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I was wondering what everybody thought was the most expressive, emotional piano piece they've ever heard?
Links welcome. And if you want to throw in something that isn't solo piano in addition, please do. (I'd offer my own opinion, but I'm somewhat new to the genre and am still trying to expose myself to classical.)
There are many expressive and "emotional" pieces, like the Hammerklavier Adagio or the Bach-Busoni chorale Ich ruf zu dir, but the one that moves me the most nowadays is probably the second movement from Rachmaninov second Sonata. It's so simple yet so touching, I tear up every time I play it in my mind.
among many others.... posting this one because I just discovered it and totally love it
enhanced version of a piano roll recording by the man himself!!
That is a great recording - I've had it for some years on a compact disc of his piano roll recordings, and it's always been the best version for me to listen to!
As for the most emotional pieces - isn't that kind of a subjective question? What makes one piece MORE emotional than another? An outward display of extreme romanticism?
I'm not sure how so many got off on a "sad" tangent, or how "emotional" equates as such. At any rate the third movement of K. 488 (Mozart piano concerto No. 23) is full of emotion (Mozart's having a blast), Rach 3, while quite exotic, is emotionally draining, the 2nd movement of the Eroica moves me like no other work I know and brought tears to my eyes the first time ever I heard it, the fugue in c sharp minor from Book I is one of the most powerful pieces of music ever written, and the last movement of LVB's 9th is a pure adrenaline rush. I'm sure there's many I'm omitting, but these immediately come to mind.
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
I know I will sound like a fool, but.. I do not like Brahms' intermezzi. I have listened to many interpretations and I find the music a bit soupy and predictable.. Certainly not stirring or "emotional". Am I alone in this corner?
Speaking of which, I am off to see Yundi Li*'s concert at CH. Rescheduled from last November.. All Chopin.. It will be a very tall order, following Pollini 2 weeks ago...
* Actually he changed his name to just Yundi, it would seem..
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions Andromaque! I personally think the Brahms Intermezzi are an example of some of the greatest writing for the instrument, but to each his own.
I know I will sound like a fool, but.. I do not like Brahms' intermezzi. I have listened to many interpretations and I find the music a bit soupy and predictable.. Certainly not stirring or "emotional". Am I alone in this corner?
Indeed you are entitled to your opinion, and it's completely valid. No need to decrease your font size!
I can't convince you that the music isn't soupy, or that it's stirring. Those are personal reactions. I would at least argue, however, that the intermezzi are not predictable. I feel Brahms goes out of his way to change rhythms, textures and especially harmony in all kinds of unpredictable ways. Some of these things one might not absorb until one has played through the music instead of just listening to it. (Not sure whether you've played through them, but it might really open them up to you).