Hi Bruce,
I just discovered your terrific blog. I’ve really enjoyed it a lot. The masterclass entry made me laugh because when I was at NEC, there was a person who came to give vocal masterclasses regularly and, no matter what the student we did, we eventually learned the solution was always to go either “a little faster” or “a little slower.” And at the end we were all assured by the phrase, “There…now, you’ve got it.” That’s the most maddening thing to me about many masterclasses, how the teacher will so often claim a great success at the end and the audience, having now been directed to focus on some special aspect of the playing, will invariably agree that a life has been changed. When, in fact, the student often will sound more confused than ever, which is only natural. Of course, there is good reason to encourage the student at the end of one of these public lessons.
Anyway, I’m an NEC DMA alum in collaborative piano who’s been blogging for a couple of years now. And, in the spirit of your most recent post, I just discovered that I’m a composer too, having just ‘written’ this canon.
My blog is here.
Looking forward to more of your blogging,
Michael Monroe
Assistant Professor of Music
Gordon College
Hey Bruce!!
Long long time no see! You’ve certainly done well for yourself, congratulations!
I’m doing a performance of the Chansons Madecasses next weekend so I’ve been thinking of you a lot! Hope all is well!
David Runnion (from way, way, way back at MSM)
dear Bruce,
first of all thank you so much for letting people contact you. In our current society there is a tremendous gap between concertists (celebrities, people playing the music of old masters better than others and being applaused) and the audience. Who can claim to have communicated with Arrau or Argerich or Ashkenazy? (to name only a few, starting with an A) These are mythical persons, untouchable, unreachable, living in other spheres. These people will not read messages from their admirers, you do!
I’m just listening to your Glass/Duckworth record and I wanted to tell you that it is a real delight to hear Glass piano music by somebody else than Glass himself. Here is my small request: PLEASE make a record of the Glass’s ten Etudes, it would be a gift to mankind!
Thank you so much for giving your audience a chance to speak.
Cheers
Yannis Haralambous
Computer Science Professor (and amateur pianist)
Brest, France
Todd Pickardsays
Hi Bruce,
Great meeting you over an overstuffed bird. We’re listening to your inner cities cd — marveling at the way music communicates. Looking forward to the next time.
Todd, Jayne & Joan
Michael P. Scottsays
Bruce,
I’m sure you don’t remember me, but…
I’m from Des Moines, although not born and bred, and years ago I got active in things piano by helping Chiu Ling Lin with her publicity and promotional efforts.
I “studied” with Cornelia Williams Hurlbut, aunt of Andy Williams and teacher of Cloris Leachman. How’s THAT for Dez Moans bona fides?
Naturally, I knew, tangentially, your teacher, George Katz and the other member of the faculty, Guy Wuellner.
And I’ve “followed” you ever since then. I’m now the possessor of a Swiss Cheese brain that forgets names and dates and venues, but I know I heard you in recital in DC at a “very bright” small venue — maybe at one of the galleries or museums.
Anyway, life moved on and at one point I was on the board of the American Pianists Association headquartered in Indianapolis. Then even later — about five years ago — I moved to Indianapolis. I have nothing to do with APA anymore, other than to go to some of the concerts and competition runups.
So, fast forward to two years ago when Steven Beck was a contestant. You’ll forgive me for saying that I’m only now coming to an appreciation of anything but the florid romantics. I think of you and Peter Serkin in the same breath and appreciate the championing of new music.
And Steven Beck’s playing had Bruce Brubaker ALL OVER IT. He was good, no doubt, but given the audience and judges, there was just no way he’d come out on top.
After his preliminary recital, I met him and said, “You know, I’m probably the only person in this audience today who has heard you play, your teacher play and your teacher’s teacher play.”
He said, “Grandfather!!!”
I was tickled and hope his career and yours continue on that upward path.
I’m an avid follower of Stephen Hough’s blog and am very glad to catch up with you via this brave new medium.
Mike Scott
Audrey Staplessays
Hi Bruce,
I am so glad you have done well for yourself. What I remember well from the days back at Meredith – you never complained the whole time playing for us, and how many choirs you put up with! I don’t remember my choir teacher’s name, but I do remember you. My best wishes for your continued success.
