The Piano Teacher (concert version)

The Piano Teacher (concert version) (1992)

with financial support of the Fonds voor de Scheppende Toonkunst
first performance: October 22-1992, de IJsbreker, Amsterdam
Monique Copper – piano and recitation

This composition is a concert version of the little opera for young children, The Piano Teacher, written for a piano player, who has to combine playing the piano with telling a story.
The textbook (in English, there are also versions available in German, French and Dutch, see the score) is by Fer Bank.
During performance slide, made by Fer Bank, may be shown. Further information can be obtained from Fer Bank.
See also Monique Coppers’ website.

synopsis:

Two children are busy playing with their dolls, while their piano teacher (male or female) is fanatically playing finger exercises on the piano. He (or she) is angry at his pupils. They should study, not play with dolls.
Angry or not, the children are not impressed. They bring all sorts of dolls and put them on the piano, until it cannot be seen anymore. At last they throw a doll in the teacher’s lap. He (or she) is scared stiff and comes to the conclusion that he may be able to play the piano, he doesn’t know how to play with dolls. He agrees with the children, that he will teach them the piano, whereas they will teach him to play with dolls.