Basic outline of Grieg Concerto First Movement:

Intro

Themes presented by Piano and Orchestra in key of A Minor[/b]

Orchestral transition

Piano Accompanies the Orchestra until climax

Restatement of themes in the key of A Major[/b]

Cadenza

End

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All I've got left to learn is the restatement of the themes in A Major. Here's the problem: I have trouble learning the new section, because my mind wants to play it all in A Minor, as I did in the beginning! However, I actually need to play every note a third lower, in A Major.

So now I am getting pretty good at the new section. Problem is, I can't play the original A minor part now, because my mind wants to play the transposed A Major!

Urgh.

How do you prevent / work around this problem? When you've got two long sections that are almost exactly identical in form, but the second part is transposed a third lower and in a new key, what do you do?

This is frustrating, but hopefully I will learn from it.

Sam :

The key of A major is not a third lower than A minor; they both have the same tonic. You knew that! What I think you are referring to is the section (C, in my score, tranquillo e cantabile ) where the first time it is in C major and the second time it is in A major - a third below

That aside, I know what you mean. I had/have a devil of a time with the second movement of the Chopin E minor concerto, where the second theme, originally in E major is repeated in G# major - yes, G# major. It might be somewhat easier were it written in the enharmonic of Ab major, but no, it's the equivalent - with all the accidentals - of G# major.

Keep plugging; it will come!

Regards,

Thanks, Bruce. Again, you are correct - C Major to A Major. Shall I include you on my list of teachers, because you correct me so often?

I suppose I should just slow down the original C Major section again and work with that one, and bounce back to the A Major and work on that again... like a swinging pendulum.

And here I thought it would be easy! Same rhythm, just a third lower...

Sam:

Sorry; I really don't mean to be a pain in the butt, even though I probably am!

What you suggest might be a good idea; alternate practicing the two sections, the C major and the A major, without playing the sections between the two. There have got to be some crucial points that you can analyze to keep you on the right track. It might even be worthwhile to compare, note for note, each of the parallel sections. If you are a visual learner, here's something you could try. Make a photocopy of just the section in A major. Line it up on the page with the section in C major and see how much the two match, note for note, (allowing for the difference of a third) and see where the variants occur. That might help sort out the two sections, or will it just add to the confusion?

Regards,

LOL, it took me a long time to learn that section also. It sure is a pain. I can't even play the 1st animato section now as it is tricky without consistent practice.