Andante spianato et Grand polonaise brillante

[eddie92099]

I am going to learn this work in order to perform it with my school orchestra this July. What are your thoughts on it, and has anyone here played it? Also, which recordings would you recommend? I will probably purchase Argerich's of the solo version first. (By the way, this is the piece used in the closing credits of "The Pianist"),
Ed

[Wired]

I've personally have only heard the one at the end of the pianist. I have the soundtrack. I love the piece I've played a few parts, but decided not to attempt it quite yet (it'd be a nice large leap for me, plus i'm learning another 3 pieces anyway )

Good luck though.

[allchopin]

Two words: grandiose, formidable.
I love this piece, though I haven't taken it up (yet).  It's, of course, challenging, and is around 9:30 minutes long, so it's quite a quest.  So I'm assuming you're competent enough to tackle it and determined enough to maintain....  I personally love the Olejniczak version, but I think it is topped by the Zimmerman (extremely fast and accurate- amazing).  I would not recommend the Rubinstein, as it is not as fanciful or powerful IMO.  

btw, Why buy the Argerich when you can simply download it?

[guven]

I would recommend you to hear two different performances : Samson François(EMI) and Idil Biret (Naxos) .

Good luck !

[eddie92099]

btw, Why buy the Argerich when you can simply download it?

Where can I download it from? Thanks,
Ed

[erak]

I got a CD from Michalengeli for my birthday today, and that piece happens to be on it. If you want, I could get it on my PC and upload it for you. It's full of crackle and hiss, though.

[eddie92099]

I got a CD from Michalengeli for my birthday today, and that piece happens to be on it. If you want, I could get it on my PC and upload it for you. It's full of crackle and hiss, though.

I have already downloaded the Rubinstein recording. I am very interested in the Argerich recording if anyone has it or knows where to download it from. Thanks,
Ed

[Hmoll]

It works much better as a solo piano piece than a  piano w/ orchestra work. The orchestration is a joke, and it seems like Chopin wrote a few notes for the orchestra once in a while just to remind the audience that there are other musicians besides the pianist on  the stage.

Out of consideration for your peers in the orchestra, you should consider playing something that would be a little more interesting for them.

[allchopin]

The orchestration is a joke, and it seems like Chopin wrote a few notes for the orchestra once in a while just to remind the audience that there are other musicians besides the pianist on  the stage.

Well I think you're wrong.  Chopin's orchestrations are never a "joke", and actually, the orchestra is important in creating more of an ambiance than can a simple soloist.  Also, playing with an orchestra is a great experience- you don't get as as many chances to do that as you can play by yourself (I assume, Ed).  

To DL the Argerich, just use WinMX or such a program- there are tons of those kinds of programs out there.  Or mp3.com....

[Hmoll]

Well I think you're wrong.  Chopin's orchestrations are never a "joke", and actually, the orchestra is important in creating more of an ambiance than can a simple soloist.  

Chopin: Great at writing for the piano. Not very good at writing for the orchestra.

Sorry allchopin, but the orchestration of the piece in question leaves a lot to be desired - yes it's a joke.
I love this piece in it's solo version, and I don't know what Chopin was thinking of when he was orchestrating it, but the orchestral parts don't add a single thing to the piece - much less ambience.

There are hundreds of pieces out there that would be rewarding for the pianist to play, while also being interesting to the members of the orchestra.  Andante spianato et Grand polonaise brillante is not one of those pieces.

[eddie92099]

the orchestration of the piece in question leaves a lot to be desired - yes it's a joke.  

I completely agree! It's a piano piece with a few orchestral lines that don't really seem to have much purpose. However, this is exactly the type of piece I need for two reasons. Firstly, since there is very limited time for the orchestra to learn the piece, nothing too difficult can be undertaken, and secondly, I only have to learn a few extra bars and I've got a great solo piece too. I have just ordered Argerich's version (in a 3 CD set) off Amazon so hopefully it should be here soon  ,
Ed

[allchopin]

Obviously Frederic had a choice whether or not to include an orchestra in the composition, and he chose to, so there must be a reason.  I don't think that any of us here can challenge that reason.

As far as how bored the orchestra is, well, they are there to play, right, whether it is a half note played throughout the whole piece or complicated passages and soloist sections.  Does this really matter, Ed (to the orchestra, that is)?  

You said nothing too difficult can be undertaken- you're implying that this piece is not difficult  ?  Then what would you consider difficult??  

I still don't see the point in buying the album (3 CD's- how?) when you can just download it for free, as well as other performances by different artists...

[eddie92099]

Obviously Frederic had a choice whether or not to include an orchestra in the composition, and he chose to, so there must be a reason.  I don't think that any of us here can challenge that reason.

But the piece is originally a solo piano piece. He clearly added the orchestral lines because he needed to play a short piece with an orchestra at an event.

As far as how bored the orchestra is, well, they are there to play, right, whether it is a half note played throughout the whole piece or complicated passages and soloist sections.  Does this really matter, Ed (to the orchestra, that is)?  

Not to me!

You said nothing too difficult can be undertaken- you're implying that this piece is not difficult  ?  Then what would you consider difficult??  

Nothing too difficult for the orchestra I meant  .

I still don't see the point in buying the album (3 CD's- how?) when you can just download it for free, as well as other performances by different artists...    

It's nice to have it on CD, and since I don't have a CD writer a downloaded file would remain on my PC whereas I can take a CD anywhere,
Ed

[Hmoll]

Ed,

In that case, enjoy. It's a great piece to have in your repertoire. (Also, there's no hurry in giving the orchestra their parts.   )