bringing out a melody

[BoliverAllmon]

so, I am looking at the Promenade from the Pictures. When you first start to play chords, you are only harmonizing the melody again. In my recording I have the chords are played as normal chords, I am under the impression that you should still bring out the melody and let the rest be accompaniment.

Which would you prefer?

[musik_man]

I play them as chords, but to be honest the thought of trying to pull the melody out never crossed my mind.  If I were you, I'd just play the passage twice, once as chords, once bringing the melody out, and see which you like more.

[nicko124]

This example is kind of related to the title. The most difficult piece i have studied to really bring out the melody is 'The Heart Asks Pleasure First' by Nyman, has anyone else found this a really big challenge to bring out the main melody.

[pianonut]

i would definately!  they are chimes from the bells.  if you listen to the 1812 overture by tchaikovsky, you'll hear what you are mimicking.  the chord adds to the overtones that the bells initially make.  i absolutely love the sound and feel absorbed and comforted like it was a blanket or something.  maybe someday i can hear your version!?  so far, barry douglas is my favorite pianist to play this piece.  it sounds like stokowski's version - grand and very russian.  if you saw the international tchaikovsky competition (ok if i was competing, that would be it!)  for something like 1985 - you'd see the clips of russian people walking/talking/shopping and various places in town while listening.  it was cool!

also, what i like about that piece is the use of bass.  russians tend to have the BEST bass singers.  ok. i am biased. my husband is russian and is a baritone.  he grew up in the russian orthodox church and is familiar with the church bells, the old slavonic language, and the mystery surrounding church families (he grew up an altar boy/cantor) and their love for music.  (he had a complete collection of records - both symphonic and piano - which really impressed me)  growing up cantoring- he just always sang.  it was like speaking.  so, now he's my favorite singer.  you can almost hear people singing (whether church tune - or old russian tune in the 'bell section' too).

[BoliverAllmon]

i would definately!  they are chimes from the bells.  if you listen to the 1812 overture by tchaikovsky, you'll hear what you are mimicking.  the chord adds to the overtones that the bells initially make.  i absolutely love the sound and feel absorbed and comforted like it was a blanket or something.  maybe someday i can hear your version!?  so far, barry douglas is my favorite pianist to play this piece.  it sounds like stokowski's version - grand and very russian.  if you saw the international tchaikovsky competition (ok if i was competing, that would be it!)  for something like 1985 - you'd see the clips of russian people walking/talking/shopping and various places in town while listening.  it was cool!

also, what i like about that piece is the use of bass.  russians tend to have the BEST bass singers.  ok. i am biased. my husband is russian and is a baritone.  he grew up in the russian orthodox church and is familiar with the church bells, the old slavonic language, and the mystery surrounding church families (he grew up an altar boy/cantor) and their love for music.  (he had a complete collection of records - both symphonic and piano - which really impressed me)  growing up cantoring- he just always sang.  it was like speaking.  so, now he's my favorite singer.  you can almost hear people singing (whether church tune - or old russian tune in the 'bell section' too).

though biased I have to agree that russian basses are the best.