modern day pianist-composers

[andrewkoay]

I'm wondering after Rachmaninov and Lizst, why are the pianists nowadays generally not composing their own music to further differentiate themselves from the crowd? I would really love to hear new piano music that is still marketable to the general public (not like post-Bartok 20th century classical compositions) . Don't really feel like listening to old stuff now. If someone could compose concertos like Rachmaninov and perform them I'll be a big fan!

[awesom_o]

Check out my composition!

https://vimeo.com/74077435

[louispodesta]

I'm wondering after Rachmaninov and Lizst, why are the pianists nowadays generally not composing their own music to further differentiate themselves from the crowd? I would really love to hear new piano music that is still marketable to the general public (not like post-Bartok 20th century classical compositions) . Don't really feel like listening to old stuff now. If someone could compose concertos like Rachmaninov and perform them I'll be a big fan!

You have obviously not heard of the works Earl Wild composed and transcribed for the better part of the last 70 years.  This includes his 21st century Sonata, and also his piano/orchestra "Variations On A Theme Of Stephen Foster" (Dooh Dah Variations).

I, accordingly, enclose a link to his website.

https://earlwild.com/

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I agree it is disappointing that most present-day pianists don't compose in addition to their pianistic activities. However, Marc-Andre Hamelin and Stephen Hough spring to mind.

(I prefer some of Hamelin's compositions to his actual playing).

Sometime forum member Koji Attwood has made some excellent arrangements, of which I particularly like this one:

I also compose, as I think any pianist with aspirations should - here's one example: https://app.box.com/s/7uaqz5nq2zat9yg5rv17

[rovikered]

I'm wondering after Rachmaninov and Lizst, why are the pianists nowadays generally not composing their own music to further differentiate themselves from the crowd? I would really love to hear new piano music that is still marketable to the general public (not like post-Bartok 20th century classical compositions) . Don't really feel like listening to old stuff now. If someone could compose concertos like Rachmaninov and perform them I'll be a big fan!

Two leading international concert pianists, Marc-Andre Hamelin and Stephen Hough are both composers. They have also recorded some of their own music. I suggest you check out their compositions.
rk

[rovikered]

Check out my composition!

https://vimeo.com/74077435

I'd like to hear a live "in the flesh" performance of this piece which I find appealing.
The recording, however, with its 'twanginess', excessive echo and unevenness in balance and dynamics does not, in my opinion, do justice to the music.
rk

[andrewkoay]

I agree it is disappointing that most present-day pianists don't compose in addition to their pianistic activities. However, Marc-Andre Hamelin and Stephen Hough spring to mind.

(I prefer some of Hamelin's compositions to his actual playing).

Sometime forum member Koji Attwood has made some excellent arrangements, of which I particularly like this one:

I also compose, as I think any pianist with aspirations should - here's one example: https://app.box.com/s/7uaqz5nq2zat9yg5rv17

Wow, that composition by yours is tremendous, I loved every part of it. You have any more to share? We really need to set up a section in this forum to share our compositional work!

To awesom_o you compose great too!

Thanks everybody for the Earl Wild, Stephen Hough and Hamelin recommendations, am currently listening to some of their work and it sounds great! I wished more pianists would start composing too....

[thalbergmad]

Volodos has written some pretty amazing transcriptions.

Thal

[awesom_o]

I'd like to hear a live "in the flesh" performance of this piece which I find appealing.
The recording, however, with its 'twanginess', excessive echo and unevenness in balance and dynamics does not, in my opinion, do justice to the music.
rk

  I know, the cheap video camera isn't very flattering. I just recorded it again the other day with much better equipment and will post the recording as soon as I get it from my friend.

I've been rather busy finishing my recording of the op. 10 and 25 Etudes, which is finally complete!

[ronde_des_sylphes]

How did I forgot Volodos?!

I also compose, as I think any pianist with aspirations should - here's one example: https://app.box.com/s/7uaqz5nq2zat9yg5rv17

Wow, that composition by yours is tremendous, I loved every part of it. You have any more to share? We really need to set up a section in this forum to share our compositional work!

Thank you! There is room in the audition room for compositions, but not a dedicated section. As you mentioned Rachmaninov-like concerti at the start of the thread, this is my attempt at a piano concerto (it's currently on the back-burner, so this is first movement only). Not as polished as the above, which is a studio recording, this was put together at very short notice with one of my teachers on second piano. I can't see me getting my hands on an orchestra in the immediate future and I am rather flattering myself in the first place by presuming that I can write properly for one!

[rovikered]

I know, the cheap video camera isn't very flattering. I just recorded it again the other day with much better equipment and will post the recording as soon as I get it from my friend.
 

I look forward to hearing the new recording.
Best wishes.
rk