More Than Mere Exercises: In Chopin's 27 Études, technique and music become one

Wall Street Journal ^ | November 28, 2008 | Iron Janis

[Revolting cat!]

OK now, help me find a CD of the 24 Etudes by Cuban pianist Juana Zayas.

[freedumb2003]

Etude Brute?

*runs*

[billorites]

"OK now, help me find a CD of the 24 Etudes by Cuban pianist Juana Zayas."

Juana?

I coulda, but now I canta.

I've got several recordings of the Etudes by a bunch of nameless eastern European pianists from 15-20 years ago that would knock your socks off.

The late Claudio Arrau did some nice recordings as well.

If you have all the time in the world you could get drunk and wait for me to work my way through one or two...

Seriously, some of the Preludes I can handle, but the Etudes are just for the pros.

[libh8er]

Paganini’s 24th caprice is brilliant. He wrote it just to show off his skill. I will check if there’s one on youtube.

[billorites]

But, instead, out of his pocket came an orange, which he held in his right hand. "Ready?"

As I've heard the story told, Mrs. Heifetz would always flee from the room blushing at this point...

[libh8er]

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

[Publius]

I’ve played about half the etudes, but few of them well.

[Publius]

I saw the young violinist James Ehnes play that caprice in the living room of a home in Seattle as part of a fundraiser. I’ve never witnessed anything like it since.

[billorites]

It's such a thrill to be able to play any Chopin at all.

If I could play nothing else on the piano, I would be satisfied with a handful of Chopin.

They sound beautiful and they feel good under the hand. It's tactile music.

[Publius]

I've played all the waltzes, most of the preludes, about half of the etudes, all the scherzi, all the impromptus, one of the ballades and all the polonaises. I've only played one mazurka and one nocturne.

In my teens, he was my favorite composer.

[Revolting cat!]

Juana’s interpretations are supposed to be THE best (in recent times.) Outta print, too!

[billorites]

"In my teens, he was my favorite composer."

I don't doubt it.

Any pianist who isn't deeply compelled to wrestle with Chopin needs to consult an endocrinologist.

[libh8er]

Chopin’s Berceuse Op. 57 is a relatively simple piece, nothing like some of his waltzes and impromptus, but it’s sublime. There is no other way I can describe it.

[libh8er]

Ok maybe not that simple. :)

[Jemian]

Musician ping.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Ever notice a ledge either side of the piano key? That was indented. Chopin used to lay his gloves there.

[billorites]

"...it’s sublime. There is no other way I can describe it."

Chopin introduced me to the word sublime.

Part of it has to do, I believe, with developmental age too.

I've heard Chopin since early childhood, who hasn't? It's in cartoons, advertisements, etc.

At some point, for aspiring pianists anyway, a bell goes off. As if all at once you hear the music as if for the first time.

Suddenly this elevator music that has always been in the background starts to speak to you. Like it's calling you by your name.

[billorites]

Oh, heck.

Make a sublime click Here.

[billorites]

I've struck the mother load.

Here are all the Etudes as mp3's.

Plus all the sheet music as pdf's.