Rach, Shub, Chop....yada yada

[furtwaengler]

Recent concerts in retirement communities, assisted living centers, and nursing homes this year have quickly turned into one of the great joys of my life. I cannot tell you how much pleasure it gives me. I never know what to expect as to the location, instrument, atmosphere and response...often times as you can hear in other recordings I've posted, the pianos are just barely hanging on to life. I might get more out of the challenge of making these awful instruments speak than others simply because I've never owned a piano myself and have hardly ever had access to a truly great piano (I did post a recording of Horowitz's Steinway, but the length of the recordings was really the length of my experience with it.).

Today's concert was at a health center where constant care is administered, or elderly people are rehabbing and recovering. The piano was the first upright I've encountered at one of these events...and actually I didn't even think to look at what kind it was. There was a platform under the pedals which I found to be a little uncomfortable, but the instrument itself has a warm, sweet sound, and is certainly capable of singing and bringing much music, although power and speed proved to be very difficult with its action - it was probably not meant for the types of pieces I like to play around with.

The recital itself was not well planned on my part...yet these spontaneous events where I have no idea what to play, or if I have anything to play sometimes come off really well, because of the inspiration of the moment. This may be another reason why I enjoy these specific events. The program ended up being in this order:

Rachmaninov Moments musicaux in D-flat Op. 16 no. 5
Schubert Impromptu in A-flat op. 90 no. 4
Schubert/Liszt Erlkönig
Chopin Etude in C op. 10 no. 1
Godowsky Study no. 1 on Chopin's op. 10 no. 1
A Mazurka I wrote when I was 14
Chopin Ballade in G minor op. 23
Chopin Ballade in F minor op. 57

(I'd say a great time was had by all, but the beeping usually means someone is in trouble. I wonder how I'll be if I make it to this stage in life?)

I hope you enjoy the show!

Dave

[furtwaengler]

Part two!

[frankiisko]

When I saw your repertoire for a concert I thought "Woh  "

Later when I heard your playing i thought "...  "

I just heard the Chopin Étude #1 with Godowsky's version, because it surprised me a lot that someon play Godowsky's Studies on Chopin's Études, so I wanted to hear it.

I was very disappointed when I hear the perfomance. Too many mistakes, not much musicallity, a lot of stops and heart mistakes... I don't think that repertoire is made for you.

Congratulations to play Godowsky, that prove that you are very brave but... it's too difficult for you.

[furtwaengler]

When I saw your repertoire for a concert I thought "Woh   "

Later when I heard your playing i thought "...   "

I just heard the Chopin Étude #1 with Godowsky's version, because it surprised me a lot that someon play Godowsky's Studies on Chopin's Études, so I wanted to hear it.

I was very disappointed when I hear the perfomance. Too many mistakes, not much musicallity, a lot of stops and heart mistakes... I don't think that repertoire is made for you.

Congratulations to play Godowsky, that prove that you are very brave but... it's too difficult for you.

   Ah, very sorry to disappoint you Frankiisko. No need to congratulate the risk or bravery, for on this day I was obviously not up to the challenge. My goodness, maybe I should learn to play the Chopin before trying to play the Godowsky...Oh, what was I thinking!? Oh, oh, MOANING oh...

[emill]

hello Dave,

After reading frankiisko's comments and your response I could not help suppress a BIG GRIN !!!
I tried looking for the etude No.1, but it seems you pulled it out .  BUT considering the "as is" playing conditions and the audience ... even improvisations of difficult pieces is most acceptable.

Personally and considering your other posts in the past, like those where you hid the portable mic. in your pocket ... I feel that what you would want to project primarily is the joy you derive from attempts at the piece and only secondarily to audition the piece.  And I feel it is the same with this group of pieces you present now; your joy of having found this path to the hearts of seniors whom I feel is most appreciative that a GOOD pianist plays GOOD pieces. 

I particularly enjoyed your playing on the Chopin G minor, which to me is full of warmth. Except for the last final part where I would have preferred it to be a faster tempo and more aggressive (perhaps I am so influenced by the version of Cecille Licad).  The F minor and the Schubert are NICE!! . I enjoyed them. 

Keep up these concerts for the elderly, but young at heart ... I am sure in the future when we will take their places .... and a pianist plays for us .... then memories of these days will make us more appreciative of life.

[furtwaengler]

hello Dave,

After reading frankiisko's comments and your response I could not help suppress a BIG GRIN !!!
I tried looking for the etude No.1, but it seems you pulled it out .  BUT considering the "as is" playing conditions and the audience ... even improvisations of difficult pieces is most acceptable.

Well, I don't know how acceptable it is to come up short of a good effort, but I know in any case I am sharing myself and they usually appreciate it. I did take down the Chopin/Godowsky combo, but not because of the comments...what I left is honestly not much better (and it could hardly get worse than the Beethoven/Liszt 9th Symphony I shared WHICH GOT RAVE REVIEWS!). I took it down because at that point it had 30 downloads, versus 1 to 4 downloads of the other material, which I found a bit aggrivating. On that note I was not doing myself or Godowsky any favors. I should also mention just for fun, and for fact...the Godowsky op. 10 no. 1 is not nearly as tough as the original Chopin op. 10 no. 1. I am not kidding!

Personally and considering your other posts in the past, like those where you hid the portable mic. in your pocket ... I feel that what you would want to project primarily is the joy you derive from attempts at the piece and only secondarily to audition the piece.  And I feel it is the same with this group of pieces you present now; your joy of having found this path to the hearts of seniors whom I feel is most appreciative that a GOOD pianist plays GOOD pieces. 

That's an astute observation. I think you're right.

I particularly enjoyed your playing on the Chopin G minor, which to me is full of warmth. Except for the last final part where I would have preferred it to be a faster tempo and more aggressive (perhaps I am so influenced by the version of Cecille Licad).  The F minor and the Schubert are NICE!! . I enjoyed them. 

I don't know if I want the end faster, but definitely cleaner - I want to be able to play it! I must confess, I did not know if I could play either of the ballades before I launched into them (this is the theme of the program...no prep, shot in the dark). Sounds strange, but at the same time I knew where I wanted to take them if I could play them. I'd not have shared it if I didn't think I succeeded in that direction. Something of this spontaneous unraveling inspires me, though I know it's very risky and gets me into trouble. I certainly would not do this everywhere!

Keep up these concerts for the elderly, but young at heart ... I am sure in the future when we will take their places .... and a pianist plays for us .... then memories of these days will make us more appreciative of life.

Yes, indeed. I hope I have more opportunities. And thank you for always being so kind!

Dave

[pianist1976]

Hi, Dave! I listened to your Chopin etude before you deleted it. I don't think you deserve the destructive criticism you received from a young forum member. It's true that there are things that still doesn't work in that etude but there were some very good details on your recital, and we must ALWAYS value the brave fact of playing before an audience and the fact not all concerts are the same. Generally speaking, I see errors as an opportunity to improve and an opportunity to be proud of the things that went well. You are talented, David. So keep the work on that etude until you master it, I'm sure you can. And keep the things you made very well on that recital (and others).

I don't know if I understood you correctly. Are you saying you don't have a piano at home to practice?

Regards!