Intermediate

JS Bach - Prelude in D Minor, BWV 935

BWV 935

Bach's Prelude in D minor, BWV 935, is a perfect introduction to the two-part Inventions, and a little gem in its own right. In this From the Ground Up edition, we work on developing an overall dynamic scheme for the piece, and on achieving rhythmic vitality through note grouping.... Read >>

Burgmüller - 20. La Tarentelle in D Minor (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

The tarantella is a fast Neapolitan folk dance in compound time, characterised by spinning patterns. We find many examples in the piano repertoire; Prokoviev’s Tarantella from his Music for Children, op 65, also in the key of D minor and around the same level of difficulty, would make an excellent comparison piece. There are elements of bravura in this étude, fast and loud passages (with repeated notes) alternating with more delicate leggiero phrases. Allow the arm to steer the hand in the introduction, avoiding curling up the fingers on the repeated notes. The fingering from the original edition suggests a... Read >>

Handel - Allegro in F, HWV 488

ABRSM Grade 4 - A3

This lively courante-style Allegro in F major opens with a descending scale in a rhythm that might form the basis for scale practice in other keys too. As is typical in Baroque music, the performer needs to supply their own dynamic colouring and articulation according to “good taste”. Some of the notes in the quaver patterns might be slurred (to create an accent), others played short. Crotchets may be played legato, or slightly separated. Experiment with adding a crescendo in the ascending sequence at the start of the second half and find a special colour for the arrival in the... Read >>

H. Hofmann - Minnelied (No. 7 from Stimmungsbilder, Op. 88)

ABRSM Grade 5 - B1

Heinrich Hofmann was a German composer in the Romantic tradition, and in this lovely piece we clearly hear the influence of Robert Schumann. In legato cantabile style, we project and shape the top right hand line as though we were singing it, ensuring the lower right hand notes are very much in the background yet allowing the left hand to supply appropriate support from the bass line. This layered sound requires blending and colouring with the pedal. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>

Burgmüller - 7. Le Courant Limpide (The Clear Little Stream) in G Major (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

Le Courant Limpide (The Clear Little Stream) is a charming study in tonal control, evenness of touch, and using the imagination to create a vivid soundscape. The study features virtually continuous triplet motion in the right hand, the left hand crotchets providing a simple drone in the A section, and a counterpoint to the right hand’s hidden melody in the B section. The melodic element in the first eight bars is in the right thumb (you will notice these melody notes have their own crotchet stems), so for this reason it is good practice to play the thumb line minus... Read >>

Burgmüller - 8. La Gracieuse (Gracefully) in F Major (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

La Gracieuse (Gracefully) is in the subdued key of F major, and features written-out turns against a simple chordal background. The left hand has the chance to explore the ornament in the B section of this ternary form study, but we begin with the right hand. The turn consists of four notes - the note above, the principal note, the note below, and the principal note again. If this study were written with the usual ornament sign for a turn, the page would look much cleaner. Instead of all the demisemiquavers (or 32nd note in the American nomenclature), we would... Read >>

Mendelssohn - Venetianisches Gondellied (No. 6 from Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 19b)

ABRSM Grade 6 - B3

Mendelssohn wrote 48 Songs without Words - short, lyrical pieces most of which are suitable for intermediate players. Among these are several Venetian Gondola Songs. The composer is said to have had the idea for this piece when he was on board a gondola during his Italian stay in 1830-31, copying it out about six months later. Wistful in character, the main feature is the underlying rocking motion (supplied by the left hand) over which the right hand spins a melody (often in two voices). This piece presents a challenge with regard to pedalling; we are allowed discreet touches even... Read >>

Grieg - Arietta (from Lyric Pieces, Op. 12 No. 1)

Lyric Pieces, Op. 12, No. 1

Edvard Grieg’s Arietta, the first of his many Lyric Pieces, is a miniature gem of great refinement and poetry. This video walkthrough and From the Ground Up edition will help intermediate to advanced students to understand and communicate its expression, while learning some practice methods that can be applied to... Read >>

Chopin - Sostenuto in E flat

ABRSM Grade 5 – B1

Chopin's Sostenuto in E flat or Waltz in E flat was discovered as recently as 1941, by the Director of the Paris Conservatoire, Dr. Jacques Chailley. There are precious few works of Chopin that are suitable for the intermediate level pianist, so Grade V candidates will be extremely happy to... Read >>