Interesting young pianist

[Peter Lemken]

Every once in a while there is a performance that catches my attention and
manages to keep it up for more than one rerun of the recording.

In this case it is an old warhorse, the Horowitz rewriting of Liszt's
transcription of Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre". Many young pianists have been
thrilled by Horowitz' performance of this piece which in itself is stunning
beyond belief and that goes for the reworked passages, some of the
transitional sequences and the pianistic side of it.

Young pianists like Sandro Russo, Koji Attwood, Emiel Janssen, Sean Bennett
have played this piece and I have heard Volodos perform it in Berlin. There
is no doubt that it takes one hell of a pianist that dares to play this
piece in public and I am awed by those that did.

However, none of the performances I mentioned above really caught my
attention for long; somehow it became tedious to listen to them and
comparing them to what Horowitz did, only to realize that Horowitz simply
outshines them in every respect.

Having said that, I'd like to speak about one young pianist that really
caught my attention in this piece and I am going to make a little guessing
game with it.

This is a video of a live recital:

http://bloatware.de/danse-macabre.mp4

No doubt, this is one hell of a performance, but what really strikes me as
most remarkable is the way this young guy plays the piano: No superficial
movement of the upper body, a total control of every single note with the
ability to play fortissimo even in the fastest passages. Yet, his dynamic
range (even on that less than stellar American Steinway D) is incredible and
he manages to accent certain notes to underline their structural meaning.

His wrist is always low, the shoulders very relaxed, the arms supple and
every single note comes out with the least possible effort and the way he is
able to draw crushing fortissimos virtually out of nowhere is simply
stunning.

It seems that this guy has studied all the details of piano playing as laid
out by György Sandor's "On piano playing" and adapted them perfectly to his
physique.

Have fun.

Peter Lemken
0711

[Rugby]

Post by Peter Lemken
Every once in a while there is a performance that catches my attention and
manages to keep it up for more than one rerun of the recording.
In this case it is an old warhorse, the Horowitz rewriting of Liszt's
transcription of Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre".

Mischa Dacic ?

Rugby

[Rugby]

On May 3, 9:17 pm, Rugby <***@gmail.com> wrote:


And while you're at it, Libetta plays the Sousa/Horowitz "Stars and
Stripes" at :

Rugby

[Peter Lemken]

Post by Rugby
And while you're at it, Libetta plays the Sousa/Horowitz "Stars and
http://youtu.be/0xhdWJ1QZsg

Thanks for killing the discussion before it even started.

Is there anything you have to say about the recording, my comments or did
you just do it to show that you can use use a web browser?

Jeez.

Peter Lemken
0711

[JohnGavin]

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Rugby
And while you're at it, Libetta plays the Sousa/Horowitz "Stars and
http://youtu.be/0xhdWJ1QZsg

Thanks for killing the discussion before it even started.
Is there anything you have to say about the recording, my comments or did
you just do it to show that you can use use a web browser?
Jeez.
Peter Lemken
0711
--
Nature abhors crude hacks.

I agree, Dacic plays it effortlessly - very impressive. (Thanks
Steve)

Here is another Dacic performance of the Gershwin/Wild "I've Got
Rhythm"

[td]

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Rugby
And while you're at it, Libetta plays the Sousa/Horowitz "Stars and
http://youtu.be/0xhdWJ1QZsg

Thanks for killing the discussion before it even started.
Is there anything you have to say about the recording, my comments or did
you just do it to show that you can use use a web browser?
Jeez.
Peter Lemken
0711
--
Nature abhors crude hacks.

I agree, Dacic plays it effortlessly - very impressive.  (Thanks
Steve)
Here is another Dacic performance of the Gershwin/Wild "I've Got
http://youtu.be/FV9YId5Rxtc

Very brilliant and fast but without rhythm!!!

Someone needs to give him a pair of scissors.

TD

[td]

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Rugby
And while you're at it, Libetta plays the Sousa/Horowitz "Stars and
http://youtu.be/0xhdWJ1QZsg

Thanks for killing the discussion before it even started.

Discussion?

You're looking for DISCUSSION here?

Get a grip!

Post by Peter Lemken
Is there anything you have to say about the recording, my comments or did
you just do it to show that you can use use a web browser?

