Massive Piano Pieces

[ahinton]

Why Faure is being discussed in a "massive" thread is beyond me.

That's beyond me, too; Fauré simply didn't "do" massive, nor did he intend or aspire to do so.

We need a wish washy airy fairy froggy sleep inducing constant stream of nothing thread.

For what? And who's "we"? If YOU want one, then the obvious solution is in your own capable hands; create one!

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

Because some chamber works include piano and I often think playing with other musicians is a little more challenging...puts a spin on solo piano rep.

Fair enough insofar as it goes, but the thread is specifically entitled "Massive Piano Pieces" and by no stretch of anyone's imagination is a chamber work a "massive piano piece"; surely a separate thread for "massive chamber works" would be a good idea if this is what some members here want to discuss? This thread could then better be left for discussion of its declared topic.

Best,

Alistair

[chopin2015]

Fair enough insofar as it goes, but the thread is specifically entitled "Massive Piano Pieces" and by no stretch of anyone's imagination is a chamber work a "massive piano piece"; surely a separate thread for "massive chamber works" would be a good idea if this is what some members here want to discuss? This thread could then better be left for discussion of its declared topic.

Best,

Alistair

Ok, fair enough. Perhaps, the title of the thread should be "Massive SOLO PIANO pieces". 

Romantic sonatas are pretty tough, not to mention the endless Scriabin fantasies and...sonatas.

[lisztmusicfan]

... I think I'm getting a lot more than I bargained for on this thread   I still have yet to listen to mr wishy washy airy fairy froggy sleep inducing constant stream of nothing (aka Faure).

Logan

[kakeithewolf]

That's beyond me, too; Fauré simply didn't "do" massive, nor did he intend or aspire to do so.

Faure did write a Requiem, though. I hardly consider that a small work.

[ahinton]

Faure did write a Requiem, though. I hardly consider that a small work.

But at the same time it hardly qualifies as "massive" and the piano is certainly not involved in it. He also wrote a considerably larger work in his one opera Pénélope, which has about two hours of music altogether but, again, "massiveness" is far from the first thought that comes to mind when considering it; Strauss's Salome and Elektra, each from a few years earlier, are each shorter stage works but truly massive in every other sense.

Anyway - back to the topic!

Best,

Alistair

[chopin2015]

But at the same time it hardly qualifies as "massive" and the piano is certainly not involved in it. He also wrote a considerably larger work in his one opera Pénélope, which has about two hours of music altogether but, again, "massiveness" is far from the first thought that comes to mind when considering it; Strauss's Salome and Elektra, each from a few years earlier, are each shorter stage works but truly massive in every other sense.

Anyway - back to the topic!

Best,

Alistair

*cough cough*Faure ballade for solo piano*cough*

My gosh, anyone have a cough drop?!

Also, the Strauss renditions in tom and jerry "Johann mouse" are TO DIE FOR!!!

[thalbergmad]

Also, the Strauss renditions in tom and jerry "Johann mouse" are TO DIE FOR!!!

Indeed they are my little Russian cutie. Jakob Gimpel does an excellent job, but he borrowed heavily from Friedman, Cziffra, Godowsky, Schutt, Pennario and gawd knows how many other arrangers.

Thal

[rachmaninoff_forever]

The original rach 2nd sonata. 

It's better than the cut down version.

[lisztmusicfan]

The original rach 2nd sonata. 

It's better than the cut down version.

Thanks for trying to stick to the OP 

[chopin2015]

Indeed they are my little Russian cutie. Jakob Gimpel does an excellent job, but he borrowed heavily from Friedman, Cziffra, Godowsky, Schutt, Pennario and gawd knows how many other arrangers.

Thal

I LOVE Cziffra. Will have to check some of those others out. Thanks for the tips, your kindness.

[ale_ius]

Massive difficult

[ale_ius]

.

[ale_ius]

Longtime favorite very neo impressionistic. I have score. There is a lot of black

[j_menz]

If it's only speculation then it means that it's true. 

If it's a proven fact then it means that it's false.

DUH!!!

Your exam marks are going to be interesting indeed. 

This is why you need to learn how to swim!

I can. Not sure it's of much help in icy Russian rivers, though.

[j_menz]

Also, the Strauss renditions in tom and jerry "Johann mouse" are TO DIE FOR!!!

Perhaps, but they aren't to do with Richard Strauss, who is the Strauss Alistair had in mind.

[visitor]

Perhaps, but they aren't to do with Richard Strauss, who is the Strauss Alistair had in mind.

he is the best Strauss

[j_menz]

he is the best Strauss

Perhaps, but not so much fun to dance to - his two ballets notwithstanding.

[visitor]

Perhaps, but not so much fun to dance to - his two ballets notwithstanding.

well his most famous dance might be fun, well it's a nudy dance so maybe more for the audience than performer, at least until it ends in a bloody mess.

[lisztmusicfan]

If were on the topic of dances, let's talk about the Rite of Spring! Now THAT is a premier that I wish I was at.

[j_menz]

If were on the topic of dances, let's talk about the Rite of Spring! Now THAT is a premier that I wish I was at.

You have a penchant for "knock-kneed and long-braided Lolitas"?

[lisztmusicfan]

No, but something about sacrificing virgins just grabs my attention. I think that that piece was THE most influential piece of music written in the 1900's

[kakeithewolf]

But at the same time it hardly qualifies as "massive" and the piano is certainly not involved in it. He also wrote a considerably larger work in his one opera Pénélope, which has about two hours of music altogether but, again, "massiveness" is far from the first thought that comes to mind when considering it; Strauss's Salome and Elektra, each from a few years earlier, are each shorter stage works but truly massive in every other sense.

Anyway - back to the topic!

Best,

Alistair

Actually, Faure's Requiem DOES use a piano.

[j_menz]

Actually, Faure's Requiem DOES use a piano.

For what? Decoration?

Sometimes one is used instead of the Organ, or the Harp (or indeed instead of a few other thngs) but not in accordance with Faure's score - just because the real thing isn't available/feasible.

[kakeithewolf]

For what? Decoration?

Sometimes one is used instead of the Organ, or the Harp (or indeed instead of a few other thngs) but not in accordance with Faure's score - just because the real thing isn't available/feasible.

True, but I do tend to see more recordings with piano than organ.

Back on the subject of massive pieces, seven more came to my mind. Sorabji's Symphonic Variations for Piano, Sequentia Dies Irae, Transcendental Etudes, Barlowe's Çogluotobüsisletmesi, Balkariev's Islamey, and Lavignac's Galop-Marche.

[visitor]

Somewhat massive in size but more massive In difficulty