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Always give your maximum: A conversation with Menahem Pressler



With deep sadness at the recent passing of Menahem Pressler and in greatest honor and memory of his legacy, we share this article by Jerry Wong as it originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of The Piano Magazine: Clavier Companion.

Menahem Pressler, best known as the pianist of the unparalleled Beaux Arts Trio for more than fifty years and a revered Distinguished Professor at Indiana University’s Jacob School of Music for even longer, continues a daunting schedule of performing and teaching. At age ninety-two, he shows no signs of slowing down, as plans for the future and the deepest devotion to his craft appear to drive his everyday existence. 

Pressler, with the Beaux Arts Trio, at their final performance in Bloomington, Indiana, 2008.

I first met and played for Mr. Pressler in masterclasses at Biola University, in La Mirada, CA, in the late 1980s. His residencies there, consisting of a solo recital and classes (often two or three in a day) were an exercise in focused endurance, both for the performers and those attending. Students from all over southern California arrived with major staples of the repertoire, and Pressler, in one three-hour class after another, delved into each work with incredible insight and a disciplined approach to the composer’s intentions. Never showing fatigue, he gave his absolute best to each student. His style was demanding, attentive, and all-encompassing.

Playing for Pressler three years in a row during my teens eventually led to an audition at Indiana University. “You’ve played for me each year, and each year I see improvement,” he said, in a moment of quiet encouragement that remains blazed into my memory more than twenty-five years later. Working with Pressler in his studio in Bloomington, Indiana, was terrifyingly electric and powerfully illuminating. When my studies concluded, I often attended his concerts and masterclasses, but the recent opportunity to sit alone with him for over an hour and discuss his career, approach to teaching, and general reflections revealed new stories and ideas from this now iconic figure in the world of classical music.

I found Mr. Pressler on a sunny afternoon in early summer, sitting quietly in his daughter Edna’s condo in Boston, eagerly awaiting our conversation. His recuperation from a recent medical procedure had been strenuous, yet appeared to leave him unscarred and even refreshed. “I was with the doctor today for some tests, and the results were very good. I smell roses!” Beaming from ear to ear, he reminded me of the cat who caught the canary. And this cat has had nine lives for certain—not only in the real sense of his good fortune, but in the musical sense as well.

Born in Germany in the early 1920s, Pressler’s immediate family fled the Nazi regime to Palestine when he was just a boy. Extended family remained behind and perished in concentration camps. From the darkness of this early experience, a brighter theme of Pressler’s future emerged: an appreciation for his good fortune and a determination to make the life he had been spared meaningful. Music lessons became the highlight of his youth, and he ultimately opted to travel to San Francisco in 1946 to participate in the Debussy International Competition. A chance meeting in the basement of Steinway Hall in New York with famed pianist Byron Janis cast gloom over his first visit to the States. “Don’t go to the Debussy,” Janis warned, “the competition is fixed!” “the Pressler replied, “I must go. I promised everyone back home I would compete.” He went, won, made his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and began a career as a solo pianist with significant engagements.

A publicity photo from the 1940’s.

Early years

In the years that followed the Debussy prize, Pressler made his home in New York City, fulfilled his concert engagements, and continued to expand his musicianship by pursuing lessons with some of the most celebrated teachers of that era. Studies with Isabelle Vengerova (The Curtis Institute of Music), Robert Casadesus (Fontainebleau Music Festival), Egon Petri (masterclasses at Mills College) and finally Edward Steurmann (The Juilliard School) all formed significant impressions on the young soloist. From these influences, Pressler can trace his lineage back to Busoni, Leschetizky, and Schoenberg.

Aspiring pianists of today should note that Pressler’s life at this point was a delicate balance of performing and sporadic lessons. Real life lessons from the concert stage supplemented the work in the studios of these various masters and vice versa. “You live and you learn, and at the end, you still feel like a student,” Pressler mused. His studies were certainly eclectic: the strict Russian pedagogue Vengerova (teacher of Sidney Foster, Gary Grafmann, and Jacob Lateiner), the consummate French pianist Casadesus, and the Busoni prodigies Petri and Steurmann all seem to represent very different schools and training. Yet somehow, Pressler’s teaching and performing reflects a complete synthesis of all these different approaches. I can recall masterclasses in which he moved from Bach to Brahms and on to Berg with the same ease, the same exacting interpretive style, and, perhaps most of all, the same steadfast affection for each and every score.

When reflecting upon my own studies with Pressler, I mentioned the fact that each opportunity to peel away at a new composer or genre was equally invigorating. He never placed certain composers in an elite status over others. Smiling at my observation, he said: “Actually, I liked Liszt, but my wife never did! Yes, okay, she liked the B Minor Sonata and the Dante, but anything else, she said, ‘don’t practice this at home!’ She thought it was cheap, but I disagreed. And I teach Liszt to my students. I think he was an enormous composer with great beauty. I played the Rigoletto paraphrase many times. After you see and hear a Rigoletto in the opera hall, you know that Liszt ennobled the piano in the way that Verdi ennobled the stage.”

Pressler at his 90th birthday celebration, 2013.
The Beaux Arts Trio in the 1960’s.

Beaux Art Trio

Much has been written and said over the years about the venerable Beaux Arts Trio. Since their debut at Tanglewood in 1955, the Beaux Arts Trio has toured worldwide and recorded virtually the entire trio literature, in addition to several collaborations with guest violists for quartets. While Pressler has remained a constant, the other members of the trio have changed over the years, beginning with violinist Daniel Guilet and continuing with Isidore Cohen, Ida Kavafian, Young Uck Kim, and ending with Daniel Hope. Original cellist Bernard Greenhouse was with the ensemble for thirty-two years, followed by Peter Wiley and Antônio Meneses.

Pressler is able to reflect upon all the various players in very fluid conversation. “You know that we recorded the Schubert Trios three times. Each time the change of membership brought some new life and meaning to the music.” He chuckled as he shared a spirited debate he had with Guilet and Greenhouse early in the trio’s history over the tempo of the Ravel Trio. “Why are you playing so slowly? What are you doing?” Followed by: “It’s how I feel this music.” And finally: “You feel differently from Ravel!” Growing serious for a moment, he remembered the late Greenhouse: “We were really very much together. As people, and musically, we were exceedingly close.”

Always one to remain more in the present, Pressler moved our conversation ahead to the closure of the ensemble. “Daniel was developing a huge solo career. He wanted to leave the trio. Our manager said to me: ‘Do you want to take another violinist? As long as you are in the trio….’ I stopped him. No. I would rather have the trio stop. I wanted the audiences to wonder—why did we stop? I didn’t want them to say that we should have stopped sooner!” The trio performed their final concerts in 2008.

