Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Svetlana Smolina plays Scriabin Piano Sonata No. 4, Op. 30


 

This Scriabin piano sonata dates from 1903. It is written in F# major which of course has six sharps and is the same key Gustav Mahler used for his last symphony 8 years later. 

The soloist, Svetlana Smolina, has no score in front of her and is playing this incredible piece all from memory. Those out there who have perhaps not considered this, could better understand the … ineffable,beyond material reality aspect to pianism, by considering that to memorize music at this level amounts to … playing it directly from somewhere outside of oneself. This is the “spiritual” or “religious” aspect to this art that makes one dare to ask whether even this expression of the greatest human achievements stands in danger of being driven into extinction from what Eric Blair (George Orwell) described as “a boot stamping on a human face, forever.”

The place she is playing it is a fabulous small concert room with two Steinway concert grand pianos in it. You only gradually see that they have had their tops removed. The camera angles begin at the personal level and spread out to the whole space as the piece commences, The audio/visual presentation is very good; museum piece … that is forever, level presentation. The window behind the pianos, ties the place and the music to the surrounding outside. You wont believe where this is. It's in Fishtail, Montana!

Svetlana Smolina plays Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 4, op. 30   
Tippet Rise Art Center, The Olivier Music Barn, July 9, 2016


And this is the place, this performance took place; out in the middle of nowhere! Montana! Is this where we may be driven to? Consider the ominous period through which we are passing. Meanwhile, we recognize superb talent. We recall that Scriabin's first wife was a superb pianist and played many of his works. Imagine her valiantly playing his music, even after they were irrevocably separated. Consider what this superb pianist has been able to accomplish. It is truly spectacular. Best.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Listen To, & See All The Dangerous Microwave Pulses You Are Subjected To In Our Wified World


Of course, I also placed this on the E. C. Riegel blog which I also maintain.  When I heard the sound from the detectors it reminded me of only one thing, the machine gun fire we heard on the videos from the Las Vegas shootings a few weeks back.  Draw your own conclusions as to what the powers that be are actually doing to us.  We wonder whether THEY subject THEMSELVES to this as much as THEY demand that we are subjected to it.  This will become a growing issue.  Don't get too comfortable dealing with things as they are.  They might not remain that way for much longer.  Best.  

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

MUST SEE: Dr. Tent - The Exploding Autoimmune Epidemic ...? It's Not Autoimmune

MUST SEE: Dr. Tent - The Exploding Autoimmune Epidemic ...? It's Not Autoimmune

Some things are so important that everyone must see them.  This is one of them.  PLEASE see ALL of this video and spread it as widely as possible.  This is CRITICAL information.  

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Walter Gieseking plays Debussy "Suite Bergamasque"


Walter Gieseking plays Debussy "Suite Bergamasque"
 
Well, he plays a great deal of the early Debussy literature here.  You know, it kind of goes without saying that if you're going to be a great pianist, that you should at least find enough interest in what you're playing to convey that to anyone happening to listen. That's what Giesking does for French composers that he played. It was almost as though the perfect fit between German precision of technique and the kind of nothing but ear worms that is Debussy manage to meet and the result is pianistic perfection. Each phrase is substantial and intended but perfectly executes the composer's intentions; the impression rather than thing itself, the memory rather than any object from the time or place, a kind of psychological music rather than a romantic music in the traditional senses of fiction and drama.  Not all of Debussy deserves to be played as if one is running off to a fire. Just listen to how he plays Clair de Lune. Make it sound as though it is pouring like oil. By the way, for those who have played him, Debussy is one of those composers that actually knew how to play the piano and so his phrasing and everything lays very comfortably under the hands. Usually. I've just decided to ditch my old edition for better because for me, much of this music deserves deeper study. I always knew that Giesking's performances of these were stellar. We'll all try to do it like this if we're anywhere half this good. Enjoy.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

The Complete Scriabin Piano Sonatas - Maria Lettberg

Naria Lettberg

Well, I had to post this here. It is enough to be able to play any of these, let alone all of them. The real Scriabin connoisseurs can get the times and proceed directly to their favorite sonatas. Mine are 4 and 5.

Of Maria Lettberg, wikipedia says she was born in 1970 and lives in Berlin. There's plenty of talent looking for a gracious enough audience.

By the way, some have asked me if since I am selling a piano, whether I'm giving up pianism. My answer is, not on your life! 

 
 

... and if you liked those and wanted to know where it all came from, here is the rest of the story, almost literally: Scriabin - Maria Lettberg: Nocturnes & Morceaux, Fantasy etc.