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Mozart-Thalberg: Voi che sapete

Discussion in 'Submission Room' started by Tobias, Jul 12, 2009.

  1. Tobias

    Tobias New Member Piano Society Artist

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    I know John loved Mozart (the K.310 was one of his favorite sonatas) - maybe he would have also enjoyed this recording of the wonderful aria Voi che sapete from Mozart's Figaro, transcribed by Sigismund Thalberg. Rest in peace, John!

    MP3 attached; for the friends of video here's the Youtube link:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPnl98xs9Gs&fmt=18

    Some background:
    Mozart's famous aria in a piano transcription by Liszt rival Sigismond Thalberg (1812-1871). This transcription is part of a collection entitled "LArt du Chant appliqué au Piano" (the art of song applied to the piano). This collection contains 25 transcriptions of vocal works by various composers, the majority from the opera genre.

    Thalberg's L'art du chant stands apart as one of the earliest examples of piano pedagogy which directed the performer's attention toward tone production rather than virtuosic technique. Thalberg's twenty-five transcriptions, in comparison to his intricate and brilliant fantasies, present a deceptive simplicity while actually making sometimes even greater technical demands. The music eschews those virtuosic elaborations that can divert and fascinate the listener, and leaves the pianist's abilities and control more exposed.

    Accompaniments to the melodies may be thickened or modified for reasons of sonority, but nothing extraneous or unnecessary is added. Thalberg does not place the melodic burden on one hand only. To an even greater degree than in his fantasies, the single melodies or different voices are distributed throughout the keyboard so that both hands must form, for all practical purposes, one seamless mechanism.

    Mozart-Thalberg - "Voi che sapete" transcription from Mozart's, Figaro
     
    Tobias, Jul 12, 2009
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  2. juufa72

    juufa72 New Member Piano Society Artist

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    beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Just out of curiosity, will you record any more of Thalberg's compositions?
     
    juufa72, Jul 12, 2009
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  3. pianolady

    pianolady Monica Hart, Administrator Staff Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Hi Tobias,

    That was nice. Great playing too! I've always liked that song, and it is interesting to hear it as a piano transcription. Makes me want to play some Mozart.

    I'll put it up tomorrow.
     
    pianolady, Jul 12, 2009
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  4. juufa72

    juufa72 New Member Piano Society Artist

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    :lol:
     
    juufa72, Jul 12, 2009
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  5. Tobias

    Tobias New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Thank you, Monica and juufa!
    juufa, I'm playing one other piece from Thalberg's op. 70 - a transcription of Beethoven's Adelaide - and want to record it soon.
     
    Tobias, Jul 12, 2009
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  6. pianolady

    pianolady Monica Hart, Administrator Staff Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Ok, this aria :wink: transcription is up now, Tobias. It's in the 'various' composer category since we don't have any other Thalberg.
     
    pianolady, Jul 12, 2009
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  7. Tobias

    Tobias New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Thank you, Monica!
    Actually, the next Thalberg I'll record (Adelaide) will indeed be a song! :D
     
    Tobias, Jul 12, 2009
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  8. rsmullyan

    rsmullyan New Member Piano Society Artist

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    That was extremely beautifiul! It brought tears to my eyes.
     
    rsmullyan, Jul 12, 2009
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  9. Tobias

    Tobias New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Dear Raymond, thank you very much for the kind comment!
     
    Tobias, Jul 12, 2009
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  10. musicusblau

    musicusblau Administrator Staff Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Hi Tobias,
    that´s a great recording as I still have commented on youtube. Thalberg has done an interesting transcription of Cherubinos famous Aria of the "Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart. I like your phrasing and natural expression of this music. You really play as if you would sing it. So, have my congratulations to this splendid recording!
    Here is a link to the original aria, if somebody is interested:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gw9KgQmlR0
     
    musicusblau, Jul 12, 2009
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  11. Tobias

    Tobias New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Dear Andreas,
    thank you very much for the kind words. It's always nice to hear from you!

    On topic of videos from the original aria, this is as much prone to personal taste as different recordings of piano music - or probably even more, because we also pay more attention to extramusical features such as acting, stage presence etc. Having said that I'm in love with Maria Ewing in this performance of Voi che sapete. Besides the great singing, she is soo sweet... :oops:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-e0fHUoKD8
     
    Tobias, Jul 12, 2009
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  12. wiser_guy

    wiser_guy Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Excellently played. Congratulations on playing this piece simply and musically. Phrasing, tempo, performance logic, everything. Amazing.
     
    wiser_guy, Jul 12, 2009
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  13. techneut

    techneut Active Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    I can only echo the others. Excellent and idiomatic Mozart playing, and great sound. Well Done :!:
     
    techneut, Jul 13, 2009
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  14. Tobias

    Tobias New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Thanks Chris and wiser_guy!
     
    Tobias, Jul 13, 2009
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