For more classes like this one, please visit the Benjamin Zander Center - www.benjaminza... Somin Lee - Clarinet, Kevonna Shuford - Viola, Jingxuan Zhang - Piano Dave Jamrog Audio/Video
indeed, an I think he is not at all about some money or prestige he might make by teaching fees, writing books etc. It is about his passion for music, I think from his kind of teaching one could and should take use for other kinds of teaching too... Some thing he is due to his old age kind of remains of a world long gone, in this special respect a better one.,,, He has a infinite patience to teach the same things again and again because the weak point seems the same in most master students by not transcending mere technical perfect play to own interpretation. He tries to re-infuse human feeling into this. I am sorrry i am over the big pond , else I would try too attend his classes as visitotr
Totally agree. Glad I discovered Benjamin Zander's masterclasses on utube during lockdown and have recommended them to many of my friends. The wise counsel he shares not only relates to musicians but also anyone who performs in front of an audience. Thinking particularily of public speakers and it is my intention to share much of BZ's insight with the Belfast Speaker's Circle membership whenever we are given permission to reconvene by our Government. Thank you to whoever was responsible for making these videos available. Austin McCracken Erin Lodge Donaghadee Northern Ireland 07968288475
In this class, I was most impressed with the following three revelations from Mr. Zander: First, he had turned a 200 year-old tradition upside down, and slowed the tempo down to almost in half. What incredible courage and insight! Second, he clearly tells us that all of Mozart's music is pure joy and love. This clarification helped answer a question I had for a long time: how is it that many of my music colleagues in Mainland China can play some very technically-difficult pieces, but cannot express Mozart just as well? Third, he clearly tells us that all of Mozart's music is opera, and we should imitate an opera singer to sing each note with our instrument.
@@russellbaston974 I am not saying whether or not authentic sound's hypothesis is rubbish. But if you know Zander you will know that he certainly would not put one ounce of credence to that hypothesis - that is not opinion but fact. Note even in this clip that he does not interpret Hummel's metronome mark in single beat.
What an example of wonderful teaching. Yes we are listening here in Australia. This piece was so bright and alive by the time the group had finished. Thank you for a good time.
I’m a Violin Teacher in UK. Benjamin is saying what I tell my students all the time. EXPRESSION! Don’t just play dots on the page! Bring out the phrasing, tone & colour. When this trio played at the start you could hear notes. After Benjamin’s tutorial I heard MUSIC!
Mr. Zander is very passionate with music,, he talks to soul of the musicians and yes he opens their hearts. I love his imaginative interpretation. I am a pianist and since I started watching him I lpractice now more often. He is inspiring. Love him, very much.
I need these videos now more than ever! Thank you so much for posting them! Please keep them coming! Mr. Zander and all his students are in my thoughts! Hoping they are well and safe!
I think this is the most amazing thing. Just the power but beauty of how we are watching in front of our eyes the evaluation and correction of a perfectly written yet not perfection. And here it is now... perfection. Increadible.
Benjamin Zander, I love how you speak about Mozart. I have read the book you mentioned of his letters and you are certainly correct. He was always upbeat and positive. What an insight into his daily life, struggles and his genius. I often reread parts just so I can spend a little time with Mozart. I am so enjoying your classes and passion for music. Thank you.
Fantastic, Zander is truly inspiring, he doesn’t separate music from life, his lessons are life lessons. His passion, wisdom, energy & spirit show that age doesn’t matter a jot! 🙏🏻❤️
Zander does such a wonderful job of educating these young musicians with excellent enthusiasm needed for music appreciation. I am glad that he goes into history.
Like his Beethoven’s 5th, this is a big earthquake and exciting, although I am 3 years behind. I am so impressed with the amount of research and the solid ground Maestro Zander stands on.
Mr. Zander is a TRUE musician and Mensch. He knows a lot, and knows how to use his knowledge in order to substantiate his highly original ideas. Bravo again. This guys should consider this lesson as life-changing experience.
Benjamin is a wizard, who comes from another planet. Nobody is teaching like he does. The best I've ever seen, although Elisabeth Schwarzkopf comes near; I have seen her transform young people in half an hour as well. May Benjamin live a lot more years!
Maestro Zander and musicians, thank you for this heart opening teaching! Please let us know when this recording is out to listen to over and over! L.O.V.E.!