Nothing to say. The Stars and Stripes is a Sousa March. This is a
classical music forum.

TD

[Rugby]

Post by Peter Lemken
Thanks for killing the discussion before it even started.

Jeez, yourself, Peter !!

Apparently, you "discovered" Dacic thru a video, but the rest of us
have to guess without searching ? It's easy to post a clip from any
obscure pianist's website and "stump the band". Obviously, few, if
any, "guessers" here would have been in Miami,2007. I thought the
object was to try to identify him/her -- however. Next time, just post
the audio track so you'll get more emotional gratification from
holding in your secret longer, and the rest of us won't violate any of
your "rules".

How does advising people where to watch the video stifle discussion,
especially since you note his technical ease,mechanics, and the
posture points are THE distinguishing marks of this performance ?

As for discussion, I have had the Horowitz lp for years, and even if
"bested" by someone, I would not be interested in another. As TD
points out, this is fluff, not Op. 111. I am very grateful you posted
the Dacic as it is great fun, and as you point out the ease of his
playing is remarkable, but whether Dacic is a new Cziffra/Hamelin or
just a flash remains to be seen.

Again, thank you very much for the post. I do apologize if I spoiled
your fun; such was not my intent. Try to lighten up a bit , without so
much "Berliner schnautz". Have a beer, or several, with some of the
City's famous dark rye bread slices spread with bacon fat and herring
(matje) in white cream sauce, I enjoyed once on the Kurfurstendam.

Regards, Rugby

[Peter Lemken]

Post by Rugby

Post by Peter Lemken
Thanks for killing the discussion before it even started.

Jeez, yourself, Peter !!
Apparently, you "discovered" Dacic thru a video, but the rest of us
have to guess without searching ? It's easy to post a clip from any
obscure pianist's website and "stump the band".

I am sorry for your reading deficiencies, but I can't change them. If you
had cared to read my article and comment on some of the remarks with regard
to the pianistic side of the video, I wouldn't have minded, but I do mind
single lined links to other pieces without any trace of an intelligent
discussion.

It's been three weeks without the googlegoups filter active and I have had
it, again.

Thank you very much and goodbye.

Peter Lemken
0711

[Bob Lombard]

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Rugby

Post by Peter Lemken
Thanks for killing the discussion before it even started.

Jeez, yourself, Peter !!
Apparently, you "discovered" Dacic thru a video, but the rest of us
have to guess without searching ? It's easy to post a clip from any
obscure pianist's website and "stump the band".

I am sorry for your reading deficiencies, but I can't change them. If you
had cared to read my article and comment on some of the remarks with regard
to the pianistic side of the video, I wouldn't have minded, but I do mind
single lined links to other pieces without any trace of an intelligent
discussion.
It's been three weeks without the googlegoups filter active and I have had
it, again.
Thank you very much and goodbye.
Peter Lemken
0711

Peter, your post was poorly designed for the response you desired.
That deficiency is not 'Rugby's fault.

To make this criticism constructive, I offer:

One way to instigate a discussion based on your post would be to ask a
question, or a series of them. Even questions that require 'cogitation
before response' could work.

Of course, any response could be stupid; you probably need a
'thorstein' filter, if you don't already have one in place.

bl

[Peter Lemken]

Post by Bob Lombard

Post by Peter Lemken
I am sorry for your reading deficiencies, but I can't change them. If you
had cared to read my article and comment on some of the remarks with regard
to the pianistic side of the video, I wouldn't have minded, but I do mind
single lined links to other pieces without any trace of an intelligent
discussion.

Peter, your post was poorly designed for the response you desired.

What exactly in

|No doubt, this is one hell of a performance, but what really strikes me as
|most remarkable is the way this young guy plays the piano: No superficial
|movement of the upper body, a total control of every single note with the
|ability to play fortissimo even in the fastest passages. Yet, his dynamic
|range (even on that less than stellar American Steinway D) is incredible and
|he manages to accent certain notes to underline their structural meaning.
|
|His wrist is always low, the shoulders very relaxed, the arms supple and
|every single note comes out with the least possible effort and the way he is
|able to draw crushing fortissimos virtually out of nowhere is simply
|stunning.

|It seems that this guy has studied all the details of piano playing as laid
|out by György Sandor's "On piano playing" and adapted them perfectly to his
|physique.

was poorly designed so that posting two links to other videos are the
highest possible standard of posting capabilities one may expect?

