Saint-Saens-Liszt Danse Macabre - better quality mp3 + sheet music

[trumofo]

This is my first play through of the piece, trying to prepare for a recital in 2 weeks. Quite an awkward piece. There are many details to fill in. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

Thanks,

TM

here is the sendspace link.

https://www.sendspace.com/file/1orwdw


Take a look at the attached pdf score of the transcription, if you wish. This piece is rarely played.

[birba]

I really don't think anyone can make this piece beautiful.  I would love to hear you do, instead, the Gounod-Liszt Faust waltz, or the Mephisto, or any number of the great Liszt transcriptions.  But, sincerely, you are wasted on this.  You're note perfect with a flamboyant technique, but something's missing.  It might be the piano, who knows.  But if you want this to succeed, you have to break loose from the notes and really put some fire into it.  What was lovely, was the second subject.  Beautiful.

[trumofo]

most people are familiar with the Horowitz version, but I find this original Liszt Transcription (which expanded the Saint Saens piece by about one third of its original length) to be superior.

Maybe I can put some fire when I play it public. But I take a very long time to make a piece mine, so first I will do the first step - the rather cautious tempi that you hear in this recording, and all the notes.

When I will return to this piece, after the initial performance, then the real work begins. You can work on a piece for years, but until you play it in public, you can't improve.

I chose this piece because it is a rarity. It is not a satisfying work to play, it is much more difficult than it sounds. For me, it is more difficult than the Liszt Sonata, Mephisto Waltz No. 2, or Rigoletto Paraphrase.

[trumofo]

new file posted - encoded with the latest lame encoder - VBR.

[furtwaengler]

I thought it was pretty mind blowing. I don't think it's such a bad piece, either...beauty is not the goal of Macabre (though as Birba said, your second subject was nice). If anything, I think it is a bit lopsided dynamically, and could use a lighter, softer touch in places, and more variety in dynamic grading (could be the recorder). And more emphasis on the vertical aspects of the piece, especially the basic harmony of the main theme. But technically this was absolutely amazing.

[trumofo]

trust me, it is not the recorder. I've noticed this in my playing - alot of it is too heavy. I have to learn to lighten up without sacrificing clarity of tone.

I've been listening and analyzing my recorded performances (both live and studio) and I noticed that the dynamic range is limited.

I also posted the pdf of the score, in case anyone wants the sheets.

[trumofo]

here is the lossless (ape file) if anyone wants it.

https://www.mediafire.com/?9u13v4177c31dku