Group 1
Fresh off the release of her tonebase course âInside Mozartâs Piano Sonatas,â Orli Shaham is here to help take you to the next step with your Mozart playing.
This Intensive is meant for pianists who are currently working on a movement from one of Mozartâs 18 Sonatas. Whether youâre just getting started with the âEasy Sonataâ K. 545, or are trying to polish one of his more virtuosic Sonatas, you WILL improve your improve your technique and interpretation of Mozart and Classical Sonata Form.
- Sign-Up : Thursday, November 3rd at 8 am PST
- Course Period: November 7 - 21st
- Class Size: max. 4 Groups ĂĄ 10 Participants
- Optional check-In via Zoom: Tuesday, November 15th, at 11:30am PT
Assignment 1
ASSIGNMENT: Pick a movement from one of Mozart's 18 Sonatas to focus on over the next 2 weeks. Begin applying the stylistic, musical, and technical tips Orli gives in her course lessons and assignment video (see below). Post your progress in this thread along with questions for Orli.
Video clips are encouraged but not required!
For less experienced players, you should start with the C major, K545 1st movement. Thereâs no obligation to finish a movement in 2 weeks â you might only get through a single passage, and that's okay! And overachievers are welcome to work on more than one movement.
What matters is how much you can develop your skills within whatever scope youâre comfortable with. If youâre working on a Fantasy, Rondo, Adagio, or other Mozart piece thatâs not a Sonata, thatâs fine. But we encourage you to study a movement from a Sonata as well.âInside Mozartâs Piano Sonatasâ:
https://app.tonebase.co/piano/home?tbModal=courseModal&tbModalSlug=orli-shaham-inside-mozarts-piano-sonatas
- REQUIRED: (1) Watch the âQuick tipsâ video first, and try the warm up and exercises Orli recommends before your practice sessions; (2) Watch the Intro video on the History & Style of the Sonatas; (3) Watch the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd movement video corresponding with you sonata.
- OPTIONAL: You may benefit from studying the video on âOrnamenting Mozartâ and âMozart in Minor,â to the extent that it applies to your piece.
Zoom link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85416214066?pwd=UkxPdGtya2FVRjA2RWxhYnRmcERFUT09
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So happy to be part of this group! I loved Orli's new course, and it inspired me to take the leap into working with a Mozart Sonata for the first time. I'll be working on the second movement of the Sonata Facile. I selected this movement not only because of its beauty, but because it doesn't have trills and is more approachable for me. Still a real challenge, but one I feel ready to take.
I tool lessons for about three years in elementary school, and returned to the piano 14 months ago after *60* years away. I had to start from scratch, learning the notes on the keyboard, how to read music, everything. I'm pleased with my progress, but I'd say that I'm still a beginner again, especially in comparison with others on Tonebase.
I'm retired, living in Palm Beach County. Florida, and learning to play piano once again is my greatest joy. Looking forward to sharing this journey with everyone here.
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Barbara Great to hear from you! I know Orli will be heartened to know her course inspired you to dive into the Mozart Sonatas. And I think she will be inspired by your story, returning to the piano after so long and essentially starting from scratch. I think you're starting in the right place with K. 545. Looking forward to following your progress the next two weeks!
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Ben Laude Thank you! I love Tonebase.
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Hi all - I am trying to find a schedule...when do we join the zoom link? - Laszlo
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Laszlo It's buried in the information posted at the top of the thread! Here it is again:
- Optional check-In via Zoom: Tuesday, November 15th, at 11:30am PT
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11:30 Pacific Coast Time (e.g., California), 2:30 East Coast Time (e.g., New York).
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Barbara Blakeslee On November 15th!
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Hello all, looking forward to this two weeks course.
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yoanitadharmawan Glad to have you here! Looking forward to hearing your Mozart.
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Hi everyone! Excited to be with you all in this Mozart intensive. I have really enjoyed Orliâs Mozart course on tonebase and am looking forward to learning more. I have been working on the first movement of Sonata 331 (theme/variations) and will likely use this movement for this intensive.
