Rameau-Godowsky Tambourin

[andhow04]

I found an old, tattered score in a box of moldy popular music... to my shock it was a Godowsky transcription that I didnt knw about.... i threw it together and quickly added it to a concert.. First attempt.. not too bad if i do say so me self.

I literally had to tape the score together because it was so old and crinkly.  it would not stand up by itself on themusic stand so i had to prop it with books... if u turned the pages bits would fall off, so just learned it page at a time until i memorized each page!

enjoy

UPDATE: here's the vid
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=33424.msg422603#msg422603

[rachfan]

Hi andhow,

What an unusual find!!!  And you perform the piece with much flair.  I really enjoyed listening to your playing, and this was the first time I had ever heard the piece, or even heard of it.

I know what you mean by an old score disintegrating if you simply look at it.  I have an old 1909 publication by B. F. Wood Co. (Boston) score of Handel's "Harmonious Blacksmith", which I never handle (no homonym pun intended!).  Back then, publishers weren't too savvy about sulfur content in paper, which causes paper to self-destruct over time.

At first I couldn't find any reference to Rameau/Godowsky's "Tambourin" in the repertoire guides, but eventually found it in Ernest Hutcheson's The Literature of the Piano, first published in 1948.  (I have the Third Edition from 1968 with added commentary by Rudolph Ganz.) "Tambourin" was actually in a collection of transcriptions by Godowsky titled Renaissance.  Hutcheson remarked that Rameau's "Tambourin" was "especially popular".  My guess is that after Godowsky's death, the piece might have gradually disappeared from recital programs until it become neglected and forgotten.     

You've done a fine service for Godowsky and his repertoire, unearthing this music and playing it in recital.  I'm sure the audience, which received it well, considered it to be quite a novelty, and hopefully it will spark interest in other pianists too.

[allthumbs]

Well played. Here is the sheetmusic for those who may be interested.

[go12_3]

Hello andhow,
What a delightful  and interesting piece for my senses!  I enjoyed it very much.  I like the playfulness and lightness in it.  Thanks for sharing it!  You play wonderfullly too! 

Best wishes,  go12_3

[goldentone]

Thanks for sharing this gem with us, Andhow.  Great job. 

[andhow04]

Hello andhow,
What a delightful  and interesting piece for my senses!  I enjoyed it very much.  I like the playfulness and lightness in it.  Thanks for sharing it!  You play wonderfullly too! 

Best wishes,  go12_3

thanx for it!  this piec is very hard is is challenging to play all the notes.  i hope to record it again soon and post it again.

[storyseller]

Great find - great playing!

all the best!

[andhow04]

Great find - great playing!

all the best!

thanx!  i don't do much godowsky.  i've done cadenzas to beethoven 4th concerto (in concert) and played alt-wien, and that's about it.  i may look at some of thesc hubert next!

[andhow04]

Hi andhow,

What an unusual find!!!  And you perform the piece with much flair.  I really enjoyed listening to your playing, and this was the first time I had ever heard the piece, or even heard of it.

I know what you mean by an old score disintegrating if you simply look at it.  I have an old 1909 publication by B. F. Wood Co. (Boston) score of Handel's "Harmonious Blacksmith", which I never handle (no homonym pun intended!).  Back then, publishers weren't too savvy about sulfur content in paper, which causes paper to self-destruct over time.

At first I couldn't find any reference to Rameau/Godowsky's "Tambourin" in the repertoire guides, but eventually found it in Ernest Hutcheson's The Literature of the Piano, first published in 1948.  (I have the Third Edition from 1968 with added commentary by Rudolph Ganz.) "Tambourin" was actually in a collection of transcriptions by Godowsky titled Renaissance.  Hutcheson remarked that Rameau's "Tambourin" was "especially popular".  My guess is that after Godowsky's death, the piece might have gradually disappeared from recital programs until it become neglected and forgotten.     

You've done a fine service for Godowsky and his repertoire, unearthing this music and playing it in recital.  I'm sure the audience, which received it well, considered it to be quite a novelty, and hopefully it will spark interest in other pianists too.

thanks for the Very itneresting reply.  I wonder if anyone has ever recorded this, from the days when it was popular?  I never heard of it either, until i fuond the score.

It was pretty lucky in many ways, not only because it was godowsky in an unexpected place, but because not all of his transcriptions are equally itneresting i don't think.  but this one is so crazy to play, and it is so godowsky in that the hands are always dividing the melody.  you can't always tell by hearing but he did it a lot. you really have to jump aruond, but keep the sound in the middle the same.

I like his music because you can justwork on it over and over again and it never gets old.  i know it is not his tune but still the invention is all his.  Genius!

[birba]

Thanks "all thumbs"!  Really a delightful piece! 

[andhow04]

enjoy,
yes there is a wrong note - oops.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I enjoyed this very much, thanks! I knew I had heard it before, so I can tell you that it has been recorded - by Earl Wild at his 1981 Carnegie Hall transcriptions recital. The recording resurfaced in the Great Pianists of the 20th century series.

[andhow04]

interstnig, thanks for the info!
glad u enjoyed it

[andhow04]

since i now know how to put vids directly in, here 'tis:

[birba]

If you could put the audio of the former with this video it would be perfect!!  Because you have that lovely shirt to accompany it!     No, seriously, that was a wonderful performance of a romantic gem.

[fenz]

great playing 

[arielpiano]

Rameau can be very rousing and effective. I like your energy. You may want to check out his Gavotte and 6 Variations.

[birba]

The Gavotte Variée!  I had forgotten about that!  I played that a LONG time ago.  I don't even have it any more.  Must look for it!

[arielpiano]

I could scan it for you, if you'd like, birba.

[birba]

I could scan it for you, if you'd like, birba.

I went to all the music site places and none of them have it.  I would really appreciate it, if it isn't too much trouble!!

[philiphotchkiss]

Nice! Thanks for sharing this piece and your beautiful playing.

[arielpiano]

Birba, I have a pdf. If you send me your e-mail address to ariel@arielpiano.com I'll be happy to send you the file. I played this piece a couple of years ago but I never posted it because I missed a few notes on the only recording I have of it.

[andhow04]

great playing 

thanx!

[andhow04]

Rameau can be very rousing and effective. I like your energy. You may want to check out his Gavotte and 6 Variations.

thanks, is that something that godowsky transcribed?

[furtwaengler]

It is fantastic, the Tambourin. And I love your playing!

[andhow04]

thanks... its very fun to play!