This holistic approach to the keyboard, based on a sound understanding of the relationship between physical function and musical purpose, is an invaluable resource for pianists and teachers. Professor Fink explains his ideas and demonstrates his innovative developmental exercises that set the pianist free to express the most profound musical ideas. The companion DVD features Professor Fink and is 86 minutes in length. The format of the DVD follows that of the book. Together, they serve a double purpose, to provide systematic technical training over the course of several years and to serve as a reference on technical movement.

This outstanding lecture is ideal for those who fear memory loss in performance. Five memorization processes are outlined (motor memory, visual memory, aural memory, analytical memory and spatial memory), followed by techniques that will aid in solving typical memorization problems. Suggestions for incorporating these ideas into the teaching process are also provided.

Composers in the Baroque period (1600-1750) produced some of the greatest and most exciting keyboard music ever. This captivating video/DVD looks at conventions and knowledge that help the performer create a more historically informed performance. Organized as a practical aid to today's performers and teachers, basic touches, articulations, dynamics and ornamentation are discussed in detail. The DVD version combines two videos into one DVD: Performance Practices in Baroque Keyboard Music and Baroque Dance and Baroque Keyboard Music. The DVD is approximately 107 minutes in length.

Compositions by Haydn, Clementi, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert are featured in this intriguing lecture on performance practices of the Classical era. Musical characteristics, period keyboard instruments, Italian terms and more are discussed. Dance influences, and performance conventions that are rarely indicated in the composers' manuscripts, are also highlighted. One hour. Full color.

Covering music from approximately 1890 to 1914, Dr. Hinson presents a fascinating lecture on the dramatic changes that composers wrought during the early 20th century. Music by Bartok, Debussy, Joplin, Grainger, Hindemith, MacDowell, Coleridge-Taylor, Satie, Schoenberg and more are performed in context of the performance challenges and stylistic explorations of the period. Approximately one hour. Full color.

In this attractive video-lecture for piano teachers and performers, Dr. Maurice Hinson explores the intriguing composers, pianistic techniques, musical characteristics and repertoire from this appealing genre. The DVD is organized in four convenient parts for ease of repeated viewing and cueing. In Part One, Dr. Hinson discusses how Impressionistic painters, symbolist poets, and composers such as Chopin, Liszt and Grieg set the stage for Debussy and other composers of the day to begin exploring new compositional techniques. Part Two focuses on exercises for controlling pianissimo dynamic markings commonly found in Impressionistic piano music, as well as applicable pedaling techniques. In Part Three, Dr. Hinson discusses specific musical characteristics that Impressionistic composers incorporated into their music, such as ancient plain song, the whole-tone scale, the pentatonic scale and more. Part Four concludes with detailed discussions on Debussy's Reverie, and selected portions of Clair de lune, Footprints in the Snow and The Sunken Cathedral. Approximate running time: 66 minutes.

Composers in the mid and late 20th century produced some of the finest piano repertoire ever written. Sadly, much of its beauty is still undiscovered by teachers and their students. In this enlightening DVD on 20th century piano music, Dr. Stewart Gordon breaks through misconceptions about the musicality and performance appeal of contemporary music. He offers insights into how to interpret, teach and perform the music - and enjoy the process! The lecture is organized into three sections in which Dr. Gordon analyzes and performs intermediate to advanced-level repertoire by respected composers Sol Berkowitz, George Crumb, Richard Faith, Leo Kraft, Halsey Stevens and Bruce Wise. One hour.

The rich piano repertoire of the Romantic era is explored in this richly produced video. Dr. Maurice Hinson examines the performance practices of the era and discusses the influence that literature and art had on the composers of the period. Dance forms, nationalistic influences, pedaling, dynamics, ornamentation, Italian terms and tempo markings are covered in depth, along with interesting historical anecdotes about the composers. One hour. Full color.

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (1920-1995) was, paradoxically, one of the most celebrated and one of the most reclusive pianists of his time. His fabled technique and peerless musicianship earned him attention early on as the undisputed winner of the 1939 Geneva International Music Competition. One of the jury members was Alfred Cortot, who announced "A new Liszt is born!". To the frustration of his public, Michelangeli's studio recordings were few and his concert appearances sporadic: his brief recital for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (taped in the Toronto studios, 1970) was appropriately titled "A Most Rare Event". It features a sterling performance of Beethoven's Piano Sonata in C Major, Op. 2, No. 3. Sviatoslav Richter (1915-1997) was a pianist in the Great Tradition, yet there was nothing traditional about this collosus of the keyboard. Few pianists have had the technical, emotional, and intellectual range that Richter brought to his performances. In 1964, Richter was invited to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Toronto studios for a videotaping of a recital program. The main work of the program, Prokofiev's Second Piano Sonata in D Minor, is a perfect vehicle for a demonstration of Richter's art, combining, as it does, passages of thrilling virtuosity contrasted with some of Prokofiev's most lyrical pages. The Sonata is flanked by Brahms's lovely E Minor Intermezzo and two contrasting works by Ravel: the shimmering impressionistic tapestry of Jeux d'eau and the brilliant Spanish-flavored Alborado del Gracioso. Approximately 65 minutes, Color/Black & White.