Clair de Lune, Grieg & Leggiero Touch

By Informance, 2022-12-15 Posted in: Learning Pieces, Practising

In this month’s practice clinic, Graham Fitch answers questions on Debussy’s Clair de Lune and achieving a graceful, light touch in works by Grieg and Chopin.

Grieg – “The Butterfly” (from Lyric Pieces, Op. 43 No. 1)

Practice clinic questions

Debussy Clair de Lune – I would appreciate some help gaining proficiency beginning in bar 27. I’m having difficulty creating smoothness and speed in the remainder of the piece.

Notes appearing in both hands – What is the purpose and how do I execute a note that appears on both the left and right hands? For example, bar 118 in the 3rd mvt of Beethoven Op. 10 No. 1; the ascending line in the B section of Chopin Op. 70 No. 2. Similarly, I can’t play the left hand D without it sounding like a staccato in bar 142 of the Pathetique 3rd mvt.

Grieg Butterfly (from Lyric Pieces Op. 43 No. 1) – I often miss when I have to land on RH 5th finger notes, such as bar 4 and even harder bar 19 etc. Also, any tips on how to make this piece lighter and more graceful would be appreciated.

Chopin Nocturne in F-Sharp Major (Op. 15 No. 2) – What practice strategies do you recommend to achieve a leggiero touch in the second cadenza (bar 51) of this piece?

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