J.S Bach - Partita No. 2 in D Minor - Chaconne (Brahms Transcription)

[hl782]

Hey everyone. Here's my rendition of the Bach-Brahms Chaconne.

I went with the Brahms transcription instead of the Busoni because I thought it preserved the baroque feel. I also played it an octave higher to match the sound of the violin. Heifetz's rendition of the Chaconne was my go-to source for inspiration, explaining the brisk tempo.

Hope you all enjoy.

[hl782]

Any constructive criticism/feedback would be appreciated!

[georgey]

I enjoyed hearing this!  I thought the tempo was perfect.  I think it sounds good played 1 octave higher than Brahms wanted.  I understand your reason.  I actually prefer it as written by Brahms though.  This puts the sound range exactly as it would be played by a lutenist or classical guitarist, and this work sounds great performed on either of these instruments.  EDIT: Piano (as a percussive instrument) is more in line with a lute than a violin.  High notes on the piano die off pretty quickly.  This MAY be the reason why Brahms chose an octave lower.  Other opinions on this?

Well done. 

[thalbergmad]

Very well played, but i definately would play it as Brahms composed it. He sort of knew what he was doing and played an octave higher it lacks power and depth.
If you played his Paganini Variations in the same manner, my comments would be the same. We have to fully utilise the instrument at our disposal and not the instrument for which the music was originally conceived.
So please move about a foot to the left and have another go.

Thal

[hl782]

Thanks for the feedback guys. The decisive factor for me to move up an octave was because of my hand span (I can barely reach a 10th) - and 'power' of the lower range only showed through (in my opinion) with solid chords rather than rolled ones. Perhaps, I will give it another go an octave lower soon.

As for his Paganini variations, I won't be touching them anytime soon

[thalbergmad]

Valid point, but few can take the c sharp, g, b flat, e chord cleanly and i have heard a few recordings with these left hand chords staggered and it does not diminish the effect.
If you can play this as well as you do, the Paganini Variations are not far in the future.

Thal.

[jmccolley]

This is fantastic!  The Bach Chaconne is my "if I could only bring one piece of music to a desert island" piece.  It never occurred to me that it could be transcribed for piano!  You just blew my mind.  I am absolutely going to try to learn this.  And so interesting that's it's all left hand.  Thanks for posting, great job!