May 2012 Teachers' Guide

 

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Click here for some interesting links.

Here is another interesting link:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/04/29/magazine/steinway-pianos.html?ref=magazine

Ideas to use with the May Issue

Chopin
Recommended recordings
Icon - Artur Rubinstein - The Chopin Recordings (EMI Classics, 2010)
Rubinstein - The Chopin Collection (RCA, 2007)
Complete Chopin Edition, 17 CDs (Deutsche Grammophon, 2010)
Chopin and Schubert - Krystian Zimerman - DVD (Deutsche Grammophon, 2008)



Pieces for Intermediate students
Chopin wrote several pieces that can be considered easier and would be suitable for intermediate students. Students who have had some experience with Bach's Two-Part Inventions, Beethoven's Sonatina in F major or Fur Elise or the more difficult Clementi and Kuhlau sonatinas should be successful learning these easier Chopin pieces. However, teachers should remember that playing the notes correctly is only part of success when it comes to Chopin's music. Its emotional depth requires sensitive phrasing, tone control, and understanding of rubato, and younger students might have a difficult time executing those nuances. It's still a great exercise and a wonderful stepping stone in students' progress.

Some pieces to consider:
Waltz in A minor, Op. posthumous
Polonaise in G minor Op. posthumous
Mazurka in G minor Op. 67, No. 2, posthumous
Mazurka in C major, Op. 67, No. 3, posthumous
Mazurka in A minor, Op. 67, No. 4, posthumous
Mazurka in F major, Op. 68, No 4, posthumous
Waltz in Ab major, Op. 69, No. 1, posthumous
Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4
Nocturne in c minor, posthumous
Cantabile in Bb major, posthumous


Recommended books
Chopin's Letters
Chopin in Paris: The Life and Times for the Romantic Composer by Tad Szulc
Chopin: Pianist and Teacher, As Seen by his Pupils by Eigeldinger, Shohet, Osostowicz, and Howat
The Life of Chopin by F. Liszt
Chopin: Prince of the Romantics by Adam Zamoyski

For Children: Frederick Chopin (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers) by Mike Venezia

More links:
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIgrVFCnD_U

Ballade in F major op. 38
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsoUIBcl7iw


Chopin also composed a set of songs.
Wiosna (Spring): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqmU8EGpzmc
Zyczenie (Wish): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU7RjGkOW4s

 

Answers to May Puzzles
Unscramble (page 11)
sharp, flat, natural, clef, chopin, recital

Quiz (page 15)
1. a  2. Poland and France  3. a  4. b  5. various answers 6. a Polish dance that Chopin used as the form for many of his compositions.