@4candles Thank you :) This was practically my first introduction to Alkan! I owe this blessing to the AMEB Grade 7 book, which included this Canon in its list of suggested Romantic repertoire (incidentally, it also introduced me to Medtner, whose Skazka I've enjoyed playing ever since).
@TheWanderingNight Yes much of Medtner's music is very beautiful. I especially like the eighth of his op. 38 'Forgotten Melodies' - Alla reminiscenza: Quasi coda', a very touching and emotive piece.
My next project will probably be the Op. 38a Barcarolle and perhaps a few ditties. Fortunately, I'll get "Le Festin d'Esope" right by the time Alkan's 200th comes along haha (fingers crossed).
@Sorcerer88 Thank you! I tried playing the outer sections slower, but I found it harder to control, and it sounded a bit unnatural. I can play it better when I drill (playing the passage again and again), but once there's a camera there, my fingers just get really fidgety haha. If I get to play this on a better piano, I'd record a better version, so that the dynamics and voicings really come out (like in Hamelin's version). I kind of hate my upright for being so 'monochrome' on camera haha.
aww, this is such a lovely piece =) it's very rewarding and difficult to play musically, bringing out both melodic lines, sometimes chords are difficult to hold properly as well (pedaling). i think you can take the outer sections much slower. your experiment sounds interesting, the left hand might be the dominant one. Maybe it's reasonable to let the other hand dominate though when there is this sighing two-note motif (second bar of the main theme, right hand), so there's a real conversation.
And to the poster of this video, thank you for sharing this!!
OrangeSodaKing 2 months ago
It's nice to see someone else on YT has taken on this beautiful miniature! One of my favourite pieces by Alkan.
4candles 2 months ago
@4candles Thank you :) This was practically my first introduction to Alkan! I owe this blessing to the AMEB Grade 7 book, which included this Canon in its list of suggested Romantic repertoire (incidentally, it also introduced me to Medtner, whose Skazka I've enjoyed playing ever since).
TheWanderingNight 2 months ago
@TheWanderingNight Yes much of Medtner's music is very beautiful. I especially like the eighth of his op. 38 'Forgotten Melodies' - Alla reminiscenza: Quasi coda', a very touching and emotive piece.
4candles 2 months ago
@4candles I actually have recorded this a while back, you may have seen it on my Facebook... I should upload that recording here to YouTube.
OrangeSodaKing 2 months ago
@OrangeSodaKing Yes I've seen your performance on Facebook - you should definitely upload it here! ;)
4candles 2 months ago
My next project will probably be the Op. 38a Barcarolle and perhaps a few ditties. Fortunately, I'll get "Le Festin d'Esope" right by the time Alkan's 200th comes along haha (fingers crossed).
TheWanderingNight 2 months ago
@Sorcerer88 Thank you! I tried playing the outer sections slower, but I found it harder to control, and it sounded a bit unnatural. I can play it better when I drill (playing the passage again and again), but once there's a camera there, my fingers just get really fidgety haha. If I get to play this on a better piano, I'd record a better version, so that the dynamics and voicings really come out (like in Hamelin's version). I kind of hate my upright for being so 'monochrome' on camera haha.
TheWanderingNight 2 months ago
in any case, great playing! you really know how to bring out the charm of this piece.
Sorcerer88 2 months ago
aww, this is such a lovely piece =) it's very rewarding and difficult to play musically, bringing out both melodic lines, sometimes chords are difficult to hold properly as well (pedaling). i think you can take the outer sections much slower. your experiment sounds interesting, the left hand might be the dominant one. Maybe it's reasonable to let the other hand dominate though when there is this sighing two-note motif (second bar of the main theme, right hand), so there's a real conversation.
Sorcerer88 2 months ago