THIS MONTH IN PIANO HISTORY, we welcome the new year by remembering the births of two composers who changed the trajectory of piano repertoire and the death of a masterly and inventive harpsichordist and composer.
January 6, 1872 – Birth of Alexander Scriabin
Alexander Scriabin,a mysterious figure remembered for his association of color with musical keys and for his controversial views on pianists of his time, contributed greatly to the piano repertoire. His works bridge the Romantic and Contemporary eras and embrace creative systems of harmony and motivic development. His fascination with Chopin led him to write in many of the same genres in which Chopin was most prolific, including nocturnes, preludes, and mazurkas.
In this video, Thomas Lymenstull performs and shares teaching tips about Scriabin’s Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op. 9:
January 19, 1795 – Death of Italian harpsichordist and composer Maria Teresa Agnesi
Maria Teresa Agnesi was a gifted composer, harpsichordist, and singer of the late Baroque period. She traveled Europe with her older sister, an accomplished mathematician, and performed for many prestigious figures. Unfortunately, the details of her life and education were mostly lost, but remnants of her music remain.
Learn more about Baroque era music by women composers in this Microcourse led by Ashlee Young, Susan Yang, Brendan Jacklin, and Annie Jeng:
January 27, 1756 – Birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This month, we also celebrate the birth of composer and pianist extraordinaire, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart was incredibly prolific, and left an indelible mark on the Classical period, especially in the genres of solo piano repertoire and opera. His piece, Serenade in C, was recently unearthed by the Leipzig Municipal Libraries, creating a furor of renewed interest in Mozart’s musical portfolio.
Many cite Mozart’s Fantasie in D Minor, K. 397 as a favorite teaching piece. This piece features varied tempi, textures, and moods, exposing students to several different styles of Classical writing. In this video, Sean Schulze discusses the Fantasie in depth, and gives advice on preparing students for successful interpretation and performance:
Want to learn more about Mozart? Here are 5 Things You Might Not Know About Mozart.
MIGHT ENJOY:
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: What repertoire do you use when a student can play with only one hand, and how do you assign it? by Marvin Blickenstaff
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO SERIES: Scriabin: Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op. 9 with Thomas Lymenstull
- MICROCOURSE: Baroque Era Music by Women Composers
- REPERTOIRE VIDEO SERIES: Mozart: Fantastie in D Minor, K. 397 with Sean Schulze
- DISCOVERY POST: 5 Things You Might Not Know About Mozart by Sarah Leonard
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