This dissertation offers a pedagogical approach to the advanced piano student who needs technique refinement in the areas of dynamic control and disjunct motion. The approach is based on the writings of Otto Ortmann and later writers who have followed and extended Ortmann's studies of piano technique. The concept is developed that the control of either vertical or horizontal technique motions should be the primary technical concern of the player, the choice of a particular form of technique being the result of a rational, cognitive thought process which responds to an aesthetic goal.In order to restrict the scope of the work, it is limited to the application of vertical and horizontal motion in situations of abrupt change. These situations strongly focus attention on the problems inherent in controlling these basic directions of movement.Although the present work consists of an Introduction and four main sections, the result is a three--fold approach consisting of general discussion of each basic movement form (Sections One and Two), short exercises (Section Three) designed to isolate motion shapes or types of motion in non-aesthetic situations, and music excerpts (Section Four) in which to apply concepts and skills developed in the preceding sections. Also included are two appendices containing information which should assist the student in understanding the main body of the dissertation.The eighteen excerpts in Section Four are drawn from the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Field, Chopin, Liszt, Moussorgsky, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Bartok, Webern, Fontyn, Orff, and Copland. These present clearly isolated problems of horizontal or vertical motion as well as complex combinations of both basic motion forms. The commentaries to each excerpt are directed almost exclusively to technical concerns.Appendix I presents a survey of the development of the piano and its acceptance in the eighteenth century. The second appendix offers a survey of the history of piano pedagogy and emphasizes the significance of Otto Ortmann's work and his historical position.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/179578 |
| Date | January 1981 |
| Creators | Phelps, Michael T. |
| Contributors | Hargreaves, Robert |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | 2, xiii, 195 leaves : music ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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