On Musical Execution: An Attempt at a Systematic Exposition of the Same, Primarily With Reference to Piano-Playing (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Otto Klauwell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0483151998 ISBN 13: 9780483151994

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Master the art of musical execution, not just technique.

This guide offers a systematic look at how to bring a musical work to life on the piano, balancing accuracy with expressive interpretation. It explains why accuracy alone isn’t enough and how to read between the lines of notation to shape a performance.

Rooted in a careful study of tempo, dynamics, and tone, the book frames execution as an art that goes beyond mechanical skill. It guides readers through how to understand the four-fold relation of tone—pitch, power, timbre, and duration—so each note serves the whole piece. Clear principles show how to adapt tempo and force in every passage, with practical examples drawn from piano literature.

Whether you are a student, teacher, or passionate performer, this edition helps you develop a thoughtful approach to musical phrasing, articulation, and overall structure. It emphasizes staying true to the composer’s character and the piece’s architectural shape while making thoughtful, individualized interpretive choices.

• Learn how tempo and dynamics interact to support musical meaning in each section.
• Discover how to shape phrases and highlights to reveal form and thematic development.
• Explore how to modify touch, attack, and gesture in repetitions, cadences, and ornaments.
• Gain strategies for balancing technical skill with artistic expression across works for piano.

Ideal for readers seeking a disciplined, musician-centered approach to performance.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0483151998
• ISBN 13: 9780483151994
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 149