I had some time this morning and felt like visiting some of my favorite pieces from when I was kid and taking lessons. It was nice to not have to kill myself over these and just play/record without my usual anxiety. Probably everybody knows these pieces, so I hope I do them justice. Comments welcomed....

p.s. the Beethoven "La Marmotte" is a lieder. It's new to me; I have never heard it before but I like the melody.

Bach - Seven Little Preludes, BWV 927 in F Major

Bach - Five Little Preludes, BWV 939 in C Major

Beethoven - "La Marmotte" Op. 52, No. 7

Beethoven - Ecossaise, WoO23 in G major

Brahms - Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 39, No. 15

Hi Monica,

I enjoyed listening to all these little pieces. You play all of them very well. They should go into the archive here for young students who want to hear how these pieces sound, as they're often assigned by teachers. The Brahms waltz is interesting, as there is the original, the simplified version, and another version for four hands. There have always been loads and loads of "teaching pieces" around. But all pianists are fortunate that some of the greatest composers, like the Three B's, for example, took the time to write accessible pieces for children. And I believe that the more kids are given these works of the masters to learn rather than just pedagogical pieces, it's far better for their development as musicians and their appreciation of music in general.

David

Thank you for listening, David, and for the kind words.

I agree with you 100% about that students should be given this kind of music to learn. My first teacher had me working on Mozart, Bach, Schumann practically right from the beginning. I probably wouldn't have loved playing piano so much if I had to do only pedagogical-type pieces.

Monica,
These were all very delightful to listen to. They are fine demonstrations that would point any student towards artistic playing. With the Bach, I must add that no matter the level required, he writes such great music.

One other point regarding teaching, I always add Bartok (4 B's) and use his Microcosmos from the get go, the very first number of which even offers the opportunity to teach about applying phrasing to execution.

Thank you, Eddy! I'm glad these pass muster (and the mustard too.... ).

Bartok - 4 B's - good one!
For some reason, I did not play much Bartok when I was a kid. But to be honest, I don't really care for a lot of his music, except for the Romanian Folk Songs, which are really neat - I like that set a lot!!

Bartok is finally included in the Suzuki curriculum. Book 2 has "Hungarian Folk Song" and "Children at Play" from For Children. Now if only they wouldn't take 100 years to include pieces...

To Bach, prelude f-major: nice playing overall, at the beginning there could be a little more rhythmical eveness.
To Bach, prelude c-major: that was the first bach-prelude I have played, I remember well. Nice playing, Monica.
To "La Marmotte": Well, I think you have played nicely that very famous little song. Nice p-part.
To "Ecossaise": That´s also a sweet piece, isn´t it? I have enjoyed your performance.
To Brahms-walzer: That´s absolutely one of my favourites. It has so much peace and consolation, it´s a highly devine inspirated little piece. I usually play it with a bit more flow. But your slow contemplative interpretation also has something. You have done so nice rubati and dynamics especially at the end, where you perfectly have caught the atmosphere!

Hi Andreas. I'm happy to see you! Are you getting time off now for the holiday season?

I did not realize that my rhythm was uneven in the beginning of the F-major Prelude. I really needed a "Bach person" to check and help me, so thank you for pointing that out. I'll practice the piece some more and do a re-recording in a little while.

Thanks, Monica, for posting these wonderful little melodies.

I particularly enjoyed the way you play Beethoven’s “Marmotte”,
I have never heard this wonderful melody before, and I shall look-out for it's score...

Thanks again.

Thank you, Kristina.

I had never before heard "La Marmotte" either. But to be honest, I didn't even know Beethoven wrote any lieders. I just randomly turned a page in a book that consists of various classical piano music and there it was. I like it a lot too and wish it were longer.

Pianolady wrote:


Until Christmas, I think, I will be busy with corrections of papers, but then I will practice on prelude and fugue f -sharp-major and try to get a recording during the holidays.



I will listen to that!

Hello, Monica,

I have now found the score and have started to learn “La Marmotte”.

It is such an inspiring and lovely melody !

Thanks again for posting it.

I also would like to take this opportunity and wish everybody at the Piano Society

a Happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year and very good luck in 2012

with lots of music and lots of inspiration.

Kristinaolga.

I'm glad you found the score. It's like a Christmas present to yourself, isn't it? I've just learned that some Mompou books I ordered have arrived but I have to pick up the package at the post office, which I can't do until Monday, so my present will have to wait.
Merry Christmas to you too, Kristina.

Hello, Monica,

You are right, it is like a Christmas-present to myself
and I am very enthusiastic to learn this wonderful melody.
Mind you, it is not easy, but it is great fun
and certainly “gets both of my hands going”.

Thanks for your kind wishes
and I do hope you receive your books very soon.

Kind regards from Kristina.

I'm glad you found the score. It's like a Christmas present to yourself, isn't it? I've just learned that some Mompou books I ordered have arrived but I have to pick up the package at the post office, which I can't do until Monday, so my present will have to wait.
Merry Christmas to you too, Kristina. [/quote]

Hate to be a Grinch, Monica, but Post Office is closed Monday. No Mompou until Tuesday.

Scott