Preludes & Predilections, Volume 2: Piano CD

Hearing a composer perform his own work reveals intentions that notation alone cannot convey. Dobbins' interpretation of his Preludes alongside his reading of jazz standards offers students a masterclass in touch, phrasing, and the relationship between composition and performance. This recording pairs original work with authoritative interpretations of American jazz repertoire, making it a resource for understanding how contemporary classical and jazz languages intersect.

The Preludes unfold with intricate harmonic language and delicate construction, revealing Dobbins' compositional voice. The jazz standards shift the mood into the rich, lyrical tradition of American songwriting, demonstrating how a classically trained pianist approaches the jazz canon with sophistication and respect.

Piano students and teachers interested in contemporary classical music and jazz. Pianists preparing Dobbins' Preludes will find the composer's own performance invaluable for understanding his musical intent and interpretive approach.

• Study Dobbins' touch and pedal choices in the Prelude movements; his approach to texture and resonance transfers directly to your own practice.
• Listen to how he phrases the jazz standards; note his balance between rhythmic precision and rubato, especially in the Ellington pieces.
• Use the recorded tempos as reference points, but don't treat them as prescriptive. Let his interpretive choices spark your own musical ideas rather than lock them in place.

Play this recording during studio listening sessions to supplement score study of the Preludes. Use the jazz standards selections in recital programming or performance class to show students how the same musician navigates both classical composition and jazz interpretation.

• listening to stylistic nuance in contemporary classical writing
• understanding interpretive choices in jazz standards
• analyzing the relationship between compositional intent and performance
• developing touch and tone control across different harmonic languages