At first glance La candeur, the first of Burgmüller’s twenty-five studies, opus 100, looks like any other elementary study in C major – with a stream of quavers (8th notes) in one hand and some chords in the other.
On closer inspection we discover a satisfying musical structure – a clear modulation to the dominant key at the end of the first half, and an effective coda that wraps the piece up, with moments of chromatic colouring that add interest. When we start singing the lines we discover they are rather lovely (not at all dry or mechanical-sounding), offering us the opportunity to explore melodic shaping and to concentrate on balance between the hands and beauty of tone.
In last week’s post, I introduced my new study editions for Burgmüller’s Op. 100 (La candeur being the first in the set), in which I focus not only on the technical factors but also highlight some compositional techniques used by the composer. This is an important consideration when the ability to analyse becomes necessary further along our musical journey!
I have added a number of footnotes to the score that will assist you as you practise. For example, as we approach the climax of La candeur, Burgmüller divides the RH into two lines:
This requires a certain amount of coordination and organisation in the hand, hence my suggestions for practice in footnote 7. If you scan the QR code a short video will pop up on your device of me demonstrating how this is done. You will notice that footnote eight points out a stock harmonic progression that can be appreciated even by inquisitive players at the elementary level.
The study editions also contain links to a detailed video walkthrough, as well as a teaching note. The following is a preview of my walk-through for La Candeur:
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Access & purchase options
The complete set of video walk-throughs and the new study editions are included with an annual subscription to the Online Academy. Please click here to view the video walk-throughs for the full set of études or click here to view the new editions.
Please click here to find out more about the Online Academy or click here if you’d like to to subscribe. Alternatively, the video walk-throughs and study editions can be purchased separately from our store via the following links:
- Study Editions (Vol 1) – Click here to purchase video walkthroughs, a downloadable score and annotations for études no’s. 1 – 5
- Video Walkthroughs – Click here to purchase video walk-throughs for all twenty five études