To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Louis Nagel, we are spotlighting his extensive scholarship and research published by The Frances Clark Center.
Louis Nagel is Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Musician and a Steinway Artist. After completing his studies at Juilliard with Rosina Lhevinne, Josef Raieff, and Joseph Bloch, Nagel served on the faculty of UM since 1969. His performance career has taken him throughout the world and he frequently performed as a conference presenter. Read more below to learn about his many inspiring contributions to Keyboard Companion and Piano Magazine.
MAGAZINE ARTICLE: LOUIS NAGEL “THE PEOPLE’S PIANIST”
Louis Nagel’s legacy at the University of Michigan and his impact on the field are undeniable. In this article by his former student, Rochelle Klein, she shares about the beginnings of his career, his important partnership with his wife Julie Jaffee Nagel, and his approach to teaching works of all levels. Discover more about Nagel’s remarkable career here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/louis-nagel-the-peoples-pianist/.
MAGAZINE ARTICLE: HOW DO YOU TEACH YOUR STUDENTS TO LISTEN AND RESPOND TO HARMONY? PART II
Have you ever wondered how to make students more sensitive to the harmonic changes within a piece of music? In this article, Louis Nagel and Anne Marie Olson give there thoughts about working with students of all levels to identify harmonic nuances and understand them musically. Learn more about Nagel’s approach to teaching harmony here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/november-2010-vol-2-no-6/.
MAGAZINE ARTICLE: HOW DO YOU TEACH THE WRITTEN-IN IMPROVISATORY SECTIONS IN REPERTOIRE?
Many pianists struggle to make music that is improvisatory—or music that seems improvisatory—sound as if it is being made up on the spot. In this article, Nagel approaches this complicated pedagogical task from the perspective of Chopin’s Nocturne in G Minor, Op. 15, No. 3. Using his step-by-step remarks, the piece unfolds with spontaneity. Read about Nagel’s approach here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/keyboard-companion-summer-2001-vol-12-no-2/.
MAGAZINE ARTICLE: HOW DO YOUR STUDENTS PRACTICE CONTRAPUNTAL MUSIC?
Contrapuntal music requires careful study and practice to achieve a harmonious and balanced performance. In this article, Nagel reflects on the practice and teaching strategies he uses when teaching Bach’s “Invention No. 1 in C Major”. Explore his thoughts about teaching contrapuntal music more here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/keyboard-companion-autumn-1999-vol-10-no-3/.
MAGAZINE ARTICLE: WHEN IS A STUDENT READY TO BEGIN THE BACH INVENTIONS? WHICH ONE DO YOU ASSIGN FIRST AND WHERE DO YOU GO FROM THERE?
Did you know that Bach’s Inventions were not originally ordered the way they are typically published today? Using this knowledge, Nagel presents a convincing pedagogical argument for following this order when teaching Bach’s work. Learn more about Nagel’s thoughts on Bach’s Inventions here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/keyboard-companion-summer-2006-vol-17-no-2/.
MAGAZINE ARTICLE: MIND MATTERS and MIND MATTERS: RETIREMENT: A RESPONSE
In May 2016, Louis Nagel retired from his forty-seven-year career at the University of Michigan. Understandably, retirement came with immense reflection and emotion as one enters a new stage of life. In these two beautiful articles, both Julie Jaffee Nagel and Louis Nagel reflect on the meaning of retirement, the power of legacy, and the impact of their remarkable work together:
Want to learn more about Louis Nagel? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Sale on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or our website!
MORE ON LOUIS NAGEL
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: September 2016: Mind Matters: Retirement by Julie Jaffee Nagel
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Mind Matters: Retirement: A Response by Louis Nagel
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Louis Nagel “The People’s Pianist” by Rochelle Klein
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: How do you teach your students to listen and respond to harmony? Part II by Bruce Berr, Anne Mary Olson, and Louis Nagel
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: How do you teach the written-in improvisatory sections in repertoire? by Bruce Berr and Louis Nagel
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: How do your students practice contrapuntal music? by Elvina Pearce, Louis Nagel, Gloria Febro Grilk, and Elizabeth Gutierrez
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: When is a student ready to begin the Bach Inventions? Which one do you assign first and where do you go from there? by Nancy Bachus, Father Sean Duggan, and Louis Nagel
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