Constance Keene - Rachmaninoff - Prelude in B minor, Op. 32-10

[tuberobotto]

Are there any more of Ms. Constance Keene's recordings lurking out here in youtube? Could anybody please, please, please upload? You can NEVER get enough of a good thing, and this is more than good, it's excellent!

[rachmaniralf]

ACTUALLY, I thought the entire passage at 1:20 (and so forth), seemed really dry. Seems like someone is just literally reading the notes instead of making that deep masculine voice sing. Very rushed in my opinion. Seems so much to not care about that voice that she forgets to ring out the low B octave in the measure before the passage really takes off (1:30).

You can argue about it being a matter of taste. But this version doesn't set well with me. "Feminine" version or Rachmaninioff's music.

[albatrosspro]

There is a temptation to think that "serious, intense" music requires seriousness and intensity in all facets of playing and musicality. There is also a temptation to say that this interpretation, in contrast to, say, Richter's, is simply less profound and less true to the haunting spirit of the music. Both of these, in my opinion, are false, and both are traps into which too many fall these days. We've gotten almost crudely one-dimensional, what some call "academic" in our taste.

[tuberobotto]

@albatrosspro I couldn't have said that better. I cheer to your compelling observation and though not many may agree, what you said is a fact that I have also observed with most contemporary pianists. I for one, find Ms. Keene's playing as very textural and very human as a warm-blooded creature can be. The piano is a wonderful instrument and if the keys were played with the appropriate pressure or velocity, can produce tones that can be disarming and make one ecstatic. Ms. Keene achieved that.

[zcde345]

She was one of my private teachers as well-what an artist, teacher, and human being! With my own students I hear her words as well as searching for her golden tone!

Edward

[horatiodreamt]

Horowitz biographer/music critic Harold Schoenberg said that Keene and her husband, pianist Abram Chasens, were friends with Vladimir & Wanda Horowitz. Once when visiting the Horowitzes at their home, Keene played a Rachmaninoff piece for Horowitz that she was preparing for recital. Horowitz commented: "Very good. But play a little faster at the end." Keene answered: "But why? It's not written in the score." With a sly grin, Horowitz replied: "Good box office."

[guirlandes3]

@horatiodreamt Actually, it was NOT Harold Schoenberg who related \that story, or even knew about it, though we all knew each other. (Harold and I were both critics for ARG) As for that particular story, I got it from Constance Keene, with whom I had a close friendship and professional association for some 30 years. I in turn wrote about it, with her permission, in an article I penned about Horowitz for  the St Petersburg Times in on Sept 23, 2003. ( "The People's Pianist")

[guirlandes3]

@horatiodreamt Actually, it was NOT Harold Schoenberg who related \that story, or even knew about it, though we all knew each other. (Harold and I were both critics for ARG) As for that particular story, Constance Keene, with whom I had a close friendship and professional association for some thirty years, told me this story and I in turn wrote about it, with her permission, in an article I penned about Horowitz for  the St Petersburg Times o September 23, 2003 ("The People's Pianist")

[tuberobotto]

@guirlandes3 Ms. Keene's reply to Horowitz is enigmatic in it's simplicity but not to be misconstrued as naive, at least in my opinion. She's a perfect example of a stone faced against the river flow, of individuality in a world that clamors and worships circus-like virtuosity and bravura playing. She was in the same mold as Mdme. Hess, Annie Fischer, Rosina Lhevinne, proponents of the 'golden tone'. Bravura may win you admiration but a golden tone launches a thousand ships.

[tuberobotto]

@guirlandes3 Incidentally, I thought Horowitz's remark was funny. I laughed the moment I read it. I don't think I've heard of light moments in the master's biography, I recall how he was arguing with the wife against playing Schumann's Novellete coz he didn't feel right about it, I thought it was funny in it's irony.

You sir are most fortunate to have had the benefit of these artists' company and I salute to the spirit of their art and your well-told experience. Salut and Cheers!

[guirlandes3]

@tuberobotto You can say that again! Wait till I tell you about spending a few Thanksgivings with Constance at her home, enjoying dinner on those occasions not only with her, Shura Cherkassky and Abram Chasins. It was HILARIOUS

[OldRabit]

Absolutely beautiful ...

[jaycethepianist]

this piece truly amplifies the grey in life. so longing and soulful. Amazing..

[cfwpiano]

Wow, I'm friggin speechless here. I thought Richter was the best, but this takes it to a whole new level...

[aaa1232123]

A completely beautiful, passionate interpretation.

[maedakengo1]

若き日の憧れはやがて年と共に失せ、静かな諦念に行き着く・・・­ブラームスとは違うラフマニノフの思いを感じる

[herakles120]

Like it. Much "lighter" than Richter's interpretation.

[tweriovnzxclb]

Amazing. Different. I like it just as much as Richter's.

[alittlelightmusic]

Wow, this is a very unique interpretation of the piece, which, I understand, is a favorite of many who watch it (and who probably know many versions of it). Truly remarkable and recommendable, I still hadn't heard of Miss Keene before, now I'm sure she is not to be missed by anyone interested in piano music, and Rachmaninoff.

[Hopffnung]

Her interpretation is very remarkable, I like the passion she prints on L'istesso tempo (1:33).. explosive, with forza and the sensation of feel sustained in time and space.. like if you're fighting with titans, so powerful, strong, let me breathless.. just EXQUISITE!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE RACHMANINOFF!!

[saintansele]

I find this reading to be sublime , a lesson in melodic line & great tone production. Wouldn't it be terrible if there was just one "correct" tempo or other variable? Scriabin said it all when he remarked he never played his own music the same way twice.....figure that out. I find this slightly faster tempo to be masterful. A great performance.

[morvensky]

I thought it was substantially to fast.

[MillerMusicStudiosTV]

This was one of my private piano teachers!!!! She was a wonderful mentor, teacher, performer and friend. I miss her.... DIane

[tuberobotto]

@MillerMusicStudiosTV Like Hoffman and Rubinstein, I was awed. I melted in my seat after listening to just a few preludes and I can't help but wonder why wasn't she given her rightful place of honor among the greats? She has a tone that surely melts all defences and resistance. Not to be taken the other way, I said "and she's just a housewife?!" Well I know another 'housewife' legend, Madame Rosina Lhevinne but that's another story. I love Ms. Keene's playing. Kudos to you.

[brianrein]

I've just played this four times in a row. Extraordinary.

[trunks2861]

wow

[jhoward1957]

wonderful. Her pace accentuates the passion in this great masterpiece.