Trifonov's 'Rachmaniana'

[jon-nyc]

Despite the title he plays all 5 movements. I love this set. The talent this man has. Wow.

Link to video

[SD Tav]

@jon-nyc Trifonov is an incredible talent. Thanks for sharing. He and Yuja are two pianists I always enjoy!

[jon-nyc]

Who was the last top tier pianist who could compose at this level?

John Ogdon?

[SD Tav]

@jon-nyc Stephen Hough, although he has written a small number of short pieces. I like his arrangements/transcriptions.

Last Monday he gave a broadcast recital on BBC3 from Wigmore Hall. Here's the link:

Stephen Hough recital

Great playing as expected!

[jon-nyc]

I know! I announced it here in advance.

[Klaus]

@jon-nyc said in Trifonov's 'Rachmaniana':

Who was the last top tier pianist who could compose at this level?

Hamelin?

[kluurs]

Stephen Hough

[SD Tav]

@Klaus I forgot that Hamelin has composed. At the last Van Cliburn competition all of the contestants had to play his toccata L'Homme arme'.
L'Homme arme'

[SD Tav]

@jon-nyc Sorry, asleep at the switch!

[SD Tav]

@Klaus Hamelin's Etudes in the Minor Keys. You'd better have his technique if you want to play them.

Link to video

[jon-nyc]

I can’t say I know all of Hamelin’s compositions, I do have the score of his etudes. I don’t know of any I’d rank with this Trifonov piece.

[Axtremus]

Thanks for posting this, @jon-nyc . Even though it is supposed to be some sort of homage to Rachmaninov, the first one reminds me about Ravel.

[Klaus]

@Klaus said in Trifonov's 'Rachmaniana':

@jon-nyc said in Trifonov's 'Rachmaniana':

Who was the last top tier pianist who could compose at this level?

Hamelin?

Fazil Say may be another candidate.

Alma Deutscher is a pianist-violinist-composer child prodigy I'm keeping an eye on.

[jon-nyc]

He's no first tier pianist. Say, that is.

Speaking of, I ran into him in the Bosendorfer NY store once.

[jon-nyc]

@SD-Tav said in Trifonov's 'Rachmaniana':

@Klaus Hamelin's Etudes in the Minor Keys. You'd better have his technique if you want to play them.

By the way, I heard him play the triple-etude as an encore at Mannes. He told the story that it was written pretty much as a dare.

That night's program included both the Liszt Sonata and Gaspard. In case there was any doubt.

[SD Tav]

@jon-nyc Liszt Sonata and Gaspard? I’m guessing he wanted an easy, relaxing night.

[jon-nyc]

@SD-Tav I found a writeup about the program in the times, more of a preview than a review. Great article - talks a lot about his composition and other things about him.

Give it a read.

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/arts/music/marc-andre-hamelin-at-mannes-college.html

[A Former User]

@SD-Tav said in Trifonov's 'Rachmaniana':

@Klaus Hamelin's Etudes in the Minor Keys. You'd better have his technique if you want to play them.

Link to video

You need four hands to play this!

[Rainman]

Did you notice, "bring out upper A in left hand" at the end?

I get the joke. Funny guy!

[SD Tav]

@jon-nyc Interesting article from 2011. I wonder when he'll get around to the late Beethoven sonatas. I'll look forward to that! I heard him play 'Gaspard' at the La Jolla summer festival a few years ago. He played with complete control of the dynamics. It was really very impressive. If he ever returns I'll go hear him again regardless of what he plays.