Oddly enough, most of us had never really seen many famous pianists. I certainly had never seen Lili Kraus. I suppose we were going on images from album covers that we had seen in the university library. As I recall, our professors' greatest complaint was that we didn't listen to enough music.
I thought about this the other day as I was working with a lovely little 9 year old. We were doing our Look Listen Learn activity...it is Piano Concerto Month! I watched her eyes grow big and her face light up as she watched Lang Lang perform the opening of the Liszt Piano Concerto #1. We proceeded to figure out the opening theme by ear and she sat at the grand piano pretending to be Lang Lang. I think that is pretty great.
And just because I still haven't seen Lili Kraus play, here is a lovely video. Thank-you YouTube!
I had to laugh. On a university choir retreat we had to do something similar. I announced I was Clara Haskil. Had never heard a recording of her playing - I had just heard my teacher say she was the greatest interpreter of Mozart. Unfortunately it still took a few years for the lesson to sink in...
ReplyDeleteLovely recording that you've posted here. Thanks for sharing.
Ha ha...you too?!?
DeleteI love what you're doing with You Tube and want to use your idea after the holidays. I use You Tube spontaneously during lessons and enjoy finding things to share with monthly studio groups but really like the way you've involved students in these listening assignments. I also like how intentional it all is with the monthly themes. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindy! I am really happy with this project. I'll be the first to admit that not all of my ideas are keepers, but this one has been great. It's always a challenge to come up with projects that work for a wide range of ages and levels. Hope you join us after the holidays.
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