Liszt Pensée des morts and Sonata

[furtwaengler]

EDIT: FLAC and 320 kbps mp3 recordings of these Liszt pieces and Medtner's op. 20 can be found here: https://www.mediafire.com/#7nmftkdeabv1v

Pensée des morts is from Liszt's Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses.
And surely you know the B minor Sonata?

I didn't originally want to share these, because 1) I was not pleased with certain very important details and 2) I thought I'd have the opportunity to play them back to back in live performance (I wish had them recorded from the same vantage point so they could flow one into the other - this is a dream of mine. You can here the difference in the empty hall's awful heating/cooling system in the Pensée recorded from the stage, and the Sonata from the very back of the hall). It seems less likely this concert pairing will happen. Moreover, a nonmusical friend listened to these tonight and seemed especially comforted by Liszt's Pensée des morts...and to tell you the truth I am greatly comforted by the piece myself, starting to dwell on it after the death of my Grandfather who was very close. This recording was made in the middle of the night on Liszt's 200th birthday, October 22th, 2011 (really the AM hours of the 23rd to be precise). Believed it or not, this was the only time I played Pensée des morts, not before or since...I think it's an emotional weakness in pieces like this, Beethoven's op. 111 and others. It hurts to approach either of them. And it sort of bogs me down to hear unwanted dynamic surges and the types of misses which harm the power of a moment. Ah, well...I'm being delivered from such ills.

I hope you to will be delivered too and will find this expansive reading thoughtful, sincere and meaningful.

[furtwaengler]

The Sonata was recorded a week prior, also in the night, October 14th 2011. (I played it live the next day, but in very odd conditions...a portable electric Yamaha keyboard in the children's corner of a library, believe it or not. And after explaining a few thinks about LISZT and his sonata, and giving the performance, one random lady started yelling out things about another musician I work with regularly, concluding her off the wall monologue with, "But I liked you're CHOPIN!" I'm not kidding you, three or for people afterwards praised my "Chopin" performance, ARGH!)

Back on the 14th, and Ah! I spent a couple hours practicing without pedal before recording this on the C7 (thankfully...but man was it fussy this day. The reason I recorded from so far a distance was because of the terribly metallic tone the strings were producing that day...I'm telling you, there is no way of knowing how this piano is going to act on any given day - a product of the room, freezing one day, burning up the next...I've been in their where my fingers were hydroplaning on the keys for the excessive humidity...also, have you ever heard such a thing where the tuning shifts so much at the use of the una corda? Man!). You should practice with pedal...do what your going to do, you know? Too much exploration.

Ah well, again. I find it therapeutic to to write these things, and tell "you" how "you" should do this and that in total deflection. Ah...I hope it entertains you. I sure type "Ah" a lot.

Liszt B minor. A good piece of music. Make sure "you" memorize the rhythms correctly, hahaha.

(Too tired) Dave

[birba]

A really wonderful performance of this most oscure and enigmatic work.  I got the goosebumps in some parts.  I can just see you in this dark hall in the middle of the night playing by candlelight...

[birba]

Though I don't agree with a lot of what you did in the sonata, I have to say you gave a very convincing performance of it.  I think because of your beautiful sound, the musical phrasing, and the quiet moments you bring out with such intensity.  I was entertained!  Enjoyed listening to you very much.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Listened to the Pensee des morts. Wonderful playing.

[furtwaengler]

Listened to the Pensee des morts. Wonderful playing.

A really wonderful performance of this most oscure and enigmatic work.  I got the goosebumps in some parts.  I can just see you in this dark hall in the middle of the night playing by candlelight...

Thanks very much. I adore this piece, and now I'm think I must shift back around and consider programing it.

Though I don't agree with a lot of what you did in the sonata, I have to say you gave a very convincing performance of it.  I think because of your beautiful sound, the musical phrasing, and the quiet moments you bring out with such intensity.  I was entertained!  Enjoyed listening to you very much.

I had originally read that the file would not work before you put up these comments. For this reason I uploaded both these Liszt recordings and the Medtner in their original quality settings to a folder on Mediafire which I've linked at the top of the page.

And my goodness, I don't agree with a lot of what I do here either, and some of it is just plain wrong. I had reservations of sharing, but something told me the run was ending, and I wasn't really going to get another recording in the near future (I have several others of lower quality equipment leading up to the performance I think). Liszt's Sonata is a piece that has to be forever new, and every time I've set my hands on it has been another opportunity for orchestrating the recreation of a masterpiece. Every run or performances in this regard has brought out strikingly different results...timings ranging from 27 minutes to 33 minutes, with varying degrees of focus, emphasis, phrasing and drama. This particular performance I think is built on an idea of ferocious intensity of the storm and the stark contrast and pull of the heaven storming serene passages. I don't even want a piano sound as much as the vision of a large orchestra bowling over with intensity and reckless abandon. I am at least content in what this brought to the structural integrity of the piece itself. One day I'll achieve this with a closer view to the ground.

Ah...I enjoy thinking through it all. 

[rachfan]

Hi Dave,

I enjoyed listening to your "Pensee des morts".  It had been a long time since I last heard it, as I usually gravitate immediately to my favorite in that set, "Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude".  So this was a good opportunity to reconnect with "Pensee".  I think you gave a very fine account of it--fully convincing indeed.   I agree with birba, this piece can be enigmatic in some of its moments.  Sometimes the writing has pensive pauses, digressions, etc., but you you manage to shape your rendition to present the piece as a unified whole, making it most accessible to the listener.   Excellent!

