Aramine

Mariane Riss explores the world of childhood, between humour and poetry. She writes on impulse, from something a child said, a scene she witnessed, a childhood memory… or for the needs of the moment: celebrations, concerts, groups of children with their instruments.

In this childlike world she plays with modes, rhythms… and with styles of writing too. Her pieces are always written for several instruments, because she wants children to play together from very early on.

She invites children to discover the different dimensions of music (rhythm, tempo, melody, dynamics, timbre…) through listening enriched with explanations that always stay playful. Through singing, movement, dance and poetry, they connect music with the expression of feelings. This happens in summer workshops, or in collaborations with schools and teachers.

Les Cahiers d'Aramine

Seventeen pieces for piano four hands.

The piano is too often seen as a solo instrument, at least for beginners. Yet it is possible, very early on, to discover the pleasure of playing with others while strengthening one's technique. This collection follows the child's progress, gradually offering pieces with wider challenges in rhythm, phrasing and hand movement.

Young pianists can open it in their very first months of learning, accompanied by a slightly more advanced pianist. Each part has its own melody, so that everyone enjoys practising alone; together, the two parts enrich each other. Through these simple, expressive melodies the two musicians explore a varied musical space, tonal and atonal. The young pianist quickly develops listening and precision: their melody must unfold, and their rhythm must lock in with the other part.

To be played between brothers and sisters, between friends, between children and parents or pupils and teachers — I hope this collection brings everyone joy and fulfilment through musical complicity.

Summer workshops

Playing together, in the last week of August. The workshop is a truly collective moment. It does not replace individual lessons, where children learn their instrument and develop their technique: the focus here is on listening and playing together. Children are never put in difficulty by the level of their part; they can master it quickly and concentrate fully on playing in an ensemble. They are asked for commitment, respect for the other musicians (children and adults) and care for the equipment.

Each workshop welcomes 8 to 12 children, is led by musicians and composers, and ends with a performance. To enrol your child or find out more, write to Mariane.

Past workshops

• 27–30 August 2019Piano, violin, cello, saxophone, flute, carillon and voice — led by Françoise Bouttier-Caffin and Mariane Riss
• 27–31 August 2018Piano, cello, flute, carillon and voice — led by Françoise Bouttier-Caffin and Mariane Riss
• 25–29 August 2014Piano, violin, cello, trumpet and voice — led by Françoise Bouttier-Caffin, Jocelyne Willion and Mariane Riss

Memories of the August 2018 workshop

That year there were many pianists — one of them with an arm in plaster! So we had six hands on one piano, twelve hands on three pianos… and three hands on one piano. Among all these pianists, the cello, flute and carillon found their place in a joyful atmosphere. Every piece was written or arranged by Mariane Riss.

Collaborations

To run a music project in a school, discuss a collaboration or ask anything else, write to Mariane.

Lycée français Charles de Gaulle, London — 2017

A project with the three nursery classes of the Marie d'Orliac primary school, part of the French lycée, over fourteen sessions per class, built around the seasons of the year and Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Through games, the children discovered the importance of rhythm and tempo; they sang melodies while playing with dynamics; they discovered the instruments of the classical orchestra by listening to them and describing them (timbre, range, and even size). Songs, nursery rhymes, dance and painting illustrated the seasons. A show bringing together all three classes (80 pupils) closed the project, building on the work the teachers had done in class.

Music'All, Franco-British music school, London — 2016 to 2018

• Rhythm workshop: rhythm is essential in music, and mastering it is far from simple. Through increasingly complex games using listening and different parts of the body, children approach it playfully.
• Introduction to interpretation: dynamics, tempi and phrasing are all levers to give a melody different characters. Children learn a simple melody, then play it in different ways to express moods and emotions (joy, anger, shyness, surprise, boredom…).
• Christmas concerts (2016 and 2017) at Nazareth House: Mariane wrote Christmas carol arrangements for a small group of children, tailored to their instruments and levels, and coached them over a few rehearsals.
• Concert-show for toddlers (aged 3–4): through an invented story, the youngest listened to older children play varied pieces — solo, duo, trio or orchestra.
• Musicianship and piano lessons, occasionally: for the youngest, teaching based on active methods, mainly Kodály and Dalcroze, with a global approach through rhythm, voice, listening and body awareness.