Debussy - Images (books 1 & 2)

[johncanderson]

Hello, this is my first post here. I recently recorded these in my home studio. Since you can only upload 4 at a time, I'm uploading the second book in the next post. I hope you enjoy them!
Thanks for listening,
John

[johncanderson]

And book 2....

[rachfan]

Hi John,

Recently I listened to your renditions on another website of "Reflets" and "Poisson d'Or", so tonight I listened to the other Images in between.  I must say you play the piano with refined artistry.  Your playing is imbued with thoughtfulness, beauty, and clarity.  I'm also impressed with your total command of touch with which you bring out the textures and transparencies in these works.  This complete set is a wonderful accomplishment.  Bravo!

P.S.  Your German Steinway B sounds great too.

  

[johncanderson]

Hello Rachfan, yes I recognize your name from the other forum! I just discovered this one by chance last week, and thought, why not? Thanks a lot for your compliments, I'm very touched that you think so. And yes, the steinway is great, I picked it out myself from Hamburg just a couple years ago, and haven't ever regretted my choice.

By the way, is that for Rachmaninov fanatic? It just occurred to me...

In case it's of interest to anyone, I'm uploading videos of the Images one at a time (it takes a long time to sync up and splice together different camera angles! And I'm still learning how to do video efficiently). So for the moment there is only reflets, but hopefully in a couple weeks I can have the rest of the series up. In the meantime, the link is here:

Thanks,
John

[rachfan]

Hi John,

Yes, Rachfan is short for fan of Rachmaninoff.  He has always been my favorite composer from as far back as I can remember, and I've played quite a bit of his music.  I'm nearly 65 now (although the young guy still lives within me), so now the connundrum of the vast solo piano repertoire versus the limited human lifespan is catching up to me.  I've made the decision, therefore, to "specialize" in the Late Romantic era.  My most recent projects have been recording the works of Sergei Bortkiewicz and Georgy Catoire, which have kept me quite busy.

Again, it was a pleasure listening to your wonderful renditions of Images.  Of that set, I've only played "Reflets", so appreciate hearing you play it all, and so very well at that.

[johncanderson]

Wow, I'll have a look for your recordings: are they up on pianosociety? I don't know those composers! It will be very interesting to hear them.
Thanks again,
John

[rachfan]

Hi John,

Yes, those recordings are on Piano Society (look under either Artists, April, D. or under Composers, Catoire or Bortkiewicz on the home page there).  But, you can hear them all right here too.  Look down on this very page, and you'll find Catoire's Chants du Crepuscule, Op. 24 complete set.  Also, here are his Four Preludes, Op. 17 complete set on page 5, or use this handy link:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=33929.0

A shortcut here (rather than going through the back pages) is to go to the top of page 1 of Audition Room here to the Index of Audition Room. That will take you to an index arranged alphabetically by composer.  It needs updating, but still has a lot in it.  You can find the Bortkiewicz pieces to date there and simply click on them.  

David

[furtwaengler]

Hello Mr. Anderson,

It is quite appropriate that Rachfan would start your hearty welcome to Pianostreet. He is a most esteemed and valuable contributor not only for his care in rendering recordings of his favorite music on his Baldwin, and introducing us to much Bortkiewicz and Catoire, but also in his knowledgeable, thoughtful and encouraging comments on others recordings. (But to Rachfan...all this time I'd thought you were 45!)

I'd like to continue the welcomes, thanking you for these beautiful, colorful, subtle, well judged, intimate, sparkling Images, a wonderful gift to the Pianostreet archive. It's a beautiful instrument, this German Steinway B you play, and a gorgeous tone you bring out of it. You are clearly a first rate musician, and I hope you stick around this forum to give some of your insight and more recordings. I'd love to hear you play live sometime.

Dave

[rachfan]

Hi furtwaengler,

45!  I've decided to be like the late comedian, Jack Benny, and be a perennial 39.  Either that, or I can start counting backwards on my birthdays!    

[johncanderson]

Hello Dave,
Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them. I hope to be able to contribute more soon!