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Nocturne-esque?? Not "Maiden's Wish"... which pieces are you talking about?
Oh sorry, my mistake. Yes, not Maiden's Wish, although that is part of the cycle. Yeah, they are six pieces in different styles. The one I know best is 'My Joys,' which is Nocturne-esque.
Chopin's songs, while nice, are not among his best works.
As Charles Rosen memorably observed: Chopin clearly didn't waste any time on them.
I agree. Anyone who doubts Chopin's abilities as a song writer are either ignorant or stupid. He was a musical super-genius who happened to also love the opera. I'm SURE if he wanted to put out some great songs he could have -- I don't think he cared though.
Wow. How many of Liszt's songs do you know, and have you ever accompanied them with a singer?
I know a few but it doesn't matter, I wouldn't be able to tolerate playing them with a classically trained singer, which is why the transcriptions are an improvement. (to me)
Chopin's songs, while nice, are not among his best works.
As Charles Rosen memorably observed: Chopin clearly didn't waste any time on them.
I agree. Anyone who doubts Chopin's abilities as a song writer are either ignorant or stupid. He was a musical super-genius who happened to also love the opera. I'm SURE if he wanted to put out some great songs he could have -- I don't think he cared though.
No doubt. There's no reason why he couldn't have been a great song writer.
No doubt. There's no reason why he couldn't have been a great song writer.
But he wasn't. Nor was he much of an orchestrator.
"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."
No doubt. There's no reason why he couldn't have been a great song writer.
With Chopin's talent he could have done anything.
A fuss is often made about Chopin's weak orchestrations in the piano concertos, but how else would the piano part be properly heard? Tausig and company attempted re-orchestrations, but then they found they had to re-write some of the piano writing so that it could project over a busier orchestration.
Hey now, the "gush over everything Chopin wrote thread" is in the ABF. Let's keep it there, please. (I'm hoping this thread title will keep Mark and Beet from adding a couple of pages of Chopin defense)
Since this great pianist passed away early this year, I figured it would be appropriate to share these.
Interesting -and quite appropriate to share, thank-you!- but I just cannot love that recording. Weissenberg had a technique which must have been the envy of any pianist, but so often I get the impression of a sadistic brutality. Compared to Argerich's quick, silent, and efficient laser printer, Weissenberg sounds like a noisy ink jet printer, droplets of ink saturating the page.
Liszt's Oratorio 'Die Legende von der Heiligen Elisabeth' is generally considered to be one of Liszt's weaker large scale works, and i've found it quite dull the first couple times i've listened to it - despite some glorious moments. Of course, i'm going to withold judgement there because it is highly programmatic and i've not listened to it with that in mind, and I certainly haven't come close to digested all 2-3 hours of it.
The orchestral opening is surely one of the highlights of the Oratorio.
Liszt, in his typically masterful manner, transcribed this for the piano. To my ears, the result is a gorgeous solo piano piece that deserves to be performed with regularity.
No doubt. There's no reason why he couldn't have been a great song writer.
With Chopin's talent he could have done anything.
A fuss is often made about Chopin's weak orchestrations in the piano concertos, but how else would the piano part be properly heard? Tausig and company attempted re-orchestrations, but then they found they had to re-write some of the piano writing so that it could project over a busier orchestration.
No solution there.
I've recently bought Krystian Zimerman's recording of him performing and conducting the Chopin piano concertos. His interpretation of the orchestra part turns it into a new piece for me. I'd reccomend you take a listen
"I was obliged to be industrious. Whoever is equally industrious will succeed equally well."
Browsing youtube, I ran across a midi version of Liszt's Toccata in Am that was accurate and....dreadful. Here is Mark Salman playing the piece. Much, much much better. (I believe this is Gooddogs teacher, is it not?)