This class will explore composers of piano music, discussing main style traits, influences, performance practices, and repertoire. Participants will receive sheet music of excerpts for the composer(s) as well as some recommended listening. Participants will have the opportunity to play (on electronic keyboards) these excerpts in class as part of exploring the performance practices and possibilities associated with the composer. In previous years, this class explored W.A. Mozart (2024), Stephen Chatman (2023), and did a survey of composers through the ages in 2022.

In 2025, we will explore the piano music of Frederic Chopin with a focus on style practices in Mazurkas, Polonaise, and Waltzes, ornamentation and virtuosic passages in Nocturnes and larger works and keys to understanding how to practice the preludes/etudes. There will be an overview comparison with Liszt and similar Romantic composers. Students will be given excerpts to try solo and in ensemble, and can bring in 1 or 2 Chopin works at their respective level to develop within the week.

Is this class for you?

For intermediate to advanced piano/keyboard players with sight-reading ability.
This class will not perform at the end of the week.
This class has limited enrolment.

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