W. Popielarz - Have a good trip

From the author

This is the third book of concert pieces prepared in collaboration with Cicadis Publishing. In it you will find: a three-part sonatina and a theme with six variations - perfect for exams or competitions, dances and free pieces. Etudes - developing techniques such as legato, arpeggio, polyrhythmia, tremolo, flageolets, barre or glissando. You will also encounter the use of the plectron (cube), slide (finger glass sleeve), mormorando or different fermata durations. This will undoubtedly broaden your possibilities. I have also developed exotic tunes from Taiwan and China. As you have noticed, several pieces do not contain any performance suggestions. This is a deliberate procedure, including the task of developing the interpretation yourself.

All compositions are melodic and expressive in rhythmic and harmonic weaving. I hope they will inspire you in your own explorations. You already know that performing a piece on stage is a complex matter. It is not enough to work with the instrument. Let's look at the world of sport. Apart from the enormous amount of work put into perfecting their chosen discipline, an athlete also benefits from the care of a psychologist, masseur, therapist, and often practices yoga and meditation. All this is done in order to improve the efficiency of the organism, increase coordination, self-discipline, self-esteem, resistance to stress. In this way, she finds peace of mind and inner harmony. For it is only the combination of technique, muscular fitness and mastery of the emotions that gives him the tools to succeed. And do we musicians work on our development in the broadest sense? I think not. Yes, we receive knowledge, repertoire, we practise assiduously, but at the end - already on stage - it turns out that memory fails, discouragement, nerves, negative emotions, which, as a result, do not allow for a valuable interpretation. I am sure that with self-work and exploration this can be remedied.

My sincere thanks to my student, Mr Andrzej Mogilski patron of this edition. During our work together we discussed the above issues, which led to some interesting reflections.

Wojciech Popielarz