Piano History

This Month in Piano History – May 2026

Written By Curtis Pavey

In this post remembering important events from piano history in the month of May, learn about the births of several pianists and composers along with an important musical premiere that resulted in protest!

A black-and-white portrait of Johannes Brahms in a dark suit.
Johannes Brahms

May 7, 1833 – Birth of Johannes Brahms

Born in Hamburg, Germany, Johannes Brahms was one of the most prominent composers of the nineteenth century. After being declared the heir to Beethoven’s legacy by Robert Schumann, Brahms’ status as a virtual unknown changed to that of a musical celebrity overnight. In addition to his significant symphonic and chamber output, Brahms is well known for his rich piano oeuvre which includes variation sets, sonatas, rhapsodies, and collections of miniatures. Curious to learn more about Brahms and his piano music? Check out these two videos about Brahms’ music by Catherine Kautsky and Jarred Dunn:

Brahms: Intermezzi, Op. 117
Brahms: Intermezzo Op. 118, No. 2

May 14, 1943 – Birth of Tania León

Born in Havanna, Cuba, Tania León is a leading Cuban-American composer. A student of Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa among others, her work as a conductor in addition to composer is well known. In 2021, León’s symphonic work Stride was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music recognizing her brilliant skill as a composer. León’s musical output is large and broad, and includes several piano compositions including some virtuoso works as well as a few at the late-intermediate and early-advanced levels. Interested in learning about more pedagogical pieces by women composers? Read Cole Bruger’s article below about works by women composers for elementary and early-intermediate students:

Elementary and Early-Intermediate Piano Music by Women
Composer Tania León at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Tania León
A photo of pianist Alicia de Larrocha holding a medal.
Alicia de Larrocha

May 23, 1923 – Birth of Alicia de Larrocha

Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha was born in Barcelona, Spain. Prized for her interpretations of Spanish composers, her recordings have been awarded significant honors including multiple Grammy awards. Her recording of Albéniz’s masterpiece Iberia is one of her most acclaimed discs and includes all four books of this piece showcasing Spanish dances from regions throughout Spain. Want to learn more about Spanish music? Read this article by Nancy Bachus and Olga Kuehl-White to discover more about important Spanish composers and their work:

Understanding Spanish Music

May 29, 1913 – Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring premieres

Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring is a ballet commissioned by Serge Diaghilev as part of the Ballets Russes. Despite the popularity of the work today, audiences in 1913 Paris reacted in outrage. Composed in two parts, the work depicts the sacrifice of a young girl during the arrival of spring. Along with the orchestral version, Stravinsky published a four-hand version for piano. Interested in learning more about this work? Check out William Fried’s article about his experience preparing and performing The Rite:

Rewriting The Rite for Fun and Profit
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Brahms Reconsidered: Deriving Applications of Rubato from the Music

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This Month In Piano History: April 2026

Written By Megan Hall
Rachmaninoff posing for a photo at a Steinway & Sons piano.
Sergei Rachmaninoff

Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month! 

This month, we celebrate the birthday of blues vocalist Bessie Smith and explore possibilities for incorporating jazz and improvisation in your studio. Plus, one classical composer’s birthday that cannot be overlooked!

April 1, 1873: Birth of Sergei Rachmaninoff

The month of April begins with the anniversary of the birth of Sergei Rachmaninoff, a pivotal figure in the world of piano performance and composition, whose works remain influential and captivating. Rachmaninoff grew up in Russia and was trained in piano and composition from a young age, first by his mother and then at the prestigious Moscow Conservatory. His notably large hands led to broad, expansive writing, pushing the boundaries of piano composition.

Click here to listen to Yuja Wang perform Rachmaninoff’s Etude Tableaux in C Minor, Op. 33, No. 3 on Deutsche Grammaphon’s YouTube Channel.

April 15, 1892: Birth of Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith began her life in Chattanooga, Tennessee and busked for a living after her parents passed away. She started her professional career as a dancer and eventually began singing in Atlanta’s “81” Theater.  The “Empress of the Blues” built a successful career which continued even through the Great Depression.

A black-and-white photograph of Bessie Smith against a floral background.
Bessie Smith

The Month of April: Jazz Appreciation Month!

Interested in incorporating jazz and improvisation in your studio this month? Check out some of the following resources from PianoInspires.com!

NCKP 2023 Committee Webinar: How to Practice Jazz and Improvisation
Microcourse: Teaching Jazz at the Piano
Jeremy Siskind, Award-winning Jazz Pianist, Composer, and Educator | S2E13
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Wael Farouk and the Rachmaninoff piano oeuvre

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This Month in Piano History: March 2026

Written By Curtis Pavey

In this post remembering important events from piano history in the month of March, learn about the birth of two prominent composers, read about the premiere of one of the greatest oratorios, and remember a pioneering Croatian composer.