Peter Lemken
0711

[Bob Lombard]

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Bob Lombard

Post by Peter Lemken
I am sorry for your reading deficiencies, but I can't change them. If you
had cared to read my article and comment on some of the remarks with regard
to the pianistic side of the video, I wouldn't have minded, but I do mind
single lined links to other pieces without any trace of an intelligent
discussion.

Peter, your post was poorly designed for the response you desired.

What exactly in

[repeat of original post snipped]

Post by Peter Lemken
was poorly designed so that posting two links to other videos are the
highest possible standard of posting capabilities one may expect?
Peter Lemken
0711

Um, not a question in there anywhere?

bl

[Rugby]

Post by Peter Lemken
was poorly designed so that posting two links to other videos are the
highest possible standard of posting capabilities one may expect?
Peter Lemken

From the OP :

" Having said that, I'd like to speak about one young pianist that
really
caught my attention in this piece and I am going to make a little
guessing
game with it.....Have fun."

Sorry I guessed before commenting !!

The link produced audio only, no video on mine either, as with Doug.

Admit you're pissed because the pianist was ID'd so quickly. ( You
also mentioned his name in another recent thread BEFORE this one. )
Cool off, Peter, have a beer, and stick around. I comment plenty
here, and often prefer to learn what others think,rather than just
reading my own spiel.

Rugby

[td]

Post by Peter Lemken

Post by Rugby

Post by Peter Lemken
Thanks for killing the discussion before it even started.

Jeez, yourself, Peter !!
Apparently, you "discovered" Dacic thru a video, but the rest of us
have to guess without searching ? It's easy to post a clip from any
obscure pianist's website and "stump the band".

I am sorry for your reading deficiencies, but I can't change them. If you
had cared to read my article and comment on some of the remarks with regard
to the pianistic side of the video, I wouldn't have minded, but I do mind
single lined links to other pieces without any trace of an intelligent
discussion.
It's been three weeks without the googlegoups filter active and I have had
it, again.
Thank you very much and goodbye.

Nice knowing you. Not!

What a prick!

TD

[Charles Milton Ling]

Post by Rugby
Again, thank you very much for the post. I do apologize if I spoiled
your fun; such was not my intent. Try to lighten up a bit , without so
much "Berliner schnautz". Have a beer, or several, with some of the
City's famous dark rye bread slices spread with bacon fat and herring
(matje) in white cream sauce, I enjoyed once on the Kurfurstendam.
Regards, Rugby

"Berliner Schnauze", "Matjes", "Kurfürstendamm".
Do not attempt foreign words lightly; it's obviously harder than you think.

Greetings to all,
Charley

[Bob Lombard]

Post by Charles Milton Ling

Post by Rugby
Again, thank you very much for the post. I do apologize if I spoiled
your fun; such was not my intent. Try to lighten up a bit , without so
much "Berliner schnautz". Have a beer, or several, with some of the
City's famous dark rye bread slices spread with bacon fat and herring
(matje) in white cream sauce, I enjoyed once on the Kurfurstendam.
Regards, Rugby

"Berliner Schnauze", "Matjes", "Kurfürstendamm".
Do not attempt foreign words lightly; it's obviously harder than you think.

Looks like you figured all of them out. That's 'the American way',
Charlie.

bl

[Rugby]

Post by Charles Milton Ling
"Berliner Schnauze", "Matjes", "Kurfürstendamm".
Do not attempt foreign words lightly; it's obviously harder than you think.

Thanks for the corrections, Charlie.

Next time I'll just use English,rather than try to respect your
language and idioms.

Rugby

[JohnGavin]

Post by Rugby
And while you're at it, Libetta plays the Sousa/Horowitz "Stars and
http://youtu.be/0xhdWJ1QZsg
Rugby

Libetta always leaves me a little cold. Sure, he's got fabulous
technique that can cover just about anything - but there's something
musically vacant about him - as if he refuses to make the effort to go
the extra mile.

