ADVANCED MASTERCLASS

SPENCER MYER     

ADVANCED MASTERCLASS

I found it fascinating during the masterclasses to watch the hands of the performers that were projected onto two large screens in the front of the meeting rooms. I hope you can make some sense out of these brief masterclass notes. With masterclasses, sometimes I think “you just had to be there.”

Reece Robert Johns, a Junior BM student of Sebastian Huydts at Columbia College in Chicago, performed Prokofiev Sonata No. 7 in Bb Major. First comment: The rhythm’s not tight enough, a little lazy. Stay closer to the key for better control of accents. Play the wandering theme more legato, then when the war-like theme comes back, it’s all the more ominous. Keep the same amount of the exciting intent and articulation at the p dynamic level. Make sure to observe the rests completely, breathe with the rest; wait extra long before going on.  Favorite quote from this session “Draw out the legato line like taffy.” Love that quote. Change your dynamic extremes from “this much” to “THIS MUCH.”

James Dennis, a Senior BM Student of Sylvia Wang at Northwestern University, performed Beethoven Sonata in C Minor, Op. 111. In the opening keep the exact same rhythm in both figures. Play the second note as if you are pulling the note out of the keys, rather than just lateral movement. When you have a gesture that goes up, avoid doing all with fingers. When you rotate to the right, don’t overcompensate with the elbow. Keep it in check.

Tong Liu, a senior BM student of Winston Choi at Roosevelt University, performed Chopin’s Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60. First Comment: You are so musical and it was so expressive. “It’s a boat song, and we can’t rock the boat too much.” Don’t be afraid to make a lot of sound in the beginning and hold the pedal. Avoid moving the tempo and rubato so much that you have to stop to let it catch up. I was sorry this masterclass had to end.