On December 17, 2013, several generations of former Pressler students from all over the country converged on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington to enjoy a ninetieth birthday celebratory concert. His students have often made note of the fact that he shares the same birthday as Ludwig van Beethoven. For this event, however, Antonín Dvorák was the most significantly programmed composer. The Emerson Quartet joined Pressler for Dvorák’s popular Piano Quintet and Daniel Hope (former Beaux Arts Trio violinist) and David Finckel (cellist) joined Pressler for the “Dumky” Trio, a work heavily imbued with a tender sweetness that Pressler has brought to life literally hundreds of times on the concert stage. I called attention to the fact that Hope, the violinist whose exit symbolized the final chapter of the Beaux Arts Trio, joyfully returned to play with Pressler for this special event. Was there any whiff of regret about the younger violinist’s desire to pursue other avenues for his career? Pressler closed his eyes and with a quiet, peaceful affection, simply murmured: “Ah, Daniel, the one I love so much—he is a true sweetheart.”

New horizons

Late 2014 and early 2015 was a tumultuous time for Pressler. He was always known for keeping his priorities—performing, teaching, and family—all in a delicate balance without the slightest drama, but life caught up with him rather suddenly in a whirlwind of events. First, Sara Pressler, his beloved wife of fifty-five years passed away on December 19. Determined to honor his commitments, he traveled to Germany to perform Mozart’s A Major Concerto, K. 488, with the Berlin Philharmonic in a New Year’s Eve concert. “It was a special night,” Pressler recalled. “The orchestra sang like angels.” Immediately following his return to the States, however, he found himself hospitalized, first in Indianapolis and later in Boston, with what he now describes, in an interview with Dr. Virendra Patel of Massachusetts General Hospital on slippedisc.com, as “a time bomb within me.” The success of that procedure and his subsequent recovery is a testament to modern science, as well as the willful tenacity of a man in his early nineties, still full of life and music. Of all these events, Pressler spoke with the calm wisdom of a man who has weathered many storms: “Oh yes, indeed, all that happened in a short amount of time.”

As always, Pressler was most interested in discussing his plans for the future. Though he wistfully explained that his health issues had caused him to give up the cherished opportunity to serve on the jury of the Fifteenth International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the upcoming summer months were going to be as full as ever. A Wigmore Hall recital with baritone Matthias Goerne featuring works of Robert Schumann was the first engagement. With only two days of rehearsals scheduled before the concert, Pressler was eager to share his thoughts about this highly poetic and deeply personal repertoire. “Bring me the music from the piano,” he said. Flipping through the score with a quiet reverence, he began to consider tempi and expressive markings in the score. He pointed out interesting modulations, cross rhythms, and hemiolas, and eventually ended by lovingly humming the opening to Dichterliebe.

It is remarkable that in his late eighties and early nineties Pressler has turned his attention to collaboration in the lieder repertoire. Recitals with Christoph Pregardien in Schubert’s Die Winterreise and Heidi Grant Murphy in Schumann have been particular highlights of this relatively newfound interest. When questioning him about his many decades of trio, quartet, and quintet collaborations with the world’s finest string players compared to the current work with singers, he said: “With my string colleagues, I got to know how everything worked. I knew their fingerings and their bowings—and could even offer suggestions to them. But each singer breathes and shapes the line so individually, so personally—it is wonderfully unique.”

The teacher needs to make strong demand, while always knowing the potential of what each individual student can achieve.

Menahem Pressler

Alongside collaborations with singers, Pressler has had an increase of solo recitals and concerto appearances since the end of the Beaux Arts Trio. The previously mentioned Berlin Philharmonic performance was a return engagement, following his debut with the famed ensemble the pervious year. Amused again by his good fortune, he recalled a solo recital in Paris shortly after the Trio’s last concert. “Much to my surprise a critic asked: ‘why didn’t he stop playing with the trio earlier?’ Soon after that my manager called me. ‘Mitsuko Uchida is sick. She cannot play a recital in Vienna. Would you consider jumping in for her?’ And I said yes.” On short notice, Pressler played an all-Schubert recital. Once again the press that followed was glowing and again he reiterated: “really, truly, no one was more surprised than me!”

Though his programming often draws on repertoire by Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, and Debussy that he has performed for many years, Pressler eagerly told me that he was planning to open some upcoming concerts with Mozart’s haunting A Minor Rondo. “As a youth, I asked my teacher for it and he said, ‘You are too young.’ Later, I worked with Steurmann. I asked for it again. He said, ‘You are too young for it.’ Then I served on a competition jury with Horzowski. Competitors had the option to select that Rondo. He said, ‘You know, whoever chooses the Rondo won’t pass to the next round.’ And, true enough, everyone who selected the Rondo was eliminated. But, when I became eighty, I decided that no one is going to tell me I’m too young for it. I’m going to try my very best.”

When reflecting upon my own studies with Pressler, I mentioned the fact that each opportunity to peel away at a new composer or genre was equally invigorating.

Jerry Wong
Menahem Pressler and Jerry Wong, 2015.

Teaching

“Give your maximum to each and every student. Require the maximum from them, but at the same time be sure they never feel that you do not believe in them.” When asking Pressler about his teaching philosophy, this was the first of a long string of almost proverb-like statements that transcended piano playing to the teaching of almost any discipline, craft, or subject matter. “The teacher needs to make strong demands, while always knowing the potential of what each individual student can achieve.” Most former Pressler students can attest to memories of what we might call “tough love.” In William Brown’s Menahem Pressler: Artistry in Piano Teaching, an entire chapter is devoted to Pressler’s humor. One citation after another describes Pressler’s witty manner of teasing a student for poor tone color or an unconvincing interpretation. In conversation, though, Pressler warned of truly abusive teaching. “I once knew of a famous teacher who said: ‘Why should I show this to you? You’ll never be able to do it.’ You say that to a student and they will never recover from it. It’s a kind of critique that doesn’t lead anywhere. It doesn’t help the student. Maybe it’s good for the ego of the teacher, but in reality, a great teacher develops a trust with the student that encourages the student to fight for knowledge and get better, and better, and better.” He smiled at me: “You know this now as a teacher yourself. Some students will play more and some students will play less. You as the teacher should be clear about what wonderful things each student is capable of attaining.” 

Pressler is a firm believer in a variety of different finger exercises by Johannes Brahms, Charles-Louis Hanon, and Isidor Phillip. He advocates for them as a warm-up, as well as a means of developing a greater physical vocabulary at the instrument. “I still believe firmly in the exercises. I give them to my students when we are starting from the beginning. I do them myself. They strengthen my technique and still help me.” Gazing downward at his hands and then lifting them fluidly into the air, he said: “they help me create my own hands and fingers.”

As a juror of such prestigious competitions as the Van Cliburn and Queen Elisabeth, Pressler knows this particular phenomenon all too well. He maintains a positive and completely informed attitude about competitions: “I encourage students to enter, but to be aware of how fickle juries are and how unexpected the decisions can end up being. Jurors often have a limited view of how particular repertoire should or should not sound. If a student wins, great. If they don’t win but played well, it’s also just as great.”

