Why toy pianos?
When I play toy pianos, I feel such delight hearing the tinkling music-box sounds. They awaken the spirit of childhood within me. I get such a kick transcending the perceived limitations of a toy.
Toy pianos are all about musical joy in Brighton
Stacy Gittleman. December 7, 2010
When you think of toy pianos, what comes to mind? I immediately envision Peanuts comic strip charactedrs Schroeder and Lucy. Lucy is leaning on Schroeder's toy piano, which is accessorized with a candelabra. While Lucy prattles on about her problems, Schroeder tunes her out as he plays classical compositions by Mozart or Beethoven. Onl in cartoons could such music come from a toy piano, one might think. Think again.
Brighton resident and piano instructor Paula Bobb was inspired to explore playing music on toy pianos after seeing such a performance 13 years ago by world renowned pianist Margaret Leng Tan. This year, after many years of tinkering with these tiny instruments, Paula decided to record her own CD of music played on toy Schoenhut pianos.
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What our critics are listening to
December 24, 2010
PAULA BOBB: CHARMED. Bartok and Schumann's children's music is simply charming on the piano. On a toy piano, they're downright adorable. Bobb is a pianist and teacher at Hochstein School of Music who self-released this disc of music for toy piano. She says, "When I play toy pianos, I feel such delight hearing the tinkling music-box sounds...I get such a kick transcending the perceived limitations of a toy."Performing real piano music on toy pinos can be no easy task, with tiny keys and the rough action of the keyboard (you can actually hear the extraneous noises the keys make when pressed). But Bobb is able to do so with considerable smoothness and musicality. The bell-like sound of the toy piano puts a holiday spin on these works.ANNA REGUERO
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"Stunning originality ...on Toy Pianos!
Review of the CD: "Charmed: Classical Music on Toy Pianos" Tickle The Ivories 2010
The newest CD release by the gifted pianist Paula Bobb is a winner! In a world that is jammed with over-hyped "originality", along comes something so different and charming that it deserves serious coverage. Ms Bobb, already championed for her creative programming and stunning musicianship, has brought forth a new delight to a jaded market.
The concept is simple: childhood "classics" played on toy pianos. Featured composers are Bartok, Schumann, Turk, and Heller. This is THE Standard repertoire of generations of intermediate-level piano students. Those of us who played some of these had usually long since left the toy pianos in the attic or given them away. . . if we were lucky enough to have ever had one. This revelatory recording opens our ears and our hearts to the often-forgotten charm of the toy piano. Ms. Bobb's own liner notes say it best:
"I get such a kick out of transcending the perceived limitations of a toy."
Transcend she does. Not only is the music played faithfully on these toys, it is also played beautifully. If she had played on a Steinway D, the recording would be a lovely example of the beauty and charm and mystery of some of these little pieces. However, in her hands, these small gems ot only had the humorous thumping of the primitive action, and the tinkling of the metallic bars, they also have thoughtful, expressive and beautiful timing. Her artistry makes the interpretation of Bartok's "I Lost My Young Couple" or "Swineherd's Dance" as unmistakeable as Schumann's "The Wild Rider". This is a welcome addition to any serious (or not) collection. Ms. Bobb is clearly an artist to watch." Polly Schaffner, Pianist. Los Angeles.