Highlights of Music For Seniors

[furtwaengler]

These chronicle just a small bit of truly meaningful experiences playing for an organization called “Music for Seniors” which sends people around to various retirement communities and nursing homes. It’s become a playground for me to perform great works of art that I’d rarely get the opportunity to play in other environments. Although this is a cross section of several programs, I wanted to form it in such a way as if it were one balanced program which would be quite longer than is allowed at a single performances at one of these facilities.

Part 1
Vladimir Deshevov - Rails
Mozart - Adagio in B minor K. 540
Mozart - Fantasy in C minor K. 475
Schubert - Sonata in C minor D. 958
https://app.box.com/s/cnlbqqglx24r24v865efqomaugl5nqt6

Part 2
Medtner - Skazki op. 34 no 2 and op. 35 no. 4
Liszt - Harmonies poétiques et religieuses - Pensée des morts
Liszt Sonata in B minor
https://app.box.com/s/xcz9a5obmrw0fk7yvpbhbfrurgk2c8pv

Incidentally the Liszt Sonata performance opened the very first concert I had for Music for Seniors and my first encounter with the quality of instruments typical of these homes. It was a bit jarring when that first G refused to sound, and then began the battle to find the voice under all the scars and neglect in the instrument. With that in mind I really ended up enjoying this recording a lot. There was a man there who you will hear very upset at the premature applause after the octave climax.

Now what can we do about these pianos?

[pianoville]

Well played! I only listened to the Liszt sonata but it is very hard to pull it of on an upright and you did a very good job actually. The biggest problem is that you feel very hesitant when play. In the descending octaves in the beginning you have a habt of going slow on the first one and then suddenly speeding up on the next one. But well played!


Pianoville

[furtwaengler]

Thank you pianoville. I had played the Liszt sonata about three months prior and have several recordings in which the problem of rushing the octaves you mention is present if not even more exaggerated. Thanks for shining light on it. An eccentricity stemming from a personal dialectical quirk? What ever it is it should be cleaned up whenever I visit it again.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Shame about the piano(s). In fairness, they probably aren't awful considering I imagine they don't get much maintenance..

I enjoyed the second "half" more, very much indeed, but that's largely down to my stylistic preferences. I'm delighted you played Pensees des morts - it doesn't get much play and I think it's a very moving piece of work. I'd also forgotten how much of the Malediction concerto is in it (or vice versa!)

[emill]

Hello Dave,

Went ahead and listened to the full Sonata in B by Liszt and may I just say that my attention was fully sustained and just loved how you beautifully maneuvered the melodic line.  I similarly went through the same roller coaster of emotions, especially in the build-up to the main themes ...  as I do, whenever my son plays this piece.  Excellently played despite the limitations of the piano and hall ... and lucky audience!

emill

[clouseau]

Bravo!!

[furtwaengler]

Shame about the piano(s). In fairness, they probably aren't awful considering I imagine they don't get much maintenance..

I enjoyed the second "half" more, very much indeed, but that's largely down to my stylistic preferences. I'm delighted you played Pensees des morts - it doesn't get much play and I think it's a very moving piece of work. I'd also forgotten how much of the Malediction concerto is in it (or vice versa!)

Yes, Pensees des morts holds a deep meaning for me. I learned it first after the passing of my Grandfather, and always keep it near. I will likely be playing it again soon in that pairing with the sonata which is a combination of like. Thanks also for pointing out the Malediction concerto. I know I've heard it, and even have a disk with Bolet that I must have heard a few times but for whatever reason I didn't pay much attention to it. Now you've given a good reason to look it up again.

Hello Dave,

Went ahead and listened to the full Sonata in B by Liszt and may I just say that my attention was fully sustained and just loved how you beautifully maneuvered the melodic line.  I similarly went through the same roller coaster of emotions, especially in the build-up to the main themes ...  as I do, whenever my son plays this piece.  Excellently played despite the limitations of the piano and hall ... and lucky audience!

emill

Thanks so much, Emill. I must now see it Enzo's Liszt is shared around here. I've not heard it and that would mean much to me.

Bravo!!

I bow graciously.