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Satie Gnossiennes 2 & 3 + Bach-Busoni 'Ich Ruf zu dir...

Discussion in 'Submission Room' started by Mark, Dec 20, 2008.

  1. Mark

    Mark New Member Piano Society Artist

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    On the more introspective side, I just recorded these three pieces of Satie & Bach/Busoni. When I was a teenager obsessed with virtuosic stuff, I didn’t see any worth at all in Satie, but recently, I’ve come to realize that he’s a very profound composer in a few works (namely the Gnossiennes and Gynmopedies) and he’s the perfect example of a composer who challenges you to prove you have technique extending above your elbows, to paraphrase Brahms.

    (Don’t get me wrong, I’m still obsessed with virtuosity :wink: I just appreciate other stuff as well now).

    Then there's the wonderful Bach-Busoni. Say what you want about the political correctness of transcriptions, but I think this transcription is quite literal and simply beautiful. I'm glad that I'm able to play such a piece without having an organ handy.

    Hope you enjoy them!
    Mark

    Bach - Choral Prelude: 'Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesus Christ', BWV 639
    Satie - Gnossienne No. 2
    Satie - Gnossienne No. 3
     
    Mark, Dec 20, 2008
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  2. wiser_guy

    wiser_guy Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Oh yes, I definately enjoyed all three. I am amazed by the film atmosphere you have so carefully put together. I would state the Bach Choral as my favourite but then these Satie pieces...

    Bravo not only for playing but also performing these. Top!
     
    wiser_guy, Dec 20, 2008
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  3. Mark

    Mark New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Thank you very much Wiser Guy!

    It's interesting that you liken them to a "film atmosphere" because it was the Gnossienne No. 1 as featured in the Naomi Watts/Edward Norton film adaptation of The Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham that kindled my interest in Satie. I think their eastern-sounding scales, very slow, almost static harmonic progression, and meditative yet unsettling nature perfectly reflect the lush exoticism of the locale in SE Asia and the uncertain yet passionate psychological warfare between the two main characters as they move from regarding each other with injured disdain to grudging respect to star-crossed love.
     
    Mark, Dec 20, 2008
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  4. pianolady

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

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    I saw that movie, too. Nice playing on all of these, Mark. Very soothing. They are up on the site.
     
    pianolady, Dec 20, 2008
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  5. Mark

    Mark New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Sorry Monica - you just barely beat me. This morning I listened to the 3rd Gnossienne and noticed a couple tics and an electronic garble that somehow got into the recording about a minute in. I must have been replacing my original file with my fixed file right when you were adding them to the site. Would you please substitute No. 3?

    Thanks
     
    Mark, Dec 20, 2008
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  6. pianolady

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

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    Ok, I've replaced it. I think I really am hypnotized now after listening to these a couple times. And I also noticed those clicks before but thought it may have been my computer speakers, or the file not loading properly.

    Also, while I'm thinking of this - you nicely have all the tags filled in, but to make it easier for me, can you use Mark Hensley, instead of the other way? Also the genre is 'classical' not 'piano'. Thank you.
     
    pianolady, Dec 21, 2008
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  7. Rachfan

    Rachfan Active Member Piano Society Artist

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    Hi Mark,

    It's after midnight EST here, but I wanted to listen to your Satie pieces, and was glad I did. They are performed very expressively with a high degree of artistry. Thanks for posting them!

    David
     
    Rachfan, Dec 22, 2008
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  8. Mark

    Mark New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Thank you David! I enjoyed playing them very much. They're the sort of pieces that require no technical skill to play, so they're always rewarding, no matter if I don't have time to warm up or actually practice. I often play them right before bed.
     
    Mark, Dec 22, 2008
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  9. techneut

    techneut Active Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    The Gnossiennes are most beautifully played. And so is the Bach-Busoni. Busoni did a marvellous job of arraging Bach's organ original, and actualy this transcription is probably more fun to play than the original, which (for all its melodic beauty) is a bit straight-laced and not quite as inventive as the other Orgelbuchlein items.

    I though your full-second pause at 1:30 was a bit over the top. But otherwise, nothing but praise.
     
    techneut, Dec 24, 2008
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  10. alf

    alf Active Member Piano Society Artist

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    Delightfully played it is, Mark, especially the Bach-Busoni. A tad slower than the usual tempo, but you run it without any dragging. Plus, a very beautiful tone.
     
    alf, Dec 24, 2008
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  11. Mark

    Mark New Member Piano Society Artist

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    Thank you Alf and Chris!

    Regarding the Bach-Busoni tempo, it is on the slow side of most of the recorded versions I own, although it's within 2 seconds of my ideal (and first-heard) version by Paul Jacobs. It's usually interesting to note the relationship between one's personal interpretation of a piece and one's first-heard version.

    Of course, my lengthy caesura in the Bach-Busoni is also a little unusual, but I prefer a little longer pause than normal to separate the forlorn initial melody and the more hopeful second melody. I also dislike the "oops, I forgot what's next" feeling that a short caesura can sometimes give (although I see that mine is verging on fermata territory).

    Thank you all for your comments :D
     
    Mark, Dec 31, 2008
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