great and undervalued piano solo repertoire #7

[michael_sayers]

Sergey Lyapunov's Etude Op. 11 No. 12 -  Elegy in Memory of Franz Liszt - here played by Sergey Lyapunov.

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[ronde_des_sylphes]

Sergey Lyapunov's Etude Op. 11 No. 12 -  Elegy in Memory of Franz Liszt - here played by

.. me, live. Albeit eleven years ago and recorded at distance with a hand-held camcorder, so audio could be better. Nor do I pretend my recording is nearly as good as the composer's own piano roll.

As I take my username from the title of Liapunov's 11th Transcendental Etude, and I'm very fond of this composer's work, I'll also post No. 5 Nuit d'ete, played by myself (and with proper quality audio):

and also the lovely rare op.8 Nocturne, played by Anthony Goldstone:

[michael_sayers]

.. me, live. Albeit eleven years ago and recorded at distance with a hand-held camcorder, so audio could be better. Nor do I pretend my recording is nearly as good as the composer's own piano roll.

As I take my username from the title of Liapunov's 11th Transcendental Etude, and I'm very fond of this composer's work, I'll also post No. 5 Nuit d'ete, played by myself:

and also the lovely rare op.8 Nocturne, played by Anthony Goldstone:

Thanks!

I'll listen momentarily, maybe though the links with you playing could go also in the Audition Room where everyone will know to find them and listen?

[ronde_des_sylphes]

The no.5 is already in the Audition Room - https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=31182.0 but I'm somewhat unwilling to indulge in the raising of a thread from the distant past. No.12 was there a long time ago but I removed the audio attachment iirc.

[michael_sayers]

The no.5 is already in the Audition Room - https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=31182.0 but I'm somewhat unwilling to indulge in the raising of a thread from the distant past. No.12 was there a long time ago but I removed the audio attachment iirc.

I don't remember a #5 thread there . . . this is all getting so very confusing!

Should I go on a search and rescue mission?

[ronde_des_sylphes]

The etude initially posted here, in thread #7, is etude #12, and was also represented in the audition room as performed by myself. I have additionally now posted a video of etude #5, here in thread #7. The audio from that performance was previously uploaded to the audition room. My username derives from etude #11. I seem to recall there may also be recordings of etudes #1 and #6 in the audition room, by pianist(s) hitherto unmentioned in this thread. Furthermore, thread #6 contains a completely separate performance, by myself, of another composer's work. I trust this clarifies things.

[michael_sayers]

The etude initially posted here, in thread #7, is etude #12, and was also represented in the audition room as performed by myself. I have additionally now posted a video of etude #5, here in thread #7. The audio from that performance was previously uploaded to the audition room. My username derives from etude #11. I seem to recall there may also be recordings of etudes #1 and #6 in the audition room, by pianist(s) hitherto unmentioned in this thread. Furthermore, thread #6 contains a completely separate performance, by myself, of another composer's work. I trust this clarifies things.

It does provide clarification as long as I keep it in front of my eyes.  Maybe I'll print it out for reference.

[michael_sayers]

The etude initially posted here, in thread #7, is etude #12, and was also represented in the audition room as performed by myself. I have additionally now posted a video of etude #5, here in thread #7. The audio from that performance was previously uploaded to the audition room. My username derives from etude #11. I seem to recall there may also be recordings of etudes #1 and #6 in the audition room, by pianist(s) hitherto unmentioned in this thread. Furthermore, thread #6 contains a completely separate performance, by myself, of another composer's work. I trust this clarifies things.

So, you are saying that there have been additions to the Lyapunov thread?  I'll go find it, and listen, and respond in due course.

[michael_sayers]

I think I am going to start a petition at this website to enforce a requirement that all Repertoire threads include at least a composer name in the thread title.  This is ridiculous, and we should not allow it to happen again.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I don't know where those additional recordings are, other then their existence in the audition room. This is the de facto Liapunov thread, surely?

[j_menz]

This is the de facto Liapunov thread, surely?

One that can't agree on the spelling of Ljiapunow? 

[michael_sayers]

One that can't agree on the spelling of Ljiapunow?  

Maybe I should ask one of my Russian friends in Stockholm . . . (and I have friends of all nationalities, regardless of what their government does . . . governments seem to be running out of control these days, and no one can stop them).

So now that I've found the Lyapunov thread, which happened after some revolving, I'll listen A.S.A.P.  I might need to relax for a few minutes first, though . . . LOL

[ronde_des_sylphes]

One that can't agree on the spelling of Ljiapunow?  

Pedantry being rife these days, I'd suggest it's not an issue of spelling, but one of transliteration 

[michael_sayers]

This performance of the crowning etude of the set is extremely good.  Of course, over 11 years one can get new ideas and see new things in music, so maybe a performance nowadays would be in some ways different?

