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<p>A Masterclass, much as the name suggests, can be broadly defined as a class led by one who possesses mastery in any specific discipline. More commonly practiced within the arts, and on musical subjects in particular, Masterclasses have been a staple learning methodology since 1869. Their invention is attributed to the virtuosic Hungarian pianist, Franz Liszt. Since then, Masterclasses have been held by professionals ranging from experienced instructors to legendary performers, for aspiring pianists all over the world.</p>
<p>Michael Staff drew an intriguing parallel between Rubik’s Cube with piano chord progressions through an area of mathematics called group theory. Now, with every square on the Rubik’s Cube mapped to a note within a chord, once you have ensured that your chords are harmonious, you would have also solved the Rubik’s Cube!</p>
<p>ThePiano.SG, founded by Sng Yong Meng, held its first gathering for its family of piano teachers on 1 May 2016 at Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant in Orchard Central. Coming only two months after the teachers listing was created and hosted by Yong Meng, it was an evening of fun and sharing and attended by piano teachers Chng Jia Hui, Charlotte Ong and Pauline Tan.</p>
<p>4’33” is read “four minutes and thirty three seconds” and is sometimes known simply as 433. It is a piece that defies the conventions of classical music. When performed by a soloist, this composition sees the performer take the seat at the piano but doing absolutely nothing with it.</p>
<p>Music notes give life to melodies, which, in effect, can be interchangeable with numbers. As composers embark on their eternal quest for ingenious and original pieces, many are inspired by the use of mathematical constants as music pieces.</p>
<p>How many times have you listened to a song and believed that it was recounting exactly how you felt at that moment? For Donald Gould, a homeless man in the streets of Sarasota, Florida, the song, “Come Sail Away”, might just be what he needed to encourage him to carry on and reach for his dreams.</p>
<p>Since ancient times, music has been a part of human life and culture. Simple items were constructed to play a variety of sounds and they eventually developed into real musical instruments in the 14th and 15th centuries. As civilization advanced, so did the construction of musical instruments like piano.</p>
<p>The Piano Stairs are not pure, decorative pieces. The keys do work like real piano keys and with each step that commuters take, a note is produced. Sensors embedded under the layer of keys send electrical signals to a computer, which analyses them and produces a corresponding sound that is broadcast from hidden speakers.</p>
<p>On 10 November 2011, a 23-year-old pianist appeared on the stage of the famous Carnegie Hall in midtown Manhattan, New York City. Over the course of four minutes, the smartly-dressed young man played an original composition with such emotions that tears flowed from his eyes. His exceptional performance had the usually-reserved Carnegie audience give him a standing ovation.</p>
<p>Memories can exist in many forms; they may be a picture you see in a magazine, a scent you smell on the way to work or a song you hear over the radio. In this Japanese commercial, commissioned by Tosando Music in Japan, memories come in the form of Pachelbel’s Canon in D.</p>
<p>In 1989, British Airways unveiled a television commercial that projected its intended image of itself being the airline that united the world. With its catchy, fast-paced track <em>Aria on Air</em>, a stunning visual that saw people coming together from exotic locations and the impressive voice-over, “Every year, the World’s Favourite Airline brings twenty four million people together”, The Face, as it came to be known, quickly gained popularity and became a much-talked-about classic.</p>
<p>If there are two people who can play the piano and change their clothes at the same time, it has to be the duo from Germany known as Ass-Dur. These young comedians-musicians have proven that they are not only able to perform multiple tasks but are also able to make a living with their unusual talent.</p>
<p>Rainer Hersch is a musician and comedian from Britain. While most people possess multiple talents or passions and are able to pursue parallel, often-disparate careers, Rainer must be one of the few who are able to blend the two into one. Not only does Rainer do that, he does it exceptionally well, to the extent that he is able to turn this combined talent into a seamless whole and present the resulting performances in a fun way to concert-lovers. Suddenly, people who would otherwise not have known anything about music sit up and take notice.</p>
<p>In recent years, transparent pianos have been gaining popularity. While many still prefer the traditional, wood-based instruments with a glossy lacquer finish, the fine examples of which grace concert halls and jazz clubs, others are opting for their modern, transparent counterparts that present a contemporary feel.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">It is often said that mathematics is the universal language. Being the medium of calculation and the means of transactions between people, it is no doubt something that is understood by all mankind, regardless of cultures and geographies. However, if there is something that is not only universally-understood but is also a source of entertainment, it has to be music.</span></p>
<p>Every little while, something interesting appears on the Internet that captures our imagination. Each time, from the deepest recesses of Planet Earth emerges a creative genius who grabs hold of famous musical compositions from days past and gives them a new twist.</p>
<p>Bach in the Subways is a global movement dedicated to bringing Johann Strauss Bach’s classical compositions to the masses. It was started by Dale Henderson in 2010 in response to what he saw as a gradual decline of classical audiences in today’s music scene, where pop and electronic music rule the day.</p>
<p>Many great movies about piano have been made, however, probably none endears itself to the viewer as much as The Legend Of 1900. Starring Tim Roth as the eccentric pianist 1900, this movie tells the tale of a talented pianist who was born on board the four-funneled passenger liner SS Virginian on New Year’s Day in 1900. </p>
<p>Dignity Kitchen is a social enterprise set up in 2010 with the aim of returning dignity to people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By training people who would otherwise find it difficult to obtain jobs by themselves because of the additional challenges they face, it aims to equip them with useful skills and empower them to sustain themselves through meaningful work.</p>
<p>Music lovers and young parents alike may have heard the age-old claim that allowing unborn babies listen to classical music will make them smarter. The debate about the benefits of the so-called the Mozart Effect has raged on for years. Is there any truth?</p>
<p>Months of anticipation finally came to an end when Play Me, I’m Yours Singapore 2016 finally arrived. In Singapore, a total of 25 pianos were decorated by 25 artists working with 25 social organisations and are now located in 25 locations for 25 days. This event was launched on 13 March 2016 at OCBC Square at the Singapore Sports Hub, to much fanfare.</p>
<p>Italian musician and artist Alice Ninni created an artistic sensation of sorts in the world of music in December 2010. By combining colourful drawings with beautiful music, she provided a visual, artistic dimension to the otherwise aural masterpiece, while also telling a story with an environmental message.</p>
<p>In what could possibly be the first case of its kind, a young girl has been filmed playing the piano while being fast asleep. This amazing feat took place in Napier in New Zealand’s North Island in July 2015. The protagonist, a 13-year-old girl by the name of Isabelle, had gotten up from bed and played a tune on her upright piano.</p>
<p>Busking or street performances add to the vibrancy and characters of the cities they occur in. They liven what would otherwise be soulless cities and are a welcome addition to the arts scenes. At the centre of these activities are the talented persons who give their best as they display their artistic or musical skills.</p>