Madmen of the piano redux
Posted on April 15th, 2010 and filed in Chopin, Madmen of the piano redux, Piano, Piano Freaks Only!In an earlier posting titled “Madmen of the piano” I focused on composers. Here let’s focus on the pianists.
I’ve recently spent a lot of time updating my Chopin collection; seeking out the greatest pianists I can find. The more I listen to these virtuosic dynamos … the more amazed I am that the human body can accomplish these feats. How can fingers move so rapidly? How can the rythym and timing of striking the right note go on and on … when it’s different between the two hands? – Sometimes a variable speed, rythm, reach and tone going on between the two hands. I don’t get it. I mean… they don’t all have a touch of Tourettes Syndrome do they!?
(*I remember reading that some Tourettes people have much faster reflexes and mechanical movements than normal)
Just listen to, and watch, what 10 fingers, 2 hands, 2 wrists and forearms can do!
(My vote for the “impossible” goes to Cziffra in the video)
Claudio Arrua plays Chopin’s Etude #1 op. 10
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/01-no.-1-in-c-major-op.-10.mp3Right Click to Download
Georges Cziffra – Chopin Etude Op. 25 No. 2
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/14-Georges-Cziffra-Etude-piano-no.-14-f-minor-Op.-25-No.-2-BI-97.mp3Right Click to Download
Martha Argerich – Chopin prelude 16, op. 28
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/16-Argerich-Martha.mp3Right Click to Download
Vladimir Horowitz – Franz Liszt / Tarentella
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/Unknown-Vladimir-Horowitz-F.-Liszt-Tarentella.mp3Right Click to Download
April 16th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Jim-You have really opened a can of worms, so to speak, with these performances. You could devote a whole website to madmen of the piano. Some of them have life stories almost as fascinating as their playing. I agree-the Cziffra is truly unbelievable.
April 16th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
It only takes about 8 hours a day of practice for about 20 years to accomplish these feats! Actually, only a few ever accomplish them well. You’ve picked some great ones to watch and listen to. I agree, Cziffra is pretty spectacular.
April 17th, 2010 at 1:22 am
I wonder how many hours a day Emily Bear practices.
April 18th, 2010 at 5:13 am
Hey Frank .. you forgot to give the link so folks can see Emily play. Hey – that was the title of Pink Floyd’s first hit! See Emily Play. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUx4t4W4eVY
May 28th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
It only takes about 8 hours a day of practice for about 20 years to accomplish these feats! Actually, only a few ever accomplish them well. You’ve picked some great ones to watch and listen to. I agree, Cziffra is pretty spectacular.
June 2nd, 2010 at 8:36 am
Jim-You have really opened a can of worms, so to speak, with these performances. You could devote a whole website to madmen of the piano. Some of them have life stories almost as fascinating as their playing. I agree-the Cziffra is truly unbelievable.