The , edited by Alexander Nikolaev , is a cornerstone of classical piano pedagogy designed for students in their second year of study. This volume advances from basic fundamentals to more complex pieces and studies, focusing on developing a rich, "orchestral" sound through weight transfer and relaxed arm movements. Key Educational Features
: Before playing a line, sing it aloud. This naturally teaches your hands where to breathe and shape the phrase.
Unlike some methods that focus strictly on technical drills, this book uses a musical approach to help pupils gain a sense of color, characterization, and feeling from the beginning.
Completing Book 1, Part 2 marks a major milestone. The student is no longer an absolute beginner but a developing pianist with a foundational understanding of tone production. From here, students typically transition smoothly into of the series, which introduces polyphony (such as Bach inventions), more complex sonatinas, and advanced romantic repertoire. the russian school of piano playing book 1 part 2 pdf
To truly appreciate the value of this book, you need to understand the overarching philosophy of the Russian piano tradition. It's a distinct school of thought known for producing some of the world's most formidable pianists.
A hallmark of the Russian school is the early introduction of polyphony (independent voices). Instead of simple melody-and-chord accompaniment, Part 2 includes accessible pieces by J.S. Bach, sounding a prelude to foundational counterpoint. This forces the student to develop independent hand control and a keen ear for tracking multiple musical lines at once. 3. Expanding Technical Geography
When you encounter a two-voice piece (e.g., “Kukushka” – The Cuckoo): The , edited by Alexander Nikolaev , is
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: Before playing a phrase, sing it. This helps map out natural breathing points, crescendos, and decrescendos.
Book 1 Part 2 of the Russian School of Piano Playing method covers a range of technical and musical topics, including: This naturally teaches your hands where to breathe
The Russian School of Piano Playing (Book 1, Part 2) is the second half of the foundational curriculum used in professional music schools across Russia. Edited by A. Nikolaev
Students must internalize the melody and rhythm in their minds before their fingers touch the keys. Sound conception dictates physical execution.
Because The Russian School of Piano Playing remains under active print publication and distribution by various classical music publishers worldwide (such as Boosey & Hawkes), legal physical copies are highly recommended for the best printing and binding quality.
While Part 1 focuses on the absolute fundamentals—such as non-legato touch, basic rhythm, and simple five-finger patterns— Developing Legato and Cantabile Playing