Did any other UK members attend Hamelin's Liszt transcriptions/Chopin-Godowsky Etudes recitals?

I was as at yesterday's. Needless to say, the technical feats were astonishing - implausible is probably a more appropriate word for some of them. The man is clearly preternatural.

His Godowsky Etudes were of course staggering, but it was the second half - Liszt transcriptions of Wagner, Bellini & Verdi - with which I feel he delivered a truly profound musical experience. I don't have an affinity for this sort of repertoire, but on this occasion I found it utterly compelling.

On reflection, the recordings I have heard of Hamelin strike me as being very unsuccessful in conveying the depth of sound he is capable of producing. I'm sure this is the case with many pianists, but the disparity seemed particularly vast last night.

Looks like he is taking this programme elsewhere in the coming weeks. I recommend it.


David

I would go, but I'm saving my money for a car

I would love to hear him play Albeniz live. I have some live recordings and they are so much better than his studio, as you said (his Godowsky/Chopin Etudes for example).

Which specific Liszt transcriptions did he perform?

IMHO his live playing far exceeds his studio work.

Concert 1: Solo Recital
SCHUBERT-LISZT Trauermarsch in E flat minor (Marche funebre)
Grande Marche in B minor
GODOWSKY 9 Studies after Chopin’s Etudes
WAGNER-LISZT Isoldens Liebestod (from ‘Tristan und Isolde’)
VERDI-LISZT Ernani – Paraphrase
BELLINI-LISZT Reminiscences de ‘Norma’

He's performing that program at Mannes next Saturday for those of you near NYC.

I agree. I heard him playing live, via a radio concert. What a difference from his recordings. I have him playing the Charles-Valentin Alkan Concerto for Solo Piano. In the live performance, which I heard while driving to work, I nearly went off the road I was so excited. His recording on the otherhand sounds brittle. His playing is bangy and loud.

Even still he's a superb pianist that has made a nice name for himself playing these very difficult Romantic piano works.

John

I also have the Music and Arts Alkan Concerto for Solo Piano(92'), I enjoy the first two movements, but the 3rd movement(Allegretto alla barbaresca) just doesn't have the 'fire' I would like, I have a DVD of him preforming the piece and it is exceptional, faster and more connected.

He is going to re-record the Alkan solo concerto in February 2006 for Hyperion.

Schedule: Fr 10, Sa 11 & Su 12

1. ALKAN Concerto for Solo Piano + fillers
2. BRAHMS Solo piano works + piano Concerto #2 Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton )

I agree the third movment just doesn't have the oomph it should. These are not easy pieces to play. In fact they are among the most difficult and lengthy in piano literature. I have that Music and Arts recording, and I find the whole thing to be brittle sounding. I wonder if he actually recorded on a digital instrument and not a real piano.

I have the actual music for the pieces. Read my lips: "Wicked Hard". I looked through them one day. I could play, if I work really hard at it, probably a smidge of the first movement. I can, if I work really hard at it, the second movement. The third movement is a bit much. Overall Alkan's music is beyond my capabilities during my current lifetime. I have a lot respect Marc for playing them at all.

I'll have to watch for new discs from Hyperion when they come out. He teaches here in Boston at NEC. It would be nice to study with him some day.

John