Some questions that Marc Andre Hamelin answered me

[presto agitato]

Weeks ago, i had the chance to see Mr Hamelin performing the piano concerto in B flat by Brahms. (Perhaps the hardest piano concerto)

I never saw such a solid pianist  . He posses an amazing control of the instrument and his technique is perfect.  He got so much applause that he played an encore, i was expecting to listen to a virtuoso piece by Alkan or Godowsky but instead of  that, he played a lovely and simple french song.

After the concert we cordially chatted about his future plans and his current reportoire. He told me that he will record the 24 etudes by Chopin and the momumental piano concerto by Max Reger with a german orchestra. He told me that so far the most difficult piece he has ever played is Reger´s variations and fugue on a theme by Bach. He also told me that he had several problems learning and playing the Hammerklavier by Beethoven.

He doesnt like that most of  people recognize him due to his recordings of the hardest piano works ever written. He wishes people realize that he is more than technique.

He says the most difficult piano piece ever written is a set of etudes by a french composer (i dont remember his name) who was a comtemporany of Alkan and Chopin.

Hope you find this information useful.

[faulty_damper]

Weeks ago, i had the chance to see Mr Hamelin performing the piano concerto in B flat by Brahms. (Perhaps the hardest piano concerto)

I never saw such a solid pianist  . He posses an amazing control of the instrument and his technique is perfect.  He got so much applause that he played an encore, i was expecting to listen to a virtuoso piece by Alkan or Godowsky but instead of  that, he played a lovely and simple french song.

After the concert we cordially chatted about his future plans and his current reportoire. He told me that he will record the 24 etudes by Chopin and the momumental piano concerto by Max Reger with a german orchestra. He told me that so far the most difficult piece he has ever played is Reger´s variations and fugue on a theme by Bach. He also told me that he had several problems learning and playing the Hammerklavier by Beethoven.

He doesnt like that most of  people recognize him due to his recordings of the hardest piano works ever written. He wishes people realize that he is more than technique.

He says the most difficult piano piece ever written is a set of etudes by a french composer (i dont remember his name) who was a comtemporany of Alkan and Chopin.

Hope you find this information useful.

Thanks for the information.  But in the book, Hamelin and the Eight, he says the Bb concerto is easier technically than the D minor.

[counterpoint]

He wishes people realize that he is more than technique.

If he only makes recordings and concerts with superdifficult, superfast pieces, he should not wonder, where this comes from.

Btw, I don't think that a CD with Chopin Nocturnes or Brahms Intermezzi played by Hamelin would be very interesting   

[thalbergmad]

When you have the kind of equipment that he has, it is always going to be difficult to be recognised for the finer points.

Thal

[ahinton]

When you have the kind of equipment that he has, it is always going to be difficult to be recognised for the finer points.

Thal

This was apparently once true for quite a few people; I would like to feel able to hope that it is no longer so now. Hamelin's dexterity is - and will for some time continue to remain - the stuff of legend and for very good reason; for that to be the characteristic by which he is best remembered, however, would indeed be a very sad fact of life both for him and for those who listen to his playing...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Perhaps the mechanically less challenging pieces/phrases do not give him enough to do.

Liszt was accused similarly when it was said that he played things best the first time, as only then did it give him enough to do.

I have not listened to all of Hamelins recordings by a long chalk, but i did recently listen to his Reger/Telemann Variations, the virtuosity of which was stunning. However, i submit that when he did have an opportunity for some finesse, he missed out.

Thal

[ahinton]

Perhaps the mechanically less challenging pieces/phrases do not give him enough to do.

Liszt was accused similarly when it was said that he played things best the first time, as only then did it give him enough to do.

I have not listened to all of Hamelins recordings by a long chalk, but i did recently listen to his Reger/Telemann Variations, the virtuosity of which was stunning. However, i submit that when he did have an opportunity for some finesse, he missed out.

Thal

Try some of his more recent recordings when you have time to get them and listen to them - and then let us know what you find...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Ok Hinty, will do.

Thal

[ahinton]

Ok Hinty, will do.

Thal

Good - and, while you're about it, could you possibly do me one small favour? - which is to drop the "Hinty" stuff, since not only do you know my real name but I'd never choose to address you as "Thally"? Thanks!

Best,

Alistair

[general disarray]

Horses for courses.

Hamelin's forte is the neglected repertoire of extraordinary technical difficulty.  He plays what he plays with transcendent technique and mature musicianship.  To ask for more strikes me as greedy.

[presto agitato]

Thanks for the information.  But in the book, Hamelin and the Eight, he says the Bb concerto is easier technically than the D minor.
[/quote

The eight?

[gaest]

I have not listened to all of Hamelins recordings by a long chalk, but i did recently listen to his Reger/Telemann Variations, the virtuosity of which was stunning. However, i submit that when he did have an opportunity for some finesse, he missed out.

Thal

I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I agree with Thal.  Hamelin has an astounding virtuosity, but his interpretations are a bit lacking in musicality, in my opinion at least.  For instance, the first few times I listened to Hamelin's performance of Alkan's Concerto for Solo Piano, it amazed me technically but left me stone cold musically.  It wasn't until I heard other pianists perform the concerto that the sheer passion and personality of Alkan's work sprung to life and I fell in love with it.  I think Hamelin is incredible, but at the same time it's like he's put his focus on virtuosity, and has sacrificed some of the musicality in order to impress with technique alone.

Maybe I haven't listened to enough of him either, in order to be able to judge... that's just my impression of what I have heard.

[cz4p32]

I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I agree with Thal.  Hamelin has an astounding virtuosity, but his interpretations are a bit lacking in musicality, in my opinion at least.  For instance, the first few times I listened to Hamelin's performance of Alkan's Concerto for Solo Piano, it amazed me technically but left me stone cold musically.  It wasn't until I heard other pianists perform the concerto that the sheer passion and personality of Alkan's work sprung to life and I fell in love with it.  I think Hamelin is incredible, but at the same time it's like he's put his focus on virtuosity, and has sacrificed some of the musicality in order to impress with technique alone.

Maybe I haven't listened to enough of him either, in order to be able to judge... that's just my impression of what I have heard.

If you feel this way, you must listen to his re-release of the Alkan concerto from September.  It is by far the best interpretation yet.

Curious, does anyone know what composer, and set of etudes he could have been talking about that MAH feels are the hardest?

[gaest]

If you feel this way, you must listen to his re-release of the Alkan concerto from September.  It is by far the best interpretation yet.

Hmmm, I'll give it a try.  Never let it be said that I'm incapable of changing my mind.

[presto agitato]

Curious, does anyone know what composer, and set of etudes he could have been talking about that MAH feels are the hardest?

I will ask him again nex time LOL

[johnnyb76]

If you feel this way, you must listen to his re-release of the Alkan concerto from September.  It is by far the best interpretation yet.

Curious, does anyone know what composer, and set of etudes he could have been talking about that MAH feels are the hardest?

He may be talking about Catoire. I'm not sure.... His stuff is really up MAH's alley, though. Henselt's stuff is horridly difficult, but he was German.