Compared to Horowitz' recording, this Libetta performance sounds like
a mere run through i.e. the second round of the theme with the piccolo
part played in double notes is no more heightened or brilliant than
the first run through.

In summary, Libetta frequently sounds as if he merely gets through
things rather than really interpreting the music.

[td]

Post by Rugby
And while you're at it, Libetta plays the Sousa/Horowitz "Stars and
http://youtu.be/0xhdWJ1QZsg
Rugby

Libetta always leaves me a little cold.  Sure, he's got fabulous
technique that can cover just about anything - but there's something
musically vacant about him - as if he refuses to make the effort to go
the extra mile.
Compared to Horowitz' recording, this Libetta performance sounds like
a mere run through i.e. the second round of the theme with the piccolo
part played in double notes is no more heightened or brilliant than
the first run through.
In summary, Libetta frequently sounds as if he merely gets through
things rather than really interpreting the music.

My impressions exactly, John. He gives new definition to the word
"vapid". No temperament, perhaps? He certainly has fingers, of course.

TD

[Gerard]

Post by Peter Lemken
Having said that, I'd like to speak about one young pianist that
really caught my attention in this piece and I am going to make a
little guessing game with it.
http://bloatware.de/danse-macabre.mp4
No doubt, this is one hell of a performance, but what really strikes
me as most remarkable is the way this young guy plays the piano: No
superficial movement of the upper body, a total control of every
single note with the ability to play fortissimo even in the fastest
passages. Yet, his dynamic range (even on that less than stellar
American Steinway D) is incredible and he manages to accent certain
notes to underline their structural meaning.
His wrist is always low, the shoulders very relaxed, the arms supple
and every single note comes out with the least possible effort and
the way he is able to draw crushing fortissimos virtually out of
nowhere is simply stunning.
It seems that this guy has studied all the details of piano playing
as laid out by György Sandor's "On piano playing" and adapted them
perfectly to his physique.
Have fun.
Peter Lemken
0711

Does the pianist have a name?

[u***@domain.invalid]

Post by Peter Lemken
Having said that, I'd like to speak about one young pianist that
really caught my attention in this piece and I am going to make a
little guessing game with it.
http://bloatware.de/danse-macabre.mp4

It is? Is a video, that is. It certainly is an audio ...
but there is not video that I can see.

Doug McDonald

[Peter Lemken]

Post by u***@domain.invalid

Post by Peter Lemken
http://bloatware.de/danse-macabre.mp4

It is? Is a video, that is. It certainly is an audio ...
but there is not video that I can see.

Then something is wrong with your setup.

Peter Lemken
0711

[JohnGavin]

Post by Peter Lemken
Every once in a while there is a performance that catches my attention and
manages to keep it up for more than one rerun of the recording.
In this case it is an old warhorse, the Horowitz rewriting of Liszt's
transcription of Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre". Many young pianists have been
thrilled by Horowitz' performance of this piece which in itself is stunning
beyond belief and that goes for the reworked passages, some of the
transitional sequences and the pianistic side of it.
Young pianists like Sandro Russo, Koji Attwood, Emiel Janssen, Sean Bennett
have played this piece and I have heard Volodos perform it in Berlin. There
is no doubt that it takes one hell of a pianist that dares to play this
piece in public and I am awed by those that did.
However, none of the performances I mentioned above really caught my
attention for long; somehow it became tedious to listen to them and
comparing them to what Horowitz did, only to realize that Horowitz simply
outshines them in every respect.
Having said that, I'd like to speak about one young pianist that really
caught my attention in this piece and I am going to make a little guessing
game with it.
http://bloatware.de/danse-macabre.mp4
No doubt, this is one hell of a performance, but what really strikes me as
most remarkable is the way this young guy plays the piano: No superficial
movement of the upper body, a total control of every single note with the
ability to play fortissimo even in the fastest passages. Yet, his dynamic
range (even on that less than stellar American Steinway D) is incredible and
he manages to accent certain notes to underline their structural meaning.
His wrist is always low, the shoulders very relaxed, the arms supple and
every single note comes out with the least possible effort and the way he is
able to draw crushing fortissimos virtually out of nowhere is simply
stunning.
It seems that this guy has studied all the details of piano playing as laid
out by György Sandor's "On piano playing" and adapted them perfectly to his
physique.
Have fun.
Peter Lemken
0711
--
Nature abhors crude hacks.

