Now in ENGLISH: FILM about LISZT the PIANIST, his PIANOS & his 1862 Bechstein

[Romantica]

SORRY FOR THE POLL, just ignore it, as a newbie I thought it had to be...

My 200th birthday contribution, a film about Liszt the poet at the piano, with music played at his 1862 Bechstein. Which instruments did he use, how did he play and what advice did he give to his pupils... Many original texts will give answers. Many rarely seen pictures of Liszt and his pianos and much music (esp. complete versions of Nuages Gris 12:00 and En Rêve 26:10 and rare Liszt pieces) Moreover an interview with Gregor Willmes about Liszt and Bechstein.

It is a pleasure for me to announce that the ENGLISH VERSION of my film has just been finished and uploaded! Please enjoy "The Poet at the Piano - Franz Liszt and his 1862 Bechstein" with complete English subtitles:

(The German version can also be found there)
 
You may watch the English version even in 1080p HD.

Comments to Liszt the pianist or to the film are welcome.

[annaivanova]

For those who want more recordings on this Bechstein:
See my recordings which I made in August this year. This is a link to Waldesrauschen but you will find more.
I also posted pictures of this piano (Google: Anna Ivanova Liszt Bechstein pictures)

A few weeks earlier alos Kit Armstrong played it.

On Youtube you will also find a movie of me playing his last Bechstein which is again in his house in Weimar (the present Liszt museum). But the recording is quite bad

see   [ Invalid YouTube link ]

[Romantica]

Wonderful that there are recordings of Liszts 1862 Bechstein with virtuoso pieces as well. As a primary singer I chose lyrical pieces which I find are often neglected, and which allow to listen with more tranquillity to the sound. It is nice that we have different recordings.

Furthermore I would like to correct the date and number of the Bechstein at the Weimar Liszt house played by Anna Ivanova: the number and date indicated in the film are exactly the ones of the Bechstein I played in my film (you may even see the original number in my film around 11:00). As far as I know the piano at the Liszt house is the last Bechstein sent to Liszt, at least in the 1880 years.

If my initial question is not relevant, comments to my film are welcome.

[annaivanova]

Correct remark. The data in my Weimar recording is not right. However it was the data provided at that time. After I "met with" the real 576, I asked immediately to correct the data on YouTube. It has been done in the additional information, but could not be corrected in the movie itself.
I were in Weimar this weekend at Lisztomania for a concert. I were at the Liszt Haus again but even in the archives there is no data available on serial number and date of delivery. I have been told that this was Liszt's last Bechstein and indeeed agree that it must be dating at least from 1880. I have more pictures available but agreed to the Stiftung Weimar Klassik that they will be for private use only.
As far as I understood this Bechstein was not in the house during the DDR period. It has been offered after a complete revision by Bechstein I believe 4/5 years ago.
More information will be sent to me and as soon as available this will be added to the movie.
If anyone has any info, please do not hesitate to mail it.

In 2012 I will be playing a Liszt Steinway dating from 1860 which is now in Bologna. I will be opening the new concert season.  

Further congrats with you movie. Great to see the 576 back!
On You tube there also are recordings with Kit Anderson and Sandro Russo playing this remarkable instrument. 
 

[pianowolfi]

That stupid poll thing turned me off in the first place 

[Romantica]

Sorry for the poll, as a newbie I thought it had to be and tried to make the best of it...
I have given a hint now to ignore it as I do not see a way to cancel it completely.

[pianowolfi]

Indeed, many newbies do that here, I never understood why. But really, those questions....  

[Romantica]

Please take my film, not those poll questions...
And consider that I am German and did not know the word "poll".

[pianowolfi]

Please take my film, not those poll questions...
And consider that I am German and did not know the word "poll".

I am Swiss_German

I think your film is interesting.

But there is a second thing that made me suspicious: Your first post sounds like a pure advert!
And then AnaIvanova came in and it seemed like a sort of competition between both of you as to who playes the more authentic Liszt Bechstein...in the Liszt anniversary year! It's just like OMG noooo! You know? 
Anyway I'm sorry if I was too hard on you.

[Romantica]

"Wonderful that there are recordings of Liszts 1862 Bechstein with virtuoso pieces as well. As a primary singer I chose lyrical pieces which I find are often neglected, and which allow to listen with more tranquillity to the sound. It is nice that we have different recordings."
This was and is my answer to Mrs. Ivanova - no competition from my side.

I think your film is interesting.

Thanks!

[annaivanova]

Dear folks
please let us focus on the piano and not on the players. Like I wrote in 'my Weimar movie'. It felt like a holy experience that I was allowed to play that Liszt Bechstein. Must admit that I had tears in my eyes when I first touched it. As an artist who is relatively unknown it was hard to understand that I was asked to play it.
The fact that after that concert I was approached from many sides, and also was offered to play the in Berlin and Bologna made it only more unrealistic.
Believe me that I feel so very gratefull to have (had) these chances to touch those wonderfull instruments from the master. I think that the same counts for Kit Anderson and others. Who are we compared with Liszt?
Concerning the pieces that I played. I did not choose really virtuous pieces. Like you can understand from my other choice of recordings, I am much more attrackted by 'the other' Liszt. My first real interest in Liszt started when I played his Via Crucis with a choir. A so beautifull and so mature Liszt, that it is difficult not to get touched and not to search for more and more.

I myself am very happy with Ute's movie as I cannot absorb enough about Liszt's piano's.
So thank you Ute

[Romantica]

Thanks, Anna. And yes, we all admire Liszt, and my first aim with my film was to bring us Liszt nearer, esp. the romantic pianist, but (by the photos and texts by himself) also a bit the man.

[Romantica]

I decided to produce a Film version with English subtitles.

This is not an easy decision as I spent already weeks of unpayed work for the film (as I did all alone: music, texts, film, organization... it was a lot), and I have to get back to earn my living and to work at my payed film projects which are already waiting...

But as the foreign interest is much higher than in Germany, I will also give the translated version.

I will inform you here as soon as the English film version is ready.

[Romantica]

It is a pleasure for me to announce that the ENGLISH VERSION of my film has just been finished and uploaded! Please enjoy "The Poet at the Piano - Franz Liszt and his 1862 Bechstein" with complete English subtitles: 

(The German version can also be found there)
 
You may watch the English version even in 1080p HD.

Comments to Liszt the pianist or to the film are welcome.