When visiting Bloomington for Pressler’s ninetieth birthday concert, various faculty members expressed awe at his devotion to his teaching. His ability to stay long hours at school and work with his entire class in two days before resuming concerts tours has not withered. “My studio is as strong as ever,” he told me. “I have a wonderful class.” I asked if the students had changed much over his many years at Indiana University. He acknowledged that while the playing level is as high as ever, there is the occasional tendency to focus on too narrow a repertoire or skill set. “Sometimes teachers who want to send their students to an outstanding music school like Indiana don’t take enough care for the fundamentals—the foundation, so to speak, of the pianistic development. They teach them a piece or some pieces and say ‘with this particular repertoire you can get in.’ But it can’t be just that piece. It has to be something fundamental that you give the student which will stay with them in a variety of styles.”

As our conversation reluctantly drew to a conclusion, I begged Mr. Pressler for a few words of wisdom for how to gauge longevity in such a demanding career. Echoing the laments of so many friends and colleagues in the piano teaching profession regarding juggling practicing alongside student demands, I asked him how he had kept everything going for so long. He remembered his late wife Sara and expressed gratitude for her presence in the teaching studio over the years. “She was like a mother to my students. She was a strong part of the upbringing of the students and helped with the day-to-day scheduling. My wife was a magnificent coach who knew how to encourage the students. It was a special gift.” These days he enjoys input and companionship from his daughter Edna and also appreciates the many friends he has made all over the world who happily support and encourage him in his endeavors. He concluded: “In the end, really for me, the beauty of music has given a reason for my life.”


Bach Meets with the King!



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.

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.

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. 


A Quick Look at Technology: What Pianists Should Know



Special thanks to the Stella Sick, chair of the NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference Technology committee, for this post.

Why is technology important for pianists today?

The last three years have expanded everyone’s base-level of technology usage. This newly found familiarity opened doors to immersive music experiences, exciting collaborations, reaching new audiences, and expanding repertoire. The technology committee continues its mission to push the envelope and encourage and support music teachers in their journey to incorporate technology in the most organic and helpful way.

What is something you wish every pianist knew about technology?

Technology may touch nearly every aspect of modern teaching and performing, but we are all still creative spirits at our core. The goal will always be finding the right tools for delivering an expressive and meaningful message through music.

What are three tips you would give a pianist interested in incorporating technology?

  1. Be open to new ideas.
  2. Begin with creative goals—let your imagination guide you.
  3. Build a community of collaborators.

What is one free resource about technology that you would recommend?

There are many groups on social media that are a great source for information and support. YouTube can also be a great resource.

What makes your track at NCKP 2023 special? Why should people attend?

The NCKP Technology committee has brought cutting edge technology to the teaching community since the very beginning, demonstrating distance learning and creating multimedia programming before the internet could handle video. The committee’s collective experience represents a treasure trove of useful information. This year’s program is both reflective and progressive with a wide range of topics. We’re excited!

What are you most excited for at NCKP 2023?

We are excited to see colleagues and friends who we have not seen in a long time.  We always cook up the most outrageous ideas when we are together in Lombard!

Interested in learning more about technology for pianists? Attend NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference! View the NCKP 2023 schedules to explore all Technology track sessions: online and in-person. Register before May 8, 2023 for extended early bird pricing.

QUICK LINKS FOR NCKP 2023: THE PIANO CONFErENCE
OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

A Quick Look at Teaching Young Musicians: What Pianists Should Know



Special thanks to the Janet Tschida, chair of the NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference Young Musicians: Birth to Age 9 committee for this post.

Why is working with young musicians important for pianists today?

The Young Musicians Track’s theme of “Learning Music from the Inside Out” endeavors to support teachers aspiring to implement an aural/experiential approach as the pathway to literacy for young musicians. Many of the musical and technical challenges young students face during lessons can most effectively be addressed by engaging in research-based activities such as singing, chanting, moving, and improvisatory activities. These practical strategies for training the ear and body, although associated with teaching young children, are applicable and effective at every level.

What is something you wish every pianist knew about young musicians?

The Young Musicians Track’s theme of “Learning Music from the Inside Out” involves a whole-body experience “music is conceived by our brains, played through our bodies, perceived through our sensory organs, and then interpreted by our brains” (Trainor, 2008). Thus, an “inside out” approach builds a critical foundation for musical thinking. Research indicates that our brains develop more and faster during the first five years than at any other time in life. Thus, an “inside out” approach to learning music at this age is crucial for what can be accomplished musically later in life. For example, when a pianist owns a variety of musical ideas before playing them (whether read or improvised), effective self-assessment ensues, leading to efficient improvement in musicality and technique.

What are three tips you would give a pianist interested in your teaching young musicians?

Three tips for teachers interested in the Young Musician’s Track theme of “Learning Music from the Inside Out:”

  1. As we endeavor to build a toolkit of strategies for implementing an “inside out” approach, we want to maintain an open mind to new ideas from a variety of approaches such as Dalcroze, Music Learning Theory, Feierabend’s Conversational Solfege, Kodaly, Orff, Laban Movement, etc. 
  2. Being willing to experiment with our own voice and body and actively participate in the learning process will help us grow as musicians and teachers.
  3. Changing the focus from “making pianists into musicians” to “helping musicians become pianists” will more effectively guide us as we facilitate music learning activities for our students.

What makes your track at NCKP 2023 special? Why should people attend?

Early Childhood Music and Movement is a research-based field, and NCKP may be ground-breaking among music conferences in its support for networking skilled piano teachers with early childhood music experts. What a unique opportunity! Many teachers feel uncomfortable teaching young children, but our Young Musicians Track can help them build skills and confidence for facilitating music learning from the “inside out” beginning at birth! Furthermore, the practical strategies for training the ear and body, although associated with teaching young children, are applicable and effective at every level. 

What are you most excited for at NCKP 2023?

Our Young Musicians Committee is so excited to connect and network in person this year! Developing a network of professional connections will provide valuable support as we prepare for another year of growing young musicians. We highly applaud the 2023 NCKP staff for planning an absolutely amazing conference consisting of diverse topics and experts, and we can’t wait to learn and revitalize ourselves as teachers and musicians.

Interested in learning more about teaching young musicians? Attend NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference! View the NCKP 2023 schedules to explore all Young Musicians: Birth to Age 9 track sessions: online and in-person. Register before May 1, 2023 for early bird pricing.

QUICK LINKS FOR NCKP 2023: THE PIANO CONFErENCE
OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

Blending East and West: Ma Shui-Long



Ma Shui-Long

THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember Taiwanese composer Ma Shui-Long who died on May 2, 2015 at the age of 75. A composer of a wide oeuvre of works, Ma is known for his efforts to blend Eastern and Western compositional traditions.

