Clara Schumann's Piano Notebook
About this ebook
“Nocturne in F, Op. 6, No. 2" is one of the most beautifully written nocturnes. Chopin once told Clara that she was the only woman in Germany that could play his music. She may have been inspired to compose this piece after performing many of Chopin's works in her concerts.
The final piece in this collection of Clara Schumann’s Piano Notebook is her “Theme and Variations”, which she dedicated to Robert Schumann. Robert composed and published many variations of his own on Clara's theme. Her own variations remained unknown until recently. These variations are very interesting, and the theme is easily recognizable throughout. “Theme and Variations” truly showcases Clara’s unique sense of creativity.
These piano selections are presented as examples of Clara Schumann's legacy–a great composer of the 19th century. Her music is timeless and must be preserved for future generations of pianists. This collection will be valuable for recitals, programs and your own enjoyment.
About the author
Gail Smith was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on January 26. Gail's father, Carl Erick Johnson, sang tenor in the church choir. Her mother, Ethel, played the piano and had Gail start piano lessons. Smith received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Florida Atlantic University. She has taught piano students from the age of 3 to 96! Her blind student, Ivan, was seen on national TV. Giving musical lecture recitals by portraying the composer's wife has been an effective way to reach audiences with the history of music. Gail has portrayed Marian MacDowell and Anna Magdalena Bach. She gives many workshops and concerts throughout the United States as well as in Germany, Sweden and Japan. Smith's life has revolved around her family, church and music. She has been active in many organizations including being national Music Chairman of the National League of American Pen Women and is a former president of the Broward County branch. Ms. Smith is also a member of The Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge, National Music Teachers Association, and Federation of Music Clubs.
Ms. Smith's works include many piano solos, choral works, a piano trio, a composition for four pianos and numerous vocal solos. She has arranged hundreds of hymns, Indian melodies, and folk tunes from many countries. Her trademark is her piano palindromes, which can be played backwards as well as forwards and sound the same. She is the author of: Complete Church Pianist, Sunday Morning Pianist, Four Centuries of Women Composers, Celebrate the Piano Series, Hymns Made Easy, Piano Chords Made Easy, Complete Book of Modulations for the Pianist, Complete Book of Exercises for the Pianist, and Complete Improvisation, Fills & Chord Progressions Book. Gail also composed the world's first reversible piano solo, which sounds the same upside down and is titled "WOW MOM". She loves researching the history of music and wishes to pass on her enthusiasm for piano study to all ages of beginning students, especially seniors.