A portrait by Delacroix of Frédéric Chopin in a romantic and colorful painting.
Frédéric Chopin

March 1 – Birth of Frédéric Chopin

Frédéric Chopin was born on March 1, 1810 in Żelazowa Wola, a small town outside of Warsaw. While he spent most of his adult life in Paris, Chopin’s love for the music of his homeland shows up in his mazurkas and polonaises. His virtuosic technique led to incredible new heights in piano playing, notably in his etudes, sonatas, and ballades. Today, Chopin is remembered in the annual International Chopin Piano Competition held every five years in Warsaw, Poland. Interested in learning about Chopin’s approach to teaching? Read this article by Jane Magrath about Chopin’s teaching style:

Chopin’s teaching

March 3 – Birth of Margaret Bonds

Margaret Bonds, an American composer, was born on March 3, 1913 in Chicago, Illinois. One of the most important students of Florence Price, Bonds was a Black composer known especially for her vocal compositions. One of her best known piano compositions is Spiritual Suite, a collection of three advanced works including “Troubled Water.” Are you teaching or learning Bond’s “Troubled Water?” Discover many excellent performance tips from pianist Sarah Rushing in this From the Artist Bench video:

Bonds: Troubled Water

March 5 – Death of Dora Pejačević

Dora Pejačević was a prominent Croatian composer and pianist who lived from 1885 to her untimely death on March 5, 1923 at the age of 37 after childbirth. Her compositional output of 58 opuses includes a variety of works for solo piano as well as lieder, a symphony, a piano concerto, and multiple chamber compositions.Typical of this transition period, her works are Romantic in style and explore virtuosic pianistic textures set against lyrical melodic lines. Interested in learning more about Dora Pejačević’s piano music? Check out these two repertoire videos by pianists Asher Armstrong and Ryan Kee:

Pejačević: Piano Sonata in A-Flat, Op. 57
Dora Pejačević: Erinnerung (Remembrance), Op. 24

March 23 – London Premiere of Handel’s Messiah

Although George Frederic Handel wrote a number of excellent works for keyboard, he was especially known for his operas and oratorios. On March 23, 1743, Handel’s famous oratorio Messiah was premiered in London. The three-part English oratorio is a musical delight, featuring over two hours of arias, choruses, and instrumental selections. Many pianists first encounter Handel through his Gavotte in G Major. Watch this video to learn more about this important pedagogical piece from pianist David Cartledge:

Handel: Gavotte in G Major, HWV 491 (“Rigaudon”)
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Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now

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This Month in Piano History – February 2026

Written By Megan Hall
A black-and-white photograph of George Gershwin in a suit.
George Gershwin

This month, we celebrate Valentine’s Day and a few of the compositions we love, including Rhapsody in Blue, the Appassionata Sonata, and Sketches of a Life.

February 12, 1924: The Premiere of Rhapsody in Blue

On February 12, 1924, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue premiered in Aeolian Hall in New York City, with Gershwin himself on the keys. Rhapsody in Blue, a substantial work for solo piano and a special orchestral combination that included saxophones, was received with aplomb, and continues to be loved by pianists and music-lovers alike.

Interested in teaching Gershwin’s repertoire in your studio? Check out this helpful article on Blue Lullaby, an approachable piece perfect for students who love Gershwin’s signature sound.

Gershwin’s Blue Lullaby

February 18, 1807: The Publication of Beethoven’s Appassionata

Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, now affectionately known as the “Appassionata,” was published by the Bureau des arts et d’industrie in Vienna in 1807. Dedicated to Count Franz Brunswick, Beethoven’s friend and a capable cellist, the Appassionata is a tumultuous and technically demanding sonata.

This sonata showcases Beethoven’s varied writing as he pushed the Classical-era barriers of harmony and form. The first movement opens with eerie arpeggios, changing direction and exploding into trills. The second movement contrasts with a sweet, chorale texture, while the third and final movement spins in constant motion through divergent harmonies.

Want to learn more about Beethoven’s sonatas and sonatinas? Check out our microcourse titled Classical Sonatinas and Sonatas at the Piano. Plus, be sure to subscribe to PianoInspires for the latest innovative and dynamic content from the piano community.

Microcourse: Classical Sonatinas and Sonatas at the Piano
Oil painting of a Ludwig van Beethoven seated at a piano in a dimly lit room, reading sheet music. Papers are scattered across the floor and piled on the piano, with a cello leaning nearby, conveying an intense, cluttered creative workspace.
A painting by Carl Bernhard Schloesser of Ludwig van Beethoven

February 25, 2009: Stevie Wonder Received the Gershwin Prize

Beloved pianist and singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder had a monumental influence on the music of the late 1900s and early 2000s. Throughout his career he was awarded 25 Grammys, an Academy Award, and the prestigious Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.

The Gershwin Prize is named after George and Ira Gershwin for their immense impact on popular music. Awarded to Stevie Wonder in 2009 at a special White House ceremony (although originally announced earlier in 2008), the award recognizes Stevie’s indelible mark on popular music.

Black-and-white photo of Stevie Wonder seated at a piano and playing with expressive posture.
Stevie Wonder
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Gershwin’s Blue Lullaby

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Celebrating Black History Month

Written By Piano Inspires, Artina McCain

From February 1-28, we celebrate Black History Month, a time to honor and reflect upon the remarkable music and contributions of Black people. In this Discovery Page post, we have curated a collection of Piano Inspires resources to help everyone discover something new. From our international webinar series, to articles in Piano Magazine and Piano Inspires Kids, to our online course, Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now, there is so much to discover! We hope these resources will provide useful tips and ideas to help you incorporate music by Black composers into your recital programs, lesson plans, and more.

