Viva Voce - Bach Options

[geo1689]

Hello,

I am playing Bach Prelude and Fuge No. 16 in G Minor for my piano diploma examination. I have been going through example questions for Viva voce online, and I found a question that confuses me:

"Talk about the development of the piano from Bach's time to modern day".

Do I have to talk about harpsichord, fortepiano and modern piano?

Thank you

[fsharpminor]

Yes I'd have thought so, mention the pioneers of the early piano like Clementi and Broadwood, then move on in time to newer developments.

[jod]

I'd start with who invented the piano, and the arguments for and against playing Bach on the Piano.

I would talk about the Fortepiano, I'd mention that Beethoven regularly broke fortepianos due to their wooden frame. I'd talk about the introduction of the sustaining pedal, the una corda pedal and where you first start seeing such markings.

I'd talk about some of the great makers of the past and which countries they came from, and I'd find a date when the sostenuto pedal was introduced to the concert grand.

Finally I'd look at the work of Cage and the prepared piano, and exponents such as Margaret Leng Tan.

As far as Bach players I'd compare interpretations of Bach on the Harpsichord and on Fortepiano and Grand piano. Do include Glenn Gould, Angela Hewitt is currently flavour of the month so make sure you listen to her too.

I'm being vague on dates and things as it is your Diploma and your Viva. I know the outline not the details.

[Pixie*Porsche]

Does anyone know of any good books to read about the development of the piano? From the beginning to modern day?

[jod]

Not that I've read it: However this book looks scholarly:
Giraffes, Black Dragons and Other Pianos: A Technological History from Cristofori to the Modern Concert Grand

[mel2]

There's always the Cambridge Guide; been looking for one for ages and not found it yet; (I think it was a bit expensive on Amazon last time I looked but things might have changed)

There are others; try looking at the reading list for teaching diplomas - there are usually some good recommendations there but they're not always in print.

[xCey_Musx]

Hi,


here are a number of good books which I used for an essay on the development of the piano and my viva!

Ernst Clossom - History of the piano
Michael Cole - The pianoforte in the classical era
Cyril Ehrlich - Piano - a history
Edwin Good, Giraffes, black dragons and other pianos
Stewart Pollens - The early pianoforte
Rowland David - The cambridge companion to the piano


You should be able to find something in these the key to the viva is to talk with enthusiasm about everything and show off your knowlege (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)



- Cey