Piano History

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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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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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.

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

Inspiring Artistry Video Series:

Pinto: Run! Run! from Memories of Childhood
Capers: Portraits in Jazz: No. 3 “Sweet Mister Jelly Roll” and No. 7 “Billie’s Song”
White: Images, Thirteen Expressions for Intermediate Piano

From the Artist Bench Series:

Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson: Scherzo and Toccata
The Piano Music of George Walker
Price: Piano Sonata in E Minor
Bonds: Troubled Water
Adams: Etude No. 1 in G Minor, from Twenty-Six Etudes for Solo Piano
Singleton: Mutations, Cinque, In My Own Skin
William Chapman Nyaho performs at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference
Artina McCain presents at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference.
Pianists Asia Passmore and Kasey Stokes.

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 – 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.

OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
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“Hidden Figures” in Piano Pedagogy: Leveling Piano Music by Black Composers
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This Month in Piano History – August 2024

Written By Curtis Pavey
Composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Original photo found in the Library of Congress at this link: https://loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3c22324/.

August 8, 1857

French pianist and composer Cécile Chaminade, whose work inspired the creation of numerous women’s musical organizations, was born on this day in Paris. Her initial musical studies were with her mother, but Chaminade also studied privately with members of the Paris Conservatoire faculty after her father prohibited her official enrollment.1 Her career became established and around 1900, her numerous published compositions and rising fame led to the creation of musical organizations across the United States called “Chaminade Clubs.”2 During her subsequent tours to the U.S., she performed extensively for these clubs.3 In 1913, she was the first female composer to be awarded the Légion d’Honneur, a significant recognition for her musical contributions. She passed away on April 13, 1944 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Chaminade was a prolific composer and wrote approximately four-hundred compositions, half of which are for the piano.4 Looking for a Chaminade piano work at the early-advanced level? Check out Chanson bretonne, Op. 76, No. 5 performed here by pianist Lynn Worcester Jones.

Pianist Lynn Worcester Jones performs Cécile Chaminade’s “Chanson bretonne,” Op. 76, No. 5.

August 15, 1875

Also celebrating a birthday in August is British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, who was born on this day in London. Coleridge-Taylor studied violin and composition at the Royal College of Music.5 He was one of the first recognized Black composers of Western art music, and he inspired many Black composers in the United States with his success. Although he primarily resided in London, he toured the United States in multiple visits to conduct his works with choral societies throughout the country.6 During one of these trips, he met with President Theodore Roosevelt.7 In addition to his work as a conductor and as a musician, he served as Professor of Composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Trinity College of Music.8 One of Colerige-Taylor’s most famous piano works is his arrangement of the spiritual “Deep River” as part of his Op. 59 set, Twenty-Four Negro Melodies. Enjoy this recording by pianist William Chapman Nyaho.

Pianist William Chapman Nyaho performs Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Deep River” from the Op. 59 set Twenty-Four Negro Melodies.

August 24, 1787

Violinist Michael Barenboim and his father, pianist Daniel Barenboim, perform Mozart’s Violin Sonata in A Major, K. 526.

On this day, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed his Violin Sonata in A Major, K. 526. This sonata, his penultimate in the genre, was published in Vienna and contains three movements. The bustling “Molto allegro” movement in 6/8 time is in sonata-allegro form and contains exciting scalar passagework for both the violin and the piano. A highlight from this movement is the development section where imitative gestures between the piano and violin drive the musical energy to the recapitulation. The “Andante” movement follows and features the piano prominently. Despite being in D major, the minor mode is heavily emphasized in this movement beginning within the first eight bars. The “Presto” finale ends the piece with bravura from both instrumentalists. Interested in listening to this sonata? Listen to this recording by pianist Daniel Barenboim and his son, Michael Barenboim.

August 25, 1742

Carlos Seixas, a Portuguese composer primarily known for his keyboard music for the harpsichord and organ, died in Lisbon, Portugal. During his lifetime, Seixas served as an organist at important venues such as the Coimbra Cathedral and the Royal Chapel in Lisbon where he worked alongside Domenico Scarlatti.9 Surviving reports from the time indicate that Seixas was an extremely prolific keyboard composer who wrote over 700 keyboard pieces, but only a fraction survived.10 While the cause of this is unknown, many believe that many works were destroyed in an earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755.11 Curious to hear Seixas’s music performed on a Portuguese-style harpsichord? Listen to this recording of Seixas’s Sonata No. 50 in G Minor performed by harpsichordist Robert Woolley.

