Ah, the summer is fleeting, and so is the hope I had of finishing my preparations for a late summer recital!  My enthusiasm for the music I have been working on to perform for this recital has not at all dimmed, just been somewhat postponed!  In all honesty, I keep thinking of other material that would work well.  I  have decided to "let go" of one piece so that I may include another - the "Nocturne" for piano written by Samuel Barber, a composer whose music I have been particularly drawn to, especially his works for piano.  As I really dig into this piece, I have been doing some reading and listening, particularly to the late pianist John Browning.  Browning was quite connected to Samuel Barber, as Browning premiered some of Barber's piano music.  In 1962 Browning gave the premiere of Barber's Piano Concerto, which was written for him.  In 1993 Browning won a second Grammy award for his recording of many of Barber's solo piano works.  Browning's recording are, for me, a wonderful reference for study of Barber. Along similar lines, I was delighted to happen upon a wonderful youtube video of Browning talking about the "Russian school" of piano performance, especially discussing the teachings of Rosina Lhevinne, who for many years taught at Juilliard (she was a teacher of Louis Pollak, who I studied with for a time).  I have linked this video with Browning here, and I encourage you to watch and contemplate........many interesting ideas about piano performance I think you will enjoy.  Oh, and for those of you over the age of 21, Greg Anderson of the piano duo Anderson & Roe, is apparently quite a cocktail enthusiast!  Here is Greg's recipe called "The Barber Nocturne," which has among the ingredients bourbon and pumpkin puree for those of you who can't wait for the pumpkin latte season!  Play Barber responsibly!
THE BARBER NOCTURNEI created this autumnal drink while listening to the music of Samuel Barber — nostalgic, deep, earthy, sophisticated, melancholy, and distinctly American. Drink it while listening to his Violin Concerto, or his Cello Sonata, or his Essay, Op. 12… or if you dare, his famed Adagio for Strings. Or, simply enjoy it during the Thanksgiving season!
Although it features pumpkin puree, this drink is far from a dessert drink, being neither too sweet nor too spicy.

• 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
• 1 ounce pumpkin purée
• 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
• 1/2 ounce brown sugar simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Add ingredients and ice to a cocktail shaker, shake, and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with nutmeg if you're feeling fancy. Makes 1 drink.
Note: to make the brown sugar simple syrup, mix 2 parts brown sugar with 1 part water. Bring to a boil, then let cool before mixing it into the drink.
Note: 1/2 ounce = 1 tablespoon. 

Since several of my students are learning about sonata-allegro form, I thought you might be interested in watching this brief video from Tonebase, done by one of my favorite pianists, Jean-Eflam Bavouzet, in which he beautifully discusses and illustrates some aspects of this form.  

“We humans need music” – Martha Argerich at 80 – Ever Totally Irresistible!  Noticed everywhere and named one of the greatest pianists of our time, Martha Argerich turned 80 on June 5. When hearing Argerich play, philosopher and musicologist Theodor W Adorno’s words instantly come to mind: “The most difficult should sound easy and effortless, overcoming all obstacles to return to a liberated game.”  I know all of you realize that Martha Argerich has long been one of my "piano She-heroes!"  I have linked a great article in Pianostreet.com with a video from Medici.com called "80 Minutes with the Magical Martha"....please watch and enjoy - she is truly a legend in our time.
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Frederic Rzewski, the truly formidable pianist and composer, died at the end of June.  I have been feeling quite nostalgic since reading of his passing (see NY Time obituary linked here).  I had the privilege of hearing him play in person on several occasions, the most memorable of which was an incredible performance of his best known piece, "The People United Will Never Be Defeated," a virtuosic set of 36 variations on a Chilean protest song.  Mr. Rzewski presided at an upright piano brought in to the upstairs rooms at Wholey's Fish Market in the Strip - yes, that's right, at Wholey's!!  Frederic was in Pittsburgh for other concerts, along with visiting relatives who live here.  I will absolutely never forget that performance.  I needed to get my hands on the score again, so I visited Carnegie Library and I have been happily sitting at the piano re-visiting this amazing work (full disclosure....it's REALLY difficult, and I can only say I have worked on just a few of the variations!)  I will link a video performance of Frederic performing his piece a few years ago, but there are some splendid recordings: Ursula Oppens (he composed this piece for her in 1975), Marc-Andre Hamelin,  Igor Levit, and Conrad Tao.  Please give a listen and let me know what you think!

It is hard to believe, but Martha Argerich celebrated her 80th birthday on June 5th.  As I watched mesmerized in the spring as she played a concert live but without an audience in Germany, then returned to the piano and tossed off the 2nd Chopin Sonata.  She has had an extraordinary career and has always had an extraordinary technique and beautiful sense of musicianship.  Please check out the many, many performances that you can find on any streaming service or youtube that you choose.  Also, there is a recent album released of her legendary 1965 concert that has been remastered.  Such Chopin playing!!!!  Here is a brief article from The Guardian that might interest you.......

Beautiful balance between hands, something that all pianists strive towards.  In another installment of "Morning Music Walks with Andrea,"  I'd like to share with you another performance from Wigmore Hall. Today I listened to a beautiful performance by Kathryn Stott.  Ms. Stott is an English classical pianist who performs as a concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician;  she is a frequent collaborator with Yo-yo Ma. Her specialities include the English and French classical repertoire, contemporary classical music and the tango;  listen to her album of Erwin Schulhoff's music called "Hot Music," especially the five "etudes de jazz!"  As I walked and listened this morning I was so taken with the lovely balance between melody and accompaniment in this recent performance at Wigmore .  I so enjoyed the Faure Nocturne and the Poulenc "Melancolie" (which is quite difficult to play well, by the way), but be sure to listen to the Earl Wild transcription of "Embraceable You" at the end.  Let me know how you like it!

In continuation of "Morning Music Walks with Andrea", here are a few more concerts I would suggest listening to:  through Carnegie Hall, New York you can look forward to a concert of Native American and African American compositions for the piano played by a pianist who has been on my radar in the past, Italian pianist Emanuele Arciuli.  It will take place on Friday, April 16th at 7:00pm.  Another will be a work by Olivier Messiaen, "Quartet for the End of Time", written by Messiaen during his internment in a concentration camp and first performed in that camp in 1941.  My earliest recording of this work was by Tashi, made up of a favorite pianist, Peter Serkin, who passed away last year.  This piece is hailed by The New Yorker as "the most ethereally beautiful music of the 20th century".  Listen on Tuesday, April 20th at 7:00pm and let me know what you think!

And, have you signed up for free concerts in Wigmore Hall, London yet?  I have happily watched SO many amazing concerts recorded in Wigmore over the past months....please do yourself a favor and sign on to watch!  I link Wigmore here for you.....watch next Monday, April 12th when the great Imogen Cooper gives a piano recital!  

​Now, let me know what YOU have been listening to?!!

dSo I think I will start a new series of listening suggestions, "Morning Music Walks with Andrea"!  What do you think, want to come along?  This morning's listening and strolling suggestion comes by way of the fabulous Shalin Liu hall in Rockport, Mass., and with a program by harpist/composer Maeve Gilchrist joined by the Rasa String Quartet and guitarist Conor Hearn.  I so enjoyed the "Harp Weaver" by Gilchrist, inspired by a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay.  Perhaps because of my own Celtic roots, I have long loved Gaelic-inspired music, and this program of harp and strings made for some glorious listening while walking!  I link it here;  please give a listen (no judging if you choose to sit in a comfortable chair instead of walking!) and let me know your thoughts - Slainte!