Ma Shui-Long, born on July 17, 1939, grew up in Ji-long and Jiufen, coastal cities in northern Taiwan. Ma’s family had limited financial resources, and because of this, Ma did not receive formal musical training. Despite this, Ma enjoyed painting and listening to music as a teenager.1 Ma taught himself to play using Ferdinand Beyer’s piano books and studied music theory and harmony from a textbook he found at a bookstore as a teenager.2 Ma entered the National Institute of the Arts in Taiwan where he studied composition with Xiao Erhua. Following the completion of his studies, Ma moved back to Ji-long and began his teaching career, working with students at local schools and helping to organize orchestras and choirs in the area.3

In 1972, Ma received a full scholarship to study at the Regensburg Kirchenmusikschule (Regensburg Music School) and worked with Oskar Sigmund. Following this round of study, Ma returned and began teaching at various institutions throughout Taiwan including Soochow University, Tainan University of Technology, and later, the Taipei National University of the Arts. Throughout his teaching career, Ma maintained significant relationships with musicians and educators in the United States. In 1986, Ma received a Fulbright Scholarship to lecture at Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania.4 In 2002, Ma’s music was featured at the Lincoln Center in New York City and received rave reviews, leading to performance and lectureship opportunities throughout the United States.5 Ma’s career garnered him several awards including Honorary Doctorates from National Tainan University and the National Taipei University.

Scholar Hsun-Yin Chang describes Ma’s output in three stages.6 Ma’s earliest compositions feature heavy use of Taiwanese folk material and influence of Eastern compositional elements. In his middle period, Ma’s works became more avant-garde, featuring significant dissonance and an improvisational style.7 Ma’s final compositional period includes music that combines both Western and Eastern compositional elements, styles, and materials.8 Ma’s compositional philosophy became a central focus in his teaching as he developed college courses to help students embrace Chinese and Taiwanese musical elements in deep, significant ways.9

Ji-long, Ma’s hometown.

Ma’s compositions include a number of important piano works. In 1979, Ma collected Taiwanese and Chinese folk material, documenting over two hundred different melodies.10 In 1980, he arranged these in his 32 Piano Pieces on Taiwanese and Chinese Folk Tunes for Children. The collection, designed for intermediate pianists, presents folk melodies in exciting and popular arrangements. In “The Northwest Rains Pouring Down,” the pianist uses glissandi up and down the keyboard to evoke a intense rainstorm, whereas “The Little Brook” presents interesting broken harmonies, melodic material in the left hand, and arabesques of quintuplets and sextuplets. Listen to recordings below by pianists Meng-Chun Chien and Rick Stanton.

Pianist Meng-Chun Chien performs a selection from Ma’s 32 Piano Pieces on Taiwanese and Chinese Folk Tunes for Children.
Rick Stanton, piano, performs selections from Ma’s 32 Piano Pieces on Taiwanese and Chinese Folk Tunes for Children.

Ma’s works for solo piano include multiple sonatas, the Taiwan Suite (1967), and his Yugang sumiao (A Sketch of the Rainy Harbor, 1969). Yugang sumiao consists of four movements: “Rain,” “Harbor Views on Rainy Nights,” “The Girl who Collects Seashells,” and “At the Temple Gate,” which depict various scenes in his hometown Ji-long.11 The pieces, in addition to evoking Taiwanese folk music, also depict sounds of various Chinese instruments including the zheng, known for its unique glissandi sounds.12 Listen to this recording by pianist Menghua Lin.

Pianist Menghua Lin performs Ma’s Yugang sumiao (A Sketch of the Rainy Harbor, 1969).

Interested in learning more about music by composers from Asia? Read this article below by Lisa Yui titled “Piano Music by Composers from Asia: A History of Self-Discovery.”

OTHER RESOURCE YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Sources
  1. Ting-Yao Huang, “Selected Pieces by Six Taiwanese and Chinese Composers of the Twentieth Century: Ty-Zen Hsiao, Shui-Long Ma, Fan-Ling Su, Kwang-I Yin, Cehn Yi and Tan Dun,” Ph.D. Diss. University of Washington, 2015, 15.
  2. Hsun-Yin Chang, “A Study of Selected Taiwanese Pedagogical Solo Piano Music of the Twentieth Century,” PhD. Diss. University of Northern Colorado, 2016, 31.
  3. Ting-Yao Huang, “Selected Pieces by Six Taiwanese and Chinese Composers of the Twentieth Century: Ty-Zen Hsiao, Shui-Long Ma, Fan-Ling Su, Kwang-I Yin, Cehn Yi and Tan Dun,” Ph.D. Diss. University of Washington, 2015, 15.
  4. Hsun-Yin Chang, “A Study of Selected Taiwanese Pedagogical Solo Piano Music of the Twentieth Century,” PhD. Diss. University of Northern Colorado, 2016, 32.
  5. Ibid.
  6. Hsun-Yin Chang, “A Study of Selected Taiwanese Pedagogical Solo Piano Music of the Twentieth Century,” PhD. Diss. University of Northern Colorado, 2016, 53-4.
  7. Hsun-Yin Chang, “A Study of Selected Taiwanese Pedagogical Solo Piano Music of the Twentieth Century,” PhD. Diss. University of Northern Colorado, 2016, 54.
  8. Ibid.
  9. Hsun-Yin Chang, “A Study of Selected Taiwanese Pedagogical Solo Piano Music of the Twentieth Century,” PhD. Diss. University of Northern Colorado, 2016, 54.
  10. Hsun-Yin Chang, “A Study of Selected Taiwanese Pedagogical Solo Piano Music of the Twentieth Century,” PhD. Diss. University of Northern Colorado, 2016, 128.
  11. Ting-Yao Huang, “Selected Pieces by Six Taiwanese and Chinese Composers of the Twentieth Century: Ty-Zen Hsiao, Shui-Long Ma, Fan-Ling Su, Kwang-I Yin, Cehn Yi and Tan Dun,” Ph.D. Diss. University of Washington, 2015, 20.
  12. Ting-Yao Huang, “Selected Pieces by Six Taiwanese and Chinese Composers of the Twentieth Century: Ty-Zen Hsiao, Shui-Long Ma, Fan-Ling Su, Kwang-I Yin, Cehn Yi and Tan Dun,” Ph.D. Diss. University of Washington, 2015, 21.

Mittler, Barbara. “Ma Shuilong.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 24 Apr. 2023. https://www-oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000051529. 

Chang, Hsun-Yin. “A Study of Selected Taiwanese Pedagogical Solo Piano Music of the Twentieth Century.” PhD. Diss. University of Northern Colorado, 2016.

Huang, Ting-Yao. “Selected Pieces by Six Taiwanese and Chinese Composers of the Twentieth Century: Ty-Zen Hsiao, Shui-Long Ma, Fan-Ling Su, Kwang-I Yin, Cehn Yi and Tan Dun.” Ph.D. Diss. University of Washington, 2015.


Five Ways to Improve Your Website



Don’t miss Clinton Pratt’s presentation at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference, From Solo to School, on July 26, 2023 from 1:30-2:20PM. Register for NCKP 2023 before May 1, 2023 to receive the early bird discount!

1. Have a clear call-to-action.

Don’t confuse prospective clients with too many things to do. Should they call you? Email you? Fill out the form? Book a lesson? Go to your Facebook page? Have one thing you want them to do, make that clear, and put it on every page.

 2. Less is more!

French Designer Antoine de Saint-Exupery said “a designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Don’t overwhelm potential clients with too many things to read and look at. Have only 3-4 pages, with minimal text on each page.

3. Photos of happy students making music.

Photos of pianos and cozy waiting rooms are great, but people want to see other people! They want to know that your students are having a good time, so show smiling faces of happy customers.

