ADVANCED MASTERCLASS

JOHN PERRY 

ADVANCED MASTERCLASS

Paul Juhn, a BM student at Northwestern University was the first to play his selection, Chopin Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52. He is the student of Alan Chow. It was interesting that advanced students sometimes need the same coaching and reminders as younger students: Use less pedal, Listen well to the sounds you’re making, Avoid playing too slow and accelerating too drastically, your top melody voice is not rich enough. Perry cited Rubinstein, who was famous for his gorgeous melodies. It’s good to remember that though there are many things that can be better, each student is already an artist!

EunAe Lee, a DMA Student of James Giles at Northwestern University, was second to play with Chopin Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58, 1^st movement. Mr. Perry’s first comment was “It’s very nice,” then "you need to develop a more substantial sound." EunAe rose to the task well and the difference was great with a strengthened bass. He addressed the sound being thin because of nerves, which affects all of us. As she got more into the keys, Perry said she was playing like a tiger! Perry was thrilled working with her the 2^nd time through because little alterations here and there made the performance so beautiful. My favorite statement from the session: “You can’t have a beautiful melody if the accompaniment is torture!”

Third, and last to play was Shin-Young Park, a DMA student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, student of Ian Hobson, with Kreisleriana, Op. 16, I and II by Robert Schumann. Pianistically exquisitely beautiful! I was just stunned by the beauty of the ending. Perry commented on using rubato over and over again, like a cookie cutter. Doing it once is special, doing it over and over again makes it less noticeable. I was sad to have to leave this performance a little early. It's always inspiring to me to see and hear both the performer and the master teacher.