Alan Belkin, composer
Welcome!
"Imagination, the most important freedom" - Alan Belkin
What's New?
- The "Letter to a Young Composer" is now available in German.
- New material added to the counterpoint book (the section on motives).
- New material added to the piano essay
- New essay added on the symphonies of David Diamond.
- New recordings added to the worklist page: Petit Nocturne (cl., pno. 3.5 minutes), Piano Trio (8 minutes), 1st String Quartet, 4th String Quartet, Nonet (see the worklist page for individual movements).
- New comments on musical analysis.
- Added a "Letter to a Young Composer".
- My essay on piano technique is now available in Italian.
- Translations of my online writings are now available in several different languages (for the complete list, click here).
- Added tributes to Marvin Duchow and Adele Wiseman, two of my mentors.
- My online book on Musical Form has been revised and updated, with new examples added, including audio.
- My online book on Orchestration has been revised and updated, with new examples added, including audio.
- My online book on Harmony has been revised and updated, with new examples added, including audio.
- My online book on Counterpoint has been revised and updated, with new examples added, including audio.
- 12 Preludes and Fugues for piano!
- Two online mini-courses in orchestration are now available here.
- A new Workbook for Elementary Tonal Composition is now available.
- New practice capsules for piano students.
- Four little Etudes for solo piano, useful for mastering basic concepts discussed in the essay Principles of Piano Technique.
- Rimsky-Korsakov's classic text "Principles of Orchestration" is now available online free, updated and with commentary by me.
website © Alan Belkin, 2008
email: belkina_at_yahoo.com (replace _at_
with @).
I am always glad to hear comments or suggestions concerning the content here. I do get a great deal of email from this website, so I may not reply to you immediately. Since so many have asked, I do offer private lessons, either in person or via the Internet; please inquire for my rates. Please do not send me your music without an invitation; I unfortunately do not have time to respond to everyone who just wants my opinion of their score.