Lenten Music Journey Day 17: Chopin Piano Series Day 5

As the last day of the Chopin Piano Series, I thought I would post a piece which is probably one of Chopin's most important and popular works: Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR7eUSFsn28

The term ballade comes from French poetry in the mid 19th century and Chopin's four ballades were possibly inspired by poetry by Adam Mickiewicz. Chopin created a new form of music unlike any other when he composed the ballades.

This work has very distinct moods that are so varying: a somber waltz, singing theme, and, of course, the very difficult and fast coda.

Lenten Music Journey Day 16: Chopin Piano Series Day 4

Mazurka in A minor, Op. 7, No. 2, by Chopin is our Day 4 in the Chopin Piano Series (Day 16 in the Lenten series):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z-WVlIMges&feature=related

The mazurka (mazur in Polish) is a traditional polish dance. Chopin predominantly responsible for bringing this dance to the international audience through his composition of over 50 passionate mazurkas; it also paved the way for many composers to compose in a nationalistic sense in honor of their country.

This mazurka really emanates sadness and longing to me.

Lenten Music Journey Day 15: Chopin Piano Series Day 3

Today is Day 3 of the Chopin Piano Series.

Day 15's piece is Chopin's Etude in E major, Op. 10, No. 3 performed by Freddy Kempf (one of my very favorite pianists--look at his bio on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddy_Kempf)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKTfcX8NbaM

Chopin's Etude in E major Op. 10, No. 3 is one of two slower etudes in the Op. 10 set (the other being No. 6 in E flat minor). No. 3 is a study of singing melody with supportive accompaniment. It requires a very even legato touch. The second theme is a lilting happy theme which turns into a stormy cadenza and then back to the beautiful E major theme. I see this etude as Love--the Love that God has for us because he gave up his only son Jesus so that we could be forgiven.

Lenten Music Journey Day 14: Chopin Piano Series Day 2

This day 2 of the Chopin Piano Series.

The piece for Day 14 is Chopin's Fugue in A minor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0RrT6hMOgI

This is the only published Fugue by Chopin. Chopin was known to have really respected the work of J.S. Bach. In fact, some say that his 24 preludes were modeled after Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier. I was introduced to this work by a friend that attended Kent State University's Piano Institute when I was in middle or high school (can't remember). I'm so appreciative that she introduced me to this work.

Lenten Music Journey Day 13: Chopin Piano Series Day 1

Today begins five days of piano pieces by Chopin that I believe really reflect the season of Lent.

The piece for Day 13 is Frederic Chopin's Etude in C sharp Minor Op 25, No. 7 performed by Alfred Cortot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54A9A--ED90

Frederic (Fryderyk) Chopin (1810-1849) was perhaps one of the most important composers and pianists of the Romantic period; he is often referred to as the "poet of the piano". Chopin was born and grew up in Poland which is apparent in his mastering of the nationalistic dances of Poland: the mazurka and polonaise. Chopin eventually moved to Paris to avoid the politics in Poland. Chopin flourished in France with well attended and appreciated performances of some of his most popular works. Chopin died of tuberculosis which he had lived with much of his adult life.

Etude literally means study in French but Chopin's etudes not only challenge the performer technically but also musically. This etude comes from his second set of 12 etudes Op. 25 (other popular etudes in this set include the Winter Wind, Ocean, Thirds, and Octave etudes). No. 7 is kind of the odd ball of the set. It is the only etude in both sets that is marked Lento. It begins with a cello-like quasi cadenza in the left hand which requires quiet shape and a lot of expressiveness. Then the etude evolves into a left hand melody with right hand accompaniment most of the time. The left hand has long and taxing passage work. One of the very hard things to get across in this piece is trying to make it cohesive. It ends extremely softly (ppp). I think this piece is a very appropriate work to depict the Crucifixion. It is really quite depressing with intense moments ending in death. Let us reflect on what Christ went through on the cross to save us all.

Lenten Music Journey Day 12: Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in B minor Op. 32, No. 10"

Day 12's piece is Rachmaninoff's Prelude in B minor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuOG0sBvQ9c&feature=youtu.be

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a famous Russian pianist, conductor, and composer. This piece is from his set of 13 preludes Op. 32 which is his second set of preludes. This piece was performed in a recital that I performed at Gault Recital Hall, at the College of Wooster, in Wooster Ohio. 

Lenten Music Journey Day 11: Barber's "Adagio For Strings"

Day 11 piece is Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eXfI_YljGM&feature=fvst

Samuel Barber (1910-1981) was one of the most influential American composers of the 20th century. He has won two Pulitzer Prizes for his opera Vanessa and Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. Barber was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania and attended The Curtis Institute of Music at age 14. 

This piece Adagio for Strings was performed by the NBC Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Arturo Toscanini in 1938. This recording was performed in remembrance of the terrible events of September 2001. 

Lenten Music Journey Day 10: Bach/Siloti's Prelude in B minor

Today's piece is "Prelude in B minor" by Alexander Siloti arranged from Bach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu06WnXlPCY

This piece is an arrangement of J.S. Bach's Prelude in E minor BWV 855 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV1W3cdIsc0). This arrangement uses Bach's left hand motive and expands on that theme.

Alexander Siloti (1863-1945) was a Russian pianist, conductor, and composer. He was sought after as a master of transcription. The Prelude in B minor is perhaps his most liked piece.

The pianist in performing in the first video one of the most famous and noted advocates of this work. Emil Gilels (1916-1985) is a Soviet pianist and is regarded as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.

I think this work represents the anticipation for what will come at the end of Lent. The on-going arpeggios have hope to them will still are represented in a somber key.

Lenten Music Journey Day 9: Croce's O Sacrum Convivium

The third day of our O Sacrum Convivium features Croce's "O Sacrum Convivium":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgqNRl-Vj0E

Giovanni Croce (1557-1609) was an Italian composer of the late Renaissance, of the Venetian School. He was particularly prominent as a madrigalist, one of the few among the Venetians other than Monteverdi.

Lenten Music Journey Day 8: Tallis's O Sacrum Convivium

This is Day 2 of the O Sacrum Series. Here is Thomas Tallis's "O Sacrum Convivum":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPibhyQm2Xs

Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) was an English composer. Tallis flourished as a church musician in 16th century Tudor England. He occupies a primary place in anthologies of English church music, and is considered among the best of England's early composers. He is honoured for his original voice in English musicianship.