Thalberg Casta diva...

[ronde_des_sylphes]

...(and one of my own compositions)

This is a test recording made as a preamble for the real thing, i.e. a studio recording of some of my favourite transcriptions. It's from a public recital last weekend, but ultimately I was more concerned with trying things out on the piano and gaining some feel for it - I will be doing the "proper" recording shortly!

There are some small details which I don't like (especially a few messy turns in the Thalberg, and a minor memory lapse), but I will of course have the luxury of correcting them whilst recording! The piano stool also creaks a bit; that will have to be seen to.

Piano - Steinway Model D

Recording equipment (I'll have superior stuff available for the "real thing"):
Mikes - Rode NT5 pair
Recorder - Edirol R09-HR

Comments welcome.

[pbryld]

Wow...

Your own transcription is truly a virtuoso piece.

The Thalberg one is really lovely. Where did you get the score?

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Thanks! The Thalberg is part of his op.70 set, "L'art du chant applique au piano"; it's on IMSLP (I had it before IMSLP existed, but not sure where I found it - might have been a sheet music request on this forum, tbh). If my memory is correct, it is number 19 of that collection.

[lukediv]

i came here because i saw a thalberg, was hesitant about listening to your transcription but so glad i did

Really, really enjoyed it!

You should be very satisfied with yourself.

[starstruck5]

This was really pretty and a joy to listen to -

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Thanks - glad to see the Thalberg being appreciated, and it's nice to see people enjoying my somewhat pastiche composition. I was hard at work today, trying to get a precise studio recording of these pieces - will have to see how it comes out!

[pbryld]

After the octaves part in the beginning, when the right hand plays both the melody and the accompaniment, do you ever do 1-1 on, for example in the first bar (marked SOLO), Bb and C in order to comfortably play the melody (which you can then play 5-4-3-4-5)? If you understand what I mean...

To do 1-2 and still play the melody in a sensible manner seems impossible to me, but I admit it may be just that my I'm just not good enough (yet!).

EDIT: I am looking at the IMSLP score, page 3 (marked 4 in the score).

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Yes, absolutely, do 1-1: in that particular case it's actually quite natural sliding from the Bb to the C with the thumb. The alternatives don't really bear thinking about: 2-1 is vaguely possible but unbalances the hand, and 1-2 is extremely uncomfortable.

[pbryld]

Fab. Thanks!