Publications:

Since 2024, The Frances Clark Center has been publishing numerous works of Thomas H. Kerr Jr., a pianist and composer who taught at Howard University. Kerr’s catalogue lists over 150 compositions for piano, organ, voice, chorus, and chamber ensembles, most of which have never been published. They are preserved in manuscripts at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Archives and Rare Books Division, in New York City. Learn more about these publications below.

The cover page for Dancetudes.
Cover page for Easter Monday Swagger.
Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel
Dancétudes
Easter Monday Swagger

Courses:

Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now is a fully online course exploring classical piano music by Black composers from elementary to early advanced levels. This course is designed to help remedy the lack of inclusion of piano music by Black composers in the standard teaching repertoire, and the music heard on the public concert stage.

Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now

Video Series:

Discover our original and diverse video series such as Inspiring Artistry and From the Artist Bench Video Series.

Pinto: Run! Run! from Memories of Childhood
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson: Scherzo and Toccata
White: Images, Thirteen Expressions for Intermediate Piano
William Chapman Nyaho performs at the piano during NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference.
William Chapman Nyaho performs at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference.
Artina McCain presents on stage at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference.
Artina McCain presents at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference.
Karen Walwyn on stage at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 giving a PEDx talk.
Karen Walwyn presents at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025.

Magazine Article: Awadagin Pratt: Pianist, Conductor, Music Education Advocate by Artina McCain

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing concert pianist, conductor, and professor at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Awadagin Pratt. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Awadagin Pratt has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Johns Hopkins, an honorary doctorate from Illinois Wesleyan University, and an Avery Fisher Grant. In November 2009, Pratt was one of four artists selected to perform at a music event at the White House that included student workshops hosted by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. He also performed in concert for guests including President Obama. He has played numerous recitals throughout the United States and internationally, including four tours of Japan. We had a great chat about his historic career, the competition his foundation will sponsor, and—BBQ!

Artina McCain

Tell me about your early exposure to music.

Awadagin Pratt

My father listened to classical music in our home. He was a nuclear physicist, but he loved music and actually played the organ as a child. He would often record from the radio to the old reel-to-reel tape machines. It was the only music in the house, and I liked it. My parents started me with piano lessons when I was six, but when we moved to Brazil for a year, I stopped taking lessons. I restarted piano lessons when I was eight and then began taking violin lessons when I was nine.

Read more of Artina McCain’s interview with Awadagin Pratt by clicking here.

Awadagin Pratt: Pianist, Conductor, Music Education Advocate

Teacher Education Webinar Series:

Music by Black Composers from Outside the USA
Piano Music by Black Composers: Music for all Skill Levels
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This Month in Piano History – January 2026

Written By Curtis Pavey

Happy New Year from The Frances Clark Center! In this post about piano history in the month of January, discover two important pedagogical composers, learn about the premiere of a towering piano concerto, and explore the legacy of one of jazz music’s greatest pianists. 

Alexander Gretchaninoff

January 3, 1956 – Death of Alexander Gretchaninoff

Russian-American pianist and composer Alexander Gretchaninoff was born in Moscow but lived in France and the United States during his lifetime. He studied with Sergei Tanyev and Anton Arensky at the Moscow Conservatory and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. His output includes five symphonies, several operas, several advanced piano works, as well as some pedagogical works. Want to learn more about Gretchaninoff? Read this article by pianist Yeeseon Kwon where she discusses his many pedagogical masterpieces:

Gretchaninoff’s musical gems

January 19, 1975 – Death of Maria Teresa Agnesi

Hidden Gems: Four Centuries of Piano Music by Women Composers

Maria Teresa Agnesi, an Italian harpsichordist and composer lived in Milan, Italy from 1720–1795. Though her compositions are limited, she is known for composing a number of operas and pieces for keyboard including several harpsichord sonatas at the intermediate level. In addition to her keyboard skills, she was also known to be a fine singer. Looking to discover more about Agnesi and her music? Check out our course Hidden Gems: Four Centuries of Piano Music by Women Composers.

January 22, 1859 – Premiere of Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1

Johannes Brahms’s first piano concerto was premiered in Hanover, Germany with Brahms as the soloist. The massive three-movement work is one of the towering works of the piano repertoire, lasting more than 45 minutes. In the work, Brahms pays homage to composers such as Beethoven, whose third piano concerto served as a model for the last movement of this concerto. Although Brahms’s piano works tend to be quite challenging, Jarred Dunn’s From the Artist Bench video provides excellent teaching and performance tips for the Intermezzi, Op. 117.

Brahms: Intermezzi, Op. 117

January 23, 1943 – Duke Ellington Big Performance!

ii7 – V7 – Imaj7: An essential building block of jazz harmony

Jazz pianist Duke Ellington gave his first performance at Carnegie Hall on January 23, 1943. Known for his incredible jazz hits, some of his most popular tunes are “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” and “Mood Indigo.” Ellington received major awards both during and after his death in 1974 including recognition from the Grammy Awards, multiple honorary doctorates, and the Pulitzer Prize. Looking for more information about Ellington and improvising in jazz styles? Check out this article by Geoffrey Haydon on the harmonic building blocks of jazz!

