A conversation between myself and Chopiabin

[eddie92099]

I thought it was better to answer your questions here than in the Religious Debate room - we don't want to confuse TwinkleFingers any more than is necessary!
At the College audition I played a fairly unusual programme - Rautavaara's Second sonata (1st mvt.); Scarlatti Sonata in B minor; Horowitz Carmen Variations.
However I prepared three other pieces for auditions as well (because the Royal Academy asked for a larger programme): Beethoven's Appassionata (1st mvt.); Schumann's About Strange Lands and People; Liszt's La Campanella.
Strangely enough I did not feel nervous for them - compared to when I have done inconsequential competitions. I think the set-up for these auditions is very friendly and relaxing - plus getting the warm up room for 20 minutes just before the audition is very helpful,
Ed

[chopiabin]

That's incredible. Yeah, I find myself getting ridiculously nervous before little things. I was performing a piece last week that I know really well, and I just stopped in the middle of it. Suffice it to say that that really sucked. I'm going to be in a competition in February and I'm supposed to play this same piece again (I'm starting to get tired of it) and hopefully everything will come out ok.
Anyways, I just think it's so awesome that you got in. But now (1:20 my time) I must go finish studying for an AP Physics (which I utterly despise and am terrible at) exam which I will most certainly fail .

Chopchop

[Noah]

But now (1:20 my time) I must go finish studying for an AP Physics (which I utterly despise)

[eddie92099]

Yes, this is exactly the reason why I dropped sciences as soon as I could. Which piece is the one you stopped in? Don't worry, I'm sure we have all had experiences like that in the past (Cortot springs to mind), I certainly have!
Ed

[chopiabin]

It was the Chopin Polonaise in A major. I'm getting tired of playing it, but anyone who doesn't know much about piano thinks it's really amazing. It was just so weird. I felt like I was ok, but when I went on stage I just knew something would go wrong, and I was right. Oh, by the way, I've been wanting to check out some more modern music with weird harmonies or weird rhythms - any suggestions? You seem like the guy to ask. What are you working on now? I know I can't compare to you, but my new favorite project is Chopin nocturne op. 48#1 (perhaps I'm a bit obsessed ).

Chop

[eddie92099]

Well I think you should certainly check out the piano music by Einojuhani Rautavaara (I can send you some mp3s - do you use MSN messenger?). He has a very definite sound world of his own which is something few modern composers have.
From a purely practical point of view, I tend to stick to wierd harmonies rather than wierd rhythms since they are much easier to play!
Modern composers in the repertoire range from Gyorgy Ligeti to John Adams, with everything in between. There are three books published by the ABRSM (in a series called Spectrum) comprised of modern pieces and there is a CD to go with them. Other than that you can always check out the piano music by Stockhausen for something a bit different  ,
Ed

[chopiabin]

Thanks, Dude. Normally I would say, "sure, send me some mp3s," but I don't have msn messenger AND my soundcard is broken. What about Bartok? I think the reliogion room is getting pretty funny.

Chop

[eddie92099]

Bartok is great too, but he died in the 1940s so I wouldn't consider him modern anymore.
I got an offer to study at the Royal Academy this morning  ,
Ed

[chopiabin]

That's awesome!

[BoliverAllmon]

If I am not imposing. I would like to listen to those Mp3s. I have msn messenger at boliverpianist@hotmail.com

I am alway interested in new music.

boliver

[IgnazPaderewski]

Ed who are you intending to study with? Tanya Sarkissova is wonderful.

[eddie92099]

I'm thinking either Andrew Ball or Neil Immelman at the RCM or Vanessa Latarche or Joanna Macgregor at the RAM,
Ed

[IgnazPaderewski]

Andy Ball is great, hes a lovely man and a fantastic musician (and can sight read tremendously). What about Hamish Milne at the RAM, hes supposed to be very good.

[eddie92099]

I already know Andrew Ball fairly well (possibly the reason I got in?!). Seriously though, I think he is a fantastic teacher and a very nice man. I have had a recommendation from Freddy Kempf who says that the only professor he would send someone to would be Hamish Milne. I think we are all forgetting the important issue though - Joanna Macgregor has cool dreadlocks.

Ed  

[chopiabin]

Is she a professor? She looks pretty bad a**!

Chop

[eddie92099]

Hence I want to study with her...
Ed

[chopiabin]

I totally envy you!   (not in a bad way)

Chop

[chopiabin]

By the way, I checked out rautavaara and he is so amazing! He reminds me of a mixture of Scriabin, Prokofiev, and Ravel (if this makes any sense). Thanks for recommending him!

Chop

[chopiabin]

I meant to capitalize his name just now.

[eddie92099]

Which pieces did you listen to? I know the three piano concertos, everything on the Naxos solo piano music disc, plus the 3rd (I think) symphony, Cantus Articus (is it called that?) and the Isle of Bliss,
Ed

[chopiabin]

I just bought the solo disc. It is really awesome, and I want to check out more of his music!

[eddie92099]

I recommend the Naxos disc with the first piano concerto on it,
Ed