A Review of "Alice's Piano" by Fred Barnett

              Alice’s Piano

                                                                                                    Melissa Muller and Reinhard Piechocki

”Alice’s Piano,” one of the most inspirational biographies to come along in years, traces the life of concert pianist Alice Herz-Sommer who died this past February at 110 years old. That’s 110. The recent documentary film on her life, the oldest living Holocaust survivor, also won a special award at this year’s Academy Award. What separates this authorized bio and extraordinary life is Alice’s incredible never-failing indomitable spirit: Optimism of the highest order which pervaded each and every aspect of her life. even after experiencing the very worst of Nazi horrors, while trying to shield her young son.                      

      

Some quotes: : “Life is a gift. Teaching is love and teachers must love to teach. There is little comparable to learning a new piece. Music to be performed must be part of you, body and soul.

Music is our food. All you take with you after you die is what you shared and gave to others.

Chopin’s etudes saved my life.” In the Theresienstadt concentration show camp, engineered by the Nazis to convince outsiders that Jews were treated humanly. Alice set out to learn all 24

Chopin etudes which she continued playing into an advanced age. Unlike most descriptions focusing on the technical challenges,  Alice describes the human quests and emotions embedded in each etude, even relating each to individuals and events  taking place in the camp.

Her pianistic values: transparency, accuracy, and simplicity. Also included is some very surprising info, both negative and positive, regarding some legendary composers, and performers not generally included in standard music texts. Although Alice Herz Sommer never reached the career

heights of other familiar luminaries, or tried to, her inspirational story and prudent messages are more than well-worth the read: Global impact. Real, from cover to cover.

“Alice’s Piano," available from St. Martin’s Press, 175 5th Ave, New York, N.Y. 10010

A follow up bio, “ Lessons from the life of Alice --” by Caroline Stoessinger, also highly recommended, summarizes more of Alice’s impact. Available from Random House, N.Y.

Fred Barnett 

A Spring Piano Recital from one of our teachers, Wen Ling

Photos from the Igudesman and Joo's "8 to 88" workshop

From the studio of Esther Marks,

Dear teachers,

My students Patrick, Alicia, Margaret, Joanne and Theo participated with about 50 other music students in Igudesman and Joo's "8 to 88" workshop at the Tilles Center a couple weeks ago.  The artists worked with everyone on improvisation, creativity, and bringing more expression to music making.  I was sad to see how most students froze up when asked to improvise on their instrument.  It is certainly a skill we all need to remember to develop with our students.  They also emphasized how important it is as musicians to exercise our bodies, and had everyone stretching and marching.  

This photo is the "silly and serious pose" of participants taken at the end of the fun workshop.

Theo Marks tries to maintain focus on performing the Haydn cello concerto no matter what the distractions are!  

Thank you all who participated!

3rd Annual Adult Student Social is this weekend at Fred's Homes and music studio

Dear Teachers,

Reminder that our 3rd annual adult student social will take place on Sat, May 10th (week from Sat.) beginning at 7 pm at my house.  All invited with or without any adult students.  Refreshments, socializing, playing. Piano and/or voice.

1 Half Hollow Ct.

Lake Grove, N.Y. 11755

The first two socials reportedly were enjoyed by all who look forward to the next one.

For new members: This annual event is in lieu of any adult recital which we felt would not be

comfortable,even perhaps intimidating, for adult students.  Most, mostly retired seniors, between beginning and intermediate levels, taking piano lessons for pleasure. Those agreeing to play usually show what they’re working on and mostly only play part of the piece. Preparation for this

evening, although very informal, also serves as some incentive.

Prime purpose is meeting up with others and continued encouragement.

The getting -to-know-you discussion segment of the evening was also engaging.

Enough room for one additional guest per student and teacher.

Looking forward,

Fred Barnett

RSVP: 467-1012 or email me at fbarnett3@webtv.net

Dan Fogel's upcoming Recital for his students - you are all invited to attend and enjoy!

Dear Friends, Music Lovers, Current and Former Students, and Colleagues,

Hope you can come :)

I would like to personally welcome you as guests to my annual piano studio's recital, and the multicultural potluck following, this Saturday at 6pm! 