I wish more teachers watched Zander's videos. I have rarely found a teacher that is not obsessed with and devoted to perfection at the expense of expression. But, that's because teachers are preparing students to face competitions and audiences and critics, and those entities are also obsessed with perfection. Many videos of violin (my instrument) performances by well-known and respected soloists are accompanied by comments pointing out the smallest errors, the slightest intonation slips. I have read comments like this on videos of performances by Ray Chen and Sumina Studer, both fine, young violinists with great careers ahead of them. This is what performers face. It's wonderful for Zander to stress the expression and tell students not to worry about making mistakes, but when playing in the real world, they'll find there are not many who feel that way.
Just how much Benjamin Zander represents to the classical music of the world, is beyond measurment. I treasure every teaching and intend to follow his spirit, it's one of outmost beauty and kindness. READ HIS BOOK! Art of possibility. It's amazing!
But his masterclasses encourage musicians to use their imaginations and explore musical possibilities in their interpretations. Won't getting people "can’t listen to anything different" be exactly the opposite effects these educational videos are trying to achieve?
To anyone who disagrees with this slower tempo, here is challenge: Find a Mozart Andante in 6/8 that is played at the tempo this piece is commonly played at. (There may be only one exception - the opening of Act IV of Le Nozze di Figaro, K. 492.)
Th clarinetist, violaist, and piano player were all great! I recognized the pianist from other videos and he is so talented, and smiles a lot! I think you would agree with me that he has shiny eyes! That means he is enjoying what he is doing, and is very happy! Yes, Hummel was active composing the same time as Mozart. I am well familiar with his last name, but need to listen more to his piano compositions, etc. Yes, your video has inspired me to get out my metronome more often! Yes, even the slightest difference in how a tempo is played can make a tremendous difference in the over all outcome of how the piece is preformed. Maestro Zander you are a brilliant man with tremendous insight into the inner workings of music.
Dear M° Zander which I adore for your energy, humanity and musicality. All your conclusions are simply based on the baroque rhetorics. THIS is the the tradition that has been substituted by new knowledge regarding the period. Although Mozart is more musically romantic his language is COMPLETELY based on baroque. This is why it is so difficult to play. So...tempi were quite known as they were originally based on dances. All the musicality of the clarinet is "simply" the original baroque singing of messa di voce and the tension of the appogiatures. So while humanity, values and joy are so important sometimes it is strangely enough the musical intellect that could bring them out naturally. Specially in Mozart... And btw the 64th notes are in the end a written embellishment like Bach used to do. so it needs some rubato in it. All the best!
Mr Zander, what was Martin Frost's reaction to this performance? Has your change in tempo generated discussions? Did you make a recording with these musicians?
This guy is (as we say in boxing) throwing "bombs with both hands"; e.g., "The gratitude we feel for Mozart should be at least as great as that we feel for Jesus Christ." In some part of my aging, sorry heart, I've felt that way since I first heard Mozart's music in the 7th grade (back when the state of California still made working-class, poor students like me with no access to "the finer things" take "music appreciation"). But it's kind of shocking to hear someone express it so openly and eloquently. Money quote: "Some people follow Buddha. Some follow Christ. I really recommend Mozart..." Was so struck by the beauty and intelligence of these young musician's faces as they listen to a man who (although he is into his 80s) still entirely reflects "Amadeity" himself (if I'm even spelling that correctly) PS I'm also just imagining how that pianist must've felt when this great man gave him that nice compliment... Wow!
Philippe Yared , I think this is the one that gets closer to what we watched here, but still not close enough. open.spotify.com/track/2Im5X6iSt4t7D49iC96nkD?si=mlvaEsMoQMaEkPOGAk7yDA
Haha...11:00 - ish...I'm not a Christian either, but I'm not sure I would just say that, haha...most people there are probably Christian...I don't think you find that many atheists in art...
13:20 haha...I would imagine some people might have a different interpretation...but, yeah, I'm always amazed at all the subtlety they can point out in a piece...the "philosphy" some seem to have about a piece of music...
Ah...29:00 he actually met a clarinettist, Mozart...I heard about him loving the clarinet, being the reason it became an integral part of the standard orchestra, but I didn't know a story...
Hmm...interesting thought..."Everything for Mozart is an opera"...I might slightly see what he is saying, haha, I have to say...thinking back at what I can remember...