If I had to guess, I'd say the piece I performed the most over the years was this Chopin Étude. Its nickname is "Tristesse", but I don't really find it sad. Maybe it's a little wistful.
The Chopin Études were intended to present technical exercises to students in the natural setting of enjoyable music. Chopin accomplished this blend so successfully that the Études have become part of the solo piano concert repertoire. The exercise in this piece is right-hand self-accompaniment. The right hand is playing two parts simultaneously: the obvious melody and a chordal accompaniment. The goal is to make the melody sing, standing out from the accompaniment, even though they're being played with one hand.
Track 2: Étude Opus 10 Nr. 3 (Frédéric Chopin)
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Lovely, Kenneth, and already your wish for us to have music in the new year is happening.
ReplyDeleteMom
What a terrific New Year's surprise, Kenneth. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis one is familiar to us, though we could not have named it for you. Perhaps we have heard it at one of the luncheon concerts at Younger Hall during which university students perform for people who drop into their practice hall. For a small fee of £2, we get 45 minutes of listening time with talented young musicians from around the world.
Louise and David