Madmen of the Piano

Posted on August 2nd, 2008 and filed in Balakirev, Chopin, Liszt, Madmen of the Piano, Piano, Rachmaninoff

Madmen of the Piano (*and the piano’s supreme emotional power -  Inspired by, and dedicated to  Tam from Retravision in Byron Bay, because he just loves the wild piano stuff! )

Liszt, Chopin and Rachmaninoff

(*Yes indeed … there are lots of other ‘Madmen Pianists’ – but these guys take the cake)

I was thinking the other day – What instruments convey the most ‘intensity’? Drums? Electric guitar (ala Jimmy Hendrix!) … maybe the Sax? (John Coltrain)

For me it’s the piano. Done by the “Masters.”

Here are some intense pieces; some supremely difficult to play: Pieces that blend that ‘wild’ quality – with emotional glory!

Sorry Tam! I didn’t do what I originally intended; which was to introduce only the purely ‘berserk’ numbers. I know you love ‘em … but hey – I might lose listeners!

Dear listener – if these pieces move you, click on the Title on the right, “My Personal Bias” You’ll find gorgeous piano pieces without as much intensity.

Chopin Ballade #1
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/01-ballade-no1-in-g-minor-op-23.mp3Right Click to Download

Rachmaninoff prelude in G Minor (played by “THE Piano man” – no .. not Billy Joel !! but The Big H – Horowitz)

Rachmaninoff prelude in g- minor Vladimir Horowitz-piano
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/rachmanioff-rachmaninoff-prelude-in-g-minor-vladimir-horowitz-piano.mp3Right Click to Download

Liszt erlkonig-op1
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/rozum-classicalarchivescom-liszt-erlkonig-op1.mp3Right Click to Download

Chopin Fanstasie Impromptu in C sharp minor
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/fantaisie-impromptu-in-c-sharp-min-op-66-11-chopin-frederic.mp3Right Click to Download

Rachmaninoff preludes-no-10-in-b-minor-lento
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/idil-biret_10_preludes-no-10-in-b-minor-lento.mp3Right Click to Download

Liszt hungarian rhapsody no-2
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/jeno-jando_02_hungarian-rhapsody-no-2-lento-a-capricco-lassan-andante-mesto-friska-vivace-tempo-giusto-vivace-prestissimo.mp3Right Click to Download

Here’s another one. This piece is often mentioned in the “hardest to play” category. It is surely “Intense”!

Islamey an Oriental Fantasy by Mily Balakirev. And here’s what a critic said:

Despite some dismissal that the work is merely a showpiece, Islamey has had a lasting impact on piano solo music; Ravel once remarked to a friend that his goal in writing Gaspard de la nuit was to compose a piece that was “more difficult than Balakirev’s Islamey.”

Balakirev Islamey (Oriental Fantasy)
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/Lang Lang_15_Balakirev Islamey (Oriental Fantasy).mp3Right Click to Download

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