Rzewski's "The People United Will Never Be Defeated"

[Dikai]

Hmm... just got the score.  But without listening to it first, it's rather hard to start.
Does anybody have a recording of this wonderful work??
I've only heard like 9 or 10 variations from Hamelin's interview video,
But I'm hoping I can listen to the whole thing and start learning...
I really don't have many 20th century music in my repertoir

[Ernie]

Hello Dikai!


Rzewski's set of variations is absolutely wondefull! I happen to have a recording with the composer himself at the piano. The label is: hat hut records ltd. 4106 Therwil- Switzerland.

I wish you lots of courage studying such a long and demanding piece! Rzewski's recording is not "polished" to the standard that we are used to, but it's certainly energetic, colourfull and virtuoso. Don't forget to practice your whistling!


Good luck with it and lots of fun,


Ernie

[pianomann1984]

I was 'fortunate' enough to play a selection of these variations with other students in a masterclass with the man himself.  He is such a character - but it was disappointing because all he did was make excuses about how he was 'too close to the music' and thus was 'rubbish at teaching it.'  This whole escapade kinda put me off the work for a while.  I have Hamelin's recording which is incredible, and his improvised cadenza is astounding!  But I have a qualm with this which is that the piece is so large that it's just not practical to perform in recitals. 

Chris

PS Beware the early variations:  the open 5th semiquaver sextuplet passages and runs are stupidly difficult!

[Dikai]

hmm... variation 11...
option to slam the piano lid...
if i were the manager of a concert hall...
i'd have to ban that variation...

[gabriel]

Slam the piano lid?! What kinda effect is that? Lol it sounds awesome!

[porilo]

Sorry to say that personally I think this piece is the worst load of nonsensical rubbish which I've ever heard.  I listened to it once and that was too much.  Marc-Andre Hamelin's recording is fantastic but as a piece of music I just don't like it.  I do like some of Rzewski's music, especially the North American song transcriptions (I'm working on "Down by the riverside" at the moment), but this 30 minutes of brutalising the piano, whistling, singing, shouting, etc. is not for me, I'm afraid. 

Gregory

[Dikai]

in other words, you probably don't like 20th century music...
it does take a while to develop a taste for it...
once you're into it, it's actually very cool!!

[Dazzer]

slamming piano lids?

i don't think that is considered part of 20th century works...

contemporary, avant garde, more like.