Thanks for introducing Dacic - a real presence.

Here's another film of him playing the Rachmaninov/Volodos Polka
Italienne

[td]

Post by JohnGavin

Post by Peter Lemken
Every once in a while there is a performance that catches my attention and
manages to keep it up for more than one rerun of the recording.
In this case it is an old warhorse, the Horowitz rewriting of Liszt's
transcription of Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre". Many young pianists have been
thrilled by Horowitz' performance of this piece which in itself is stunning
beyond belief and that goes for the reworked passages, some of the
transitional sequences and the pianistic side of it.
Young pianists like Sandro Russo, Koji Attwood, Emiel Janssen, Sean Bennett
have played this piece and I have heard Volodos perform it in Berlin. There
is no doubt that it takes one hell of a pianist that dares to play this
piece in public and I am awed by those that did.
However, none of the performances I mentioned above really caught my
attention for long; somehow it became tedious to listen to them and
comparing them to what Horowitz did, only to realize that Horowitz simply
outshines them in every respect.
Having said that, I'd like to speak about one young pianist that really
caught my attention in this piece and I am going to make a little guessing
game with it.
http://bloatware.de/danse-macabre.mp4
No doubt, this is one hell of a performance, but what really strikes me as
most remarkable is the way this young guy plays the piano: No superficial
movement of the upper body, a total control of every single note with the
ability to play fortissimo even in the fastest passages. Yet, his dynamic
range (even on that less than stellar American Steinway D) is incredible and
he manages to accent certain notes to underline their structural meaning.
His wrist is always low, the shoulders very relaxed, the arms supple and
every single note comes out with the least possible effort and the way he is
able to draw crushing fortissimos virtually out of nowhere is simply
stunning.
It seems that this guy has studied all the details of piano playing as laid
out by György Sandor's "On piano playing" and adapted them perfectly to his
physique.
Have fun.
Peter Lemken
0711
--
Nature abhors crude hacks.

Thanks for introducing Dacic - a real presence.
Here's another film of him playing the Rachmaninov/Volodos Polka
Italienne
http://youtu.be/ReSofV_IbYY

But what JUNK that music is!

TD

[JohnGavin]

Post by td

Post by JohnGavin

Post by Peter Lemken
Every once in a while there is a performance that catches my attention and
manages to keep it up for more than one rerun of the recording.
In this case it is an old warhorse, the Horowitz rewriting of Liszt's
transcription of Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre". Many young pianists have been
thrilled by Horowitz' performance of this piece which in itself is stunning
beyond belief and that goes for the reworked passages, some of the
transitional sequences and the pianistic side of it.
Young pianists like Sandro Russo, Koji Attwood, Emiel Janssen, Sean Bennett
have played this piece and I have heard Volodos perform it in Berlin. There
is no doubt that it takes one hell of a pianist that dares to play this
piece in public and I am awed by those that did.
However, none of the performances I mentioned above really caught my
attention for long; somehow it became tedious to listen to them and
comparing them to what Horowitz did, only to realize that Horowitz simply
outshines them in every respect.
Having said that, I'd like to speak about one young pianist that really
caught my attention in this piece and I am going to make a little guessing
game with it.
http://bloatware.de/danse-macabre.mp4
No doubt, this is one hell of a performance, but what really strikes me as
most remarkable is the way this young guy plays the piano: No superficial
movement of the upper body, a total control of every single note with the
ability to play fortissimo even in the fastest passages. Yet, his dynamic
range (even on that less than stellar American Steinway D) is incredible and
he manages to accent certain notes to underline their structural meaning.
His wrist is always low, the shoulders very relaxed, the arms supple and
every single note comes out with the least possible effort and the way he is
able to draw crushing fortissimos virtually out of nowhere is simply
stunning.
It seems that this guy has studied all the details of piano playing as laid
out by György Sandor's "On piano playing" and adapted them perfectly to his
physique.
Have fun.
Peter Lemken
0711
--
Nature abhors crude hacks.

