SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/22/2022 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), 38, 79.

37: “The measures in Example 19 from '‘Noctuelles,’ ‘Ondine,’ and Valses nobles et sentimentales further illustrate situations where the left hand is able to alleviate momentarily some right hand extension by playing selected notes in the passage-work.”

Original:

Suggested performance:

“This redistribution is less crowded and highlights the shape of the triplet line.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 4/13/2020

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/22/2022 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), 80.

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/22/2022 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), 28, 80.

28: “The expressiveness of many passages in "Noctuelles" is impeded by the angularity of the right hand figuration. Example 8 shows that if the left hand plays notes which are convenient to its position, then the right hand can more comfortably and smoothly phrase the highest melodic notes of the pattern.”

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/22/2022 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), 80.

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/22/2022 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), 80.

“Taking the B-flat in the left hand eliminates a position shift. I like the voicing created by this redistribution of the diminished fifth.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/10/2020

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 39, 81.

39: “Example 21 further illustrates the advantage of redistributing a single or recurring note in a passage, whereby the momentum is maintained with a more comfortable fingering.”

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 81.

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 81.

34: “Divisi fingering can diminish interference between the hands in many measures that have a complex harmonic texture or figuration. Example 16 shows measures…which have in common the necessity for a blend of notes at great speed and at very soft dynamic levels.”

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 81.

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 36, 82.

35: “Example 17 contains measures from several of Ravel's piano pieces in which an extended pattern is written for one hand or the other. In passages such as these, divisi fingering can alleviate any muscular tension which might occur from the constant use of one hand.”

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 82.

“These notes fall directly in the left hand’s current position and are easily redistributed.”

Submitted by Michael Clark

Published on 1/10/2020

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 32, 82.

31–32: “When a pianist performs Ravel's difficult music, the accurate playing of the notes is threatened by the quick changes from one hand position to another. One way to improve accuracy is to use fingering which requires a minimum of hand movement. Example 13 cites measures…which involve rapid jumps that can be avoided with divisi fingering.”

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 24, 82.

24: “The redistribution of notes in the measures of Example 3 enables the pianist to maintain identical chordal hand positions which are transferred to each register of the keyboard; the fluid undulation of the arpeggios simulates the rolling waves of an ocean.”

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 25, 83.

24: “The redistribution of notes in the measures of Example 3 enables the pianist to maintain identical chordal hand positions which are transferred to each register of the keyboard; the fluid undulation of the arpeggios simulates the rolling waves of an ocean.”

SPECIAL COLLECTION | Dorothy Brandwein’s Ravel Fingerings

Published on 4/25/2022 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), 83.