SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/3/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 41, 117.

40: “Rapid leaps from one range of the keyboard to another require extra energy and may interrupt the flow of both the rhythm and the phrasing. However, a pianist can maintain his energy level while increasing his accuracy and musical expression by dividing notes, as shown, in the measures of Example 22. With divisi fingering, the angularity of abrupt motion from one register to another is lessened by allowing the right hand more time to move.”

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/3/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 47, 117.

46: “When possible, a pianist with small hands should divide the notes in wide-spaced chords, rather than rolling them with one hand alone.”

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/3/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 52, 117.

51: "All of Ravel's ornamentations are an inherent part of the melodic line and must be played with clarity, tone, and expression. Fingering is an important factor in the execution of the ornaments. When ornaments are written at the top of a chord or figuration, as in Example 35, divisi fingering will help the pianist avoid a four-five combination of fingers which is more difficult to control and to play with clarity."

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/3/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 118.

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 5/3/2022 with the author’s permission

First appeared in Dorothy Woster Brandwein, "Divisi Fingering in Selected Passages from Ravel's Solo Piano Works" (DMA diss., University of Missouri–Kansas City, 1981), 47, 118.

46: “When possible, a pianist with small hands should divide the notes in wide-spaced chords, rather than rolling them with one hand alone.”