Memorable Masterclass comments

[amanfang]

Are there any comments (positive or negative) that really stand out to you from a Masterclass you either performed in or simply attended?

[pianistimo]

well, i was fairly surprised when taking grad level piano and combined student master classes that the teacher first asked us (the students) to give our crit.  it made us start thinking on our feet.  usually you just wait to hear what the teacher says and make the necessary changes. 

back at university of alaska - i had a wonderful prof that knew a lot about the history of certain composers and had met some personally.  so, you get to hear these little stories in between crit.  also, this particular teacher would always use imagery.  i remember playing granados 'spanish dances' and one dance he explained how in spain there are these huge fragrant flowers and to think of the harmonies not just as notes but (as i took it) fragrances.   

teachers that have travelled, speak many languages, are basically genius level - always have something constructive to say.  sometimes you have to just swallow your pride if it's correct - even if you get sort of chewed out.  i remember one winter - i stretched the rules and wore higher than 2" heel boots.  i thought, it won't matter because the piano is on wheels and i'll be able to reach the pedals better.  but, i was told that with heels that are not stable - your foot kinda wanders when you least want it to. 

professional teachers don't let you get away with anything.  not with the music, the performance aspects (stage presence), etc.  it can seem like constant crit - but if you listen it pays off.  perhaps the best thing to happen is when you have a 'silence' after a performance and nobody says anything for a minute.  then, they start clapping.

perhaps the comment that stuck in my mind the most was to play dynamics 'in context.'

*there was an interesting day master class at west chester with a prof. gordon? i think and he had us 'act out' our piece.  that was the most unusual master class i've ever been to.  you have someone else play your piece and you dance or make physical movements that you think would show the expressivity of your piece.  then, we all stood in a circle and listened to a piece of his choosing - and 'passed the music' from person to person.  one person would act/dance one phrase or little part and then pass on the movement.  the last person's actions would be mimicked a little and then something added.  it was surrealistic but fun.   

   

[mikey6]

after a performance of scriabin 5 - I wasn't expecting an orgasm, but you didn't even give me an erection!

[quantum]

after a performance of scriabin 5 - I wasn't expecting an orgasm, but you didn't even give me an erection!

Someone told you that!?  I wonder if he was the only one in the room experiencing difficulties. 

[rc]

Last masterclass I was at she told me how the composers native tongue influences the music (inflections, accents...) To listen to people speaking german, french, russian, whatever the language the composer spoke, to get some insight in how the music is meant to be heard.  I haven't tried it yet, but it's a pretty interesting idea!

I love the detail they go into at masterclasses!  So much gets covered, I usually get info-overload and my brain turns to mush halfway through.  I meant to write down afterwards all the ideas that came up, but haven't got around to it yet   Next time it would be a good idea to bring a pencil to jot notes.

[prongated]

1st movt. Prok 6 sonata...

To illustrate the lengthy crescendo in the beginning, the Prof. ducked behind the piano, then slowly got up, and in the ensuing ff, jumped and "roared" (actual phonetic used) "like a dinosaur" (actual phrase used to describe his idea)

[pianistimo]

scary.  i think teachers have to be careful how fast they move without notice.  you could have a student frightened enough to just have  aheart attack at the piano.  you know, when some teachers want to explain how the passage 'should be' - they lunge at the piano and you have to figure out how to get off at exactly the same speed or faster as they are coming at you.  and, then - there is always the problem 'which side of the bench.'  once i had to hop over it because i didn't have time to decide.  has anyone had a football injury from this sort of thing?  accidentally moving the wrong way?

[pianowelsh]

'Do you play what you practice? or do you practice what you play?' - JB Pommier.  I love this one It makes you really focus on the goal when you are practising..what is the aim of what im doing. How is what im doing now getting me closer to it.  The comment was actually in reference to pedalling. A student was asked to play a passage again listening to the sound and did so without the pedal.  He jumped on them and said why no pedal?? they said so they could hear better the detail. 'aah!' was JB's comment. Dont you think the audience would like to hear this also??

there are so many!  I could still in Masterclasses 24/6 I love them - you learn so much. Practising straight after them is a nightmare though - you are SO aware of everything and you feel really rubbish for 24hrs.

[mikey6]

Someone told you that!?  I wonder if he was the only one in the room experiencing difficulties. 

It wasn't my performance, I heard it from a student.