From the classroom for the classroom

When improvisation and composition, mixed with curiosity and inspiration, work together in the classroom, a fruitful dialog can arise. - Timon Altwegg is a concert pianist and piano teacher. He lives and works in the canton of Thurgau. In his collection of pieces he has succeeded in emotions 14 appealing piano pieces for the upper elementary level. The foreword reveals that some of the pieces were written directly during lessons. The starting point was often simple harmonic or melodic improvisations, which Timon Altwegg later added to form well-rounded pieces. The simple rhythmic and harmonic elements invite the listener to improvise with them.

I like how musical and technical demands go hand in hand and soon give the players a musical experience. In each piece, a technical and/or musical core idea is taken up, so that the pieces have the character of little etudes. The fact that the author, as he writes, deliberately dispenses with fingerings and pedal indications opens up a further working area in lessons.

Timon Altwegg: emotions, 14 lively pieces for piano, N 2769, € 11.90, Heinrichshofen and Noetzel, Wilhelmshaven