Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Members Recordings - Pianist Corner Cahn--"Reflections"

Still championing student pieces. I found this in a "take if for free" box. It's a lovely piece, and I see online that it is still available for purchase.

Does anyone know anything about Alfred Cahn? I couldn't find any bio on the big wide web.

I admit that I made one change to the notation that I think was the result of a "typo." In the final broken chord, LH, I shifted the fourth up a line on the staff. To play it as printed made no sense (way too jazzy, wrecked the mood, and did not fit with where the piece had been to that point). Moving that fourth up a notch seemed to make it fall into place.



(Wish I knew more about theory. Oh, well. All in good time, I suppose...)

Here it is. On the Mighty Lester spinet in a somewhat ripened EBVT III tuning. I hope you like it:

Alfred Cahn--"Reflections"

--Andy

On March 7, I have posted this recording, and today, more than a month later, there is still no reaction.

(Sorry, Tony007, I couldn't resist bumping this post after seeing your Haydn this morning. )

--Andy

Andy -

Try this link.....

http://www.emmanina.com/music.html#!/pageAboutAlfred

Apparently Cahn, a Holocaust survivor, is still living.

Beautiful little piece, BTW, and well-played by you - as always !!!!

Andy~
That's a great little tune and the delivery was wonderful. You play so relaxed and patiently, letting it breathe.

Hi Phil!!

Glen

Hi Glen !!

Phil

Glen!! Phil!! Thanks for listening and commenting. The "take it for free" box had a large assortment of practically mint condition student pieces that look to be somewhat "intermediate" or "early advanced" level. Some of the compositions are so so. But some of the compositions, like this one, have a lot going on and are definitely worth floating into the air. I shall champion them. I played "Reflections" during the offertory at church last month (this church has the offertory follow the sermon in its order of worship) and it fit the mood after the message in a rather profound way. (It never ceases to amaze me when the Holy Spirit says, "Just give me something to work with, o.k.?," and you cooperate, and then there is this profound, "whooosh." Hard to put into words, but I think you know what I mean.)

Phil, Thank you so much for that link! Wow! What an amazing life story to read. That's exactly the kind of stuff I wanted to know!

--Andy

Hi Andy,

This is a wonderful performance. The restful piece has a gently flowing melody, some beautiful altered chords, and lush harmonies along the way. Great playing!

David

Hi Andy, what a precious discovery! Of course you are right: I complained about my Haydn remaining without any reaction after a few days, but you had to wait much longer.... I'm glad to see that you got many feedbacks meanwhile

First of all: congratulations for your very tasteful playing, I think that you perfectly got the spirit of this music! It may gently "flow" under your fingers, sparkling in many soft colours!

I have to admit that I didn't know anything about this composer before. But as carey wrote, Alfred Cahn must be a survivor of the Holocaust? Maybe he wrote his "Reflections" after 1945? If yes, it would be more than remarkable to compose such a bright and innocent little "jewel" after all this....

Of course I had to compare the two versions of the end, and I think it wouldn't be so bad to play it as it has been printed.... The printed version sounds lovely as well to my ears.... But of course you were right to change it as it makes no sense to you!

@RachFan--thank you for listening and commenting! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@Tony007--The life story that Carey linked to is fascinating and difficult to read. Alfred Cahn endured brutal conditions, but kept hold of his love for music, even teaching children to sing in three-part harmony at one point of his horrific journey. I am not sure when "Reflections" was written, but the copy I have was published by Schaum in 1984. I agree with you that the final chord, as printed in the score, is a gorgeous chord. But it was so out of place that I could not bear to play it that way. Emotionally and intellectually, it was so incongruous with what had transpired that I even considered not playing the last chord at all until the thought occurred to me that it might be a typo. I have occasionally run into such misprints. I could be wrong, though, as I often am.

Bumping a worthier post.