Guitar

Exploring Contrapuntal Fingerings in Bach’s Allegro from BWV 998

When played on the modern classical guitar, the music of Johann Sebastian Bach presents a special set of challenges to overcome, as well as opportunities to enrich the listener’s experience. In the case of the Allegro from Prelude, Fugue and Allegro, BWV 998, there is a bounty of interesting contrapuntal material to explore, and chances to bring out polyphonic textures that are not necessarily apparent at first glance. A deep level of analysis and understanding is necessary to begin the process of creating left-hand fingerings that fully realize the potential of Bach’s music. In this exploration, we will consider the concepts of implied counterpoint and contrapuntal motives to reveal polyphonic textures in what seems to be only single-line music. This in turn will inform our choices in the left hand, causing us to sometimes pursue seemingly unrealistic options in the name of musical faithfulness. While these might not always be practical in performance, they nonetheless offer us the opportunity to engage with and understand the music more fully, expanding our knowledge of fretboard harmony and the perceived limitations of technique.

Exploring Contrapuntal Fingerings in Bach’s Allegro from BWV 998 Open »

Piano

Cordelia Höfer: “Studying Music Is a Lifelong Process of Learning”

Cordelia Höfer teaches piano at the Salzburg Mozarteum (Austria). She has had fascinating teaching and performing career and met and worked with some of the top musicians in the world. In this interview we hear stories about Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Wilhelm Kempff, Carlos Kleiber, Tatiana Nikolayeva, Elisabeth Leonskaja, and many others.

Cordelia Höfer: “Studying Music Is a Lifelong Process of Learning” Open »

Trumpet

Benjamin Wright: “You Should Always Be Listening to Yourself and Trying to Create the Sound You’re Hearing in Your Head”

Benjamin Wright is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and shares his prolific idea to create an online seminar for trumpet players; this seminar gives an abundance of information on various topics to challenge trumpet players and help them improve. Benjamin also shares his insights on teaching, technique, and advice for teachers and students.

Benjamin Wright: “You Should Always Be Listening to Yourself and Trying to Create the Sound You’re Hearing in Your Head” Open »

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