Harpsichordist Robert Woolley performs Carlos Seixas’s Sonata No. 50 in G Minor.
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Cécile Chaminade’s Album des Enfants: A Treasure Trove of Intermediate-Level Teaching Pieces
Sources
  1. Marcia J. Citron, “Chaminade, Cécile,” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 20 July, 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000005388.
  2. Citron, “Chaminade, Cécile,” Grove Music Online.
  3. Citron, “Chaminade, Cécile,” Grove Music Online.
  4. Citron, “Chaminade, Cécile,” Grove Music Online.
  5. Stephen Banfield, Jeremy Dibble, and Anya Laurence, “Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel,” Grove Music Online, 16 Oct. 2013; Accessed 20 July. 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002248993.
  6. Banfield, Dibble, and Laurence, “Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel,” Grove Music Online.
  7. Banfield, Dibble, and Laurence, “Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel,” Grove Music Online.
  8. Banfield, Dibble, and Laurence, “Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel,” Grove Music Online.
  9. Klaus F. Heimes, “Seixas, (José António) Carlos de,” Grove Music Online, 2001; Accessed 20 July, 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000025354.
  10. Heimes, “Seixas, (José António) Carlos de,” Grove Music Online.
  11. Heimes, “Seixas, (José António) Carlos de,” Grove Music Online.

Banfield, Stephen, Jeremy Dibble, and Anya Laurence. “Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel.” Grove Music Online. 16 Oct. 2013; Accessed 20 July. 2024. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002248993. 

Citron, Marcia J. “Chaminade, Cécile.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 20 July. 2024. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000005388. 

Heimes, Klaus F. “Seixas, (José António) Carlos de.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 20 July. 2024. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000025354. 

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This Month in Piano History: July 2024

Written By Curtis Pavey

July 1, 1950

Émile Jaques-Dalcroze, whose work in music education made a lasting impression on the field, died in Geneva, Switzerland on this day. He completed studies in Geneva, Paris, and Vienna, working with the likes of Fauré, Delibes, and Bruckner among others. Early on, he became fascinated with rhythm, and while working at the Geneva Conservatoire, he began developing his influential method known as eurhythmics.1 His ideas were presented in 1905 at a conference in Switzerland, and from there, his work rapidly spread throughout the world.2 In addition to his work in music education, he composed a number of works for chamber and orchestral ensembles.

July 13, 1955

In Lenox, Massachusetts, the Beaux Arts Trio made their performance debut, beginning an international performance career lasting fifty-three years. The trio was originally formed with pianist Menahem Pressler, violinist Daniel Guilet, and cellist Bernard Greenhouse. Pressler remained the pianist throughout the group’s existence, however the string members included violinists Isidore Cohen, Ida Kavafian, Yung Uck Kim, and Daniel Hope as well as cellists Peter Wiley and Antonio Meneses. The Grammy-nominated trio recorded nearly the entire piano trio repertoire within the Western canon before dissolving in 2008.3 Enjoy this recording of the ensemble performing Maurice Ravel’s Piano Trio.

The Beaux Arts Trio performs Ravel’s Piano Trio.

July 19, 1759

Pianist Olga Kleiankina performs the first movement of Marianna Auenbrugger’s Sonata in E-flat Major.

Viennese composer Marianna Auenbrugger was born in Vienna, Austria. Marianna and her sister Katharina Auenbrugger were accomplished keyboardists of the time; both studied under Antonio Salieri and were well known to Mozart and Haydn.4 Haydn, who dedicated multiple pieces to the sisters, once wrote about them stating, “the approval of the Demoiselles von Auenbrugger … is most important to me, for their way of playing and genuine insight into music equal those of the greatest masters. Both deserve to be known throughout Europe through the public newspapers.”5 Although Auenbrugger’s compositional output was exceptionally limited due to her short lifespan (1759-1782), her Sonata in E-flat Major is frequently performed. Enjoy this recording by pianist Olga Kleiankina.

