in B minor is much more difficult to play than it looks. The pedalling requires a lot of thought as Chopin gives us only three pedal markings, in those places where he wants special pedal effects that provide generous resonance. In other places, we must therefore be careful to pedal more sparingly and discreetly. The melodic interest is in the long LH rising and falling phrases, yet we clearly hear the tolling of bells in the RH repeated notes. There are some beautiful - and surprising - harmonic moments that you’ll need to savour in order... Read >>

Diabelli - Moderato Cantabile (from Sonatina in F major, Op. 168 No. 1)

The first movement (Moderato) of Diabelli’s appealing Sonatina in F is a model of sonata form in miniature, an ideal way to teach form and structure to the intermediate pianist. The gently expressive first subject with its sighing appoggiaturas gives way to a skittish and playful second subject. In this video I demonstrate the art of finger pedalling in the left hand alberti patterns to create resonance by hand (instead of by foot, which would cloud the texture too much). I also show how to use deconstruction techniques in a tricky left hand passage to improve control and coordination. ... Read >>

Chopin - Fantasie-Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor (Op. 66)

Walkthrough

A series of detailed video demonstrations on solving the various challenges posed by Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu, with a special focus on the three-against-four polyrhythm.... Read >>

Rocherolle - La chapelle (from Souvenirs du château)

Trinity College (Alternative) - Grade 7

This evocative piece by American pianist and composer Eugénie Rocherolle is somewhere between Romantic and musical theatre in style, making full use of the pedal to build up sonorities from sustained bass notes and rolling harmonies. It is music from the heart, calling for the ability to play freely with rubato and plenty of feeling. It makes a very effective recital piece and will be popular with players and listeners alike. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Souvenirs Du Chateau is... Read >>

Burgmüller - 24. L’Hirondelle (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

Charming to the ear, L’hirondelle (The Swallow) is one of my favourite études in the set. It is packed with great teaching value, demanding attention to quality and beauty of sound. The main technical features are crossing the LH over the RH in wide jumps (excellent for eye-hand coordination), and skilful timing of the pedal (so that the short LH notes are caught in the pedal with the RH harmonies). Careful LH separate practice at a slow tempo but with fast, precise movements will prepare the ground. Practise also a blocked version hands together where the RH chords come on... Read >>

Peter Gritton - Haunted House

ABRSM Initial Grade – C1

There is a repeated phrase in the left hand, the right hand playing something different each time. The challenge is to combine a legato touch in one hand with staccato in the other hand. This essential coordination skill can be acquired using an exercise of your own invention based on simple five-finger patterns. The chord at the end of the piece is arpeggiated slowly, as quietly as possible. It is helpful to put the pedal down in the half-bar rest before the chord. Hold the chord as long as you like, until the sound has died away. ... Read >>

Grieg - Waltz in A minor

Grieg’s Waltz in A minor is on the alternative list for Trinity Grade 4, and will be a popular choice. It is full of character and contrasts, and not without its challenges - especially concerning how to use the pedal. Grieg instructs “con pedale” (with pedal) but does not indicate anything further. In this video I show how to organise the pedalling in order to make some of the joins possible without covering over Grieg’s slurs and staccato markings, and also how to pedal for colour and resonance. Preview (please log-in or... Read >>