ekrenek's channel

@Cancrizans So true - it is too bad Gould inclined away from the romantic literature. But at least he did leave behind a few wonderful performances. Another gem is his interpretation of the Chopin B minor sonata (AFAIK the only Chopin he recorded).

@Thegreatbuk Not only vague, but full of magical-mystical mummery like "poetry first," "infinite colors," blah, blah (are "hearts" and "clovers" involved too?). So playing Scarlatti (or any other composer) in a way in which he would recognize his own music is delusional and empty... Hmm... I gues...

Gould vs. Michelangeli: for the longest time I thought Michelangeli's Ballades were untouchable, but over time I came to respect Gould's matchless ability to x-ray Brahm's score and open up all of its harmonic richness and inner voices. It is NOT either/or - listen to both!

What amazes me most about Trifonov is that he has the ability to mix together expressive techniques of dynamics, color, tempo, phrasing, etc. to maximum effect. Just one example: listen to #11 (Winter Wind) at 25:00 and you'll hear it in a totally new way.

This movement almost seems to be a Rihmian deconstruction and reassembly of Stravinsky's Histoire du Soldat, complete with Joseph's fiddle theme (heard throughout), Pastorale at 5:50, devil's dance at 11:00. Joseph seems to be under constant attack from his internal demons from beginning to end. ...

@chickenringNYC This is the exact marking: "sempre legato, quasi senza pedale", i.e. connected or touching, but with almost *no* pedal. Plus *accented* first, fourth, and sixth notes. Which is what she does. The net effect should be a rapid machine-like ostinato, not a line that is completely "sm...

@deleuze3 I'd also submit Valentina Lisitsa and her beautiful golden locks. She is a true piano virtuoso! I might include Anna Vinnitskaya, but she's gotten a bit chunky of late. Still a very talented young pianist!

Interesting to note that Feldman's masterwork is scored for 23 instruments, same as Strauss' great Metamorphosen.

@whythewar1 Also, Strauss' great Metamorphosen quotes it directly...

My favorite Gaspard. Performed with the same crystal clarity of his French forefathers, Samson Francois and Robert Casadesus.

I wish Kobrin would start getting more of this stuff down on record. It's been 6+ years since Van Cliburn: start laying down some more tracks, man!

Besides his jaw-dropping fingerwork, the thing that amazes me about Zhang is his amazing mastery over dynamics. Listen especially to the candenza beginning at about 6:10.

@jfpb Agreed, that is an Interesting point. At the same time it should be pointed out that Karl Bohm takes a different, more classical approach to the Lieder and he had a far longer professional relationship with Strauss. IMO, however, the sound from this live performance simply got mixed badly....

@M3ssiah Although I usually prefer K27 a little faster, I must agree with you that Gilels' version is superb! Interpretation is just as important as tempo!

It is my profound hope that truly great young Asian pianists like Haochen Zhang and Yundi Li can push Lang Lang out of the spotlight.

Greatest (5). Opening (4). Theme (3). Music (2). Ever (1). It all starts with those great first four chords that immediately set an ominous tone; then a fast percussive segment to heighten the suspense; finally, the glorious Thunderbirds theme. And a super-awesome explosion at the end. Perfection.

@csportalcomua

Answering to csportalcomua

I tell you you are an idiot

Most of the pictures are great

Nobody said Kissin was the best

But he is damned good

I guess if you write in free verse then

You must think you're pretty smart.

@fiawlty I have to agree on this point. I generally love Richter's playing, but for me the concluding allegro can make or break the D960 sonata. I only wish he had lingered more over this sublime final movement.

Just love Gyorgy when he rocks out!

I always thought the DG engineers screwed Ms Janowitz by putting her vocals at the bottom of a sonic well relative to the orchestra. Nevertheless, her artistry shines through, as does Karajan's great interpretation.

Martha is goddess of the piano!

Incredible performance of an extremely demanding piece. Note that the same group also performed the Brahms (to which the Ligeti is an Hommage).

Excellent performance of the Brahms Horn Trio. You can also see the very same artists perform the Ligeti Horn Trio...

Agreed: composition = genius, performance = extraordinary, videography = trainwreck