July 22, 1987:

Natalie Hinderas, one of the first major Black classical concert pianists, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on this day.6 Hinderas, originally from Oberlin, Ohio, was born into a family of musicians. Her father was a professional jazz musician and her mother was a classical pianist who taught at Fisk University.7 Hinderas studied at the Oberlin Conservatory before pursuing further studies with Olga Samaroff at Juilliard and Edward Steuermann at the Philadelphia Conservatory. She toured worldwide, performing throughout North America, Europe, and Africa. Among her significant accomplishments is a recording of works by African American composers such as R. Nathaniel Dett, George Walker, and William Grant Still.8 In addition to her remarkable performance career, Hinderas served as a professor at Temple University in Philadelphia from 1966-1987. Below is an excerpt from her celebrated recording which features George Walker’s Piano Sonata No. 1.

Pianist Natalie Hinderas performs the first movement of George Walker’s Piano Sonata No. 1.
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The Body and the Beat: Developing Rhythm through Mindful Movement
Sources
  1. Lawrence W. Haward and Reinhard Ring, “Jaques-Dalcroze, Emile,” Grove Music Online, 2001; Accessed 11 July 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000014181.
  2. Haward and Ring, “Jaques-Dalcroze, Emile” Grove Music Online.
  3. Menahem Pressler, “Beaux Arts Trio,” Menahem Pressler’s Official Site, Accessed on July 11, 2024, https://menahempressler.org/beaux-arts-trio.html.
  4. Sylvia Glickman, “Auenbrugger [D’Auenbrugg], Marianna von,” Grove Music Online, 2001; Accessed 11 July 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000047884.
  5. Glickman, “Auenbrugger,” Grove Music Online.
  6. “Natalie Hinderas, 60; Played Classical Piano,” New York Times (New York City, NY), July 23, 1987. https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/23/obituaries/natalie-hinderas-60-played-classical-piano.html.
  7. “Natalie Hinderas Collection,” Temple University Libraries, Temple University, Accessed July 10, 2024, https://library.temple.edu/finding-aids/natalie-hinderas-collection
  8. “Natalie Hinderas,” New York Times.

Glickman, Sylvia. “Auenbrugger [D’Auenbrugg], Marianna von.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 11 July 2024. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000047884.

Haward, Lawrence W. and Reinhard Ring. “Jaques-Dalcroze, Emile.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 11 July 2024. https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000014181.

“Natalie Hinderas, 60; Played Classical Piano.” New York Times (New York City, NY), July 23, 1987. https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/23/obituaries/natalie-hinderas-60-played-classical-piano.html.

“Natalie Hinderas Collection.” Temple University Libraries. Temple University. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://library.temple.edu/finding-aids/natalie-hinderas-collection.

Pressler, Menahem. “Beaux Arts Trio.” Menahem Pressler’s Official Site. Accessed on July 11, 2024. https://menahempressler.org/beaux-arts-trio.html.

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Celebrating Black History Month

Written By Piano Inspires, Artina McCain

From February 1-29, 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! In March 2024 we will release a new course: Piano Teaching through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which is currently available for presale purchase. 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.

Courses:

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

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.

Piano Teaching through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be released in March 2024, but is available for presale today! This course aims to equip teachers with knowledge on how to evaluate their teaching material and how to effectively incorporate diverse literature into the teaching studio. In addition, it provides examples on how various teachers have created more opportunities for diverse populations to gain access to piano instruction. 

Piano Teaching through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Inspiring Artistry Video Series:

Pinto: Run! Run! from Memories of Childhood
Capers: Portraits in Jazz: No. 3 “Sweet Mister Jelly Roll” and No. 7 “Billie’s Song”
White: Images, Thirteen Expressions for Intermediate Piano

From the Artist Bench Series:

Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson: Scherzo and Toccata
The Piano Music of George Walker
Price: Piano Sonata in E Minor
Bonds: Troubled Water
Adams: Etude No. 1 in G Minor, from Twenty-Six Etudes for Solo Piano
Singleton: Mutations, Cinque, In My Own Skin
William Chapman Nyaho performs at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference
Artina McCain presents at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference.
Pianists Asia Passmore and Kasey Stokes.