4. “About” page: not a lengthy academic bio!

Honestly, most people don’t care about your credentials and lengthy resume. They just want to know that you’ll give them a good experience.

A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

On your about page, instead of a long boring biography, tell a story that people can relate to. Keep it personal, write in first person, and focus on what they will get.

5. Reviews!

Social proof and credibility are important! If people see lots of positive reviews about your studio, they are much more likely to take the next step.

Other resources you might enjoy

An Inspirational Force of Nature | Honoring Michelle Conda


Michelle Conda is a recipient of the 2023 Frances Clark Center Lifetime Achievement Award. Her extensive contributions to the field of piano pedagogy are extraordinary and exemplify outstanding dedication to the field of music and piano teaching. The Frances Clark Center Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor and is presented on behalf of the Frances Clark Center to individuals who have made substantial and enduring contributions to the field of piano pedagogy and to the work of the Center.

Join us at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference in Lombard, Illinois for a Gala champagne reception and awards ceremony on Friday, July 28 from 6-8:30pm to celebrate our 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winners.


Thank you to Andrea McAlister, former student of Michelle Conda and member of the NCKP 2023 Executive Committee, for this post.

Michelle and former students at NCKP: 2011


There are moments in your life that, unbeknownst to you at the time, radically transform your future.

For me, that moment was during my sophomore year at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. A search was underway for Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy, and I was asked to play for one candidate’s masterclass. Although I was filled with nerves—I was, after all, performing for the candidate, the entire piano faculty, graduate students, the search committee, and a handful of deans—that day’s candidate, Dr. Michelle Conda, had an energy and passion for teaching that was palpable. She made me feel like there was nothing more important than the music we were creating together; I was the most important person in the room, not all those who were clearly evaluating her every word. I left the masterclass with no doubt that she would be offered the position.

Michelle Conda

I had the privilege of studying with Michelle Conda for many years after her appointment, and I can say with all honesty that I would not be where I am today had it not been for her. I knew from an early age that teaching would be my career, but a whole new world of pedagogy opened up to me under the guidance of Michelle. Watching her teach was an inspiration, and I will forever be grateful that she helped me find my own pedagogical voice. She nurtured my love of teaching, created opportunities for me to grow as a teacher and person, and invited me to join a broader pedagogical community of innovative and creative leaders. In her thirty years at CCM, Michelle has transformed the pedagogy program and created a space where the art of teaching is amplified and elevated, a Herculean feat in any performance-dominated environment. It was her tenacity that led to the creation of the piano pedagogy cognate at CCM, which I and many after me have received.

Michelle is truly an inspirational force of nature, and her influence will be felt for years to come through the many students who have also had the privilege of calling her professor and friend.

One could go on and on about Michelle’s powerful presence in the classroom, but you can’t reference Michelle without speaking of her incredible zest for life. Her energy is infectious, and you can’t help but be drawn to her humor, creativity, and enthusiasm. She is not just your teacher; she is your biggest cheerleader, the first to stand and applaud your successes, and the best advocate one could ask for. She makes every person she meets feel seen and respected, just as she made me feel at that masterclass so many years ago. It has been an honor and joy to continue working together as friends and colleagues. Some of my dearest professional memories involve collaborations with Michelle, and I look forward to our work together in the future. Michelle is truly an inspirational force of nature, and her influence will be felt for years to come through the many students who have also had the privilege of calling her professor and friend.

The GP3 committee at Oberlin: 2018

We believe passionately that piano teachers change the world through their dedication to students and communities. Our Power of a Piano Teacher campaign shares personal tributes to document the extraordinary contributions of piano teachers. We welcome you to celebrate your teacher and share your tribute with us by making a donation to the Frances Clark Center. Together, we will further amplify the meaningful work of our noble profession.


OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

A Quick Look at Creative Music Making: What Pianists Should Know



Special thanks to the Bradley Sowash, member of the NCKP 2023 Creative Music Making committee, for this post.

Why is creative music making an important topic for pianists today?

Today’s students benefit from instruction in reading and generating music. Why? Because students that read well, play by ear, and/or create music can play a wider range of styles, are motivated by personal expression, and from revisiting fully-notated classics to winging it on pop songs with friends, versatile pianists are more likely to continue to enjoy playing as adults.

What is something you wish every pianist knew about creative music making?

Any piano teacher with a basic understanding of music theory and willingness to explore alongside their students can integrate creative music making into their curriculum.

What are three tips you would give a pianist interested in creative music making?

  1. Talent is overrated. Just like traditional musical skills, creative music making is developed through study and practice. 
  2. While off-page skills may intimidate seasoned adult musicians due to omissions in their training, many students enjoy improvising, composing, and/or playing by ear uninhibitedly. Start your students early and it becomes a fearless, natural way to make music. 
  3. Choosing one’s own notes and rhythms does not need to be difficult. While master composers and improvisers often deal with complex musical ideas and techniques, anyone can improvise with just a scale and a few chords or perhaps even less with guidance.

What is one free resource about creative music making that you would recommend?

Many of the planners and presenters for the Creative Music Making track publish free blog posts and how-to videos online. Take advantage of those that match your experience level and interests.

What makes the Creative Music Making track at NCKP 2023 special? Why should people attend?

Interest in teaching creative music making has changed and grown significantly in the past 20 years. When thought-leaders first began advocating for teaching off-page skills alongside a traditional curriculum, it was a new and not always welcome idea for many educators. Today, teacher attitudes about this topic have shifted from less about “why?” to more about “how?” Learning tips, strategies, and observing demonstrations firsthand from fellow teachers experienced in this area are some of the best opportunities that NCKP provides.

What are you most excited for at NCKP 2023?

Speaking personally, my favorite part of attending NCKP is reconnecting with friends and colleagues as well as fostering new relationships. Since many piano teachers work alone most of the time, it’s great to feel viscerally part of a large community of dedicated music educators.

Interested in learning more about creative music making for pianists? Attend NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference! View the NCKP 2023 schedules to explore all wellness track sessions: online and in-person. Register before May 1, 2023 for early bird pricing.

QUICK LINKS FOR NCKP 2023: THE PIANO CONFErENCE
OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

Für Elise: Beethoven’s Infamous Composition



Ludwig van Beethoven

THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, Beethoven composed his infamous bagatelle Für Elise WoO 59 on April 27, 1810. The short piece is built around a recurring theme that is unceasingly popular with pianists of all ages.

One of the central questions regarding this piece is to whom it was written. Scholarship remains unclear about the identity of “Elise.” The autograph manuscript of the work is lost and there is speculation that perhaps the title was originally Für Therese.1 Other scholars, such as Klaus Martin Kopitz, suggest that ‘Elise’ was in fact the singer Elisabeth Röckel.2 She was a close friend throughout Beethoven’s life and was married to Austrian composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel. Röckel’s close relationship is obvious based on her visit to Beethoven just a few days before his death on March 26, 1827.3 Whether Röckel is the true dedicatee of Für Elise remains unproven, but she is certainly a likely candidate.

