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Marc-André Hamelin

Discussion in 'Pianists' started by jesus_loves_u, Jul 6, 2006.

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  1. Lukecash

    Lukecash New Member

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    Lukecash, Jun 12, 2009
    #41
  2. Teddy

    Teddy New Member

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    I don't care much for Alkan except from the piano concerto, but I love Hamelin's rendition of Scriabin's sonatas. They are all very clear and musically sound, they seem to flow naturally - unlike say Richter that seems to stutter on the way. I think he does the "echo" effects that Scriabin's put everywhere very well. It's also not too obvious with showing us the different voices and counterpoint, something I appreciate. He seems to lack bravura sometimes, but most of the work I heard him play didn't need that anyway ; haven't heard him do any Prokoviev or Rachmaninov (for whom I love Lugansky's best), so I guess it's alright. I think it's strange an Alkan/Liszt type of pianist like him plays Scriabin though...

    That interview was really interesting ; I would love to spend some time with a concert pianist like that. I've spent some time with a French pianist once, and though she was friendly, she was nowhere as easy going as Hamelin seems to be ! He seems really like a person you can talk to, and it must be amazing talking music with him.
     
    Teddy, Jun 14, 2009
    #42
  3. pianolady

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

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    Yes, I know this thread has been going on for quite some time, but I just I attended another one of his concerts this afternoon. And boy, was it good - I'm still reeling! Really, I think Hamelin is my favorite player! Okay, well...maybe he is tied with my other favorite, Kissin.

    This is what Hamelin played today:

    Haydn - Andante with Variations in F Minor, H.XVii:6
    Mozart - Piano Sonata in A minor, K.310
    Liszt - Venezia e Napoli, Supplement to Book 2 of Annees de pelerinage" Italy: Gondoliera - Canzone - Tarantella
    Faure - Nocturne no. 6 in D-flat major, Op. 63
    Alkan - Symphony for Solo Piano (Etudes 4-7 from the Twelve Etudes in Minor Keys, Op. 39)

    I'll try to talk only about what pieces made the most impression on me. First the Haydn - Hamelin played with such exquisite dynamics and articulation. Really great! The Mozart was also fine, but lately I am not into whole sonatas so I may have 'blanked out' now and then. Then came the Liszt. Wow! I've never seen anyone play this live before, and Hamelin really blew me away. I cannot say enough about how great he played these three pieces. Simply astonishing, amazing, surreal, etc...

    After intermission came the Faure which was nice, but the piece in general didn't do much for me. After that was the Alkan. I have never heard this music at all and before it started I was thinking to myself that Hamelin should have ended his concert with the Liszt because what could possibly be more amazing and spectacular than that? Well, now I have seen Hamelin play this Alkan and mostly all I can say is OMG - that was one of the most incredible things I've ever seen/heard. Wow, wow, wow!! :!: So I guess he knew what he was doing by scheduling Alkan last. :wink: :lol:

    Hamelin played two encores. For the first one, he told the audience that part of the fun he has in exploring non-mainstream repertoire is discovering little gems here and there. He played for us Godowsky's - The Gardens of Buitenzorg from Java Suite. I liked it - has neat harmonies - will have to look at the score one of these days. The second encore was the last movement of a Haydn sonata, but Hamelin did not say which one. All I know is that it must be the shortest piece Haydn ever wrote because it lasted only about 30 seconds.

    All in all, it was a great concert. I was so impressed when I saw Hamelin the first time, and I feel exactly the same way now.
     
    pianolady, Nov 8, 2010
    #43
  4. pianoman342

    pianoman342 Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    pianoman342, Sep 4, 2011
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  5. pianolady

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

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    That's an interesting article; thank you for sharing it, Riley! That man is so amazing!

    Keep an eye on your local chapters of music teachers organizations like Illinois Music Teachers Association and groups like that. One Hamelin concert I got to attend was right in the town next to mine at one of our group's yearly meetings. The concert was not publicly announced - you had to know about it from other sources.
     
    pianolady, Sep 4, 2011
    #45
  6. Rachfan

    Rachfan Active Member Piano Society Artist

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    Hi Riley,

    I just read the article on Hamelin and found it enjoyable and very informative. Thanks for the link!

    David
     
    Rachfan, Oct 15, 2011
    #46
  7. techneut

    techneut Active Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    I've read it too now. Mostly well-know stuff, though I was amazed to read that he does not own a piano, and practices on his fiancee's instrument (Cathy Fuller, I did not know that either).
     
    techneut, Oct 15, 2011
    #47
  8. johnlewisgrant

    johnlewisgrant Member Piano Society Artist

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    MAH generally now considered one of the "greats." Cziffra-like technique. His recording of the Brahms B flat pc is stunning, in my view. Richter is credited by many pianists (Argerich, for one) for having had the best overall technique/interpretive command of any pianist who ever lived. IE he could play everything from Bach to Berg, in many cases better than anyone else. Emmanuel Ax said that only Richter could do the octave playing in Brahms' B Flat pc AS Brahms intended it to be played. No pianist living or dead could manage it. Too difficult.

    The MAH recording of the B Flat proves Ax wrong, I think. Listen to that octave playing, and then try it at home for pure frustration value. Also, MAH is proving that his rep is pretty varied; but all brilliantly performed, at least, all that I've heard.

    JG
     
    johnlewisgrant, Feb 17, 2012
    #48
  9. dctpianist

    dctpianist New Member

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    A few months ago, my teacher offered me a free ticket to a $200 combination black tie dinner/Hamelin recital. I turned it down :( I'm an utter barbarian and do not own fancy clothes nor do I like fancy social events, and would have been exceptionally awkward there by myself. Maybe next time!

    C'est la vie,
    David
     
    dctpianist, Feb 21, 2012
    #49
  10. pianolady

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

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    I have no problem being myself. Please send me the ticket if you do not want to go next time. :D
     
    pianolady, Feb 21, 2012
    #50
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