Hamelin plays Liszt - Benediction de Dieu dans la Solitude

[MIKE1238673]

I heard a fantastic pianist play this in recital this afternoon - his name is John Paul Ekins. Listen to him if you get the chance. His sonority and warmth are beautiful.

[TheAngelicDawn]

Spiral!

[AulicExclusiva]

I've admired Hamelin's Skryabin and Albéniz. I found this performance very beautifully phrased but surprisingly shallow-toned, and stressed at fortissimo.

[classicalalways]

Hamelin's expression as a musician is not one of his strongest suits. Surely no music intimidates him in terms of required technique. But his shades of pianissimo and sound in general are lacking.

[advisorC101]

@classicalalways, I don't quite agree. But still, there is truth in what you say.

[glic7236]

@classicalalways

I think Hamelin is history's greatest technician. He sometimes seems emotionally deprived, and I think this is because the technique is so perfect, that it can come across as being inhuman and therefore lacking emotional feel to it. 

[advisorC101]

@glic7236, I disagree with the following remark: "I think Hamelin is history's greatest technician".

Once you listen to Mr. Simon Barere then you'll see a whole new definition of that word. And even in the case of the latter, there is still no "absolute" perfection. Perhaps it is also worth noting that Hamelin's approach may simply be very alien to us reactionaries. After listening to a few of his interviews, I must say that there is far more to him than what meets the ear.

[glic7236]

@advisorC101

I agree that Barere is one of the greatest technicians in history. His Islamey and Schumann Toccata are unreal. I still feel that Hamelin is better. In Don Juan, Hamelin has better technique. Also, Hamelin has played so many pieces of much harder technical difficulty that few other pianists have attempted, and he throws them off like it's nothing. His Godowsky etudes, Sorabji, and his Alkan is so incredible.

[advisorC101]

@glic7236, it's a matter of opinion. Both of them have qualities the other does not. Barere's ability to play extremely musically on top of his technicalities is what I think says a great deal more about his technique. Lets remember, great technique is not just something that allows you to play loads of right notes, but to do something artistic with the music and shape it naturally. Barere too has been rarely recorded, so we only have a small idea of the true scope of his powers.

[advisorC101]

@glic7236, There is also the fact that Barere's playing is far more even, and that his touch comes much closer to the style of Liszt than anyone else today. One need only listen to the recordings of someone like Emil Von Sauer to see that connection.

[glic7236]

@advisorC101

Actually, we don't even know what Liszt's style was like since we have no recordings of his playings. I suppose arguing these things can be fun, but it's entirely subjective. I still feel that Hamelin is the greatest technician ever, but you're entitled to your opinion.

[advisorC101]

@glic7236, You're way in over your head. Actually we do have some comprehension of what Liszt's style was like. Don't try to move the goal posts. Listen to any recording by any of the students of Liszt. You'll see a common style and rhetoric between all of them, although we can still only dream the true beauty of Liszt's own playing. And unlike you I am also an objective skeptic, I don't hero-worship Hamelin or Barere, but I follow facts and evidence, and not viseral reactions of envy.

[glic7236]

@advisorC101

We still don't really know exactly what Liszt sounded like. Pupil does not equal teacher. I do not hero worship Hamelin. I discussed with someone who knew someone else who watched Hamelin play Godowsky's Passacaglia in person, and Hamelin had many sloppy passages with wrong notes. It's just my opinion that he has the least amount of strain when playing. From a purely mechanical perspective, he's the best I've heard on a regular basis.

[advisorC101]

@glic7236, That's just confirmation bias, and you know it. I've already said on my part that we can still only dream what Liszt himself sounded like, but we DO have a "better" idea based on his student's recordings. Their style of playing (from a purely mechanical perspective) is very consistent with reports of the way Liszt played throughout his life. Please exercise more attempts at refuting your own position before attempting to confirm it. There's plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise.

[advisorC101]

@glic7236, And if you're going to talk about pure mechanics, I can use your own comment for the case of Barere. He plays more evenly and lightly, and on top of that he has extreme control of his tone. From a technical standpoint, that woul] make him better. But even so, there are others besides Hamelin and Barere who have proven themselves very talented. Kemal Gekic, Evgeny Kissin and even my own teacher are just a few examples. All of which are in a league of their own.

[advisorC101]

@glic7236, That being said, I love both Hamelin and Barere for the simple fact that they both have their own unique qualities that belong to them alone. It's as Mr. Rubinstein used to say, that in any art there cannot be a "greatest", they can only be different. Even in the realm of technicians.

[dvaculiky]

real benediction... thank you

[advisorC101]

@dvaculiky, It's truly one of the greatest by Liszt.