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Microcourse: Baroque Era Music by Women Composers (from Hidden Gems: Four Centuries of Piano Music by Women Composers)

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This Month in Piano History – December 2025

Written By Curtis Pavey

As we close out the year, we celebrate the birth of a famous Hispanic composer, remember one of the greatest concerts of all time, and reflect on the life of a great American composer!

A grayscale portrait of Manuel Ponce with white hair sitting at a desk, smiling slightly while holding a pen. Shelves or vertical paneling appear in the background.
Manuel Ponce

December 8 – Birth of Manuel Ponce

Born on December 8, 1882 in Fresnillo, Mexico, Manuel Ponce was one of the most famous Mexican composers of his generation. Although he wrote music for a variety of genres and instrumental forces, he is especially well known for his guitar and piano music. His piano music spans a wide range of forms including works in European genres such as the sonata, intermezzo, scherzo, and ballade. 

Looking to add more works by Latin American composers into your studio? Check out our online course, Exploring Latin American Piano Music: A Cultural Journey with Elementary through Early-Advanced Pieces. The course includes pianist Desireé González-Miller’s writing about Ponce and her teaching videos for his Intermezzo No. 1 and the 20 Piezas faciles sobre temas mexicanos. Learn more and enroll here:

Exploring Latin American Piano Music: A Cultural Journey with Elementary through Early-Advanced Pieces

December 22 – A Celebration of Beethoven

Beethoven: Sonata in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1

Imagine listening to a concert full of premieres of Beethoven’s music including his fifth and sixth symphonies, the Piano Concerto No. 4, and his Choral Fantasy. This is exactly what occurred in the evening of December 22, 1808 at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, Austria. The concert, which lasted several hours long, included some of Beethoven’s finest compositions and featured Beethoven as the soloist in the performance of his piano concerto. 

Are you interested in teaching or learning more about the advanced piano sonatas of Beethoven? Watch this video by pianist and professor Andrew Cooperstock who shares tips about working on Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in F Minor, Op. 2, No. 1.

December 27 – Death of Amy Beach

The American composer Amy Beach died on December 27, 1944. Beach was the first American woman to have her symphony performed by a major orchestra. Also a phenomenal pianist, Beach performed in the United States and Europe during her life. She composed a variety of piano music including works for developing pianists and others meant to display remarkable technical facility and musical imagination.

One of Beach’s late works is her Improvisations, Op. 148. The five movements evoke different moods in a late Romantic style. Learn more about all five of the movements in this article by Asher Armstrong or discover teaching and practicing tips about the first improvisation in this video by Leonidas Lagrimas.

Beach: “Improvisation No. 1” from Five Improvisations, Op. 148
An American Composer’s Last Thoughts: The Five Improvisations of Amy Beach
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Demystifying Tempo: Beethoven’s Slow Movements

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This Month in Piano History – November 2025

Written By Megan Hall

As we move into November, we celebrate the birth of a famous ragtime composer, remember an important premiere, and reflect on Bach’s criminal record!

November 6: Bach Goes to Jail

This month in 1717, Johann Sebastian Bach went to jail! The beloved composer and pianist spent about four weeks in a “justice room” at the Weimar court after demanding that he be released from his position as concertmaster for the Duke of Weimar in order to pursue a position in service of Prince Leopold in Cothen. 

A student’s first experience with Bach’s music can be a “watershed” moment. Expert teacher Martha Appleby gives advice on which pieces by Bach to introduce first, as well as practice tips and guidance for the first Bach experience. Read more here!

Johann Sebastian Bach
What Is the First Bach Piece You Teach? What Does the Student Need to Know Before Beginning to Learn It?

November 20: The Premiere of Fidelio

This month in 1820, Beethoven’s first and only opera, Fidelio, premiered in Vienna. The opera premiered under the title Leonore, with original libretto by Josephy Sonnleithner, and was received somewhat poorly at first. After multiple revisions by two additional librettists, the opera successfully premiered again under the title Fidelio eight years later. For more on Classical repertoire, style, and technique, check out the Microcourse Classical Sonatinas and Sonatas at the Piano.

Microcourse: Classical Sonatinas and Sonatas at the Piano
Engraving depicting a dramatic scene from the third act of Beethoven’s opera Fidelio, showing four figures in Renaissance-style costumes inside a stone-walled prison. One figure raises a weapon while others react with tension.
Beethoven’s Fidelio

November 24: The Birth of Scott Joplin

The “King of Ragtime” and Pulitzer Prize-winner was born November 24,1868 in Texarkana, Texas. Joplin is famous for composing rags such as Maple Leaf Rag, Gladiolus Rag, and The Entertainer. Another engaging piece by Joplin, perfect for advancing students, is The Easy Winners. Click here to watch a video from the Inspiring Artistry series, in which Kate Acone performs The Easy Winners and shares specific teaching tips.

Black-and-white portrait of composer Scott Joplin wearing a suit and tie, looking slightly to the side with a calm, serious expression.
Scott Joplin
Joplin: The Easy Winners
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Microcourse: Classical Sonatinas and Sonatas at the Piano

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This Month in Piano History – October 2025

Written By Curtis Pavey

As the season changes in October, we celebrate the birth of two legendary musicians and the premiere of a piano concerto once deemed too difficult to play!

