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Hey! I was just going to mention this sonata (not by Pogorelich. though). I heard it this evening in a recital, in the 4th movement right at the transition back into the recap of the muted rapid violin passagework material from the 1st movement. One of those moments where I hoped nobody was looking at my trying to hold back the tears.

Richter Oistrakh Prokofiev Violin Sonata 1

If you're on a limited time, starting at 4:00 gives a flavour of the 4th movement, 4:30 begins what I'm calling a transition, and then 5:27 =

Have you seen this? I never realized her English was so superb. What a charismatic lady!!

Aw really?? Haha that was not a very prepared performance though.. the one from our concert 3 weeks later was much better! (I put it on www.myspace.com/swaypiano)

(I had just had a realization about some crucial thematic material in the last movement, ONE DAY before that concert, it gave me chills when we were playing it. I really should've known that before, though.. kind of embarrassing to not have known........)

Any late Beethoven will do the trick for me.

Passages from resurrected old PW threads such as this usually do it for me.

Chopin often gets to me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP8MW6WE9R4

Ahahaa I stilled really enjoyed it. And it was live too! Live performances are always the most powerful. Let me listen to the later recording....

Speaking of unprepared performances, I'm going to be giving an unprepared performance of the Ballade 4 this Tuesday..hahaa. Hope it works out!

Bach B minor mass, Agnus Dei

“Tear up” must be some ghastly American expression for “cry” ... (complete with snotty-nosed handkerchief ... or sleeve with us peasants) ... everything went down in the Colonies after George Washington took over.

In Afrikaans we say “huil” for “cry” (blubber)
(pronounced like iced raindrops ... but properly said with a posh “u” like you were going to say “oops)

In good Olde England “tear up” means “to shred”.

PS My dog (bitch) howls whenever I play the piano ...
but could be that G string, which needs tightening.

btb, in my definition of "tear up", there's not enough crying to generate a "snotty-nosed handkerchief", maybe just a slight sniff.

True - but I believe the Brits also say say "tears welled up in his/her eyes"....which in my book of ghastly American slang means "tear up."

For me, it's most of the Mass. But I agree that the Agnus Dei is the ultimate tearjerker.

I would also add that worn-out favorite, Air on G String, the Chaconne, and the Largo from his Double Violin Concerto. If I'm reaching for Kleenex, I've either got a a cold, or I'm listening to one of my Bach favorites. There are other composers who can move me to tears, but not as often as Bach does.

The "Kyrie," "Crucifixus" and "Gratias agimus tibi" get me every time.

Just listened to snippets of each on youtube. Gotta get away from the computer for a few minutes and compose myself.