Hello, everyone

I have just seen a video on YouTube of Cameron Carpenter playing Chopin's Revolutionary Etude on the organ. I realize he is a bit controversial, but I kinda liked it. What are your opinions?

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

He certainly puts up a quite a show, doesn't he?

Marcelo

AMAZING!!

I think I posted a link to this once or twice already.
Carpenter is a circus artist indeed, as well as looks the part. That kind of footwork, and the Cuban high-heels, you don't see all too often. Based on this I'd say he has not got the best of musical taste. But that would not be fair as I have not heard him in any normal repertoire as yet. I guess all insanely virtuoso artists have a right to their indulgenges and show-off pieces.

Some time ago I heard a renowned organist (forgot the name) play the Prokofiev op.11 Toccata. That was funny too.
Personally I'd stick to real organ compositions. For some more traditional pedal fireworks, check this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASVNJO5LKs0
(skip to 1:20).

I suppose you might call this 'normal' repertoire:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5O8cHI-vPY

So far as I can tell it's the only Bach he's ever played.

There are some interesting videos on his website here:

http://www.cameroncarpenter.com/videos.html

But I am not an organ connoisseur so I can't make any highbrow comments on his playing. But I'm guessing you would find his organ inappropriate for Bach anyway.

*Fuming with indignance *
Oh dear. This is just execrable. Interesting it may be, and skilful no doubt, but it's too low in taste to even feature in a cartoon. I have never heard Bach's music being raped and mauled like this.That's the end of him as far as I am concerned. He's not a serious musician, and has zero respect for the composer. I don't think one needs to be an organ connoisseur to conclude that.

After such an introduction, I just had to listen. (I'd seen the Chopin before).. and, erm, what is this? I had to stop watching and attempt to seek refuge in Katsaris's piano transcription, which I won't link as it will finish you off

Hehe, I don't mind piano transcriptions of organ works (though I consider them for poor suckers who can't play the organ )
But this one is pretty horrible too. It much diminishes my respect for Katsaris, I had expected more good taste and respect from him.
IMHO the Tausig transcription is quite adequate and respectful. Even Earl Wild did not feel like going one better (and he could have done).
But if it had to be improved, it would have to be by Hough or Hamelin, not Katsaris who is acting like a butcher here.

Ah, but it's 'baroque extemporization', as someone says in the comments.

I actually didn't realize the first time watching it that he had changed anything - I don't know the piece all that well. It was in the second half of the video or so that I started to realize, 'There's no way Bach wrote that.'

I just watched the Chopin. I thought I had seen everything... but....

David

Another reason to live on, David:to see new pranks!