And now Medtner (Sonata-reminiscenza in A minor). As phenomenal as his technique is his memory:
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Posted within the last couple of hours, Alexander's performance of one of Rachmaninov's Op.39 Études-tableaux:
It's been a pleasure during this period of coronavirus isolation to discover many keyboard delights on YouTube and elsewhere. There are, for instance, Boris Giltburg's regular live masterclasses from his home on Rachmaninov, Schumann, Bach, etc. And for more Russian pianism of remarkable technical brilliance and demonic intensity look no further than Dmitry Shishkin, still in his twenties and winner of the Silver Medal in last year's Tchaikovsky competition.Comment
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Schumann Symphonic Studies
This was a livestream concert at the beginning of lockdown. It disappeared after a couple of days but now back.
Schumann Symphonic Studies:
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This is the programme:
Johann Sebastian Bach, WTC 2, Prélude and Fugue in A Minor, BWV 889 - Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, "Appassionata"
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, "Dumka", Op. 59 - Frederic Chopin, Etude No. 11 in A Minor, Op. 25 - Sergei Rachmaninov, Etudes-tableaux No. 6 in A Minor, Op. 39
Franz Liszt, Douze Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139 4. Mazeppa
You can watch the performance here: https://tch16.medici.tv/en/replay/#f...nder-malofeev- (You might need to complete a registration with Medici TV. I did initially but it's free and if you just get a few emails). Type tch16 into a browser if this doesn't work.
I have to admit being completely fascinated by this and I've watched the performance several times. From reading a few blogs, including Russian ones, the consensus is that Alexander played the Appassionata too fast and it was too ambitious a piece for a 17 year old.
It is very fast, more than 1 minute faster than Artur Schnabel, about 2 and a half minutes faster than Igor Levit and more than 3 minutes faster than Alfred Brendel. Having said that, Alexander makes a fabulous noise. As a listener it gives me butterflies, so much emotion and excitement. Beethoven and convention aside. It's one of the most moving and beautiful musical performances I have ever heard. The strange thing is that Alexander goes up to the wire with the allotted 50 mins. Had he given a more conventional performance the judges would have stopped him before his programme was finished.
At the end Alexander looks physically drained, actually he may have been ill. He has sweat pouring from him and you sense defeat.
I expect in the movie he comes back and triumphs.Comment
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Many thanks for the link. There were certainly no smiles of acknowledgment for the enthusiastic audience response. One felt for him; he seemed feverishly uncomfortable. As for his performances they were white-hot, the Appassionata delivered with blistering intensity and the outer movements at astonishing speed. In fact on my Mac the video seemed to be playing catch-up with the audio.Originally posted by TalktoAudience View Post
We're fortunate that we live in an age when we can study a pianist's playing in close-up and high definition, though I must say close-ups of Alexander's grimaces were something of a distraction. This performance dates from two years ago. He is now 19 and will be 20 at the end of the year.
I recommend the performances of Dmitry Shishkin, another virtuoso product of the Russian school of pianism. He is 10 years older than Alexander but equally amazing in his technical brilliance and musical insight. (Try his account of Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata, followed by Liszt's Mephisto Waltz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_biXqPh-dU )Last edited by Nachtigall; 25-06-20, 09:33.Comment
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Excellent news. He’s performing Rach 2 with Bournemouth SO in January. Venues include the Anvil.Originally posted by Nachtigall View Post
True; I hope you're right and that his parents and promoters don't hold a grudge against this country.
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And a stunning performance of the Rachmaninov it was! All credit to Kirill Karabits and the BSO for having the insight and initiative to invite Alexander to the UK and heart-warming to see that he received a standing ovation on his début in this country. Time for David Pickard, Director of the BBC Proms to sit up and take notice!Comment
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Very much recommended - his Prokofiev 3rd in the Verbier Festival closing concert under Dutoit:
It’s one of the concerts available free on MediciTV - I’ve found it well worth acquiring the MediciTV app and registering for a free account.
There’s also Malofeev’s solo recital at Verbier (Scriabin, Rachmaninov, Medtner): https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/al...ofeev-recital/"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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Stayed up extra late to listen live. Rach 3 with Michael Tilson-Thomas and Boston Symphony at Tanglewood. Alexander had concerts scheduled with MTT which were cancelled by covid and other world events.
A wonderful performance warmly received by audience and critics. So pleased Alexander was able to do this before Mr Tilson-Thomas' retirement.
(not sure how much longer this stream will be up).
Last edited by TalktoAudience; 04-09-22, 17:49.Comment
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He’s rapidly becoming the ‘super sub’ of the piano world - having stepped in for Argerich at the Verbier Festival, he’s about to step in for Kissin in two concerts:
More opportunities to hear him in Rach 3
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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With WCRB, I think that the rule of thumb is 30 days after broadcast. I just listened to it today (late in the game, but better late than never).Originally posted by TalktoAudience View Post
For the hr-Sinfonieorchester concert with AM pinch-hitting for EK that Nick A. mentioned, it looks as though Hessicher Rundfunk is broadcasting a recording of that concert next Tuesday evening:
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And very good this evening to hear the same forces in the Grieg concerto in the R3 evening concert… and especially AM in the encore, Medtner’s Canzona Serenata Op. 38 No. 6. Completely spellbindingOriginally posted by Nachtigall View Post
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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A rare case of me disagreeing with you Nick . I thought at several moments the ensemble went awry in the Grieg and I was rather unimpressed with some of Alexander’s technique esp his rather sluggish trills and laboured chromatic minor thirds. But I’ve been spoilt recently -Mariam Batsashvili was excellent on the Lunchtime Recital yesterday and also a superb Beethoven 1st from Martha Argerich on TTN .Originally posted by Nick Armstrong View PostAnd very good this evening to hear the same forces in the Grieg concerto in the R3 evening concert… and especially AM in the encore, Medtner’s Canzona Serenata Op. 38 No. 6. Completely spellbinding
I was however very taken with the Karabits / BSO Nielsen that has just ended.Comment
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Originally posted by Ein Heldenleben View Post
I wasn’t able to listen particularly attentively to the Grieg, not one of my favourite pieces in any event. The slow movement sounded fine to me, which is my favourite bit…"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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Yep the slow movement was fine . That’s the easy bit !Originally posted by Nick Armstrong View PostComment
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