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 image
from http://www.last.fm
What
is a "structurally well defined" performance
A performance can be good, exciting, very good or "extremely original"
or anything else as well. But when we speak of a structured
performance, we, in this case the Master and I, we talk about how
coherent the composer's message is transmitted through the playing. The
composer, as I said in a previous post, actually express an idea in a music score. He/she does
not simply write down instructions for performances. The performer must
be first able to grasp that, actually fairly abstract idea. In this
task he/she is guided with the score and also with all his/her
knowledge, artistic sense, general culture and intellect. However this idea of the composer which is a
music score is a structural entity. It has its own rules and
interplays. Each part of it is organically
connected with each other and with the whole work. A structured
performance is one performance which brings to the listener this
structural integrity without sacrificing any details. That's one point
Alexis Weissenberg emphasized most during his teaching.
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Some interesting search results:
Amazon.com: Rachmaninoff: Preludes (complete): Sergey
Rachmaninov, Alexis Weissenberg: Music
http://www.amazon.com/Rachmaninoff-Preludes-complete-Sergey-Rachmaninov/dp/B000026P09
Alexis Weissenberg is a superb pianist -- quite possibly the greatest
pianist of the recorded era. It is difficult for me to understand why
he has never received the accolades accorded to, say, Horowitz.
Although Weissenberg's technique is astounding, it is always used not
for show but in support of his incredible artistry. His performances of
the Rachmaninov Preludes are quite simply awesome -- covering the full
range from gently lyrical to stormingly exhuberent, depending upon what
is appropriate for the music. You will probably never hear a finer
performance of this music -- or finer piano playing in any reperoire.
Suite Bergamasque - Debussy's Intoxicating Piano Music
http://www.favorite-classical-composers.com/suite-bergamasque.html
Generally, the style of these piano gems is pure Debussy. Golden
harmonies, a delicate floating feeling, and an improvisatory sound.
There's a definite sensation of hanging in stillness, with a calm
clarity transcending time.
Piano Concerto Album by Alexis Weissenberg |
Artistopia.com
http://www.artistopia.com/buy-music/CDs/B000246J5Y/~Alexis%20Weissenberg~~Piano%20Concerto%20
This disc features Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto and it was the
reason I grabbed it once available. I heard this recording for
the first time off an LP via a radio broadcast many years ago and was
convinced that it was the recording I was looking for -- combining all
the particular features of performance I was seeking. The performance
is lyrical, powerful and exciting where it needs to be. The third
movement is particularly successful. The Berlin Philharmonic is
sumptuous and Weissenberg is easily in command of this piece throughout.
Free Music Notes for Rachmaninoff: Preludes (complete):
MusicNear.com
http://www.musicnear.com/Rachmaninoff-Preludes-complete-notes-B000026P09_2.htm
I own many recordings of the Rachmaninoff Piano Preludes; however,
Alexis Weissenberg's playing of them is the very best. The
thunderous ones are delivered with jaw-dropping bravura and the tender
ones are delivered with great emotional depth coming from his very
soul. You won't believe Alexis' technique.
Many pianist have complained that Rachmaninoff's piano works are almost
unplayable due to the fact they were written for Rachmaninoff himself
whose hands were physically enormous. I can remember many years
ago an interview with a world famous pianist that had just recorded the
Preludes and he was almost in tears recounting the demands of the works
he had just recorded. Well, from listening to Weissenberg?s
recording, I don't think he shed any tears over the demands of the
works. His playing is truly exciting in every way.
Piano Concerto Album by Alexis Weissenberg |
Artistopia.com
http://www.artistopia.com/buy-music/CDs/B000246J5Y/~Alexis%20Weissenberg~~Piano%20Concerto%20
However, this disc also features the Tchaikovsky 1st piano concerto
with Karajan conducting the Paris Orchestra. On listening to this
performance -- hearing it for the first time on this recently purchased
CD -- the adjectives that come to mind are not at all
complimentary. The tempo is very slow and the effect is pompous
and ponderous. I am drawn to wonder how much of this performance
was determined by von Karajan whose other recordings have sometimes
struck me in the same way.
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with the Master in Switzerland
image from Wikimedia
image from Wikimedia