ginastera sonata no. 1

[birba]

I was asked to participate in a south american music festival sponsored by the argentinian embassy in Rome.

[49410enrique]

i have yet to listen to mvts ii and iii, but if i is any indication of what's to come, color me excited. this is such a refreshing take on this piece, you display high musical maturity with you ability to make this piece sound playful even with the 'percussive' nature of the work, the lyricism shines through.

it's often said when we perform some of the standards we had better have something new to say. i believe you've done that here. job well done and i'll comment on the mvmnts soon.

by curiosity how long has this been in your rep, it sounds very seasoned, just curious if you leanred the work for this occassion or perhaps it was a previously completed project and you reworked it for performance?

[birba]

Thanks for listening!  Yes, I used to play it lots, many years ago.  I also used to play the preludes and the 3 dances.  I never got around to learning the other two sonatas.  I like Ginastera.  Not a particularly "deep" composer, like Barber, but a 20th century composer that non-musicians, as well, enjoy and tap their foot along with!

[costicina]

Amazing performance, maestro!!!  
I happen to live in Rome, too: I would have liked soo much to hear you play “dal vivo”. Peccato…  
Anyway, BRAVO!!!!!

[birba]

If something comes up again, I'll let you know!  Actually, it was several months ago e ancora non frequentavo Pianostreet.  Ma, lei è italiana?  Parla un'inglese perfetto!

[costicina]

Yes, please, let me know!!!
And yes, I’m Italian, but my English is not that good. And my piano playing is still worse  !!

If you don’t mind, I’ll send you soon a PM (hoping you wont' find me too "sfacciata"). After Bernhard's disappearance, you’are going to be one of the most precious point of reference in this forum…at least for me and my 12 yrs old daughter...
Best whishes
Margherita

[quantum]

Thanks for posting this. 

[rachfan]

Hi birba,

Bravo!  This is one of the finest performances I've heard all year.  Absolutely brilliant!  Thanks for sharing it here.

David

[m1469]

Birba, nice chops!  I'm not real familiar with Ginastera, but hearing you is a nice chance to get a feel for him, thanks for posting.  I'm listening now to the third file (004), I think it's my favorite so far, nice contrasts and good intensity.

You've really come quite a ways since being that Japanese lady playing on that white piano, in some video before ... long before ...

[birba]

Thanks guys!  I'm trying to think of the video of the japanese lady playing on the white piano.  There is one of a young me playing the funerailles on a white piano.  But the japanese lady?
Oboemasen...

[starstruck5]

Only listened to the first movement so far. Your playing is very impressive.  The music is quite percussive and rhythmic, yet you play the music like one long melodic line. It sort of reminded me of the sea - waves building and collapsing and also a Zen-like Oneness -

Awesome.

[cmg]

Very, very fine playing!  I love this sonata.  Did the first movement as a student.  Such solid, masterful playing.  Thanks for posting.

[hakki]

Wow birba!
This is some fantastic playing.

BRAVO!!!
Thanks for sharing.

regards,

[birba]

Thanks all of you for listening!

[candlelightpiano]

I'm sorry for my unsophisticated knowledge but I listened to your performance again and now have a greater appreciation for Ginastera. I enjoyed the last movement the most. It was so energetic and lively. The third movement was, for the most part, meditative and serene, which I really enjoyed. The second movement had a lovely under water feel to it. There were plenty of colors and contrasts between the movements. Your mastery over the piano is unmatched. I enjoyed this very much. Thank you!

[josh93248]

Just tremendous. I don't care how old this thread is, I'm putting it on top of the pile!

birba, you are a true musician, I now value all that you have said and will say, especially about my own playing, far more.

My ears can detect no flaws, but that's obvious, your interpretation is exquisite and I would guess highly creative and unique but I am unfamiliar with this piece.

I also would love to know where I could find more, especially on Youtube as I don't really like the in-built file player here... At least not till my internet gets better...

[birba]

Thank you Josh.  I was active for a few years but just couldn't stand the anxiety of it all.  It was like dying every time I played.  And then you hear the really great pianists and think, what the hell am I doing this for?!  But I do enjoy listening to young pianists and helping out with insights and suggestions.   I think that's why I enjoy pianostreet so much.  I can empathize with the frustrations and disappointments and  the drive to succeed.  I was even doing some tutorials until a certain "Becky" came along and stopped that!  At any rate, I'm glad you enjoyed the Ginastera.  Not great music, but it comes from the heart and speaks easily to the pubblic!

[josh93248]

I really understand that birba. I know I would hate the pressures of being a true concert pianist, which is why I'd rather be a recording artist principally. I also know what you mean by listening to the greats, my only hope is that I can come up with something not necessarily better, but at least different and original enough to merit some interest.

I think trying to help younger pianists is really admirable and I encourage you to keep at it... especially in regards to me haha, I really would appreciate any and all input you would care to give

I have no idea who "Becky" is but she can shov- well, let's just say I wish you were still doing tutorials...

I kind of know what you mean about the ginastera not being "great music" but I really enjoyed it and thought you did as much with it as can be done probably. Nothing wrong with appealing to the public! I rather would like to do that if I can myself, I favour more traditional tonality and ideas as well as more accessible music (don't bet me wrong, I often love bold and challenging works, just not much modern era composed music) but I think they can be presented, on many levels, far better and in a way which will create a new audience, which is critical given the fact that most of our current audience seems to be near death!