Bach vs. Haydn!

We're down to the final two pieces!  From a list that included pieces by Scarlatti, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Copland, Barber, and Prokofiev, the Haydn Sonata from the Classical Period of music has survived!  It now goes up against the winning piece in Susannah Steele's studio.

Haydn Sonata in D major, first movement

J. S. Bach Prelude and Fugue in C minor, WTC I, no. 2

Which is your favorite?

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was a composer from Austria.  He got his start in music as a choir boy in Vienna's largest cathedral, St. Stephen's.  As he grew and became a composer, he was discovered and hired by Prince Esterhazy to compose and direct the music of his court, a position that he held for his adult life.  In addition to writing many works for piano, Haydn also composed symphonies, string quartets, and works for voice, including oratorios and masses.  Much of his music exemplifies his lightness of spirit and sense of humor, both characteristics that we hear in the D major sonata!

I hope that you have all enjoyed listening to all of these great piano works over the past month!

The Final Four

We're down to the final two pieces in my studio:

Prokofiev Toccata vs. Haydn Sonata in D major

Everyone votes on this one!

Which is your favorite?

Make sure you have cast your vote by Monday, March 23rd, when we also resume lessons.

We'll have one more round and then find out the results of our entire March Madness Piano Challenge at the Piano Party at MANC on Friday, March 27th, 6:30-7:30 pm.

On the other side of the competition, Susannah Steele's students, are choosing between another set of composers and music, and this week, they're voting on Bach and Ravel. You can check it all out here: http://slspiano.blogspot.com/p/special-events.html.

Happy listening, and see you next week!

March Madness - Round Three!

Thank you to all of you who are listening and voting.  I want to see 100% of student participation this week!  

The winners from the last round are:

Team 1: Liszt "Un sospiro"
Team 2: Haydn Sonata in D major
Team 3: Prokofiev Toccata
Team 4: Rachmaninoff Prelude in B minor

This week's round of voting ends on Monday, 3/16.

Team One - Adrita, Anna G., Arwen, Ellen, Emma, Irene, Jenny, Jizelle, Eric, Mira, Steven, Zoe
Liszt Concert Etude no. 3, "Un sospiro"
Haydn Sonata in D major, First movement

Vote for your favorite!


Team Two - Andrew, Anna S., Bebe, Lentz, Lillian, Lilianna, Maggie, Max, Michael, Nora, Wesley, Stella
Prokofiev Toccata
Rachmaninoff Prelude in B minor

Vote for your favorite!

There will be NO lessons next week (3/16-20), due to the group class schedule.  We will resume regular lessons schedule the week of 3/23.

March Madness - Round 2

And the Round One winners are...

Team 1 - Scarlatti Sonata in D Major
Team 2 - Haydn Sonata in D Major, First movement
Team 3 - Beethoven Pathetique Sonata, 2nd movement
Team 4 - Liszt Concert Etude, "Un Sospiro"
Team 5 - Rachmaninoff Prelude in B minor
Team 6 - Debussy, Estampes - Gardens in the Rain
Team 7 - Barber Excursions
Team 8 - Prokofiev Toccata

The winner from each of the 8 groups from our opening round will advance.  Remember, you must vote for your assigned team, but you can also listen to the other pieces and vote on other teams as well!  Invite your friends and family to listen and cast their votes!


Team 1 - Bebe, Lillian, Maggie, Max, Michael, Stella
Beethoven Pathetique Sonata, 2nd movement [stops at 5'30"]
Liszt Concert Etude, "Un Sospiro"
Vote for your favorite!

Team 2 - Adrita, Ellen, Emma, Irene, Mira, Zoe
Scarlatti Sonata in D Major
Haydn Sonata in D Major, First movement
Vote for your favorite!

Team 3 - Andrew, Anna S., Lentz, Lilianna, Nora, Wesley
Barber Excursions
Prokofiev Toccata
Vote for your favorite!

Team 4 - Anna G., Arwen, Jenny, Jizelle, Eric, Steven
Rachmaninoff Prelude in B minor
Debussy Estampes, "Gardens in the Rain"
Vote for your favorite!

Happy listening!