Thanks for introducing Dacic - a real presence.
Here's another film of him playing the Rachmaninov/Volodos Polka
Italienne
http://youtu.be/ReSofV_IbYY

But what JUNK that music is!
TD- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

As to the arrangement itself, most of it is effective and charming,
but I think Volodos really miscalculates with the thundering ending -
it's gratuitous and completely out-of-character with the light nature
of the piece.

[JohnGavin]

Post by td

Post by JohnGavin

Post by Peter Lemken
Every once in a while there is a performance that catches my attention and
manages to keep it up for more than one rerun of the recording.
In this case it is an old warhorse, the Horowitz rewriting of Liszt's
transcription of Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre". Many young pianists have been
thrilled by Horowitz' performance of this piece which in itself is stunning
beyond belief and that goes for the reworked passages, some of the
transitional sequences and the pianistic side of it.
Young pianists like Sandro Russo, Koji Attwood, Emiel Janssen, Sean Bennett
have played this piece and I have heard Volodos perform it in Berlin. There
is no doubt that it takes one hell of a pianist that dares to play this
piece in public and I am awed by those that did.
However, none of the performances I mentioned above really caught my
attention for long; somehow it became tedious to listen to them and
comparing them to what Horowitz did, only to realize that Horowitz simply
outshines them in every respect.
Having said that, I'd like to speak about one young pianist that really
caught my attention in this piece and I am going to make a little guessing
game with it.
http://bloatware.de/danse-macabre.mp4
No doubt, this is one hell of a performance, but what really strikes me as
most remarkable is the way this young guy plays the piano: No superficial
movement of the upper body, a total control of every single note with the
ability to play fortissimo even in the fastest passages. Yet, his dynamic
range (even on that less than stellar American Steinway D) is incredible and
he manages to accent certain notes to underline their structural meaning.
His wrist is always low, the shoulders very relaxed, the arms supple and
every single note comes out with the least possible effort and the way he is
able to draw crushing fortissimos virtually out of nowhere is simply
stunning.
It seems that this guy has studied all the details of piano playing as laid
out by György Sandor's "On piano playing" and adapted them perfectly to his
physique.
Have fun.
Peter Lemken
0711
--
Nature abhors crude hacks.

Thanks for introducing Dacic - a real presence.
Here's another film of him playing the Rachmaninov/Volodos Polka
Italienne
http://youtu.be/ReSofV_IbYY

But what JUNK that music is!
TD- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Hey, better to play junk (Dacic) than to have too much junk in your
trunk (Sokolov). ............................sorry, couldn't resist.

[e***@googlemail.com]

I haven't heard this yet but your description of the pianist and the
playing would fit Kemal Gekic well. That is if you think he's still
young (which I do).

[JohnGavin]

Post by e***@googlemail.com
I haven't heard this yet but your description of the pianist and the
playing would fit Kemal Gekic well. That is if you think he's still
young (which I do).

Here another Dacic performance - a Volodos arrangement of one of
Rach's Songs - it's very nicely done:

My initial impression after watching 4 of his films here is that he's
more musically satisfying and interesting than fellow virtuosi (who
appear at the same Miami Piano Festival) Grante and Libetta.

[Rugby]

Post by JohnGavin
My initial impression after watching 4 of his films here is that he's
more musically satisfying and interesting than fellow virtuosi (who
appear at the same Miami Piano Festival) Grante and Libetta

Well, here is Libetta in the daunting solo version of the Liszt
"Totentanz" if one wishes to make comparisons to the Dacic "Danse
Macabre" ( both works for me seem more sinister and fantastic in their
solo piano vs. orchestral versions) :

And for something a little different, Lifschitz in the "Hammerklavier"
fugue :

( I may have reversed the 2 links above )

Rugby

[Rugby]

Forgot to add this Grante in the Liszt " Mazeppa" :

Rugby

[Peter Lemken]

Post by e***@googlemail.com
I haven't heard this yet but your description of the pianist and the
playing would fit Kemal Gekic well. That is if you think he's still
young (which I do).

Gekic is old enough to be this guy's teacher and in fact he is his teacher
as well as Lazar Berman was his teacher.


Peter Lemken
0711