Teaching Demonstration

The Road to Artistry -
Easier Sonatina to Advanced Sonata

Sonatinas contain the same musical elements for artistic performance as do sonatas. Many of the technical and musical challenges students will encounter in advanced sonatas by Mozart, Haydn or Beethoven, first need to be addressed during their learning of sonatinas by Clementi, Kuhlau, Diabelli or other composers.

This teaching demonstration will include performances of: (1) an easier Sonatina, (2) an intermediate level sonata, and (3) an advanced sonata. Professor Clarfield will guide students to achieving an artistic performance addressing the similar stylistic and interpretive issues that occur in the music at all three levels. The road to an artistic Beethoven’s “Waldstein” begins with an artistic Clement Op. 36 No.1!

Showcase:
Keys to Artistic Performance
with Guest Left Hand Artist, Dennis Alexander

Once students have learned all the correct notes, rhythm, and basic dynamics of their pieces, teachers are faced with the challenge of helping them make their performances sound and look truly artistic. This workshop will provide teachers with useful information on how to develop greater artistry by guiding students in 5 Ô«eyÔ areas: Color, Choreography, Characterization, Rubato, and Pedaling. Teachers and students can apply these principals to all of their repertoire to achieve a higher level of artistic performance, to sound and look like a concert pianist.

This showcase will also feature the World Premiere of Ryan Brechmacher's Three Preludes for RH Alone.