Sofia Gubaidulina

October 13, 1909

An inspiration to many, jazz pianist Art Tatum was born on October 13, 1909 in Toledo, Ohio. Although he was born with a visual impairment, his musical abilities were strongly influenced by an excellent education and perfect pitch.1 His prodigious skill led him to present his own radio show before touring the United States with incredible success.2 His musical style is characterized by remarkable abilities in stride, harmonic exploration, and virtuosic runs throughout the keyboard.3 Interested in learning more about jazz music and teaching it at the piano? Check out our Microcourse: Teaching Jazz at the Piano featuring contributors Jeremy Siskind and Lee Evans.

Microcourse: Teaching Jazz at the Piano

October 24, 1931

Born on October 24, 1931, Sofia Gubaidulina was an important composer of the twentieth century. Gubaidulina was a Soviet-Russian composer; however, she described herself as being from the Tartar Republic. She lived in Germany from 1992 until her death on March 13, 2025.4 Her output includes works for orchestra, dozens of different concerti, a widely regarded piano sonata, and extensive chamber works. She composed for intermediate pianists with her set titled Musical Toys. Interested in learning more about this work? Watch this video by pianist Helena Hyesoo Kim, who discusses Gubaidulina’s “Mechanical Accordion.”

Gubaidulina: “Mechanical Accordion”

October 25, 1875

Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s popular Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 23 was premiered on October 25, 1875 in Boston by pianist Hans von Bülow. The piece was initially deemed too difficult for performance by Tchaikovsky’s friend and colleague, Nikolai Rubinstein, who rejected it. The concerto is composed in three movements, beginning with a beckoning horn call that announces the entrance of the pianist with thundering chords. The first movement, which lasts half of the length of the entire piece, is followed by a slower movement marked “Andante semplice” in an ABA form. The rousing third movement completes the work with great bravura and energy. Interested in learning more about learning or teaching piano concertos? Check out this article about elementary and intermediate level concertos by Nancy Bachus, Kim Bakkum, Gregory Butler, and Paul Wirth.

When do you introduce concertos in your curriculum, and what are some you have taught at the elementary and intermediate levels?
An old picture of Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Endnotes
  1. Wolfram Knauer, “Tatum, Art(hur, Jr),” Grove Music Online, 2001; Accessed 30 Sep. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000027553. 
  2. Wolfram Knauer, “Tatum, Art(hur, Jr),” Grove Music Online. 
  3. Wolfram Knauer, “Tatum, Art(hur, Jr),” Grove Music Online. 
  4. Valentina Kholopova, “Gubaydulina, Sofiya Asgatovna,” Grove Music Online. 2001, Accessed 30 Sep. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000011911.

Resources:

Kholopova, Valentina. “Gubaydulina, Sofiya Asgatovna.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 30 Sep. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000011911. 

Knauer, Wolfram. “Tatum, Art(hur, Jr.).” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 30 Sep. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000027553. 

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Concertos, Part II: What are the first Mozart concertos you teach and why? And what other early advanced concertos do you recommend?

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This Month in Piano History – September 2025

Written By Megan Hall

This month, we celebrate landmark recordings of pop hits and spirituals, and we remember a pioneering composer for prepared piano and a vibrant singer whose influence extends to the piano community.

The Beatles By United Press International (UPI Telephoto)

September 4, 1962

The Beatles made their first studio recordings with Ringo Starr at London’s Abbey Road Studios. The band recorded some of their first hits at this session, including “Love Me Do,” and established a relationship with producer George Martin, who helped launch their album and their revolutionary career as one of the most impactful pop-rock bands of all time.

Interested in including repertoire from The Beatles’ impressive discography in your studio? Check out these book reviews from Piano Magazine with resources for lead sheets and beginner arrangements.

NEW MUSIC – & – MATERIALS
Summer 2019: New Music and Materials

September 5, 1912

Composer John Cage was born in Los Angeles, California. Cage’s impactful approach to the piano pushed the boundaries of traditional compositional styles and expanded the soundscape of the instrument.

By Bogaerts, Rob / Anefo – Fotocollectie Anefo.

Cage’s Sonatas and Interludes are unique and engaging pieces to use in your studio, especially if you have students who are interested in contemporary compositional styles. For more on this topic, see this article from Piano Magazine. Plus, be sure to subscribe to PianoInspires for the latest innovative and dynamic content from the piano community.

Learning John Cage’s Sonatas and Interludes

September 30, 2019

Soprano Jessye Norman passed away after a long and vibrant career of performing and teaching. Norman’s voice was a “grand mansion of sound” with “enormous dimensions, reaching backward and upward. It opens onto unexpected vistas. It contains sunlit rooms, narrow passageways, cavernous halls.”  Such were the high praises of music critic Edward Rothstein of The New York Times,1 and his sentiments were echoed by the music community.

Jessye Norman By Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer

Norman performed and recorded art songs, operas, and spirituals, including Great Day by Thomas H. Kerr, Jr. Two of Kerr’s works for solo piano have recently been published by Piano Education Press and can be found at the links below.

