Read Me and FAQ
WELCOME TO OUR LATEST TONEBASE PIANO COMMUNITY PRACTICE CHALLENGE:
Lyrical Miniatures: A Sonorous Journey (Feat. Grieg)
Let's Explore Grieg's "Lyric Pieces" one of the greatest collections of pieces (66!) by ANY composer!
These are character pieces, each with a title, suggesting what story Grieg was thinking about when composing!
Feel free to choose any number of these pieces to work on, and as always try to submit videos of your practice/eventual performance so we can celebrate in a watch party on:
June 15th - Grieg's Birthday!
When does this take place?
Challenge start: May 22
Challenge days: May 22 - June 15
Watch Party of selected submissions: June 15 at 11am PT
(Link coming soon!)
HOW TO START:
1. Are you playing/have played one of Grieg's lyric pieces? If so, then let's start practicing it and post an update on what you are working on!
2. Looking for inspiration? Take a look at some of the suggested pieces below by level!
3. Practice every day and try to post 2 videos a week!
SUGGESTED REPERTOIRE FOR "EASIER" Lyric Pieces!
Patriotic Song, op. 12 no. 8 – RCM Grade 6, Henle 2
Waltz, op. 12 no. 2 – RCM Grade 5, Henle 3
Watchman’s Song, op. 12 no. 3 – RCM Grade 6, Henle 3
Folksong, op. 12 no. 5 – RCM Grade 6, Henle 3
Bell Ringing, op. 54 no. 6 – Henle 3
Sailor’s Song, op. 68 no. 1 – Henle 3
Arietta, op. 12 no. 1 – RCM Grade 6, Henle 4, ABRSM Grade 4
SUGGESTED REPERTOIRE FOR "more famous but difficult"
Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, op. 65 no. 6 – RCM Grade 10, Henle 6
March of the Dwarfs, op. 54 no. 3 – Henle 6
To the Spring, op. 43 no. 6 – RCM Grade 9, Henle 6
Bonus: Grieg's FAVORITE Lyric Piece
AND transformed into a waltz for the FINAL piece of the 66 set!
Why are we doing this?
Because we want to challenge ourselves to practice every day
Because learning together is more fun than learning alone
Because we get to share our progress with others (whether video or just text)
Because new music is wonderful and these pieces were written especially for us!
Because we want to meet our fellow tonebase community members
Because we get to hear new music which we might not play ourselves
ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE BELOW!
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I think I will dive into to the infamous op 54. I play Notturno from time to time. I've played March of the Dwarfs a long time ago (Those octave jumps are not easy!). And none of the others in that opus. Looking very much forward to this challenge! :)
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Sindre Skarelven I guess this is a must for you!
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Jarkko Janhunen Yes, absolutely! This one's mandatory!
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Sindre Skarelven Ok, I'm going to try the March of the Dwarfs today. It sounds like so much fun!
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Gail Starr Absolutely! Looking forward to hear you play it!
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Hi everyone!
So excited to see a Grieg challenge :) one of my favourite composers and I have played some of the lyric pieces before. I will research learning at least one new one for this!
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Derek McConville Can't wait to see what you pick, Derek!
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Oh wow! What a lot of pieces. I have never played a piece by Grieg. Thanks for these lot of scores. Not easy to choose.
Need some days.
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Kerstin I've never played Grieg before, either! I'm going to try the "March of the Dwarfs".
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Gail Starr That’s great and a lot to practice. Have fun. I am looking for an easier one, because I have not so much time for practicing right now.
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Kerstin you are very smart!
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Gail Starr Got a score book from a friend and had a sight reading hour this evening. The first ones are okay but now it’s getting harder and harder. Will continue tomorrow to find my piece.
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Kerstin Hi Gail! After one more hour sight reading on op.43 and op.57 I have found my piece - ,Vanished days‘.
I could do sight reading the whole day.
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I'd love to try some of these gems! I'll take a look at the choices and pick a few.
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Lovely! Will choose something!
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I will try!
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This is such a wonderful challenge, and for me a beautiful journey of discovery!
I did notice that Grieg doesnt have a party hat on yet. Will Grieg also please likewise have an adorable party hat for his picture, closer to his birthday in week 3 of the challenge? :)
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Natalie Peh You're right! Grieg needs a party hat for his birthday. I wonder what kind of cake he'd like? I bet Sindre Skarelven could make him a delicious cake.
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I'll try Waltz or Arietta although they all seem pretty difficult for my level.
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Such a great idea for a challenge! Lots of shamefully neglected gems in that collection. I played "Sommerfugl" ("Butterfly") Op. 43 No. 1 as a teenager, 35 years ago :-) - it's a lovely, charming piece. Haven't decided quite yet if I will dig that one out again or try something new.
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Alexander Weymann I'm just now listening to these gems. I like so many of them!
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Alexander Weymann I'm also dusting off this Butterfly piece after 40 years. My teacher back then suggested I play it for my Grade IX (RCM) repertoire, but I preferred Reverie by Debussy.
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I've played several of the Lyric Pieces - Notturno, Gade, and the Arietta. Maybe I can bring Gade back - not enough time!
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Sam Smith I'm SURE you can bring it back quickly, Sam!
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Looking forward to it..
I had played Notturno but it was long time ago
Don’t think there is enough time ???
