A. Ramón Rivera Returns to RSC for Celebratory Masterclass

 

Piano department co-chairs Sandra Hebert and Eleanor Perrone hosted the afternoon workshop, which was well attended despite the threat of a snowstorm, a testament to Rivera’s celebrity status at RSC. In Hebert’s introduction of Rivera, she mentioned that if she could choose one word to describe Rivera, it would be “inspiring.” Speaking about RSC’s history, Hebert said, “There have been many people who contributed…[Rivera] stands above all the rest.”

Three piano students worked with Rivera for the master class: Audrey Tushman played the first movement of Beethoven’s Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2, “Tempest”; Elon Du-Chang played Chopin’s Nocturne No. 9 in B Major, Op. 32, No. 1; and Cole Delgado played the third movement of Ravel’s Miroirs: III. Une barque sur l’ocean. Rivera listened to each student’s performance in its entirety before helping them work through specific sections of the pieces. Rivera focused some of his comments on the instrument itself, telling a student, “You have to listen to what the piano is giving you.” Rivera also shared information about the composer’s history or the inspiration for the piece with each student to give them context for what they were performing. On the subject of bringing out the drama of a piece, Rivera said, “Don’t leave it to the imagination. There are certain places [that] you have to say it.”

When asked about whether he can apply the feedback he received from Rivera to future performances, RSC student Cole Delgado enthusiastically replied, “I can definitely interpret [the feedback] if I want to play Debussy or Ravel, or Impressionistic pieces in the future. I can use the contrasting dynamics or the imagery that he told me about today.” After working with the students, Rivera responded to questions from the audience. A question about his early years learning piano prompted Rivera to reflect on his own beloved childhood piano teacher. “I liked her, and I wanted to play well for her. I learned from her to be friendly with my students,” he said. That friendliness and positive encouragement were evident throughout his interactions with the students at the masterclass.

As the workshop closed, audience members were reminded to save the date for the capstone event of RSC’s 50th season on May 30. The evening celebration under the tent on Lank Quadrangle will feature special musical performances and will be filled with RSC memories. All Rivers and RSC students and supporters, past and present are invited to attend.