Taught by renowned pianist
Seymour Bernstein
Join Seymour Bernstein as he presents some of his favorite pieces from Schumann's popular Album for the Young, Op. 68. In this introduction, Bernstein shows off his good luck charm: a tea kettle that once belonged to Robert and Clara Schumann.
No. 4 "Chorale"
In this lesson, Seymour Bernstein guides you through 'Chorale' from Schumann's Album for the Young. Fermatas are a defining feature of the chorale form, and Bernstein invokes Beethoven in recommending a slight ritardando before each one. Bernstein also shows how the piece offers an excellent opportunity to practice chord voicings.
No. 16 "First Loss"
In this lesson, Seymour Bernstein guides you through 'First Loss' from Schumann's Album for the Young. Bernstein emphasizes the importance of upbeats in shaping a more poetic interpretation, citing similar examples from the repertoire. Concentrating on interpretation, Bernstein then reveals the 'after thought' in the melody and compels you to give it special interpretation.
No. 12 "Knecht Ruprecht"
In this lesson, Seymour Bernstein guides you through 'Knecht Ruprecht' from Schumann's Album for the Young. One of the more challenging pieces from the set, Bernstein shows how choosing the right fingering can make the piece much more comfortable. Bernstein highlights several challenging techniques in the work, many of which might be new to the student: down-strokes, leaps, sudden dynamic contrasts, and rotation. Taking each one in turn, Bernstein offers clear, practical advice for practice and execution.
No. 1 "Melody"
In this lesson, Seymour Bernstein guides you through the first piece from Schumann’s Album for the Young, ‘Melody.’ Bernstein emphasizes the importance of rotation in achieving a singing legato sound in the right hand, while demonstrating how to bring out the polyphony in the left hand. Proper use of pedal is critical to performing this work, and is aided by good fingering choices that allow the hand to always stay in motion. (edited)
No. 2 "Soldier's March"
In this lesson, Seymour Bernstein guides you through 'Soldier's March' from Schumann's Album for the Young. Focusing on the opening gesture, Bernstein shows you a simple pedal trick to make the dotted rhythm much easier to execute. Bernstein then shows how the effectiveness of your interpretation depends on how you approach the accents, which students often place on the wrong beat.
No. 10 "The Happy Farmer"
In this lesson, Seymour Bernstein guides you through 'The Happy Farmer' from Schumann's Album for the Young. The piece offers students the opportunity to practice applying generous pedaling to achieve a lush Romantic sound. Bernstein shows how to interpret accents as 'expressive accents,' or other ways of emphasizing notes besides a louder dynamic. One of the trickiest parts of the piece comes in achieving independence between melody and accompany, both between hands and within a single hand, and Bernstein shows how to make this easier by balancing your weight properly.
No. 8 "The Wild Rider"
In this lesson, Seymour Bernstein guides you through 'The Wild Rider' from Schumann's Album for the Young. The piece is an exercise in detached articulations, and Bernstein demonstrates the possible physical approaches for executing them. In the end, the upper-arm should be employed to produce the proper staccato sound.
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Unlock Course →An illustrious performer and now, a world-renowned pedagogue, Seymour Bernstein's incredible life is the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary "Seymour: An Introduction" directed by the actor Ethan Hawke.
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