Chopin-Godowsky Etude in G# minor(thirds) Saperton Rec 1952

[Pischnaholic]

A technical facility like that of Marc-André Hamelin, but much more intense musically.

I'm not sure these Godowsky paraphrases were strictly NECESSARY, but isn't it fun to hear them, and isn't it astonishing that anyone can play them?

I wonder if this (too-little-known) virtuoso ever performed Brahms' version -- in sixths -- of Chopin's étude in F-Minor, Opus 25? If so, I'd love to hear it. 'Twas one of many devilish challenges I could never push past practice speed.

[JakWho92]

@Pischnaholic

is there any recording of this version is sixths ? Would be interesting to hear that!

[kasyapa]

Pischnaholic - art begins where necessity ends. :)

[OrangeSodaKing]

@Pischnaholic That Brahms etude is ridiculous! And the original Chopin 25-6 seems hard enough. But I like how both this and the original 25-6 have that same "mystical" sound to it, don't you agree?

[marcxopoco]

Amazing.

A great player I have never heard before.

Very good rhythmically and tonally, along with the great technical display.

[lovesGenet]

a wonfer in the left hand . crazy thing is everybody is playing these things now. i cant do the original in thirds.

[RabidCh]

If the original Chopin Op 25. No 6 is what "separates the men from the boys" (no offence to female pianists) I wonder what this etude does...

[RAINZHOU09]

Amazing!

thirds is one of the hardest chopin etude

[kempff95]

This IS the hardest techiniqualy etude of chopin ,butg not so musical like the others.

[okera123]

Saperton is obviously among the 'gods' of virtuosos

[steinway1901]

This recording seems superhuman. Was it produced from a piano roll or other such thing? It has the flavor of a turn of the century sound? I understand the title says 1952.

[Beckmesser2]

The original recordings that Saperton made for RCA Victor were never released because of the outbreak of WW 2. The brass masters were donated to the war effort. Needless to say, this action was devastating for Saperton. Twelve years later, he recorded the etudes for the Command label. This performance comes from those recording sessions.. I NEVER post piano rolls without informing my subscribers. Piano roils are not always trustworthy

[billyguns2]

He was no doubt an alien from another planet; no human can do this.

[FredilYupigo]

It's almost impossible to wrap my mind around the fact that those thirds are played with the left hand. I'm getting tired just thinking about it.

Incredible!

[smudgepots]

A legend, a wonder and no wonder!

[weikko79]

Hm. A rarity.

[ffurgy]

I would have turned that into some kind of cacophonous mud, just by not knowing the intracies of pedal work, much less not having the touch. That was just amazing. Thank you.

[manishbabu]

what is the opus no???

[Beckmesser2]

Godowky did not give opus numbers to his arrangements of Chopin's or other composer's works.Godowsky entitled his arrangements of the Chopin Etudes, "53 Studies on Etudes of Frederick Chopin." This one is No.36"Terzenstudie," a study based upon Chopin's Etude Op. 25 No. 6

[stienwayz]

Such amazing clarity!

[paulostroff99]

Amazing! Give me more! Bravo! TY.

[Bei0001]

holy crap.

[flugelmaniac]

really good

[Noshirm]

Godowsky was very fond of Saperton and was a major influence on his pianistic development. His life after 1930 must have been hellish. There were problems with his son, and Godowsky's own failed efforts to launch himself back into life as an active influence in the world of music met with failure. Saperton lives on, as does Godowsky, as a great musician, teacher, and technician with an influence that lasts to this day.

[heathersma]

I studied with pianist Abbey Simon who credits David Saperton as being his (Simons)teacher. (Josef Hoffmann didn't do much teaching at Curtis). Sadly Leopold Godowsky who became Saperton's father-in-law, didn't promote Saperton as he could and should have. This is the first time I've heard Saperton's pianism. Wow! What a monster of a pianist. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Beckmesser2]

Thank you for sharing this information.

[ayso78]

@heathersma Perhaps that's because Godowsky felt Saperton had mistreated his daughter. Jeremy Nicholas' biography mentions that Saperton had a bad temper.

[tHEnOOSEsWINGS]

I found this to have an edge yet sound composite delivery. Thank you for introducing me to David Saperton and for sharing your video.

[FartheadOgre]

damn thats cool.

[billyguns2]

His technique is almost superhuman.

[pianopera]

Amazing!