Für Elise is classified as a bagatelle in the form of a rondo. The repeating opening theme comes back three times, creating an ABACA form. Although the first section is manageable technically, the second and third sections pose significant challenges to the performer with thirty-second notes in the B section as well as repeated notes, arpeggios, and a chromatic scale in the C section. Besides the popularity of the opening theme, the work remains popular perhaps due to its moody nature and dramatic changes from melancholy to joy to mystery and back. Listen to this recording by pianist Lang Lang.

The piece is listed on the Royal Conservatory of Music’s 2022 Piano Syllabus as a Level 7 selection and is comparable in difficulty to the easier Bach inventions and other late-intermediate sonatinas. One of the challenges in approaching this work is carefully choosing a tempo that is manageable in the more virtuosic sections of the work, but is also not dragging at the beginning. Interested to learn more about Für Elise? Check out this article written and edited by Marvin Blickenstaff on the work, which provides teaching tips, a practice plan, and more!

OTHER RESOURCE YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Sources
  1. Joseph Kerman, Alan Tyson, Scott G. Burnham, Douglas Johnson, and William Drabkin, “Beethoven, Ludwig van,” Grove Music Online, 2001, Accessed 20 Mar. 2023, oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040026. 
  2. Klaus Martin Kopitz, “Beethoven’s ‘Elise ‘ Elisabeth Röckel: A Forgotten Love Story and a Famous Piano Piece.” Musical Times (Winter, 2020), 9.
  3. Ibid.

Kerman, Joseph, Alan Tyson, Scott G. Burnham, Douglas Johnson, and William Drabkin. “Beethoven, Ludwig van.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 20 Mar. 2023. oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040026. 


Kopitz, Klaus Martin. “Beethoven’s ‘Elise ‘ Elisabeth Röckel: A Forgotten Love Story and a Famous Piano Piece.” Musical Times Winter, 2020, 9-26.


A Quick Look at Independent Music Teaching: What Pianists Should Know



Special thanks to Jason Sifford, chair of the NCKP 2023 Independent Music Teaching committee, for this post.

Why is independent teaching important for pianists today?

Today’s emerging professionals and young parents are the first to be born in the 2000’s. This generation enters a world unlike any before, and understanding and embracing the unique challenges and opportunities of today is essential for keeping the arts thriving for future generations.

What is something you wish every pianist knew about independent music teaching?

Every era has its challenges. Just as the world of Claude Debussy would’ve been unrecognizable to Johann Sebastian Bach, the world we live in today would be impossible for pianists and composers in the 20th century to comprehend. Change is scary, but it has always been with us.

What are three tips you would give a pianist interested in independent teaching?

First, be yourself. Whether you’re 20 or 80, you have an important place in today’s world.
Second, broaden your social network. Learn from those from different backgrounds and with different worldviews.
Third, above all—listen. Listening never ages, and it’s never been more important.

What is one free resource about teaching independently that you would recommend?

The resources that Piano Inspires has to offer are second to none. No other organization is as committed to supporting the future of piano teaching than the people at the Frances Clark Center.

What makes your track at NCKP 2023 special? Why should people attend?

We’ve made a conscious effort to tackle big-picture issues. You’ve heard about ornaments in Bach for years. You’ve seen all the webcam recommendations. Now let’s start a conversation about the issues that we face as individuals, as a profession, and as an art form.

What are you most excited for at NCKP 2023?

This year, we finally get to be in a room with each other! There is no substitute for shared experiences and shared spaces, and it’s time to reconnect with each other and rebuild our community.

Interested in learning more about independent music teaching for pianists? Attend NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference! View the NCKP 2023 schedules to explore all independent music teaching track sessions: online and in-person. Register before May 1, 2023 for early bird pricing.

QUICK LINKS FOR NCKP 2023: THE PIANO CONFErENCE
OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

A Quick Look at Wellness: What Pianists Should Know



Special thanks to the NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference Wellness Committee for their contributions to this post.

Why is wellness an important topic for pianists today?

It is known that few pianists go through life without encountering an injury or illness, whether directly related to playing or not. Therefore, it is very important that there is an awareness of how we can help prevent injuries and find ways to cope with the unexpected things that can happen.

What is something you wish every pianist knew about wellness?

That we focus on finding ways to find balance in ourselves and our students in this post-pandemic world that incorporates both the physical and psychological aspects of playing. Our sessions will incorporate a mixture of both along with a basic introduction to mindfulness, contemplative and movement techniques that can be used in and out of the studio. 

What are top tips you would give a pianist interested in cultivating wellness at the piano?

  1. Playing the piano is both physically and psychologically demanding. Therefore, the more one knows about this topic, the more one can apply new techniques to their playing and teaching that reduces the risk of injury.
  2. Producing beautiful sounds requires a balance between the technical and the emotional. 
  3. For lifelong music-making, one needs an awareness of what healthy piano playing consists of.
  4. One small adjustment in one’s playing to reduce tension can make a world of difference to one’s overall sound.

What is one free resource about wellness that you would recommend?

MTNA’s Essential Learning Skills are in four parts and provide basic information for anyone who would like to learn more about our topic. Everyone has free access, regardless of whether they are a MTNA member.

What makes the Wellness track at NCKP 2023 special? Why should people attend?

Members of our committee are practitioners and pedagogues in this area who have ground-breaking techniques and fresh ideas they have used in their studios. These techniques have been proven to be useful teaching tools. 

What are you most excited for at NCKP 2023?

It is an opportunity to connect to colleagues again and learn from their ideas. And, it is a face-to-face conference!

Interested in learning more about wellness for pianists? Attend NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference! View the NCKP 2023 schedules to explore all wellness track sessions: online and in-person. Register before May 1, 2023 for early bird pricing.

QUICK LINKS FOR NCKP 2023: THE PIANO CONFErENCE
OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

Nina Simone: Remembering a Trailblazer



Nina Simone

THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember pianist Nina Simone who died on April 21, 2003. Simone, born as Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina, was a jazz singer, pianist, and civil rights leader.

Simone began playing piano at the age of three, learning at first by ear.1 Her initial piano studies began with an Englishwoman named Muriel Mazzanovich and continued after her high school graduation at The Juilliard School. At this time, Simone planned to become a famous classical pianist and applied to study at the Curtis Institute of Music. The rejection from the Institute sent her into turmoil as she believed racism to be the central reason behind the rejection, but it made her realize a different path forward.2 Simone began singing and playing piano at the Midtown Bar & Grill in Atlantic City, New Jersey as a way to make a modest income and, at this time, took on her stage name (“Nina Simone”) after actress Simone Signoret.3

Simone’s career developed at first through engagements in different bars and nightclubs throughout the East Coast. She performed at the Town Hall in New York City in 1959 and later at Carnegie Hall in 1964. These concerts helped establish Simone as a major performer and recording artist. They were recorded and include some of her best known singles including “You Can Have Him” and “Mississippi Goddam.” 