Audrey Staples
Hi Bruce,
I just discovered your terrific blog. I’ve really enjoyed it a lot. The masterclass entry made me laugh because when I was at NEC, there was a person who came to give vocal masterclasses regularly and, no matter what the student we did, we eventually learned the solution was always to go either “a little faster” or “a little slower.” And at the end we were all assured by the phrase, “There…now, you’ve got it.” That’s the most maddening thing to me about many masterclasses, how the teacher will so often claim a great success at the end and the audience, having now been directed to focus on some special aspect of the playing, will invariably agree that a life has been changed. When, in fact, the student often will sound more confused than ever, which is only natural. Of course, there is good reason to encourage the student at the end of one of these public lessons.
Anyway, I’m an NEC DMA alum in collaborative piano who’s been blogging for a couple of years now. And, in the spirit of your most recent post, I just discovered that I’m a composer too, having just ‘written’ this canon.
My blog is here.
Looking forward to more of your blogging,
Michael Monroe
Assistant Professor of Music
Gordon College
Hey Bruce!!
Long long time no see! You’ve certainly done well for yourself, congratulations!
I’m doing a performance of the Chansons Madecasses next weekend so I’ve been thinking of you a lot! Hope all is well!
David Runnion (from way, way, way back at MSM)
dear Bruce,
first of all thank you so much for letting people contact you. In our current society there is a tremendous gap between concertists (celebrities, people playing the music of old masters better than others and being applaused) and the audience. Who can claim to have communicated with Arrau or Argerich or Ashkenazy? (to name only a few, starting with an A) These are mythical persons, untouchable, unreachable, living in other spheres. These people will not read messages from their admirers, you do!
I’m just listening to your Glass/Duckworth record and I wanted to tell you that it is a real delight to hear Glass piano music by somebody else than Glass himself. Here is my small request: PLEASE make a record of the Glass’s ten Etudes, it would be a gift to mankind!
Thank you so much for giving your audience a chance to speak.
Cheers
Yannis Haralambous
Computer Science Professor (and amateur pianist)
Brest, France
Hi Bruce,
Great meeting you over an overstuffed bird. We’re listening to your inner cities cd — marveling at the way music communicates. Looking forward to the next time.
Todd, Jayne & Joan
Bruce,
I’m sure you don’t remember me, but…
I’m from Des Moines, although not born and bred, and years ago I got active in things piano by helping Chiu Ling Lin with her publicity and promotional efforts.
I “studied” with Cornelia Williams Hurlbut, aunt of Andy Williams and teacher of Cloris Leachman. How’s THAT for Dez Moans bona fides?
Naturally, I knew, tangentially, your teacher, George Katz and the other member of the faculty, Guy Wuellner.
And I’ve “followed” you ever since then. I’m now the possessor of a Swiss Cheese brain that forgets names and dates and venues, but I know I heard you in recital in DC at a “very bright” small venue — maybe at one of the galleries or museums.
Anyway, life moved on and at one point I was on the board of the American Pianists Association headquartered in Indianapolis. Then even later — about five years ago — I moved to Indianapolis. I have nothing to do with APA anymore, other than to go to some of the concerts and competition runups.
So, fast forward to two years ago when Steven Beck was a contestant. You’ll forgive me for saying that I’m only now coming to an appreciation of anything but the florid romantics. I think of you and Peter Serkin in the same breath and appreciate the championing of new music.
And Steven Beck’s playing had Bruce Brubaker ALL OVER IT. He was good, no doubt, but given the audience and judges, there was just no way he’d come out on top.
After his preliminary recital, I met him and said, “You know, I’m probably the only person in this audience today who has heard you play, your teacher play and your teacher’s teacher play.”
He said, “Grandfather!!!”
I was tickled and hope his career and yours continue on that upward path.
I’m an avid follower of Stephen Hough’s blog and am very glad to catch up with you via this brave new medium.
Mike Scott
Hi Bruce,
I am so glad you have done well for yourself. What I remember well from the days back at Meredith – you never complained the whole time playing for us, and how many choirs you put up with! I don’t remember my choir teacher’s name, but I do remember you. My best wishes for your continued success.
Audrey Staples