Aimez-vous Brahms?15 May 2009
I heard them play for the first time when I was fifteen: It has been a revelation. Sure, it was a recording. I wanted to hear them live, but Oistrakh left us in 1974, so a long time before I was born! Before this famous sonata for violin and piano, I did not like Brahms.
Chopin and Sultanov24 April 2009
This video of Alexei Sultanov performing Chopin’s Grande Valse Brillante at the Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 1995 is a real treat for the eyes and ears.
Ligeti – poème symphonique for 100 metronomes17 April 2009
Today, I propose you to watch and listen to Ligeti’s poème symphonique for 100 metronomes. Enjoy!
Many thanks to Ionarts for the transcription into English:
Sur Incises20 March 2009
I have often talked here about the illustrious French composer Pierre Boulez, but without really going into details. So, today I’m sharing with you my favorite work by Boulez: Sur Incises for 3 pianos, 3 harps, 3 percussionists.
One of my favorite concertos by one of my favorite interpreters3 March 2009
Samson François is one of the pianists from the past I especially like. He remains a constant in my musical landscape. He fascinates me, very classy, even if sometimes it is too much… Finally, a quote from Marguerite Long about Samson François: “When he plays well, no one plays better than him!”
A Piano Tale16 January 2009
Today, I invite you to (re)discover a short film directed by the Danish filmmaker Benjamin Holmsteen, “A Piano Tale”. Two pianists (a classical one and a jazz one) confront each other. First presented at the Venice International Film Festival in 2002, I found myself particularly touched by this film.
Borge, Hambro and the Liszt Rhapsodies21 October 2008
Let’s take a breather today. The following video shows a sketch where the American-Danish musician and humorist Victor Borge with his stooge Leonid Hambro go into a four hands performance of Liszt’s second Hungarian Rhapsody.
The Clown Prince of Denmark as he was nicknamed in his adoptive country (the USA), was a very famous entertainer and [...]
Jacques Loussier Trio for pleasure’s sake30 September 2008
For pleasure’s sake, and having dealt with jazz in my last post, I’ve been thinking about sharing with you this video of the Jacques Loussier Trio, revisiting the final movement of Bach’s Fifth Brandenbourg Concerto.