“Mississippi Goddam” is a form of protest music that Simone penned after the murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers as well as the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama in which four young African American girls died.4 In speaking about the song, Simone shared that, “Nightclubs were dirty, making records was dirty, popular music was dirty and to mix all that with politics seemed senseless and demeaning. And until songs like ‘Mississippi Goddam’ just burst out of me, I had musical problems as well. How can you take the memory of a man like [Civil Rights activist] Medgar Evers and reduce all that he was to three and a half minutes and a simple tune? That was the musical side of it I shied away from; I didn’t like ‘protest music’ because a lot of it was so simple and unimaginative it stripped the dignity away from the people it was trying to celebrate. But the Alabama church bombing and the murder of Medgar Evers stopped that argument and with ‘Mississippi Goddam,’ I realized there was no turning back.”5 Listen to “Mississippi Goddam” in this recording.

Nina Simone performing “Mississippi Goddam.”

Simone is known for producing dozens of recordings throughout her life. Her first album, Little Girl Blue recorded with the Bethlehem label, included hits such as “My Baby Cares for Me,” later recorded by the likes of Nat King Cole.6 Simone continued to record with others such as Colpix Records, Phillips, and the RCA label. Some of her most important albums include I Put a Spell on You (1965), Wild is the Wind (1966), Silk and Soul (1967), Black Gold (1970), Baltimore (1978), and her last studio album, Single Woman (1993).

Nina Simone performing “You Can Have Him.”

Her song “You Can Have Him,” written by Irving Berlin, was included in her concert recording on September 12, 1959 at Town Hall New York City. The song opens with a stunning introductory arpeggio up and down the piano before Simone casually utters “you can have him.” The song features Simone’s rich vocals set against sensitive chords throughout the piano. “Four Women,” a song Simone penned from her album Wild Is the Wind (1966) profiles four different African American women.7 Simone’s recording features her on piano in addition to the sounds of a flute, drums, and more. Listen to a recording of the song below.

Nina Simone performing “Four Women.”

Simone states in her biography I Put a Spell on You, “Critics started to talk about what sort of music I was playing and tried to find a neat slot to file it away in. It was difficult for them because I was playing popular songs in a classical style with a classical piano technique influenced by cocktail jazz. On top of that I included spirituals and children’s song in my performances, and those sorts of songs were automatically identified with the folk movement. So, saying what sort of music I played gave the critics problems because there was something from everything in there, but it also meant I was appreciated across the board—by jazz, folk, pop and blues fans as well as admirers of classical music.”8

Simone’s legacy as a trailblazing pianist and singer resulted in four Grammy nominations and induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame (2000), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2018), and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2021). Simone additionally received honorary degrees from Amherst College and Malcolm X College, as well as the Curtis Institute of Music just two days before her death. Simone’s life ended in Carry-le-Rouet in Southern France where she died in 2003 after previously spending time in Liberia, Barbados, Switzerland, and more.9 In the final decade of her life, she sold over one million albums.10 In honor of Nina Simone’s incredible life and work, Awadagin Pratt founded the Nina Simone Piano Competition. Read more about the competition in the article below written by Artina McCain.

Sources
  1. “Biography,” The Official Home of Nina Simone, Accessed March 31, 2023. ninasimone.com/biography/.
  2. Ibid.
  3. Ibid.
  4. Mark Anthony Neal, “Simone, Nina,” Grove Music Online, 31 Jan. 2014; Accessed 31 Mar. 2023, oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002258277.
  5. “Biography,” The Official Home of Nina Simone, Accessed March 31, 2023. ninasimone.com/biography/.
  6. Mark Anthony Neal, “Simone, Nina,” Grove Music Online, 31 Jan. 2014; Accessed 31 Mar. 2023, oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002258277.
  7. Ibid.
  8. “Biography,” The Official Home of Nina Simone, Accessed March 31, 2023. ninasimone.com/biography/.
  9. Ibid.
  10. Ibid.

Neal, Mark Anthony. “Simone, Nina.” Grove Music Online. 31 Jan. 2014; Accessed 31 Mar. 2023. oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002258277.

The Official Home of Nina Simone. “Biography.” Accessed March 31, 2023. ninasimone.com/biography/ 


What to Expect at NCKP: The Piano Conference



Thanks to Trevor Thornton, member of the New Professionals Committee for NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference, for this post!

Trevor Thornton assisting Lara Downes at NCKP 2019.

So, it’s your first NCKP. You are probably curious about what to expect. I remember the feeling well. My first NCKP changed my life, and it might change yours too. NCKP has a gift for you regardless of the stage of your career, whether you are a piano performance major searching for your role in the field, an experienced teacher looking for friendships and inspiration, or a seasoned veteran who wants to leave your mark on the future of the profession. Each person will have different takeaways, but I believe we will all share these four in common:

New Performance Ideas

If you are looking for inspiration in your performance career, you can expect to gain many ideas from the presentations and performances at NCKP 2023. Several presentations this year are lecture recitals that will reveal the music of underrepresented composers. Take note! You might find yourself with an entirely new recital program by the end of the conference. There will also be performances including both solo recitals and Piano Stories on Stage. Each concert can be both inspiring and instructive, a place to learn how the performers of today shape their careers.

New Teaching Ideas

It is impossible to leave NCKP without picking up hundreds of teaching ideas—some brand new and some helpful reminders. If you are a student or a recent graduate, you will be drinking from a firehose of new information and perspectives. My advice? Try to absorb as much as you can, and decide what to implement or research further after the conference. One danger for us younger professionals is to pre-judge new information before understanding it, so make an effort to learn about as many approaches to teaching as possible!

New Connections

Marvin Blickenstaff talks about creating moments of expressive music making in each lesson. He calls them “Purple Moments.” For me, the Purple Moments of NCKP are the conversations with new and old conference friends and the moments of connection with like-minded colleagues. Pianists and piano teachers frequently work in isolation, making it even more important to create opportunities to deepen relationships with people who face similar challenges. You might find someone who has helpful answers to some of your professional questions! You might even meet a future employer or mentor.

Inspiration

Inspiration is subjective, but I believe it is impossible to leave NCKP without a spark of it. It is incredibly stimulating to hear seasoned professionals discuss their teaching, research, and practice habits. There is a contagious level of dedication in the air at NCKP. You will meet highly experienced teachers who are as passionate as ever about improving their craft. Best-case scenario, even the way you feel about your students will change as you listen to other devoted teachers speak. To paraphrase Jane Magrath’s acceptance speech for her NCKP Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019: our students are lights that illuminate our paths, showing us the next steps in our careers. That beautiful imagery has been with me in many lessons since. I trust you will encounter similarly transformative ways of thinking at NCKP 2023. I hope to see you there!

Register for NCKP 2023!

QUICK LINKS FOR NCKP 2023: THE PIANO CONFERENCE

A Quick Look at Business and Entrepreneurship: What Pianists Should Know



Special thanks to the NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference Business and Entrepreneurship Committee for their contributions to this post.
Join them for their webinar, “The Hidden Landscape of Business and Entrepreneurship,” on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 at 11:00AM ET. Registration is free!

Why are business and entrepreneurship important topics for pianists today?