By the way, I think that in the last few days I've finally worked adequately through the mania induced by Swedish cabin fever, which usually peaks near the end of February, so I might not be as active here as much for the next few months . . . watch out though for January, and especially February, of 2016! . . . LOL

Now I am going on to hear the No. 5 etude.

Thanks for sharing these links!

[michael_sayers]

Nuit d'ete is very well played, and as you say with much better audio.

Given your affinity for this music, maybe you can perform the concertos some?  They aren't much in demand, but neither would there be much competition by other pianists with that same repertoire.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Thanks. There are certainly things I'd change in no. 12 were I to revisit it; the performance has its merits but in general I'm happier with no. 5. I've half-learnt the second concerto but it has been somewhat supplanted by other projects. He remains, imo, an interesting composer worthy of attention.

[michael_sayers]

Thanks. There are certainly things I'd change in no. 12 were I to revisit it; the performance has its merits but in general I'm happier with no. 5. I've half-learnt the second concerto but it has been somewhat supplanted by other projects. He remains, imo, an interesting composer worthy of attention.

I rate him higher than that.  The 12th etude, for instance, scales the heights (in my opinion).  At some point subjective preferences enter in, and one can consider that some persons, for instance do not like the music of Liszt.  And performers are a factor since they really bring the music to life (or not).  And then there are pianos, and those possible issues/limitations.  I think though that you do about as much with this repertoire as anyone possibly could.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

The 12th etude, for instance, scales the heights (in my opinion).  At some point subjective preferences enter in, and one can consider that some persons, for instance do not like the music of Liszt.  And performers are a factor since they really bring the music to life (or not).

It's certainly a fitting finale to the set. In all honesty I'm not convinced his Transcendental Etudes are any inferior to Liszt's, and their neglect is imo almost criminal. His piano sound world is a very interesting one: mainly Russian Lisztian, but on occasion he almost crosses a bridge from that into quasi-Debussy impressionism (witness the ninth etude -

pf. Louis Kentner). An examination of the etudes and their challenges furthermore reveals what a great pianist he must have been.

[visitor]

It's certainly a fitting finale to the set. In all honesty I'm not convinced his Transcendental Etudes are any inferior to Liszt's, and their neglect is imo almost criminal. His piano sound world is a very interesting one: mainly Russian Lisztian, but on occasion he almost crosses a bridge from that into quasi-Debussy impressionism (witness the ninth etude -

pf. Louis Kentner). An examination of the etudes and their challenges furthermore reveals what a great pianist he must have been.

indeed a wonderful set. and you are spot on. actually, these were intended to finish the cycle started by list. So the full set of Liszt followed by the full set of Lyapunov are like two sides of a coin. I was fortunate enough to purchase original new old stock scores of of them (it's a 4 book set).  They are pretty amazing.

see attached insert, pg 3 discusses the 'continuation of the cycle' ie Franz did front 12, and Sergei finish up the back end for full 24. 

[michael_sayers]

An examination of the etudes and their challenges furthermore reveals what a great pianist he must have been.

Hi ronde_des_sylphes,

Sergey Lyapunov doesn't play as well as me, though.


Mvh,
Michael

[cbreemer]

Sergey Lyapunov doesn't play as well as me, though.

Either you're a preposterous troll or I don't understand the Swedish sense of humor.

[michael_sayers]

Either you're a preposterous troll or I don't understand the Swedish sense of humor.

Hi cbreemer,

You, too, play better than Sergey Lyapunov.  We can bring a grand piano to him now, and yet the rate of tempo of his playing would be very slow and might only be actuated by such things as a bone falling off and landing on the keys [but would that be sufficient to depress one of the keys?].

Here is some more Swedish humour:

"A Swede called the airline and asked how long it would take for a plane to get from Stockholm to Paris. "Just a moment," the clerk said. "Oh, thank you," the Swede replied and hung up."

It is quite a matter-of-fact society here, I must say!


Mvh,
Michael

[cbreemer]

Ah, I get it. I play better than Horowitz ! Because he's dead and I am not !! That is pretty darn hilarious indeed. So it's real easy to be a great pianist, any YT wannabe keyboardist plays better than all the greats of the past. Then indeed I don't understand Swedish humour, and you are not a preposterous troll after all... Just a prolific provider of atrocious recordings and bad-taste jokes.

Dammit, seems like I took the bait again. Some people just never learn 

[michael_sayers]

Ah, I get it. I play better than Horowitz ! Because he's dead and I am not !! That is pretty darn hilarious indeed. So it's real easy to be a great pianist, any YT wannabe keyboardist plays better than all the greats of the past. Then indeed I don't understand Swedish humour, and you are not a preposterous troll after all... Just a prolific provider of atrocious recordings and bad-taste jokes.

Dammit, seems like I took the bait again. Some people just never learn 

Hi cbreemer,

There isn't anything wrong with my recordings other than some wrong notes.  In fact, if you know of a better recording out there anywhere of Liszt's Resignazione, please let me know.


Mvh,
Michael