The composers
studied include Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Debussy, Lizst. Schumann, Schubert et
al.
The purpose in studying the classics is many fold. First the Classics
have incomparable beauty....and while studying them, we arrive at greater mastery of our instrument.
The Classics are a well which we can all partake of. Written at a time without television (or
Gameboy) they speak to a thirstiness inside us for honest expression. They fill us with a kaleidoscope
of sounds that quench our musical thirst.
When a student reaches the aptitude level to play J. S. Bach, it is a happy day for the teacher
and student both. Bach teaches us to stay close to the keys, to get a feeling for the piano keys, and to learn expert fingering.
Bach always dedicated and attributed his music to our Creator. A very religious man, Bach wrote huge volumes for church services.
Most of all his music is joyful...after all he had 20 children.
Mozart teaches and appreciation of the heights that music can arrive at with "A Little Night
Music",
and many of his Symphonies.
Beethoven
helps us to understand the role of unpredictability, surprise, and unbridled excitement in music. Beethoven was a great
pianist, orchestrator and composer.
Chopin has been credited with bringing
piano to its high point. He is known as the "tone poet" and his music eclipses the heights of light and darkness,
strength and weakness, war and peace.
Rachmaninoff is best known for his
contributions combining technical wizardry, with unparallelled largeness and beauty of theme. These in a Russian thematic
framework.
There are many more composers each with their
own distinct musical personalities The great part about studying music is that we get to meet all of these people through
their music... as if they were alive today. And in a way, they are alive today, aren't they!!!
