http://www.mdt.co.uk/lewin-michael-piano-phantoms-sono-luminus.html (http://www.mdt.co.uk/lewin-michael-piano-phantoms-sono-luminus.html)
This is an interesting looking compilation of goblins. Even after 35 years of collecting rare piano music I will have many new works here. The Tausig and Liapunov will be the only ones I have in multiple recordings and there are composers here I've not heard of - Troyer, Kaski, Florence Price. Really nice to have a piece by Julie Rive-King; I'm not aware of any other recordings of her music or transcriptions - of course I'm very happy if someone can correct me on that score!
Rob
Rive-King's (Rivé-King?) biography is interesting as are the pieces I've found so far...
That does look like a very interesting collection...
What a novel idea. I suspect there are many "firsts" there.
I used to wonder why the Tausig Ghostship was not played more regularly. Then I spent 2 months trying and failing to play it.
Thal
Quote from: thalbergmad on Tuesday 09 April 2013, 20:09
What a novel idea. I suspect there are many "firsts" there.
I used to wonder why the Tausig Ghostship was not played more regularly. Then I spent 2 months trying and failing to play it.
Thal
Another
Islamey?
Islamey is a fair chunk easier in my opinion. It seems to have a reputation as an extremely difficult warhorse, but those who are of that opinion probably have not encountered Tausig.
The Ghostship really is for pianists of the top rank and the Halka variations for the Gods only.
Really looking forward to this CD. Will be nice to experience some Rive-King who's transcriptions look challenging.
Thal
Agreed Thal, I too have worked on both Islamey and Geisterschiff and find Islamey simpler as a whole. Some sections of Geisterchiff are not too bad (notably the last section in D major which just requires large stretches) but overall it really should be reserved for a superior race of pianists!
The CD does sound interesting, I shall have to invest...
The Halka Fantasy is an amazing work. I wish we had a good modern recording of it. I wonder if Marc-Andre Hamelin would oblige!
Mr Hamelin certainly has the fingers, but I am no longer convinced with his interpretations of the romantics as I once was.
Unfortunately de Waal, Wild, Rachmaninoff and Moiseiwitsch, who all made stunning Tausig recordings, left the Halka alone, so we are left with the Ponti. Someone like Oleg Marshev would probably do it justice.
The Brazilian pianist Artur Cimirro was involved in a "complete" Tausig project a couple of years ago, but I don't know if much has happened since.
Thal
Quote from: thalbergmad on Wednesday 10 April 2013, 16:46
Islamey is a fair chunk easier in my opinion. It seems to have a reputation as an extremely difficult warhorse, but those who are of that opinion probably have not encountered Tausig.
That is so true!
When I have a bit of time I can post a live Halka fantasy by Robert Cavallo if anyone is interested. I got it from a posting at pianophilia.com.
May not be till tomorrow.
Rob
Whoops, meant Roberto Capello.
That would be very well received I am sure.
Thal
Quote from: hammyplay on Thursday 11 April 2013, 16:29
When I have a bit of time I can post a live Halka fantasy by Robert Cavallo if anyone is interested. I got it from a posting at pianophilia.com.
May not be till tomorrow.
Rob
It would be much appreciated :)
I've posted the file of Halka - there's also a couple of other goodies there.
Rob
Where, please? I can't see it. Probably being stupid.
Me neither.
Perhaps it is a phantom file.
Thal
Hopefully it has appeared - it just had ot be ascertained that this wasn't a commercial release.
Thanks :)
Indeed, many thanks from me too - really nice to hear the Halka Fantasy without any edits!
I know I should not be critical as I cannot get anywhere near the Halka, but it is a little bit labored in parts. That saying, this is obscenely difficult and must have taken some nerve to play live and his interpretation is going to be different to mine.
The highlight of that lovely little batch of pieces for me was the Herz, as the pianist really did let himself go and even brilliantly extended a run, as if the music is not brilliant enough. The clarity of the playing here is exceptional.
I know what i will be practicing tomorrow. I dedicate tomorrow to Herz.
Thal
Has anyone ever recorded the Fantasie Op.7 by Alois Tausig, who was the father of Karl and pupil of Thalberg??
I have given it a going over and thought it worth a performance.
Thal
Risking a slight topic shift: Why have Carl Tausig's COMPLETE works not been recorded? I'm speaking mainly of his original compositions, and not the transcriptions...
Quote from: kolaboy on Saturday 13 April 2013, 23:25
Risking a slight topic shift: Why have Carl Tausig's COMPLETE works not been recorded? I'm speaking mainly of his original compositions, and not the transcriptions...
The Acte Prealable/Artur Cimirro complete Tausig project sadly appears to not have reached fruition, which is a shame.
Quote from: hammyplay on Friday 12 April 2013, 15:29
I've posted the file of Halka - there's also a couple of other goodies there.
Thanks; these are most enjoyable.
Mike Spring told me some years ago that he'd like Hyperion to be in a position to record Tausig's original piano music (there's not that much, of course), but he hadn't found the right pianist yet.
I seem to recall a concerto or similar work by him was mentioned at some point though- hopefully it might still be tracked down.
I think we can forget about the Tausig piano concerto, Eric. Dannreuther mentions it in his article for Grove but gives no details, and extensive research by a number of musicologists, far more eminent than I, have failed to locate it, or even show that it ever existed. We only have Dannreuther's word - Tausig himself makes no mention of having written a concerto in any of his extant writings (or so I have been assured). Mike Spring spent some time in search of it for the RPC series but had to admit eventually that he was probably chasing a chimaera.
Were a PC by Tausig ever to be discovered, what a thrilling work that would probably be!