Young Composer Creates Compositions on the Clavinova

Talented Jonathon Zabel enjoys composing at home on his Yamaha Clavinova CVP59S.

Talented composer Jonathon Zabel, 18, of Appleton, WI, has only taken piano lessons for four years, but he already has a growing collection of work to show for the hours he spent playing his Yamaha Clavinova digital piano. Zabel particularly appreciates the multi-track recording capability of the CVP59S, pointing out that he enjoys using it in conjunction with the Clavinova’s numerous instrument voices. “I especially like the grand piano, French horn, and orchestral strings,” he says.

When composing at home, Zabel often writes directly on his CVP59S and records the performance to disk so he can transfer the file to his computer to generate notation. “It’s so fun and easy to play and you never have to tune it. The Clavinova is a great instrument for people interested in creating music.”

Zabel has completed ten full-length pieces and has several more in various stages of development: one four-part piece is intended for a small orchestra. A concert at Madison Middle School in Appleton, WI in June, entitled “Vignettes,” featured his ten completed compositions, all prerecorded on his CVP59S. A slide show of artwork by local artist Karla Lauden provided the backdrop for Zabel’s original music showcase, which also featured two compositions by Richmond Elementary School teacher and concert producer, Colleen Perrine.

Zabel timed Lauden’s presentation of artwork to suit his music. “I played in recitals before but never like this, just my music recorded on multiple tracks,” he admits.

Zabel met Perrine, whom he considers his mentor, through Students Mentoring in Local Elementary Schools (SMILES), a volunteer program. Perrine’s support and encouragement led to this special event. “Jonathon’s a great role model for kids,” exclaims Perrine, “and he’s a very gifted composer. I’d describe his style as romantic; his pieces are quite multi-faceted, each is different in its own way. He has so much potential.”

The Zabel family purchased the Clavinova CVP59S digital piano from Heid Music Company in Appleton in October 1996. “Jonathon started playing piano when he was 14,” says Bets Glisczinski, institutional piano consultant for Heid Music, “and the progress he’s made since then is truly amazing.”

Starting in September 2000, Zabel will attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison, on a scholarship from the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. He plans to major in elementary education, with a minor in either music or physics.

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