David

[furtwaengler]

I love Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude as well. Pensée des morts has hit me at the right time, and between the two I can hardly think of more beautiful and comforting sounds conceived by the composer.

[rachfan]

Hi Dave,

Just finished listening to the Sonata.  Bravo!!!  I thoroughly enjoyed your performance and was on the edge of my seat sometimes.  There were a few details here and there that strayed a bit from orthodoxy, but I think that was unimportant.  You brought out the drama, poetry, lyricism, yearning and ecstasy of this music.  That's what's truly important.  In the matter of interpretation, I don't believe that it's enough for the artist to "recreate" the music; rather, in collaboration with the composer, the intent must be to "co-create" the music in the moment.  Part of this is allowing for some of the artist's own individuality to imbue the rendition, but always judiciously.  In that you succeeded extremely well.  When I hear someone like you playing one of the pinnacles of the piano literature such as this sonata, it makes me think that he must almost feel like a god after the final utterance of the music. This is a piece I would never dare to touch.  Congratulations on your fine performance!  I greatly admire your artistry!

David

[m1469]

Listening to the Pensee ... I don't know this work, but I feel like I should (I mean, maybe I am forgetting or getting confused?  It's possible  ).  I really enjoy the piece and I like your playing very much, very powerful, dynamic, and thoughtful (wow, a particularly gorgeous section, here, I wish I knew the time of it so I could point it out!).  Thank you for sharing and it's really good to hear you here, again .  I shall listen to the sonata, soon!

[hakki]

I just listened to the sonata.
Awesome !!!

If I were listening this at a concert, I would be giving a very long standing ovation.
I mean it is that good. Very professional.
 
And I really don't understand. With this kind of playing, I don't see any reason why  you wouldn't have a contract with a major recording label.

I am glad that you posted it.
Thanks for sharing.

regards,   

[megadodd]

Excuse my choice of words, but, holy sh*t!

That was really impressive, your tone is perfect~
And you play it in a very dark charismatic way, I loved it.

[furtwaengler]

Hi Dave,

Just finished listening to the Sonata.  Bravo!!!  I thoroughly enjoyed your performance and was on the edge of my seat sometimes.  There were a few details here and there that strayed a bit from orthodoxy, but I think that was unimportant.  You brought out the drama, poetry, lyricism, yearning and ecstasy of this music.  That's what's truly important.  In the matter of interpretation, I don't believe that it's enough for the artist to "recreate" the music; rather, in collaboration with the composer, the intent must be to "co-create" the music in the moment.  Part of this is allowing for some of the artist's own individuality to imbue the rendition, but always judiciously.  In that you succeeded extremely well.  When I hear someone like you playing one of the pinnacles of the piano literature such as this sonata, it makes me think that he must almost feel like a god after the final utterance of the music. This is a piece I would never dare to touch.  Congratulations on your fine performance!  I greatly admire your artistry!

David

Thank you for always listening to mine and everyone else's recordings, David I cannot tell you what it means to me.

Listening to the Pensee ... I don't know this work, but I feel like I should (I mean, maybe I am forgetting or getting confused?  It's possible  ).  I really enjoy the piece and I like your playing very much, very powerful, dynamic, and thoughtful (wow, a particularly gorgeous section, here, I wish I knew the time of it so I could point it out!).  Thank you for sharing and it's really good to hear you here, again .  I shall listen to the sonata, soon!

Hi m1469, thanks for listening! Pensée des morts is not often played. I am more surprised to see people knowing it rather than not. But it is a tremendous and moving piece, and one I feel excited about sharing based solely on this. I may playing it again soon.

I just listened to the sonata.
Awesome !!!

If I were listening this at a concert, I would be giving a very long standing ovation.
I mean it is that good. Very professional.
 
And I really don't understand. With this kind of playing, I don't see any reason why  you wouldn't have a contract with a major recording label.

I am glad that you posted it.
Thanks for sharing.

regards,   

Thanks a lot Hakki! I feel it's been a while since I heard you. What are you playing these days?

Excuse my choice of words, but, holy sh*t!

That was really impressive, your tone is perfect~
And you play it in a very dark charismatic way, I loved it.

Thanks, Megadodd. Dark and charismatic...I really like that description.

I guess in revising my thoughts about this performance of the Sonata, I might should have said, "Brace yourselves, this is a wild ride." I'm actually pleasantly surprised many people have listened and responded. It's seemed to be the trend in bigger pieces - but now I think I'm wrong, and very happy in that.

Thank you all so much!

[starstruck5]

Thanks for uploading these pieces -I agree that you should get a recording contract! 

[cabbynum]

Thanks for uploading these pieces -I agree that you should get a recording contract! 

Me Too!!!! But not everyone loves recording...


David, This recording is marvelous as well! I both of the liszt sonata recordings ive heard you do so far! They are different but both very powerful and full of energy. I Loved it! and the prestissimo is a lot closer to what I hear in my head! the lyricism and thought into each phrase renders this interpretation divine. Both of them actually.

Well done. Do you think you will play it again anytime in the not too distant future?