The twelve-tone techniqueMarch 6th, 2010
We had a general view on atonal music in a previous post. This week, let’s get to the heart of the matter by focusing on the twelve-tone technique. Unavoidable revolution of the twentieth century, the technique known as twelve-tone was imaginated by Schoenberg. Yes, him again, and it makes sense as we learnt he tried to get as far away as possible from tonality. And what is the most basic characteristic of a key? The hierarchy of sounds, I mean that certain notes of the scale are more important than others, they have what is called a “function”, and these fonction are polarizing our ears. Read more …
Needing Rebirth? I don’t think so…February 25th, 2010
This week, a post a little more personal. I would like to comment Greg Sandow’s post entitled Needing Rebirth, which sparked a controversy in the american blogosphere. At first I paid no attention to it, then after rereading it, I started to think deeply about it.
To sum up, Sandow talks about two concerts he heard in Washington: Janine Jansen playing the Sibelius concerto with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam and one of the ECCO (East Coast Chamber Orchestra). Both took place at the Kennedy Center. Read more …
The score (1/4)February 11th, 2010
The score is often the first medium you have to deal with when studying a piece. It enables the composer to encode four key dimensions of music: pitch, duration, intensity and timbre. This document can then transmit the composer’s thought, or rather transcribe his music in a format understood by any interpreter. Read more …
Atonal MusicJanuary 28th, 2010
This week, let us focus on the break-up of tonality, initiated in the late nineteenth century and clearly confirmed during the early twentieth century. With several articles about atonal, dodecaphonic music and serial music I want to make a few preliminary remarks before discovering the universe of a key figure in the postwar music world: Pierre Boulez. Read more …
Introduction to InterpretationJanuary 21st, 2010
Interpreter: word which can, by extension, replace the word musician. Yet the two words have a totally different connotation: if the latter clearly evokes music and the inspired craftsman created in and by popular imagination, first emphasizes another facet of the same man: here is suggested the intellectual work, in other words the analysis and long road towards understanding a work. Read more …
What will 2010 be like?January 13th, 2010
I haven’t been writing much lately, and I’m sorry about that. First of all I wish you a wonderful 2010 with lots of musical achievements.
At the start of this year, I tried to think about the directions my writings could take for 2010. It is thus self-evident that this blog will still be about piano and music, but I would like to give a new impetus and provide more didactic content. Let’s see what will 2010 be like. Read more …
The pianist’s bodyDecember 10th, 2009
The link between body and music is complex and inseparable. The perception and interpretation of musical works are carried out by the body. Any pianist can tell you: playing the piano involves the entire body and we often push it to the limits. We overuse our body, but what do we give in return?
For a long time my physiotherapist has pressed me to do something to maintain my body healthy, arguing that my recurring back problems are effects of a lack of physical activity. Up until now, I had always answered I was too busy for this. But if I want to continue to have all my “features”, I have to seriously consider having a regular physical activity routine. Read more …
French classical pianist Genevieve Joy has diedDecember 2nd, 2009
Genevieve Joy died Friday night in her sleep at the age of 90 years old. Key figure in contemporary music, she played an important role in the spread of contemporary piano repertoire, creating works of her husband, Henri Dutilleux to whom my thoughts are, but also other leading composers like Pierre Boulez and Andre Jolivet. She has highlighted in her work the composers much more than herself. Read more …
Arturo Benedetti MichelangeliNovember 19th, 2009
A long time ago, I wrote a few lines about Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli and my fascination for this pianist. Today I propose a short video to better understand one of the things I find very interesting in his piano playing. When speaking about pianists, we must naturally consider the direct musical result but I think the visual aspects of their playing should not be forgotten. With Michelangeli, this component is exceptional. Read more …
The pianist’s lonelinessNovember 11th, 2009
Loneliness is an issue that quite often comes up in discussion with people who know and follow me. I work alone, I play alone, I like being alone most of the time, but isn’t the feeling of loneliness heavy and suffocating? It is true that I don’t meet my friends very often, I am not a big fan of mass meetings and that I avoid crowded places. But in another hand, I like chatting over the phone and mailing them. Read more …