Some pieces just make my jaw drop

[dss62467]

After reading the silly post about how to spot a pianist who isn't really serious, I got a renewed interest in Moonlight and went over to the sheet music section to think about printing out the 3rd movement again (that's all I really ever do.... because I'm realistic...).  Someone had posted over there about being surprised it was classified as an 8+.  And of course, we all would agree that the first movement couldn't be classified as such, but the third...

And now I'm listening to Rudolf Serkin play the Moonlight, Pathetique and Appasionata on my iPod.   I just smile and shake my head... that some of you can play that stuff just blows my mind.   Good onya!  

[nystul]

Wait... Moonlight Sonata has more than one movement? 

[perfect_pitch]

Dss..

You should see someone play Rachmaninoffs 3rd Piano Concert - that, totally blew my mind. The fact that anyone can play that well is astonishing, even for me.

[dss62467]

Thanks Perfect_Pitch... I'll see if I can find that on YouTube.   Any pianists you recommend?  I'm always up for adding to my iPod library too.

[orangesodaking]

Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody 6 is a very impressive piece (Alexei Grynyuk has some very impressive and intimidating octaves in the end!), and of course Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit is both extremely deep and music and technically impressive. Also, check out Enrico Pace's 1989 performance in the Liszt Competition of Totentanz. It's REALLY scary, hehe!

[dss62467]

WOW!  Thanks for that!  I don't know which is scarier.... the music, his gift, or that hair!!!!       Looks like I'm throwing some Liszt on my iPod!   They don't have Enrico playing it on iTunes, though. 

[perfect_pitch]

Any pianists you recommend?  I'm always up for adding to my iPod library too.

I personally think that so far Olga Kern plays Rachmaninoff's 3rd the best... she has incredible technique and stamina that I would kill for.

[orangesodaking]

WOW!  Thanks for that!  I don't know which is scarier.... the music, his gift, or that hair!!!!       Looks like I'm throwing some Liszt on my iPod!   They don't have Enrico playing it on iTunes, though. 

Just go to www.dirpy.com, copy and paste the URL into the bar, and it will download the video into an MP3 file for you, ready to put on your iTunes!

[dss62467]

Just go to www.dirpy.com, copy and paste the URL into the bar, and it will download the video into an MP3 file for you, ready to put on your iTunes!

Excellent!  Thanks for that.

[dss62467]

I personally think that so far Olga Kern plays Rachmaninoff's 3rd the best... she has incredible technique and stamina that I would kill for.

I found this on YouTube.... what I like a lot about this, besides how amazing she is and that awesome red dress, her fingers aren't particularly long and thin.  It takes away one of my number one excuses for why I don't try some pieces.   Guess it's the whole bumble bee with the little wings metaphor.

I'm using dirpy.com to add her to my iPod so I can show my piano teacher.  Poor old guy hasn't made it to the 21st century with his technology yet.

[musicsminion]

I love Moonlight Sonata!!!

It has been my favorite piece ever since I started playing! 

[liordavid]

all of the liszt opera transcriptions are fun to listen to.

[point of grace]

all of the liszt opera transcriptions are fun to listen to.

i just cant..

[mira555]

Personally, I'll never forget the first time I heard Richter play the final mvt. of the Appassionata!

[point of grace]

first time i saw my piano teacher playing Prokofieff 3rd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[dss62467]

first time i saw my piano teacher playing Prokofieff 3rd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Funny.... I was just thinking about that piece yesterday.   Looking it up on YouTube is how I found out about Yuja Wang.   There was some jaw dropping done yesterday.

[eminemvsrach]

Prok's 3rd sonata or Concerto?

[dss62467]

Prok's 3rd sonata or Concerto?

I was talking about the concerto.   It blows my mind that pianists can memorize a whole concerto.  I have absolutely no skill at memorizing. 

[sharmayelverton]

For me some of the chopin etudes! Op.25 No.6, Op. 10 No. 2.