Dancétudes
Easter Monday Swagger
Endnotes
  1. Wakin, Daniel J.; Cooper, Michael (September 30, 2019). “Jessye Norman, Regal American Soprano, Is Dead at 74”. The New York Times. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
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Learning John Cage’s Sonatas and Interludes
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This Month in Piano History – August 2025

Written By Curtis Pavey

The month of August is a time of beginnings as a new academic year begins—children go back to school, and piano studios fill with new students eager to play. Read below to discover more about piano history in the month of August including the birth of two important composers, the completion of a major symphonic work, and the death of a legendary pianist.

Cuban composer, Ernesto Lecuona.
Cuban composer, Ernesto Lecuona.

August 7, 1896

Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona was born in Guanabacoa, Havana, Cuba on August 7, 1896.1 Famous for his numerous pieces for piano based on Cuban dances and songs, Lecuona was a talented pianist and composer. Studies at the National Conservatory in Havana in 1913 led to additional studies with composer Joaquín Nin, as well as travel throughout the world to perform.2 His music has been championed by pianist Thomas Tirino, whose editions and recordings are a useful resource for anyone wanting to learn more about Lecuona’s music. Among his most popular works is the Suite Andalucia, which includes the famous selection titled “Malagueña.” Interested in learning more about music from Cuba? Read this article by Elizabeth Borowsky to learn more about her experience connecting musically with others in Cuba:

An American Family’s Musical Journey Through Cuba

August 10, 1788

On August 10, 1788, Mozart finished the Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551, nicknamed “Jupiter.” The last symphony that Mozart wrote, it is one of his crowning achievements, demonstrating his ingenious approach to form and counterpoint. This four-movement work concludes with a remarkable finale that includes an impressive fugato coda. The work has become one of his most popular in the symphonic realm, alongside his Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550. Are you working on or teaching music by Mozart? Learn tips about Mozart’s style and his Fantasie in D Minor, K. 397 in this video by pianist Sean Schulze.

Mozart: Fantasie in D Minor, K.397

August 18, 1957

Born in China on August 18, 1957, Tan Dun is an American composer well known for his compositions that blend Western and Eastern musical elements.3 He studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing before moving to the United States and completing his doctoral degree at Columbia University.4 Among his many achievements are winning an Academy Award for Best Original Score (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and a Grawemeyer Award in Music Composition. His piano work Eight Memories in Watercolor is particularly popular, and was performed by Lang Lang in Carnegie Hall in 2003. Interested in learning more about this composition? Yu Han’s prizewinning article discusses the cultural and practical implications of this work. Read more by clicking here.

Collegiate Essay Winner: The Cultural and Practical Implications of Tan Dun’s Eight Memories in Watercolor

August 22, 1976

On August 22, 1976, Greek pianist Gina Bachauer passed away in Athens, Greece. A graduate of the Athens Conservatory and the Ecole Normale in Paris studying under Cortot, she traveled around the world performing with orchestras such as those in Paris and Athens, along with tours throughout the United States.5 During World War II, she performed hundreds of concerts for allied troops in Egypt.6 Her incredible career and legacy resulted in the establishment of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, founded in 1976. 

Endnotes
  1. Aurelio de la Vega, “Lecuona (Casado), Ernesto,” Grove Music Online, 2001, Accessed 14 Aug. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000016235.
  2. Vega, “Lecuona (Casado), Ernesto,” Grove Music Online.
  3. Joanna C Lee, “Tan Dun,” Grove Music Online, 2001, Accessed 14 Aug. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000042657.
  4. Lee, “Tan Dun,” Grove Music Online.
  5. Graham Wade, “Bachauer, Gina,” Grove Music Online, 2001, Accessed 14 Aug. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000001694.
  6. Wade, “Bachauer, Gina,” Grove Music Online.

Lee, Joanna C. “Tan Dun.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 14 Aug. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000042657.

Vega, Aurelio de la. “Lecuona (Casado), Ernesto.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 14 Aug. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000016235.

Wade, Graham. “Bachauer, Gina.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 14 Aug. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000001694.

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Piano Music by Composers from Asia: A History of Self-Discovery
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This Month in Piano History – March 2025

Written By Megan Hall

THIS MONTH IN PIANO HISTORY we celebrate Black women in jazz, Piano Day, a giant in the music education field, and the birthday of Maurice Ravel. Read more below to learn more about the many historic musical anniversaries in March, a wonderful reminder of the great variety within the world of piano.

March 1 – National Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Day

Celebrate Black women in jazz and the arts with Piano Inspires! We celebrate the work of Black women composers Valerie Capers, Estelle Ricketts, and Florence Price in our online course “Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy.” To learn more about Black women composers, enroll in our course today!

Florence Price
Valerie Capers

March 6, 1967 – We Remember Zoltán Kodály

Zoltán Kodály was a Hungarian composer, educator, and ethnomusicologist. He is widely remembered for his method of music education, which he first established in Hungary and is now used widely in the United States. On this day in 1967, he passed away in Budapest at the age of 84. To learn more about Kodály and his incredible contributions to the field of music and piano education, click here.

5 Things You Might Not Know About Zoltán Kodály

March 7, 1875 – Birth of Maurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel was a French composer who is often associated with the Impressionist genre. He attended the Paris Conservatoire and brushed shoulders with many prestigious composers of the day, including Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Gabriel Fauré.
Ravel wrote primarily advanced works, and his Prelude in A Minor is one of the few intermediate pieces in his collection. To learn more about the Prelude in A Minor and how to approach it with your students, watch this video created by Curtis Pavey.