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:

Introduction to the Frances Clark Center’s New Online Course: Piano Teaching through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Music by Black Composers from Outside the USA
Piano Music by Black Composers: Music for all Skill Levels
Best Piano Pedagogy Practices through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity in Music
The Piano Works of Mikhail Johnson: A Look into Compositional Process and Pedagogy

Piano Inspires Kids:

In Autumn 2023, the Frances Clark Center launched a new initiative, Piano Inspires Kids, a magazine for young pianists developed by Editors-in-Chief Sara Ernst and Andrea McAlister. Through each quarterly issue, readers explore piano playing, composers, music from around the world, and music theory. The format is engaging and varied with listening guides, interviews, student submissions, music in the news, and games. The magazine includes an array of musical styles and genres, both from the past and present day. In addition, creative skills like improvisation, playing by ear, and composition are explored in step-by-step processes. Young pianists are directed to curated online content to deepen their engagement with the piano community.

The latest issue celebrates Florence Price. The issue includes a biography of Price along with an introduction to some of her piano works including the Piano Sonata in E Minor and her pedagogical piece The Goblin and the Mosquito. It also includes a short interview with pianist Karen Walwyn, a champion of Price’s music, along with new music composed by Artina McCain! To learn more, or to subscribe, go to kids.pianoinspires.com. 

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Bach Meets with the King!

Written By Curtis Pavey, Piano Inspires
A statue of J. S. Bach.

THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, Bach met King Frederick the Great of Prussia on May 7, 1747. During this visit, Frederick the Great inspired one of Bach’s most important final works, his Musical Offering, BWV 1079.

Bach arrived in Potsdam on May 7, 1747 at the court of Frederick the Great. Bach’s son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, worked at the court in service of the king. Despite his significant reputation as an excellent composer and musician, C. P. E. Bach was not given significant status at court by Frederick the Great, who preferred other musicians such as flutist Johann Joachim Quantz.1 The elder Bach’s visit to the court was marked by a flurry of activity and concerts. Among Bach’s itinerary were several concerts including an organ recital in the Heilig-Geist Kirche in Potsdam. Bach spent time playing on a number of other keyboard instruments throughout Potsdam including several fortepianos designed by builder Gottfried Silbermann. Previously, J. S. Bach was unenthused by the fortepianos, however, during this visit, he was very impressed with the design and capabilities of the rapidly developing new keyboard instrument.2 This impression led him to promote the instrument—he even assisted in the sale of one!

One of Silbermann’s fortepianos.
C. P. E. Bach
King Frederick the Great
J. S. Bach

In addition to his recital and other musical activities, J. S. Bach spent time performing for Frederick the Great. Frederick wanted to test Bach’s notable improvisational abilities and wrote out a challenging fugal subject for a ricercare. Bach improvised a three-part ricercar on one of Silbermann’s fortepianos. Despite this feat, the king dared Bach to improvise a six-part ricercar upon the same subject. Bach attempted, but was unhappy with his improvisation and decided to compose a more polished version of his improvisation.3

After returning from Potsdam, Bach was inspired by his visit with Frederick the Great and began writing his Musical Offering, BWV 1079.4 The work consists of works for keyboard as well as chamber music for flute, violin, and continuo. At first, Bach wrote out the three-part ricercare using Frederick the Great’s fugal subject and then reimagined it within a six-part ricercare. The other movements from this set, including multiple canons and a trio sonata, are all built from the same fugal subject. The work is dedicated to Frederick the Great and remains one of Bach’s most impressive works.

A playlist featuring all of Bach’s Musical Offering, BWV 1079, recorded by the Netherlands Bach Society.

Want to learn more about Bach and his keyboard compositions? Watch this webinar below by Marvin Blickenstaff from our archive: Bach Inventions: Prepare, Present, Perform.

Bach Inventions: Prepare, Present, Perform

OTHER RESOURCE YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Sources
  1. Christoph Wolff and Ulrich Leisinger, “Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel,” Grove Music Online, 2001; Accessed 24 Apr. 2023, oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-6002278185.
  2. Christoph Wolff and Walter Emery, “Bach, Johann Sebastian,” Grove Music Online, 2001; accessed 24 Apr. 2023, oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-6002278195.
  3. Christoph Wolff and Walter Emery, “Bach, Johann Sebastian,” Grove Music Online, 2001; accessed 24 Apr. 2023, oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-6002278195.
  4. Christoph Wolff and Walter Emery, “Bach, Johann Sebastian,” Grove Music Online, 2001; accessed 24 Apr. 2023, oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-6002278195.


Wolff, Christoph, and Ulrich Leisinger. “Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 24 Apr. 2023. oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-6002278185.

Wolff, Christoph, and Walter Emery. “Bach, Johann Sebastian.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 24 Apr. 2023. oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-6002278195. 

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