Philip Glass: ' Metamorphosis One ' from piano cycle ' Metamorphosis '

[0c4pnh4nk]

So, I don't read music. But after watching Benjamin Zander on ted.com I was so inspired that I decided to learn how to play the piano at 26. Lol! So I'm trying. I play by learning the fingering, memorizing the song and playing how I hear it. I'm surprisingly not bad for not knowing what I'm doing! I can play Chopin's Prelude #4 and Paul de Senneville's Mariage d'Amour. This is next on my list. (I heard it in Battlestar Galactica and HAD to know it.)

[PSearPianist]

@0c4pnh4nk It sounds like you are making good progress - I wish you all the best with your piano studies - and if you get time, learn to read music too.

[0c4pnh4nk]

@PSearPianist I'm trying. I can slowly sight read the treble clef and am even slower on the bass, but it's happening. Just keep swimming.

[PSearPianist]

@0c4pnh4nk Keep up the good work!

[AnotherSchmoe]

Stellar performance!! I think I remember hearing this in Battlestar Galactica at one point during the series. Very intriguing piece of music. Keep up the great work!! =)

Irrelevant side-note:

I've been watching a lot of Seinfeld lately and you reminded me of Larry David. =P

[PSearPianist]

Thank you for your kind comment. I have never seen Seinfeld, so have no idea if I look like Larry David!

[0c4pnh4nk]

@AnotherSchmoe It was in season 2, the episode when Helo and Cara were in her apartment on Caprica, before she got the arrow.

[Studflucker]

This take on it is much different than my version, if you watch it you'll notice that i play much slower, and its like you said there is a serious amount of room for self interpretation. I tend to play more like jeroen van veen, that is, more drawn out and emotional

still a great performance none the less, congrats.

[PSearPianist]

Thanks very much for your interesting comment. I will take a look at your version!

[musicamusement]

Breathtaking! So beautiful, Phillip! What a wonderful performance! Thank you! *****

Lorna

[PSearPianist]

Thank you Lorna - and good to hear from you again!

[geographyihate]

i see why people use his music in movies.

[PSearPianist]

Indeed!

[mcyeta]

What's up, Sir! It's been a long time!... Now you really amazed me with this publication! It made me get shakely nervous! I read the story "Methamorphosis" of Kafka.. And those Arpegios.. They brought me the perfect image of Gregor Samsa already became a monster, in the sections where the writter tells us how the methamorphosed man climbed along the wall and the roof in a very dramatic and sad way....

[PSearPianist]

That's really interesting - I'm glad Glass's music is so evocative for you! I played from a collection called 'Piano Solo' containing various Glass works which is widely available. There is also a 'Philip Glass Collection' which includes the Metamorphosis and various excerpts from his film scores (but not Wichita Vortex Sutra). Check with Amazon.

[mcyeta]

Really beautiful! I'll listen to the Methamorphosis two now!..

And by the way, what's the name of the book which contains all these pieces of P. Glass? I'd like to get it!

Regards from Argentina, and thanks for sharing such an interesting work!

[Musicgirl82]

This is my absolute favorite piano piece! I was so excited when I saw it in my subscriptions! You phrase it differently than I have ever heard. five huge stars!

[PSearPianist]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed my video. I hope I phrased it pretty well as it appears in the score. There is some scope for expression in these pieces and if you listen to Glass's own performance of Wichita Vortex Sutra (which I have also videoed) which is available on the Web, you will be surprised at how much extra expression he puts in.

[Babejuda]

Again - I had a language-mistake: I meant "harmonic pattern".

[PSearPianist]

Thank you. Although simple, Glass' s melodies always have some pathos, and I am sure a lot of thought goes into his composition process.

[Babejuda]

And I like the harmonic progression here, aside from your haunting playing, of-course.

[thinazzabird]

glass' music is an old friend

and an old friend in our Time as well

[PSearPianist]

I'm glad you like it!

[FrankenBosey]

Nicely done Mr. Sear. I like the large tempo contrast you apply to it.

[PSearPianist]

Thank you. I have tried hard to stick as closely as I can without having the metronome switched on to the markings that Glass gives in the score.

[ditroiamusic]

Sounds great...very nicely played. I can tell you have a great passion for the piano...as do I!

[PSearPianist]

Thank you. I certainly have done a lot of playing in my time - and have only scratched the surface of the repertoire.

[tocalpianix]

Well played! I'm still trying to dive in Glass' musical universe and come out with better understanding of his stuff. Thanks for uploading!

[PSearPianist]

Thank you! I would not regard him as a major piano solo composer, but his piano music is very representative of his other work.

[ssmith73]

I love this piece - very well played.

[PSearPianist]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[nawanilakgaP]

Very Nice, as always! :)

[PSearPianist]

Thank you very much!