Ravel: Prelude in A Minor

March 29 – Piano Day

March 29 is the 88th day of the year, and the day on which we celebrate pianos, pianists, and piano educators! We believe passionately that pianists and piano teachers change the world through their dedication to their students and communities. If you would like to recognize a powerful piano teacher in your life, consider sharing a tribute in our Power of a Piano Teacher campaign.

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Wael Farouk and the Rachmaninoff piano oeuvre
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This Month in Piano History – February 2025

Written By Curtis Pavey

February is a month of reflection and celebration as we observe Black History Month and Valentine’s Day. It is also a time of remembrance and commemoration as we recall many important composers and pianists. Read below to discover more about a famous pianist and showman, the lives of two different composers, and a celebrated American who received the Gershwin Prize.

Liberace.

February 4 – Liberace Day

Liberace, born as Władziu Valentino Liberace, passed away on February 4, 1987 at age 67. February 4th is celebrated as “Liberace Day” to remember his work and impact. A remarkable pianist and TV personality, Liberace inspired millions of people with his exciting performances featuring his legendary showmanship. His career began to take off after a performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age twenty, as well as due to many performances of jazz and other musical styles at nightclubs.1 It did not take long for him to become a worldwide sensation with massive record sales and performances in important venues around the globe.2 Curious to hear a performance of Liberace? Watch this video featuring Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance.

Liberace performs Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance.

February 10, 1816 – Birth of Albert Ellmenreich

Albert Ellmenreich, the composer of the popular intermediate work Spinning Song, was born on February 10, 1816 in Karlsruhe, Germany. Although not much is known about his life, we do know that he regularly performed on stage as an actor, musician, and dancer. Do you have a student who wants to learn the Spinning Song? Check out this video by Julie Knerr who provides valuable pedagogical tips to help prepare a successful performance:

Ellmenreich: Spinning Song

February 16, 1987 – The Death of Kabalevsky

Kabalevsky Toccatina, Op. 27, No. 12

On February 16, we remember Dmitry Borisovich Kabalevsky, a remarkable composer of works for both the developing musician and the concert pianist. A graduate and later professor of the Moscow Conservatory, Kabalevsky began writing music for children early in his career.3 He is known as a pedagogical composer for his imaginative character pieces that span all levels of the pianist’s repertoire. One of his many popular pieces, “Toccatina” from Thirty Pieces for Children, Op. 27, has been a staple of early-intermediate repertoire. In the video below, watch as Elvina Pearce shares pedagogical wisdom from her experience teaching this piece:

February 25, 2009 – Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song Awardee

On February 25, 2009, Stevie Wonder was announced as the winner of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Born on May 13, 1950, Stevie Wonder has captivated listeners worldwide with his incredible talent. Wonder became blind shortly after his birth and has led an exceptional life as a concert artist and musician.4 Want to see an early recording of Wonder singing and performing at the piano? Watch the video below to see him in action as he performs “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” from 1974:

Stevie Wonder performs “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing.”
NOTES
  1. Martha Woodward and Robert Skinner, “Liberace,” Grove Music Online, 2001, Accessed 4 Feb. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000047008.
  2. Woodward and Skinner, “Liberace,” Grove Music Online.
  3. Dina Grigor′yevna Daragan, “Kabalevsky, Dmitry Borisovich,” Grove Music Online, 2001; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000014573.
  4. David Brackett, “Wonder, Stevie,” Grove Music Online, 31 Jan. 2014; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002259424.
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Kabalevsky: Running Along, Op. 39, No. 6
SourceS

Brackett, David. “Wonder, Stevie.” Grove Music Online. 31 Jan. 2014; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002259424. 

Daragan, Dina Grigor′yevna. “Kabalevsky, Dmitry Borisovich.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000014573. 

Woodward, Martha, and Robert Skinner. “Liberace.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 4 Feb. 2025. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000047008. 

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This Month in Piano History – A Month of Celebration

Written By Curtis Pavey

December is a time of giving and celebration. Holidays celebrated by cultures around the world fill this month with joy, reflection, and renewal. In addition to these celebrations, there are numerous birthdays and important events from piano history throughout December. Read below to discover more about a premiere, a famous work given copyright status, and the births of two underrated composers.

The original production of The Nutcracker, Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg,1892.

December 2, 1866 – Birth of Harry T. Burleigh

Harry T. Burleigh, born Henry Thacker Burleigh, was a Black composer, pianist, and music editor. He studied at the National Conservatory of Music in New York City where he had the opportunity to study with Victor Herbert and Antonín Dvorak, among others.1 His time at the Conservatory was fruitful as he had the opportunity to work for Dvorak as a copyist and he introduced Dvorak to numerous spirituals, which likely helped to inspire some of the writing in Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (“New World”).2 Although Burleigh is particularly well known for his song literature, he also wrote for piano, including his work From the Southland. Want to learn more about this piece? Listen to this Inspiring Artistry video by Roger McVey featuring this piece:

Burleigh: From the Southland

December 14, 1789 – Birth of Maria Szymanowska

Pianist and composer Maria Agata Szymanowska was born in Warsaw, Poland and lived until her death at age 41 in July 1831. A celebrated pianist of her time, Szymanowska toured Europe performing for the public and for royalty in concerts throughout Russia, Italy, England, Germany, and France, among others.3 Among her piano works are the Vingt exercices et préludes, dozens of mazurkas, and several nocturnes, which scholars have suggested may form the link between John Field and Frederic Chopin.4 The Frances Clark Center recently published an Inspiring Artistry video by Kristina Henckel, who discusses a selection from Szymanowska’s Six Minuets.

