Despite all of that, the music needs to keep shining through despite all the difficulty. However, you also have to learn his unique, frequently-occurring virtuosic passages as well. Of course, having good technique, including scales and arpeggios makes playing Chopin possible. Virtuosity needed but don’t forget the musicianship…Īlthough a large hand is helpful, what makes Chopin difficult is the frequent stretches between the fingers, and the weird passage work that isn’t made easier by simply knowing your scales and arpeggios fluently. Someday maybe I’d play all of those pieces as well! Back then, he dressed like a rock star and had hair that matched.
I got to know many of the pianists who were on the scene, since I went to several solo piano recitals and concerto appearances at Carnegie Hall during my senior year, often on school nights! Although I never heard Ivo Pogorelich play live, I do remember listening to his recording of the Chopin Scherzi on my Sony Walkman as I waited in the infamous Port Authority Bus Terminal to get home. I did end up playing for one of the winners, though, as a collaborative pianist!Īs a 17-year-old, I was very impressionable. It was tough to learn, and I didn’t learn it well enough to place in the competition. My teacher Susan Starr suggested that I learn the first scherzo, though it would be a tough go to learn in just three weeks, with at most two lessons beforehand. I was looking for a flashy piece to play for a local scholarship competition when I was a senior in high school. The four Chopin Scherzi have always had a special place in my heart. Do you like getting occasional recording recommendations like this? Are they helpful in clearing through the morass of recordings out there, to find the artists that really must be heard? Posted That’s it for my notes on the Chopin Scherzi on YouTube. When he arrived in America to glowing praise, he mentioned that they should “wait until you hear Richter.” I don’t know that there is a better interpretation by anyone of this scherzo. Perhaps Emil Gilels, his Russian compatriot said it best. There’s really not much I can say about one of the legendary pianists of the 20th century. She is a 26-year-old Curtis- and Juilliard-trained American pianist with a very prosperous career ahead! One of the benefits of making it to the final round, and taking third place, is that you generate many recordings! Chopin Scherzo No. I only discovered Kate Liu as a result of her numerous performances in the 2015 Chopin Competition.
She gave a free online concert earlier during Covid-19 confinement that is worth finding! Chopin Scherzo No. Despite her unique style of playing, it’s always a breath of fresh air to hear her play. Her way of playing is very different from mine, as was that of her teacher, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli. 2 in B-flat minor – Martha ArgerichĪrgerich’s fiery style of playing is on display here. Plus, he took the time to teach, and thus several generations of students are continuing in his tradition linking back to Liszt and Beethoven. I had to include a recording of my master teacher’s teacher among the batch! Of course, hearing him live during the last years of his life was really special! His legacy of regal playing is sustained by an immense recording library. I recommended several of his Chopin recordings, including a wonderful one of the third scherzo, in a prior Music Monday. There is one notable omission: Arthur Rubinstein. My sampling method wasn’t scientific I had a list in mind of some of my favorite Chopin interpreters, and was lucky enough to find enough decent videos from which to choose. I think they are great inspiration for Music Monday!
The good news is that the Chopin Scherzi on YouTube below are listed separately at plus or minus 10 minutes each. Despite its billing, that was not a bite-sized concert. Perhaps you have already listened to my recent performance of the complete Chopin Scherzi on the Weekly Acorn.