Liszt Fantasy & Fugue on the Theme B-A-C-H

[arielpiano]

I've been staying away from the Liszt-Rachmaninov axis all these years. This is my first venture into this type of repertoire... Unlike earlier pieces by Liszt, the F&F is very varied: it starts with an organ fantasia-like opening, continues with a brooding short fugue that later turns into something in the style of a choral-prelude, proceeds very virtuosically, and ends with an organ-like set of chords and a fast coda in octaves.

[rachfan]

Hi ariel,

Bravo!  This is a convincing rendition of the Fantasy & Fugue.  You bring a well-developed technique to this piece and overcome all its difficulties well while concentrating on musicality at all times.  I especially liked the section before the coda with the big, rich chords and the octaves in the contra-bass.  It's an impressive performance.  Keep up the good work!

David   

[pianoplayjl]

I'm sorry I have nothing to offer except praise. It was my first time I heard of this piece and when I listened to it, it sounded really powerful, particularly the deep octaves in the bass. There were wild runs and you handled them really brilliantly. Impressive.

JL

[arielpiano]

Thank you for the kind comments. I think you guys are a bit too un-critical, though, and need to get a bit tougher... 

[rachfan]

Hi ariel,

Despite your youth, I would guess that you're already your own harshest critic, which is the way it should be.  It means that you listen to every note you play, comparing its effect to your musical intent.  So in that respect, you know when you've succeeded according to your standards, or what will require further attention.  There is no such thing as performance perfection.  It doesn't exist.  And I'm not speaking here of flawless technique, which can only be a tool in the quest for artistic playing.  I'm focusing here on true artistry (and count myself as an amateur pianist, no more).  The best that we mortals can hope for in our lifetimes is to always strive to get close enough to perfection, knowing that it will always be at best just out of reach.  Horowitz used to say that if a pianist just once could even get that close, that he would be a very lucky person indeed.  I think of Michelangeli who in his day was a phenomenal and consummate artist. But even he was usually cross with himself that he could not draw close enough to touch perfection (although his audience might have well thought otherwise).  Such is the human condition and the plight of the very best artists.  The important thing is to always keep your standards high.  That's why playing the piano is a very lofty endeavor.  

David  


  

[emill]

BRAVO  Ariel!!! 

[arielpiano]

Hi David,
Of course, I know you're right. But the thing is, this was the first public performance of the Liszt. Since then I recorded it for a CD (probably too early for that, but there were timing constraints), and played it in two master classes. So in less than 3 weeks many of my ideas about the piece have changed. On the other hand, if I wait for pieces to stabilize before I perform them I'll never play anything in public...

[rachfan]

Hi ariel,

many of my ideas about the piece have changed. On the other hand, if I wait for pieces to stabilize before I perform them I'll never play anything in public...

I understand exactly where you're coming from.  I no longer play in public, but my recording projects are important to me.  And like you, unless I make that crucial judgment that a piece is ready to record, then I would never record anything.  

While I've played a number of Liszt pieces, I've never played the Fantasy & Fugue, so cannot speak directly from experience.  For that reason I defer here to some of the other pianists who might be more familiar with its challenges.  My general sense though is that you play it very convincingly. I really enjoyed hearing it.

David