John Ellis: “The Pedagogical Writings of Marguerite Long: A Reassessment of Her Impact on the French School of Piano”

This lecture celebrates the work of Dr. John Ellis, winner of the 2024 Harold Haugh Award which recognizes excellence in private studio teaching at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Ellis is professor of piano at SMTD, director of Graduate Studies in Piano Pedagogy and administers the Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program.

SMTD BIO:

John Ellis

Prof. Ellis will present his research into Marguerite Long, the most important French female pianist of the 20th century, who left her stamp on a whole epoch of musical life in Paris. His book on the topic, The Pedagogical Writings of Marguerite Long: A Reassessment of Her Impact on the French School of Piano, is published by Indiana University Press.

Ellis’s work presents English translations of the two major contributions of Marguerite Long to the literature of piano pedagogy. These translations of her pedagogical works, Le Piano and La Petite Méthode de piano, provide a window to the old French school of pianism as modernized by Long. Le Piano is a remarkable text offering piano playing techniques and pragmatic and philosophical musings and observations about life, musicians, careers, and more. La Petite Méthode de piano is a personal manifesto about how to introduce children to music. Both works are treasures revealing Long’s lifelong commitment to teaching and they are still stunningly relevant.

In addition, Prof. Ellis analyzes each work and puts it in historical context. He places special emphasis on Long’s illustrious international career, her teaching, her rivalry with Alfred Cortot, and the impact of sexism on her life and work. Ellis addresses the eclipse of Long’s reputation by that of Cortot and fills a gap in the knowledge of Long’s place in the history of pedagogical heritage.

This lecture and demonstration represents Prof. Ellis’s longstanding interest in comparative pedagogy with an international perspective.