Szymanowska: Minuet No. 1 from Six Minuets for Piano

December 18, 1892 – Premiere of The Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet The Nutcracker may be mainstream today, but in 1892, attendees of the premiere were not as thrilled as today’s audiences. The ballet is based on a story by E. T. A. Hoffman, which tells the tale of a young girl named Clara and a magical journey she shares with a nutcracker that comes to life in her dream. One of the most magical moments of the ballet occurs in the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” which features the celesta, a newly invented keyboard instrument at that time. Writing to his publisher, Tchaikovsky announced, “I have discovered a new instrument in Paris, something between a piano and a glockenspiel, with a divinely beautiful tone. I want to introduce this into the ballet and the symphonic poem. The instrument is called the ‘Celesta Mustel,’ and costs 1,200 francs. You can only buy it from the inventor, Mustel, in Paris. I want to ask you to order one of these instruments […] Have it sent direct (sic) to Petersburg; but no one there must know about it. I am afraid Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazounov might hear of it and make use of the new effect before I could. I expect the instrument will make a tremendous sensation.”5 Learn more about the ballet and the celesta in this post on our Discovery Page.

December 29, 1902 – Scott Joplin Copyrights The Entertainer

On this day in 1902, Scott Joplin copyrighted several works including his famous rag, The Entertainer. Although born in Texas, Joplin spent a considerable amount of time in Missouri and moved to St. Louis in 1901.6 The piece, a favorite in piano recitals, has been arranged numerous times for pianists of all levels. In a form characteristic of ragtime music (AABBAACCDD), the piece repeats the famous opening melody once again in the middle of the piece, and contains other memorable sections. Many of Joplin’s other rags continue to be popular including his piece The Easy Winners. Learn more about this piece in Kate Acone’s Inspiring Artistry video:

Joplin: The Easy Winners
notes
  1. Jean Snyder, “Burleigh, Henry [Harry] T(hacker),” Grove Music Online, 16 Oct. 2013; Accessed 26 Nov. 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002248537. 
  2. Snyder, “Burleigh,” 2013.
  3. Zofia Chechlińska, “Szymanowska [née Wołowska], Maria Agata,” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 26 Nov. 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000027327. 
  4. Chechlińska, “Szymanowska,” 2001.
  5. Modeste Tchaikovsky, Life and Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, trans. And ed. Rosa Newmarch (New York: Haskell House Publishers Ltd., 1970): 663.
  6. Edward A. Berlin, “Joplin, Scott,” Grove Music Online, 16 Oct. 2013; Accessed 26 Nov. 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002253061.
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Szymanowska: Minuet No. 1 from Six Minuets for Piano
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This Month in Piano History – September 2024: Celebrate Classical Music Month

Written By Megan Hall

September 1994

Classical Music Month was established by President Bill Clinton, who greatly appreciated the unifying power of classical music. On August 22, 1994, President Clinton spoke about the power of music:

Classical music is a celebration of artistic excellence. Great art endures through the ages… Classical music plays in harmony with that energy and spirit to become reinvigorated and reinvented with each new orchestra or chamber group, with every performance that rings out new and fresh.

This month we exalt the many talented composers, conductors, and musicians who bring classical music to our ears. These artists carry on a great tradition of musical achievement, and we are proud of their outstanding accomplishments. Whether in new American works or in the masterpieces of the great composers of old, music is a unifying force in our world, bringing people together across vast cultural and geographical divisions. Classical music speaks both to the mind and to the heart, giving us something to think about as well as to experience.1

September 18, 1899

On this day in piano history, Scott Joplin received copyright for the Maple Leaf Rag by the US Copyright Office. The Maple Leaf Rag grew to become the most famous ragtime composition, and Joplin became known as the “King of Ragtime.”  Listen to a recording of Reginald Robinson performing the Maple Leaf Rag here!

Pianist Reginald Robinson performs Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag.

September 30, 1935

The original cast of Porgy and Bess.
The original cast of Porgy and Bess.2

George Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess premiered in Boston and appeared shortly afterward on Broadway. Porgy, as it was originally titled, cast and celebrated African American singers, including the first African American woman to be admitted to the Juilliard School, Anne Brown, who played the role of Bess. Brown’s singing so captivated Gershwin that he expanded her role and changed the title of the opera to include Bess.

Notes
  1. William J. Clinton, “Proclamation 6716—Classical Music Month, 1994 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley,” The American Presidency Project. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/218266.

2. Richard Tucker, The cast of Porgy and Bess, October 10, 1935. Photo courtesy of Library of Congress.

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“Hidden Figures” in Piano Pedagogy: Leveling Piano Music by Black Composers
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