Wagner-Liszt Tannhauser Overture & Busoni Carmen Fantasy

Two works in progress, from a test recital I did yesterday with a friend (also a dedicated amateur pianist). These are still full with mistakes and memory lapses which is why I'm not submitting an audio yet. I will work for two more months on these. Since I recorded it anyway, I thought to share it here and maybe get some feedback. Any kind of criticism that could help be useful during the intensive work of the next two months? (of course, a simple word of motivation is always welcome, too! )

Busoni: Carmen Fantasy (Sonatina Nr. 6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1RAAyGjsVQ&fmt=18

Wagner-Liszt: Tannhauser-Overture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrYg40XEQXQ&fmt=18 (Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hKTgYJisRc&fmt=18 (Part 2)

 

I posted a comment on the YouTube video. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing the final product after you've polished it up.

 

You certainly don't make it easy on yourself Tobias ! Just wondering, are you recently mainly drawn by virtuoso warhorses ?

Two great transcriptions here, containing some of the world's most indestructible tunes. While Wagner's fanatical nationalism and antisemitism and his slavish bottomlicking to his superiors disgust me (as they do many people), I have to admit that his tunes and orchestration have few peers. IMO the Tannhauser theme is one of the most noble melodies ever written. Liszt did a great job on it as always but there's no way to capture this sumptuous orchestral sound on any single instrument.

I'd say you are on solid ground with the Busoni. It's not so physically hard as the Liszt but much more subtle and treacherous, and I seem to hear you have been approaching this in the right way. Apart from the slips, which I am sure you know about, this needs to scintillate more, and sound more effortless. It will come, no doubt.

The Liszt sounds a bit more like you are grinding your way through it. The tutti passages are decidedly shaky (I've never tried this but I can believe this is very exhausting with all these jumpimng octaves and chords). But you have the spirit and stamina, and the ending is marvellous and relatively error-free. A lot to do still, but you can do it.

 

Thanks, much work still needed on this one!

 

Wow, the Tanhäuser piece is a really marvelous trascription! Unlike Chris' opinion I see the chance of the single instrument for competing with the whole orchestra in your performance!!!
I must add that I'm deeply moved by your brave efforts and have no doubt that they'll be rewarded by a glorious recital
(and was glad to find the flower song :wink: )

 

signmypiano, many thanks for your nice Youtube comment!

Hye-Jin, I'm glad you found the flower song and that you liked these transcriptions! Thanks also for the good recital wishes! You know what: Today, my teacher and I decided to drop Adelaide from the program The reasons are: it's quite long given the musical material it has, and it is really hard to maintain listener's interest throughout, as compared to the original Lied. A master pianist may have no problems, but I do! Moreover, I would have too many similar pieces in a row with Adelaide... I'm a (tiny) bit sad about it but I know it's the best decision...

 

I could fully understand that decision... what a unfortunate piece is our Adelaide, which was dropped in already two (including Alf's) concert programs of PS pianists... :wink:

 

Oh you are right, I forgot that Alf did the same. Poor, poor Adelaide :cry:
:wink:

 

My heart bleeds :lol:

 

:lol: We also left out An die ferne Geliebte! They are Beethoven's most bloody difficult songs.