In this issue
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
The Score Speaks: Steps to Interpretation for Growing Musicians
As teachers, we know that there are effective ways in which to analyze a score for musical learning. During my study at the New School for…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Béla Bartók: Two Romanian Dances, Op. 8a, and the Romanian Folk Influence
It is no secret that the Hungarian composer Béla Bartók was greatly influenced by traditional folk and dance music of Eastern Europe and surround- ing regions.…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
The Teaching Legacy of Rosina Lhévinne: An Interview with Daniel Pollack
"Audiences across five continents—North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa—recognize the pianism of Daniel Pollack for its signature colors in sound, coupled with over-the-edge thrilling…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Subverting the Pianistic Psyche: Learning Approaches to Webern’s Concerto for Nine Instruments, Op. 24
A well-trained pianist is a musician fundamentally chained to notational accuracy—one of the prime pianistic obsessions. In traditional pianistic modes of learning, embracing tonally centered repertoire, accuracy…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Spring 2019: Keyboard Kids
To print or save, use the PDF below. Hover your cursor over the document and a black bar should appear with print and download icons. Download…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
The Beethoven Piano Sonatas: Frequently Asked Questions
As the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) approaches, it is a good time to get in the celebratory spirit by answering…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Spring 2019: Questions and Answers
Q: I’ve read that robots and artificial intelligence will eliminate 50 million jobs in the US within the next few years. Are the robots coming for…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Spring 2019: Recordings
The two leading piano manufacturers in Paris during Chopin's lifetime were Érard and Pleyel. Chopin preferred Pleyel's instruments, praising what he heard as a more compelling…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Spring 2019: New Music Reviews
(S1-3) Imaginations Books 1 and 2, by Kevin Olson. Kevin Olson has a knack for creating fresh and original sounds at every teaching level. While incorporating…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Spring 2019: Editor’s Page
Performance Practice I began subscribing to Clavier within the first month of my undergraduate studies; it was required reading in my studio, but it became essential reading as I…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Spring 2019: Poetry Corner
Mouse II Today I'm a mouseminute enoughto patter along the pedalsinto the pianoThe smell of this feltyou must realizeis something divineassailing our nosesover a distance of…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
A Partnership in Music and Life
An Interview with Angela Cheng and Alvin Chow The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy is thrilled to welcome Angela Cheng and Alvin Chow as the 2019 NCKP…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Technology Review: Slack — A Time-Saving App for Collaborative Projects
Music teachers who collaborate with other equally busy musicians, must find creative ways around full schedules and unusual working hours. Email, text message, and social media platforms…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Spring 2019: Book Review
The Contemporary Piano: A Performer and Composer's Guide to Techniques and Resources, by Alan Shockley. The introduction to Alan Shockley's The Contemporary Piano: A Performer and…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Recovering from Focal Dystonia
2018 marked my twenty-fifth year of living with focal dystonia in my right hand. During this time not only have I learned much about this condition,…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Dystonia: Thoughts and Attitudes
When a doctor diagnosed me with focal dystonia in 1996, it was as if a line suddenly divided my life between "before dystonia" and "after dystonia."…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Dean Elder: Forever Missed, But Never Forgotten!
On December 3, 2018, the piano world lost a true icon of the profession, Dean Elder. His life ended, but his brilliance lives on in the…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Spring 2019: Pupil Saver: Muzio Yankee van Doodle?
What do you get when you combine an American folk tune with eighteenth century quintessential Classical style? "Yankee Doodle arranged as a Rondo" by American composer…
Spring 2019; Vol. 11, No. 2
Bringing Performance Experience with a Period Piano to a Modern One
If Mozart had had a modern concert grand piano, would he have composed the same music? Absolutely not! No doubt, he would have been strongly influenced…