Developing business and entrepreneurship skills is crucial for pianists who want to create their own opportunities, build financial stability, collaborate with other musicians and industry professionals, and foster creativity and innovation in their work. By understanding business principles, pianists can find new sources of revenue beyond traditional pathways. Entrepreneurship skills can also help pianists to build a unique brand, develop a following through social media and online marketing, and reach a wider audience. Business and entrepreneurship skills are essential for channeling your expertise into something with a sustainable impact.

What is something you wish every pianist knew about business and entrepreneurship?

Business and entrepreneurship skills are needed for every kind of career. Whether you’d like to open a single or multi-teacher studio, work in higher education, start a recital series, publish your own materials, start a non-profit, or follow another path, building skills in business and entrepreneurship will help you achieve your goals and better serve your community.

What are three tips you would give a pianist interested in business and entrepreneurship?

  1. Find a community of peers who are interested in you.
  2. Know and leverage your strengths.
  3. Being proactive is way more important than being perfect.

What is one free resource about business and entrepreneurship that you would recommend?

David Cutler, author of The Savvy Musician and The Savvy Music Teacher has an excellent blog. If you’ve read his books or heard him speak, you know he will stretch your mind and inspire you to new ideas! Topics include Entrepreneurship, Career Models, and Creative Performance.

What makes the Business and Entrepreneurship track at NCKP 2023 special? Why should people attend?

Instead of focusing on aspects of teaching piano, our aim is to cultivate successful business owners! Many piano teachers lack entrepreneurial skills, or they are not convinced such skills are important. In addition, we don’t get much training in these areas. But without such skills, you can only go so far. We want piano teachers to be successful business owners and continue to expand their reach as far as they can dream! 

What are you most excited for at NCKP 2023?

We are excited to reconnect with friends and colleagues, and make new ones, too! It is so energizing, inspiring, and invigorating to be with other like-minded people who are all focused on bettering themselves, our profession, and humanity as a whole!

Interested in learning more about business and entrepreneurship for pianists? Attend NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference! View the NCKP 2023 schedules to explore all business and entrepreneurship track sessions: online and in-person.

QUICK LINKS FOR NCKP 2023: THE PIANO CONFErENCE

The Birth of Argentina’s Musical Advocate: Alberto Ginastera



A portrait of Ginastera

THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera, born on April 11, 1916. Ginastera has been described as an important composer in the history of Argentina, with an impact on the collection and dissemination of folk music similar to that of Bartók in Hungary.1

Ginastera was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his official musical studies at the age of seven and studied at both the Conservatorio Williams, where he received a gold medal in composition, and the Conservatorio Nacional de Música.2 His early musical influences included Athos Palma, José Gil, José André, and later in life, Aaron Copland, with whom he studied at Tanglewood. Ginastera began to rise to national prominence as a composer in Argentina after his suite Panambí was conducted by Juan José Castro.3 From here, a range of commissions and teaching opportunities gradually solidified his name as one of the most important composers from Latin America.

Ginastera’s teaching career was extensive and included a variety of universities in Argentina including the Conservatorio Nacional, Liceo Militar General San Martín, the Conservatorio de Música y Arte Escénico in La Plata, and the Facultad de Artes y Ciencias Musicales at the Universidad Católica Argentina where he served as a dean for five years. Additionally, he was named the founding director of the Centro Latinoamericano de Altos Estudios Musicales (CLAEM) at the Instituto Torcuato di Tella in Buenos Aires. At various times, political challenges brought on by the Perón administration required him to leave or resign posts in Argentina.4 During the first of these challenges from the Argentine government in 1945, Ginastera fled to the United States where he stayed for over two years on a Guggenheim grant.5 After his return to Argentina, Ginastera again suffered due to the political influence of the Perón administration who made him resign temporarily from the faculty of the Conservatorio de Música y Arte Escénico in La Plata.6

Although well known for his ballets, operas, and symphonic works, Ginastera is perhaps equally well known for his impressive oeuvre of piano works which contains three sonatas, three concerti, the Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2, the Suite de Danzas Criollas, Op.15, and other works for solo piano. A popular work for advanced pianists, the Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2 contains three short dances that recall references to the guitar, the pampas (Argentine plain regions), and the varied dance genres of his home country. His Suite de Danzas Criollas, Op.15 contains five different dances that monopolize the full range and coloristic possibilities of the piano. Listen to this recording, by our very own, pianist Alejandro Cremaschi. Ginastera’s Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 22, from 1952, is another of his most popular piano works. The piece includes evocations to Argentine dances and the guitar within a four movement structure.

Pianist Alejandro Cremaschi performs Ginastera’s Suite de Danzas Criollas, Op. 15.
A video highlighting Nissman’s personal connection to Ginastera.

One of the most prominent proponents of Ginastera’s music is concert pianist Barbara Nissman, who met Ginastera while he was Composer-In-Residence at the University of Michigan.7 During his time in Michigan, Nissman performed his first piano concerto and Ginastera invited her to perform it again during his sixtieth birthday in Geneva, Switzerland. Nissman has since gone on to record and perform all of Ginastera’s piano music, including the two numbered piano concertos as well as the Concierto Argentino, which she was given exclusive rights to perform.8 Interested in learning more about Nissman’s relationship with Ginastera? Watch this video highlighting her personal connection to Ginastera.

Ginastera’s life took a dramatic turn late in his life causing him to separate from his wife, and later he married the cellist Aurora Nátola.9 He moved to Geneva where he spent the remainder of his days and died at the age of 67. Ginastera’s life achievements were recognized by honorary doctorates from Yale University and Temple University as well as the UNESCO International Music Council Music Prize, which he received in 1981.10

Interested in learning more about Ginastera? Learn about him and his pedagogical works in our new course: Exploring Latin American Piano Music: A Cultural Journey with Elementary through Early-Advanced Pieces.

OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
Sources
  1. Marilou Carlin, “Celebrating Music of Alberto Ginastera,” News & Features (blog), University of Michigan, November 21, 2011, arts.umich.edu/news-features/music-of-alberto-ginastera/.
  2. Deborah Schwartz-Kates, “Ginastera, Albertom” Grove Music Online, 2001, Accessed 20 Mar. 2023, oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000011159.
  3. Ibid.
  4. Ibid.
  5. Ibid.
  6. Ibid.
  7. Marilou Carlin, “Celebrating Music of Alberto Ginastera,” News & Features (blog), University of Michigan, November 21, 2011, arts.umich.edu/news-features/music-of-alberto-ginastera/.
  8. Ibid.
  9. Deborah Schwartz-Kates, “Ginastera, Albertom” Grove Music Online, 2001, Accessed 20 Mar. 2023, oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000011159.
  10. Ibid.

Carlin, Marilou. “Celebrating Music of Alberto Ginastera.” News & Features (blog). University of Michigan, November 21, 2011. arts.umich.edu/news-features/music-of-alberto-ginastera/.

Schwartz-Kates, Deborah. “Ginastera, Alberto.” Grove Music Online. 2001; Accessed 20 Mar. 2023. oxfordmusiconline-com.uc.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000011159.


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