BS
Here's the video of Rafal Blechacz's Sonata no. 3 4th movement:https://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1Z423R0IH6X063BPE658KWOTYJ
I could spend 10 lifetimes and not play this that well live, under pressure. If that's the point.But I felt nothing as I listened. Nothing new, nothing unique. It seemed somehow "safe".Am I being unfair?GaryGary
No you're not being unfair but "safe" wins.
It's the Chopin 3rd Sonata, how new and unique do you want it? Personally I like his playing. Controlled and steady, yes. But still very musical to my ears.With that said, I didn't hear any of the others. Congrats to Rafał, whoever you are.
I can't prove it, of course, but I truly believe that if you had been there and heard all the other players, you probably would have been disappointed by the outcome. I say that because I believe one or more players would have done things that would have touched some part of you that the others didn't, and you probably would put much less premium on accuracy than on interpretation, individuality, etc. This is not to say that it can't go too far. Sometimes you can hear great ideas, or you think you do, but their are so many wrong notes, it's hard to be sure.I also have to say that I only heard this one movement, and some of the other things this guy played may have been incredible. I truly do not know. So I really do not want to be over critical or unfair to an individual, which is why I said what I did.But I still think piano competitions stamp out individuality in most cases. Now and then people win who are so gifted, they make it to the top IN SPITE of the competitions. In other words, they have to play the game. They have to win these things in order to get heard, but they never do their best playing until later, when they are allowed to express themselves without the hellish competitive environment.Gary
Here's the video of Rafal Blechacz's Sonata no. 3 4th movement:https://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1Z423R0IH6X063BPE658KWOTYJHere's the video of Ingolf Wunder's Sonata no. 3 4th movement:https://s63.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=18LKB5RW6XMDZ1YB1BMU7WKSON
Just talking to myself....The results are what I had been scared of...I mean, I had thought there would be a time like this - even Chopin Competition Prizes are occupied by Asian pianists. Is this because Asian piano learners practice a lot more than western learners???That is intresting you mention that, when you say asian do you mean chines, well i think its because that they have a very large population and secondly they have a number of outstanding teachers, hence the reason why we see so many chines pianist, for example am Kurdish and occurding to a number of people am the only pianist from that country, good news for me but bad news as far as standards gos, i have no one to compete with.
WOooooo! What kind of competition is that? Ingolf Wunder is so much more mature and so much better musically and technically. Rafal Blechacz's rubato is too dragging and hence not natural enough. Is Chopin competition in warsaw still a prestigious piano competition after 2005?
cherub_rocker: Thank you for the links! (Although what I downloaded appeared to be audio only--no video.) Why did no one applaud after Wunder's performance?I personally prefer Wunder's rendition. It's ironic that even if the jury were to select a "safe" choice with flawless technique and presentation, Blechacz really doesn't fit the bill, as his rendition wasn't flawless anyway.The issue regarding the tempo chosen by Wunder points to one of the interpretive decisions of this movement. The main theme of the Rondo appears 3 times, each time with a different accompaniment: triplet both hands, then 3-against-4, then against six 16th notes, which is very difficult if your left hand is under-developed. I have heard so many pianists who begins the Rondo well enough or a bit on the fast side, then have to slow down by the 3rd entrance of the main theme. The thing about Wunder's rendition is that yes, he is a bit on the fast side, but his left hand is strong enough to carry him to the end. Blechazc definitely played it safe.Also, can someone post links, if any, of Dong -Hyek Lim's performance? Thanks!
Hay is this Wunder guy you are talking about the Austrian dood, if so he was one of the best.
this competition is just riggedit was just a Poland's party that some asians were involved as supporters for Rafal
It's ironic that even if the jury were to select a "safe" choice with flawless technique and presentation, Blechacz really doesn't fit the bill, as his rendition wasn't flawless anyway.
I wonder what the percentage of polish finalists there have been through the years and how many russian finalists there have been.my guess is high on the polish side, but low on the russian side.
Da winner was Polish, Ironically the best player at the competition was not.Therefore, you are probably right
Just talking to myself....The results are what I had been scared of...I mean, I had thought there would be a time like this - even Chopin Competition Prizes are occupied by Asian pianists. Is this because Asian piano learners practice a lot more than western learners???To become a pianist, one must practice really hard...Asian people's cultural background helps for this, I think.What would become of the future piano world --- I myself, as a piano lover from Japan, want Western pianists to show authenticy of Western music --- am I too prejudiced or conservative?? 1st prize went to this Polish pianist --- hmmmmmm...
quite quite simple i'm surprised noone's said it.Chopin Competition -> In WARSAWWarsaw -> In PolandRafal -> Polska = Polish.there.
And add to that...Chopin --> Polish
MT's losing 1st round performance is now available on www.whitekeys.comkoji
im curious, i know why he struck a special chord with me, but why have so many people been passionate about him?why is he getting all the publicity?