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Vidhya Great choice. A classic. Looking forward to hearing you!
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Dominic Cheli orlishaham Will we get an email when Orli posts an assignment?
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Thank you, Orli, for that great intro and assignment. I was reassured by the way you set expectations. Working with a Mozart Sonata is a huge step for me. I'm only one year "back" after a 60 year hiatus. (Took lessons for perhaps three years in elementary school.)
I'm going to work on the second movement in K545. It's exquisite, and doesn't have any trills, which I'm not yet ready for.
I've watched, and loved, your entire course and will re-watch the relevant sections you listed. I'm working on the first page of the score, playing hands separately before doing small chunks hands together, to learn the notes. When I'm comfortable with that level, I'll work on phrasing, dynamics, etc.
For studying, I like to listen to a great recorded rendition while following along in the score. I do a lot of that, and have found some wonderful renditions. I find that the music has entered my dreams, and I wake up in the morning still hearing it in my mind.
Of course when I then try to play it I crash and burn, because what I can play is so pitiful in comparison. I'm working hard on scales and technique to gain more dexterity/ fluidity/control.
Scale work certainly helps with Mozart!
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Mozart Group 1 Just checking in to say that I'm happy to be Orli's "Teaching Assistant" for this Intensive. It's great to hear from many of you about what piece you'll be focusing on. For the rest of you, please let us know what piece you'd like to work on the next two weeks, and feel free to begin dropping your questions here.
Looking forward to hearing from all of you!
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My first post- the theme and first variation from Sonata 331. Hope to get through and post more variations over the next week. Theme- as simple as the the music seems, I struggle a bit with the dynamics. First Variation- probably what first drew me to this sonata. In my mind Mozart is depicting a solo singer who is joined by a chorus at various moments.
Some struggles with the upcoming variations- (2) the trills; (3) tight right hand with octaves; (4) playing the LH melody stronger, hard to bring it out when crossing over and trying to play it gently too.
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Continuing with the first movement of Mozart Sonata 331, here is a very rough practice video of variations 2-4. In variation 2, would love to get some help on the right hand trills throughout the variation as well as tips on playing the left hand in measures 41-44. In variation 3, I do stiffen up my hands with the octaves. Also, should there be any use of pedal in this variation? In variation 4, I think I play the right hand too loud and the left hand too soft. Any tips would be great. Thanks! Looking forward to the zoom check-in.
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Vidhya Bashyam That's wonderful progress within just a few days! Played with a lovely tone too!
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Natalie Peh Thanks Natalie! I started it last year but put it away until now because it was hard and I got distracted learning other pieces :) So glad I was able to start working on it again. Orliâs tb course has definitely inspired me to try to learn the whole thing now.
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Vidhya Bashyam I like to learn pieces and come back to it later too!
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Mozart Group 1 For those waiting on the Zoom call, Orli and I are also waiting to get in. It will be just one moment!
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I was sorry to miss the Zoom meeting. This intensive has been helpful to me so far. I tried Orli's warm up stretches for my hands and will use them regularly. I'm not ready to post a video yet but have been making progress. Understanding more about the structure and history of the sonata has been helpful in focusing my practice. I also watched Sara Buechner's beautiful lesson package on Mozart's Sonata Facile (which I'm working on) to supplement our work with Orli, so I have definitely been moving more deeply into Mozart's world. Looking forward to week two!
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Mozart Group 1 Dear all, Here is Orli's wonderful Zoom check-in call from last week, in case you missed it or wanted to revisit it. She also wanted to pass along this message:
It was so great to meet some of you on our Zoom call last week. I'm so glad you've all been inspired by Mozart, as I have. I hope he continues to bring you many hours of joy. So thankful for incredible music and our musical community. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!
Have fun practicing!
-Orli
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Ben Laude Thank you so much for this great 2 week intensive!
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