My explanations

[kghayesh]

I sent to some friends a couple of piano videos (Hamelin's Hungarian Rhapsody #2 and Ingolf Wunder's Andante spianato & Grande polonaise). I thought of writing them some explanation too as well so that they understand and feel the music more deeply and thoughtfully.
I just want you to see my writing and tell me what do you think. Note that i am writing this to people who know very little about music.


Here it is:
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- Chopin: Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante:
This work was originally written by Chopin for piano & orchestra, but the piano solo version is getting very popular because in Chopin's edition the piano was mainly doing most of the work ( I can show you The piano and orchestra version in "The Pianist" movie).

The music is divided into two parts. Part 1 is called Andante spianato and it is mainly inteded to be a smooth and slow introduction to the main part which is the Grande Polonaise. The music of the Andante spianato is so beautiful and it is a great example of Chopin's way in writing music. Just feel it as if Chopin meant to describe the beauty of life in this part.

The Andante spianato ends at 4:30. Then, comes a part which is a transition between both parts. This part was supposed to be played by the orchestra (the horns play then the violins). The Grande polonaise starts at 4:55. Now, The mood of the music changes from being very smooth and expressive to being a bit more serious and faster. It is like Chopin describing heroes returning victoriously from a battle. I think this Polonaise is a complete and full musical work with a great intro and great ending that captures the audience.

By the way, the pianist in the video plays it a bit fast than i think it should be so put this into consideration.

- Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody:
Liszt, the originally Hungarian composer, wrote many Hungarian Rhapsodies which were based upon old Hungarian themes. But, the difference is that Liszt wrote them with an intension to make it look like crazy and insane pianism. That's why it was selected two times for Tom & Jerry  and Bugs Bunny cartoons (I have them both on the computer, pretty funny !!).

The work, too, is divided into two parts (although not so distinct as in the previous Chopin piece). The first part is so serious and grief and makes you feel somehow sad and remembering old memories that was not so good...., that's my comment by the way . The first parts ends at 4:30 and begins the second part.

The second part is so playful and moving that makes you so interested to it. Add to this that the theme at 5:22 is so well-known to audience, especially from cartoons. What also characterizes this part is that it is somehow harder than the first part, it is said to be just hard only for the intention to be hard to show the skills of the pianist.

[rc]

Hey, that's a great idea! I often think that a little bit of musicians insight can help the non-musicians appreciate the great art. I will probably start adding some educational blurbs for when I play for my friends and family, maybe even touching on the formal element with examples, for a sonata, say.

It looks like you thought through your explainations pretty well. They give some background information, creates interest, and aren't too long or boring to read. It looks like you were careful in not forcing your interpretation of the music too much, which is often a concern. I'm coming to believe that one has to be somewhat poetic when talking about music, because being too objective is dull and will never keep a reader or listeners attention... Let alone engage their imagination!

...but you spelled intention wrong, and ruined the whole thing.