History
of How Piano Music Changed the
World
Pianos
Make Sweet Music
The Piano -
I never learned to play it, which
I regret, because I love piano
music in all its
forms.
The
instrument was the exclusive
property of the wealthy in the
past. It was part of a young
lady's education to achieve a
measure of accomplishment as a
pianist, and she was expected to
give recitals to guests at family
soirees.
As the cost
came down, the middle and working
classes were at last able to buy
their own piano, which sat
proudly in the best room.
Families would gather round and
have sing songs.
Player
Pianos
The
automated player piano, with its
rolling canister of recorded
piano music was very fashionable
at one time. The piano would
eventually be replaced as the
heart of the household by the
wireless and later, the
television set.
Classical
Piano Music
In the
world of classical music, there
is a division between people who
think historical piano music
should be played on original
style instruments and those who
think they should be played on a
modern piano.
Composers
such as Liszt, Brahms and Hadyn
would have played on instruments
quite different from the ones
that we are familiar with today.
The piano has gone through many
changes over the years, in
appearance and sound such as the
unbelievable sound of the
Steinway.
Some people want the authentic
tone of the original, whilst
others prefer the technical
reliability of today's
piano.
I love to
listen to both solo pieces and
concerto compositions (with
orchestra), for the piano. My own
favorite classical composers are
Beethoven, Chopin, Bach,
Scarlatti and Ravel.
Many
composers suffered difficulties
and tragedy. Of course, we know
that Beethoven became deaf and
Chopin succumbed to tuberculosis.
He often played whilst coughing
up blood onto the piaon keys.
Piano and
keyboard music is also suited to
jazz, from the ragtime sound of
Scott Joplin through boogie
woogie and the contemporary music
of Thelonius Monk and Oscar
Peterson.
Minimalist
composers such as Philip Glass
also write well for the piano.
Rock and Roll has also produced
some fine pianists, namely the
energetic Jerry Lee Lewis. He
could play with his elbows and
never fluffed a note.
The new
electronic keyboards make a big
contribution to music, but piano
music will always have a place in
just about every musical genre.
Now, get hooked on
Bach.
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How
to Buy Music
Keyboards
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From
synsthesizers to grand
pianos, they all have
music keyboards but are
a world apart when you
are looking for a
personal musical
instrument to play.
Read
more
...
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How
Can I Learn to Play the
Piano?
- Didn't have the time
or money when you were a
child? It's not to late
to learn to play piano
as you will see in this
helpful article. In
fact, you'll find how to
get started today
>>>
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