Bach-Busoni Chaconne (2.24.13 unedited) + Liszt Mephisto excerpts

[furiouzpianist]

I've been working on this piece since September, on and off.......but I still haven't played it in public.

I will start my March 5th recital with this piece.........

please let me know what I can improve.


ahhaha, also, I included a rec of myself practicing today - the Liszt Mephisto Waltz No. 1, mostly without pedal. On a piano where a "d" keeps getting stuck...........I find that practicing without any pedal (full speed) really allows one to hear exactly what you are playing, without any cover-ups.

[furiouzpianist]

I ran this through today in a pretty boomy hall (on an awful, dull Steinway B). It is my favorite place to try out pieces, because if I can play there without collapsing, I can play anywhere.

concert in 8 days...........

[j_menz]

Bravo!!

I like this very much.

There are some tempo changes within the first allegro bit that I find a little quirky, neither romantic nor baroque in feel (aim for baroque) - maybe you could check the recording to see if you agree. It may just be that I'm more used to what I do.

Since this is your concert opening, I'd also suggest you make more of the dramatic possibilities of the openiong; this starts off a bit limply, whaich may be fine after something else, but as an opening this can be a real boom moment and I don't think you've quite reached out and grabbed the audience.

[furiouzpianist]

I used to play the first allegro variations in one tempo, but now I think that each as texture change becomes thicker, the tempo can be broadened, or else it sounds rushed.....

I'm going to try just the Chaconne out on stage this Thursday.....

[j_menz]

I think that each as texture change becomes thicker, the tempo can be broadened, or else it sounds rushed.....

FWIW I agree entirely. As I said, I may be overeacting to what you do differently in that regard to what I do. It is also possible that the live piano thickens in texture more than the recording, leaving some of the changes being more than necessary (ie a little thin) on the recording but perfectly fine in the flesh.

[furiouzpianist]

I am glad I added this to my rep, it is a very comfortable start to a solo recital. I used to start with a few Scarlatti Sonatas, but it is always more secure to start with something bombastic rather than the lighter Scarlatti...........

at any rate, many of the things here are so uncomfortable technically. Really, for me, this is harder than the Liszt Mephisto Waltz.........

[furtwaengler]

I hear you on speedy pedal-less practice! I notice Berezovsky doesn't pedal much in key places you'd expect in his unique if not eccentric take on Mephisto 1. Maybe he got used to the sound.

I am listening to the 2/24 take of the Bach/Busoni. Wonderful, brilliant, virtuosic playing. Great clarity and contrasts in articulation. I can tell you've put a lot of thoughtful work into this. I will always love this "transcription." - The Brahms is a transcription. This is an explosion. It is nice to have The Brahms and the Busoni back to back in the audition room.

(And I see Orangesoda has put one up too which I shall hear soon!).

[furiouzpianist]

I am trying out just the Chaconne tomorrow for a piano studio class tomorrow. That will be my first public performance of the work.

I think the Busoni transcription should be treated mostly in a romantic manner  - the lush Lisztian texture  commands this approach.

[emill]

Bravo!!!!!!! to your Bach-Busoni Chaconne !!!

[furiouzpianist]

haha, thanks. I won't record today's performance though, I don't want to think about anything else while I am playing..........