Virtual Masterclass featuring: Bach, Rachmaninoff, and Beethoven! (June 24)
Ben Laude will lead this masterclass featuring the music of Bach's Sarabande from French Suite No.4, Rachmaninoff's Liebeslied, and Beethoven's Bagatelle Op.119 no.1!
Featuring:
Rdstanton
Ben Katt
Steven Ellner
Find the start time in your time zone by clicking the photo or following this event link:
https://app.tonebase.co/piano/live/player/virtual-masterclass-piano-3
We are going to be using this thread to gather suggestions and questions!
- What questions do you have on this topic?
- Any particular area you would like me to focus on?
Ben Laude will lead this masterclass featuring the music of Bach's Sarabande from French Suite No.4, Rachmaninoff's Liebeslied, and Beethoven's Bagatelle Op.119 no.1!
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Dear Robin, Ben, and Steven,
I'm looking forward to delivering the master class on Thursday! Thanks for submitting repertoire that I happen to love ;)Ben Katt I'm going to apologize ahead of time and let you know that I've never played the Liebesleid, but I've played enough Rachmaninoff in my life and have always known and loved the piece that I think I can still be useful to you! It would help me, though, if you let me know ahead of time what particular questions you have, both in general, and especially with respect to specific passagework. I'll still comment on your whole performance, but if there are a few passages I can try to get into my hands before Thursday, I'll be able to speak even more from experience about technical, fingerings, expressive decisions, etc.
Rdstanton Steven Ellner I've played both the Bach and Beethoven and have many ideas about them. But, it would still be helpful if, like Ben, you let me know what particular questions you might have about your pieces.
See you Thursday! Or, if you want to join my Bach First Invention class tomorrow, I'll see you there.
Best,
Ben
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Ben Laude Ben, thank you for the masterclass, a first for me. On the Beethoven (the piece I performed) you gave me quite a lot to take away and work on. I鈥檒l have to go back and re-watch at least once or twice more, and then incorporate what I can into reworking this piece. Also will explore the Op. 126 Bagatelles you mentioned.
Mostly, though I hope to use the experience to work on becoming a better performer and musician.
Sincerely,
Steven
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Ben, with regard to the Beethoven Bagatelle Op. 119 No. 1, a few thoughts:
-how would you approach general character of this piece? What was composer intending?
- would you keep same tempo throughout (more or less metronomically) or could you vary the tempo? Take pauses, breaths, perhaps?
-what dynamics could I add to make more interesting?
Steven Ellner
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Hey Ben!
Regarding Liebesleid:
- My score (with measure numbers): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TaEtID9-IMLZywtpDm1peR36ZpP6IV6u/view?usp=sharing
- There are some voicing challenges starting at measure 67. Do you have any suggestions for bringing out the melody in this section while keeping everything at a soft dynamic?
- The most awkward spot technically for me is measures 117-126. Interpretatively, there is an urge to accelerate a bit in this section but it is hard enough to play the correct notes!
- Any other thoughts/suggestions are greatly appreciated!
No worries at all regarding not having played the piece previously. It is totally understandable given how vast the piano repertoire is. Thanks again for offering this masterclass - it is very generous of you and Dominic! Looking forward to it!
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