Rosemary's Waltz -
Richard Rodney Bennett
Grade 7 Piano - ABRSM 2019/2020 C1
Teaching Notes
First of all, you need to notice the phrasing. Most of the phrases in this piece start on the 2nd quaver of the bar. On the opening line, this is quite easy to see. However, in bar 6, you need to be careful that the 1st quaver belongs to the end of that which started in bar 5 and the 2nd quaver of bar 6 is a NEW phrase. Make a little breath in your performance between these two.Now go through the rest of the piece noticing where the phrase marks start and finish. Usually you will find that they start on the 2nd quaver of the bar.
Next, you need to be aware of the voicing - where the tune is. Generally, this is in the upper RH part. Be careful to keep the supporting harmonies at a lesser dynamic. However, it is not the WHOLE of the upper RH part that is a melody. For example, in bar 20, the long dotted minim "A" is the tune note and the following "arpeggio figure" should be played quieter, so that the A can ring out above the supporting harmonies. The same happens in bars 22, 26, 28, 30 etc.
Finally, this piece will need a lot of Rubato, an ebb and flow in the tempo. Play this performance again and see if you can notice where the music gets faster and slower. Feel free to copy these in your own performance, but even better, would be if you can FEEL for yourself where the emotional intensity increases and where there needs to be some holding make to make your performance more expressive.
Should this piece be played like a jazz piece or not?
ReplyDeleteIt certainly has jazz harmonies, but rhythmically it is important to get a waltz-type feel.
DeleteOK, thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome
DeleteMay we have an analysis of the LH chords on the second page....are they jazz chords? Can’t identify some....
ReplyDelete