Adam Golka - INSANE VIRTUOSO/Sensetive and profound musical mind

[stevie]

https://www.adamgolka.com/audio.aspx

check the encores, american anthem paraphrase is a bit INSANE, and so is the others, the chopin/mozart, and the minute waltz variation.

also, he randomly does the beethoven op111 slow movement.....he doesnt wanna be stereotyped!!! hehehehe 

[steveie986]

I bought my upright piano from his family about 7 years ago when he lived in Houston. His mom, also a concert pianist, was very nice and showed us videos of him performing. His father was a restorer of old pianos. He was already very good even then. Back then, his mom said he was obsessed only with Chopin but it's clear he's expanded his repertoire considerably since.

[ilikefinnissy]

Very interesting, thanks for posting!

Though I have to say his Minute Waltz paraphrase and the Mozart/Chopin "Etude ala turca" are some of the worst transcriptions I've ever heard.  That's the kind of playing that gives transcriptions their bad reputation.

Though his southern medley ain't so bad. With all the wrong chords in the end, it almost gets a bit Sorabjian. 

[steveie986]

I'm hardly an expert on encores, but I thought Etude alla Turca was dashing. It's absolutely bombastic and full of arrogant bravura (and basically artless), but then again, it's encore music.

I also didn't like his Hammerklavier 4th movement. This may be unjust criticism since I'm comparing it to Alfred Brendel's, but it was still lifeless and just sounded like a lot of notes. But otherwise he's an incredible talent.

[pita bread]

I also didn't like his Hammerklavier 4th movement. This may be unjust criticism since I'm comparing it to Alfred Brendel's, but it was still lifeless and just sounded like a lot of notes. But otherwise he's an incredible talent.

Dull compared to Brendull? DANG!

[steveie986]

I like Brendel.

 

[steinwaymodeld]

I'm hardly an expert on encores, but I thought Etude alla Turca was dashing. It's absolutely bombastic and full of arrogant bravura (and basically artless), but then again, it's encore music.

I also didn't like his Hammerklavier 4th movement. This may be unjust criticism since I'm comparing it to Alfred Brendel's, but it was still lifeless and just sounded like a lot of notes. But otherwise he's an incredible talent.

Any recording of Hammerklavier would be fantastic compared to Brendull's rendition. As a matter of fact, Brendull's performance made me hate the sonata for quite a while until some other pianists (Ernst Levy, Richter, Gilels) comes along and resurrected it for me.

Brendull's recording is perhaps the best kept by various pianist to boost their confidence.
"Hey, my playing isn't THAT bad! I am so glad I kept a CD of Brendull's release"

Beethoven is now facing downward in his grave again.
Due to Brendull has recorded Beethoven sonata 3 times, Beethoven had turned in his grave 3 times, apparently facing downward again.
We long for Brendull's 4th recording of the complete sonata of Beethoven, so that hopefully it will turn the maestro's body into a more comfortable posture.