tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.comments2016-05-28T09:33:51.341-05:00CollaborationsKennith Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-63483981537595501622016-05-28T06:08:37.233-05:002016-05-28T06:08:37.233-05:00Much of the solo repertoire doesn't get played...Much of the solo repertoire doesn't get played because it is “unnecessarily” difficult. A fine distinction exists between music that is “brilliantly” difficult and that which is “unnecessarily” so. Yet in the collaborative artist is not allowed freedom in the choice of repertoire and not only must master certain “unnecessarily” difficult work, but also take care not to make the soloist “look bad”. Defense exhibits A and B: “Erlkonig,” and the orchestral reductions of the Mozart concerti for the horn.<br /><br />But, if we were granted adequate admiration for our efforts, too may pianists would want to join our ranks. There would be so, so many people wanting to collaborate on piano that it might reduce our load, meaning we would have fewer…wait! What am I SAYING!?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-8606341032705763932016-05-26T18:03:44.109-05:002016-05-26T18:03:44.109-05:00I was completely shocked when I heard a non-musici...I was completely shocked when I heard a non-musician tell a collaborative colleague that they were sorry their career as a pianist wasn't working out since she wasn't playing solo concerts. This woman plays all the time and is proving to be quite successful. She brushed off the comment, but I was fuming for her.<br /><br />Sublimated egos are essential for the collaborator. After all, we only find ourselves in the spotlight when we screw up! 😉Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-3223533565093170412016-05-26T17:37:28.835-05:002016-05-26T17:37:28.835-05:00I would like to believe that few if any would seri...I would like to believe that few if any would seriously consider a collaborative pianist to be inferior. Some may not fully realize however the level of musicianship required or at least they take it for granted. Plus collaborative pianists have to be able to sublimate their egos!lgoldmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11205431057281450482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-49473659023133873212016-03-20T16:13:15.457-05:002016-03-20T16:13:15.457-05:00Tamsyn, thanks for the comment. I have always want...Tamsyn, thanks for the comment. I have always wanted to use Finale or Sibelius, but I've never taken the time to learn the program. Now that I have a full lab at my disposal and lots of students that are proficient in the program, I really don't have an excuse. I'm wanting to quickly input accompaniments in Finale so they can be uploaded to Smart Music for students to rehearse with before having coaching sessions with me.Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-21252542848739269482016-03-20T14:17:20.161-05:002016-03-20T14:17:20.161-05:00I use Finale Print Music all the time. When I hav...I use Finale Print Music all the time. When I have students who really want to play some particular piece, I will sometimes arrange it for them at their own level. I also use it to make flashcards and worksheets. I'm going to be checking these resources out. I like how you were creative with Survey Monkey. Thank you for your article!Tamsyn Spackmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17426794664378940590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-17138348872324326692016-01-14T18:45:03.606-06:002016-01-14T18:45:03.606-06:00Your third item I have applied liberally throughou...Your third item I have applied liberally throughout the years. I should have submitted some of my "reduced reductions" for publication!lgoldmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11205431057281450482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-68661422145333057242015-03-12T10:27:40.343-05:002015-03-12T10:27:40.343-05:00Thanks so much for your candid review, Kennith! It...Thanks so much for your candid review, Kennith! It's wonderful for me to hear your reactions to the course and I really value your constructive criticism. Although my husband (an editor) has edited the PDF's, I've been tweaking and rewriting the PDF's each time I offer the course. You are right that unfortunately some typos have slipped in. I'll try to do better in the future! Thanks again for taking the course and for sharing your review. Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12981872911865113561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-66382595739314030582015-02-19T19:40:39.416-06:002015-02-19T19:40:39.416-06:00Wow! I was nervous enough when I turned for my pro...Wow! I was nervous enough when I turned for my professor in graduate school who was playing Quartet for the End of Time. I'm sure you are one of a select group who can claim to have turned pages for Messiaen himself.Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-30060831510951374252015-02-19T19:29:13.322-06:002015-02-19T19:29:13.322-06:00One of my first page-turning assignments was for t...One of my first page-turning assignments was for the late Olivier Messiaen (yes, that Messiaen), who performed with his wife the massively long, dense, and complex Visions de l'Amen for two pianos. Sheer terror but I survived, and there were no complaints from Monsieur Messiaen.lgoldmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11205431057281450482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-46995848031551151782015-02-19T18:28:28.699-06:002015-02-19T18:28:28.699-06:00You crack me up, Logan! But it's true....you a...You crack me up, Logan! But it's true....you are a good page turner (as well as a good pianist). I probably still owe you a bag of M-n-Ms for that semester of work....Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-50467779143089973592015-02-19T15:14:14.497-06:002015-02-19T15:14:14.497-06:00I always knew you liked me ;)I always knew you liked me ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17730250301992989786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-27916689263229082902014-07-05T21:17:23.143-05:002014-07-05T21:17:23.143-05:00Here's the link to Chris Foley's list of t...Here's the link to Chris Foley's list of the essential sonatas for violin and piano. I'll definitely be taking a look at some of this rep in the coming months. http://collaborativepiano.blogspot.com/2007/12/core-repertoire-violin-sonatas.html#.U7ixZRaWKFYKennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-69283711926829593422014-07-05T21:13:01.137-05:002014-07-05T21:13:01.137-05:00Thanks, Victor! Both the Goedicke and the Hummel ...Thanks, Victor! Both the Goedicke and the Hummel are great additions. I'll have to look for those lists over on Chris' blog as well. I've had so few opportunities to play with stringed instruments that I'm sure his suggestions would be great for me to look at.Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-71190434328951942912014-07-05T19:34:30.033-05:002014-07-05T19:34:30.033-05:00I would add the Goedicke Concert Étude and the Hum...I would add the Goedicke Concert Étude and the Hummel Concerto. I think Chris Foley started some lists on his blog, but I don't remember him getting beyond a couple of the string instruments.Victor Andzulishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786689753891215459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-53950849772041978572014-06-12T19:42:26.023-05:002014-06-12T19:42:26.023-05:00Thanks, Victor! I'll definitely check out your...Thanks, Victor! I'll definitely check out your blog once I get back home.Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-44324065646536873982014-06-12T18:36:46.859-05:002014-06-12T18:36:46.859-05:00I found your blog via the Collaborative Piano Blog...I found your blog via the Collaborative Piano Blog and have enjoyed reading your posts! Here's a link to my blog: http://itsamusicallife.weebly.com/Victor Andzulishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786689753891215459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-40955097699373277132013-12-29T23:11:55.772-06:002013-12-29T23:11:55.772-06:00I'm working on the 3rd Kabalevsky sonata (F ma...I'm working on the 3rd Kabalevsky sonata (F major) primarily, as well as keeping up some Bach and Villa-Lobos. The Kabalevsky is the most challenging, especially the 3rd mvt. I've been listening to recordings often--another way to increase familiarity. It's been helping a lot! Hopefully I'll be able to get a handle on it soon. It's currently my favorite sonata. I love how the motives and alternating major/minor tonality continue through all three movements.A Small-Church Musicianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18311628362572374998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-55563938740183970442013-12-28T08:35:44.558-06:002013-12-28T08:35:44.558-06:00Thanks for the encouragement! I've looked at t...Thanks for the encouragement! I've looked at the Scherzo over the years, and heard many colleagues work on it. That familiarity is proving helpful so far. I'm memorizing as I learn, a new suggestion for me. I'm beginning in the middle passage in E major. What solos are you learning right now?Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-22246920035942426592013-12-27T23:41:00.876-06:002013-12-27T23:41:00.876-06:00I'm glad you're focusing more on solo work...I'm glad you're focusing more on solo work. That's so important as a collaborative artist! Good luck with the scherzo. I'm currently playing that myself. It took me a long time to master (memory is difficult for me as well, let alone the technical challenges of the piece), but it's one of the most rewarding pieces I've played. Keep at it--you'll be frustrated for awhile, but later, you'll be glad you chose it. :)A Small-Church Musicianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18311628362572374998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-50300634475292962912013-06-13T18:18:00.748-05:002013-06-13T18:18:00.748-05:00Great additions, Mindi! I'll have to admit tha...Great additions, Mindi! I'll have to admit that I'm not familiar with the Zeppelin though. I'll have to check it out this weekend.Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-38239325981582907362013-06-13T16:49:36.362-05:002013-06-13T16:49:36.362-05:00Some groundbreaking songs in random categories wou...Some groundbreaking songs in random categories would be:<br />"Kashmir" ~ Led Zeppelin<br />"You Ain't Nothin' But a Houndog" ~ Elvis Presley<br />"Sing, Sing, Sing" ~ Benny Goodman Orchestra<br />"Good Vibrations" ~ The Beach Boys<br />"Stayin' Alive" ~ The Bee GeesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-61567871401545864142013-06-06T19:49:48.602-05:002013-06-06T19:49:48.602-05:00I definitely agree about Bach's importance. I ...I definitely agree about Bach's importance. I have struggled with enjoying Baroque music for years and somehow avoided much of the music. In high school, I played a couple of the two-part inventions. College introduced me to P&F in Bb minor (Book I) as well as an English suite and the Italian Concerto. As I get older, I'm starting to enjoy the complexity of the counterpoint and the challenge of the technical demands.<br /><br />I have run across a few Kabalevsky works for young students in various anthologies, but I don't know much at all. I'll add him to my list of composers to check out. I also want to look at the Bartok Mikrokosmos.<br /><br />Thanks for reading and commenting.Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-76079685316949501682013-06-06T19:04:19.409-05:002013-06-06T19:04:19.409-05:00Definitely working on my solo repertoire, almost e...Definitely working on my solo repertoire, almost exclusively. The school year brings plenty of collaborative jobs, so I'm enjoying the break. I think Bach is an excellent idea. I wish I had played more Bach when I was younger. His music is invaluable for learning technique. I'm working on the P&F in C minor from Book II. Also, are you familiar with Kabalevsky? He has excellent music for young students, which I played a lot of when I was growing up. Recently I've been delighted to discover his sonatas, for mature players.A Small-Church Musicianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18311628362572374998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-10497040773697546702012-08-20T22:24:38.531-05:002012-08-20T22:24:38.531-05:00Do contact her again and convince her to do so. Sh...Do contact her again and convince her to do so. She will not regret it I am sure. http://nevertoolatetolearnpiano.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/first-ever-piano-lesson.htmlGrowling Geckohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047024701261814380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-34452102117008468972012-08-08T06:46:16.899-05:002012-08-08T06:46:16.899-05:00Thanks for your comment, Doroty. Part of the insp...Thanks for your comment, Doroty. Part of the inspiration for writing the post was realizing how my own reading habits were slipping at the time. I found myself doing the same thing....reading and then snoozing! <br /><br />My solution was to block out a few minutes for reading earlier in my day. I found 15 minutes at the end of lunch where I was wide awake (takes to a dose of caffeine) and ready to consume a few pages. Once I got into the routine for a week or so, I found that I was reading throughout the day again in short spurts and didn't have to put it back in my schedule at the moment.Kennith Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.com