GUEST SERIES
This page features several series written by a variety of guest writers on selected piano-related topics, including a piano technique series, performance practice and preparation related articles about Debussy and Beethoven, as well as compositional and practice ideas for specific repertoire.
The Lightbulb Moment: Why Piano Lessons Could be the Perfect Gift for Adults – Jeni Warder
As we approach that time of year where gifts and ‘present lists’ for our nearest and dearest come into sharp focus, piano teacher and founder of Keys Piano School Jeni Warder offers some excellent reasons why the gift of music is the ultimate choice. In my house, December traditions don’t include hot chocolate and movie…
On preparing for a Beethoven marathon – Finale: Julian Jacobson
Pianist and piano professor Julian Jacobson has been writing a splendid and very popular guest post series for this blog. He is focusing on a recent Beethoven marathon where he performed all 32 of Beethoven’s piano sonatas in one day – both in London and in Uruguay. This final article is the postlude. Here, he…
Chord Playing and Improvising 3: Christopher Norton
I welcome back world-renowned composer Christopher Norton to my blog. Chris is contributing a series of guest articles, each one offering a free download of one of his piano pieces, as well as plenty of practice tips, suggestions and advice. ‘A Gentle Touch’, an early intermediate level piece, is number three in the series and…
On preparing for a Beethoven marathon Part 10: Julian Jacobson
This post chronicles the final preparations before concert pianist and piano professor Julian Jacobson’s big day! He will be performing all 32 Beethoven sonatas on Saturday at St John’s Church Waterloo in London. Julian will be repeating this performance in Uruguay six days later on his 75th birthday. In this post, he discusses the issue…
On preparing a Beethoven marathon Part 9: Julian Jacobson
This is part nine of concert pianist and piano professor Julian Jacobson’s series of articles chronicling his Beethoven marathon preparations. He muses on many aspects which must be taken into consideration when gearing-up for such an event. Two Weeks To Go! And so the day approaches. Like all big events in life, it seems…
On preparing a Beethoven marathon Part 8: Julian Jacobson
Concert pianist and piano professor Julian Jacobson discusses the importance of the Beethoven edition as he prepares for his Beethoven sonata marathon. The concert takes place on November 12th 2022 at St. John’s Church in Waterloo, London. On Beethoven editions… This week’s blog is on the vexed topic of editions, a subject about which…
On preparing for a Beethoven marathon Part 7: Julian Jacobson
Part 7 of concert pianist and piano professor Julian Jacobson’s series chronicling preparations for his Beethoven sonata marathon. This event takes place on November 12th 2022 in London. Julian will undertake the mammoth task of performing all 32 sonatas in one day, and in this post, he muses on the much-admired Appassionata Sonata. On…
On preparing for a Beethoven marathon Part 6: Julian Jacobson
Concert pianist and piano professor Julian Jacobson continues his series. With his Beethoven marathon edging ever nearer, this week Julian lifts the lid on Beethoven’s ‘Fantasy-Sonatas’ Op. 27. Beethoven’s Fantasy-sonatas op 27, including ‘that one’….. Let’s start off by remembering that Beethoven was a phenomenal improviser at the keyboard, perhaps the greatest ever, or sharing…
On preparing for a Beethoven marathon Part 5: Julian Jacobson
Concert pianist and piano professor Julian Jacobson continues his series focusing on Beethoven sonatas. On Saturday November 12th 2022 Julian will perform all 32 sonatas in one day at St John’s Church Waterloo in London, and in this post he assesses Beethoven’s Opus 31 sonatas. Beethoven’s opus 31: an oddly assorted trio of sonatas Beethoven’s…
On preparing for a Beethoven marathon Part 4: Julian Jacobson
Pianist and piano professor Julian Jacobson continues his Beethoven marathon series. Beethoven’s monumental Sonata in B flat major Op. 106, known as the ‘Hammerklavier’, is today’s chosen topic. Ah, the redoubtable Hammerklavier. Beethoven’s “ne plus ultra” piano work, unless it be the Diabelli Variations. The piece that was regarded as unplayable, a closed book, until…
On preparing for a Beethoven Marathon Part 3: Julian Jacobson
Concert pianist and teacher Julian Jacobson’s series highlighting the preparations for his forthcoming Beethoven marathon concert continue. Here, Julian discusses why he will be performing them all from memory. Why from memory? Why oh why, as I sometimes ask myself when a particularly fiddly bit of detail, often in the early sonatas, proves especially recalcitrant….
On preparing for a Beethoven Marathon Part 2: Julian Jacobson
This is the second article in a series written by pianist and piano professor Julian Jacobson. Here, he traces his journey from the beginning, and explores the reasons why he feels drawn to this repertoire. Is Beethoven my favourite composer, as people tend to assume? The answer is “yes and no and perhaps”. My personal…