I haven't seen many of you in a long time, and it would be wonderful to see you :)

I will have around 17 students performing in a fun, all-styles recital, which is sure to make me one proud teacher!

  

• When: This Saturday, May 10th, 6-8pm
   
• Where: Faust Harrison Pianos 
• 277 Walt Whitman Rd, Huntington Station, NY 11746 (you can google this address at google maps for directions)
• (631) 351-9000
  
• Cost: Free for everyone!  Please invite friends. 
• Food: We all bring something freshly made representing our culture or heritage!
  Guests need not bring anything but are welcomed and encouraged to :)
  Please be sure to wash your hands before touching the pianos afterward.
   
• Why:
• to hear some fun and beautiful music!
• to see what I do for a living and where I direct my passion and energy
• to support a friend (I'd love to attend your events as well)
• to offer me some general constructive feedback on my teaching, which I'd always welcome!
• to hear some well-prepared and passionate students
• to get a sense of my teaching
• to check out this nice venue
• to schmooze with the performers, their families, and me afterward!
  
• Program to include a mix of classical repertoire, arranged instrumental themes, & a couple R&B / pop selections :
  
• Gershwin's 1st prelude from the set of 3
• Grieg's piano concerto, 1st mvt, arranged 2 pianos
• Grieg's Notturno, Op. 54, No. 4
• Martha Mier's "Katy's Dance
• An arrangement of John Legend's All of Me
• An arrangement of  Pachelbel's Canon
• Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C minor 
• Sibelius' Le Sapin (The Spruce) 
• Debussy's Le Petit Negre
• a breathtaking vocal performance of Alicia Key's, If I Ain't Got You
• a few of Gillock's Lyric Preludes
• Sun Dance, by Ehrhardt and Engle
• a Theme from the anime, Naruto: Sadness and Sorrow
• Anita Weedmark's The Willow
• Panic! at the Disco's End of All Things
• Nevin's Hoe-Down in Dublin Town
• Mike Springer's Reflections in the Moonlight
• and a few additional Elementary selections

I hope to see you :)

Musically yours,

Dan Fogel, Pianist

Piano Instructor

A peek at the last workshop - Alexander Technique in action

Spring Festival Theme Suggestions

Dear all SPTF teachers,

Spring Festival Theme suggestion due: Sunday May 4

E-mail directly to Johanna Kosak (kosaks@optonline.net)

SPTF hold several recitals throughout the year. One of exciting recital is Spring Festival which usually held in April.

Spring Festival is based on selected theme and students must perform pieces that fits its character. At upcoming May 7th meeting, we will be discussing and selecting theme for next year.

Please submit your ideas of good Spring Festival themes.

You can submit as many as you wish. Brain storm and more the merrier.

Thank you!

Your president

Future meeting topics; Let your voice be heard

Dear all SPTF Teachers,

Topic Submission due Sunday May 4th

Have you ever thought "I wish all piano teachers gather together and discuss something that I have questions on and be able to exchange some ideas"

Well, now is the time!

Every year in May, SPTF teachers gather together and we decide on monthly meeting discussion topics and vote for selection. This is your chance to put your idea in and vote for any topics that you would like SPTF to cover at the meeting. I do have list save from last year but would like to add to them.

Please give me your ideas of topic.

If you would like to volunteer to be a presenter for the topic that you submit, please indicate.

For teachers who have full-time work and usually cannot attend meetings, don't be discouraged. You are also an active member and we value your opinion as well. SPTF started to video record much presentation which can be check out from the library, and we are also working on possible SKYPE or other form of broadcast. Exciting things are coming on the way.

Please do submit your ideas.

I will be making vote sheets and you will be able to submit votes through e-mail if you cannot attend meeting.

Thank you all.

I hope many of you can actually attend the meeting. Nothing like Face to Face connection in this world!

:-)

Your president

Johanna Kosak

kosaks@optonline.net

Next SPTF meeting is next Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Dear all SPTF teachers,

It is exciting May!

Please join us for next general meeting on

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Location: Home of Mila Balagula

Topic:Discussion and selection of Spring Festival Theme and 2014-2015 meeting topics