I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude for the enthusiastic support this project has garnered from my peers. If all goes according to plan the Kennedy Center and Strathmore will be inundated with new patrons in the coming months. Also, Sarah has given me some initial questions which I will be addressing in tomorrow's post. For now: enjoy the lesson...
3) Franz Liszt's 'Un Sospiro' (Italian for "A sigh") 1848.
Liszt is arguably the greatest pianist ever to live (Although Art Tatum aint bad). This piece comes from his: "Three Etudes for Piano." An Etude is a piece meant both for study to improve one's technique, but also for concert performance. Liszts hands were enormous and he often memorized his pieces making it difficult for others to play or learn some of his pieces. He had the 'rockstar' personality and enjoyed packing concert halls and whimsical courtship of ladies.
A concerto is written for a full orchestra plus a soloist instrument (in this case piano). Rachmaninov also had gargantuan hands. He was a Russian romantic composer of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth. I consider Russian symphonic music from the late romantic period (late nineteenth/early twentieth century) to be among the most brilliant art in existence. That is a personal opinion. Fun fact about Rachmaninov is that he once recorded in Richmond, Indiana (the small town in which Sarah and I attended undergrad)!!!
This particular movement of this piece was the inspiration for the song "Space Dimentia" by the rock band Muse (popular music). That is an extremely kick-ass song (not a personal opinion, a fact). See if you can hear the similarities in two places: The piano right before the drums kick in, matches the intro to the concerto and the vocal line in the breakdown (2:10 Muse) matches the melody being passed between the horns and violin at around the 1:40 mark in the concerto recording.
3) Franz Liszt's 'Un Sospiro' (Italian for "A sigh") 1848.
Liszt is arguably the greatest pianist ever to live (Although Art Tatum aint bad). This piece comes from his: "Three Etudes for Piano." An Etude is a piece meant both for study to improve one's technique, but also for concert performance. Liszts hands were enormous and he often memorized his pieces making it difficult for others to play or learn some of his pieces. He had the 'rockstar' personality and enjoyed packing concert halls and whimsical courtship of ladies.
"After [his tour of Europe in] 1842, 'Listomania' swept across Europe. The reception Liszt enjoyed as a result can only be described as hysterical. Women fought over his silk handkerchiefs and velvet gloves, which they ripped to shreds as souvenirs. Helping fuel this atmosphere was the artist's mesmeric personality and stage presence. Many witnesses later testified that Liszt's playing raised the mood of audiences to a level of mystical ecstasy." - Walker, Virtuoso Years, 289.4) Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 1901
A concerto is written for a full orchestra plus a soloist instrument (in this case piano). Rachmaninov also had gargantuan hands. He was a Russian romantic composer of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth. I consider Russian symphonic music from the late romantic period (late nineteenth/early twentieth century) to be among the most brilliant art in existence. That is a personal opinion. Fun fact about Rachmaninov is that he once recorded in Richmond, Indiana (the small town in which Sarah and I attended undergrad)!!!
This particular movement of this piece was the inspiration for the song "Space Dimentia" by the rock band Muse (popular music). That is an extremely kick-ass song (not a personal opinion, a fact). See if you can hear the similarities in two places: The piano right before the drums kick in, matches the intro to the concerto and the vocal line in the breakdown (2:10 Muse) matches the melody being passed between the horns and violin at around the 1:40 mark in the concerto recording.
Stay tuned to get scared out of your goddamn mind with spooky tuesday...
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oqeoKrKDffc
ReplyDeleteRock meets Rachmaninoff!
Jemy :)
Haha thanks Jemy, you rule and that rules.
ReplyDeleteI am loving this blog! it is slow going, since I insist on finding time to listen to every link as I go along. Just listened to Un Sospira and Art Tatum - two incredible examples of piano virtuosity! Can't wait to hear and read the rest.
ReplyDeleteNina
Well I'm glad to hear it, that's the way it's meant to be read:)
ReplyDelete