Can't love this enough 😍👏🏻👏🏻

Omg! Your performance is giving me goosebumps. I am thinking is that even humanly possible to play that good? I truly hope that I could hear you play in person someday!!

classical

Behold, Archie Chen's superhuman pianistic feats as he tackles Leopold Godowsky's gravity-defying reimaginings of the Chopin Etudes. Archie doesn't merely perform the Godowsky versions; he ups the ante by kicking off with the original Chopin version, leaving your jaw on the floor! The Studies unveil a pianist whose technical prowess is so mind-boggling that one could mistake Chopin's originals for child's play. Don't miss Archie's dazzling interpretation of Frederic Chopin's Etude in C major, Op. 10 No. 1, followed by Leopold Godowsky's Study No. 1 in C major.

Godowsky, a pianistic wizard of his time, shares his magical secrets with ingenious fingerings and enchantingly expressive pedaling. At first glance, some Studies, particularly those for the left hand, seem like Herculean tasks only fit for a Greek god. But fear not! Godowsky, the crafty problem-solver, has provided solutions that mere mortals can attempt. His metronome marks, often seemingly beyond human capabilities, taunt us with lofty aspirations of unattainable virtuosity, invoking the image of a pianist as a finely-tuned, unstoppable machine.

Picture this: you're a budding pianist encountering Carl Czerny's studies, which, let's be honest, are about as exciting as watching paint dry. Yet, they inspired some of the most extraordinary études of the 19th century, like those by Franz Liszt and our beloved Frederick Chopin. These works strike the perfect balance of technique, virtuosity, and refined expressiveness, much like a tightrope walker gracefully balancing between two skyscrapers.

The interwoven relationships between these composers are akin to a love triangle of musical dedications, with Liszt dedicating his 'Transcendental' Études to Czerny, Chopin dedicating his Opus 10 to Liszt, and Opus 25 to Comtesse Marie d'Agoult, Liszt's mistress. While Liszt's Études shattered records for virtuosity, his revisions often tamed the beasts, removing leaps and stretches that would make even an octopus sweat.

Chopin, in contrast, left his Études untouched after publication. Enter the annotated editions: a treasure trove of posthumous wisdom from Chopin's disciples and top interpreters. These editions offer a backstage pass to the artistry of the masters, from Ignaz Friedman to Alfred Cortot, whose notes could rival the length of a Tolstoy novel.

Take, for instance, Chopin's Étude Op. 10, No. 1 in C major, nicknamed the "Waterfall" étude. This thrilling solo piece challenges the right hand to stretch its fingers like a superhero wielding superpowers. The enchanting cascade of notes conjures images of Piranesi's dizzying staircases. Even Vladimir Horowitz, the legendary pianist, wouldn't dare perform this étude in public, dubbing it the most challenging of all.

Godowsky's Studies on Chopin's Études, a staggering set of 53 arrangements, are the Mount Everest of piano challenges. As critic Harold C. Schonberg puts it, they're "the most impossibly difficult things ever written for the piano." With several studies featuring right-hand parts shifted to the left hand, and others solely for the left hand, these Herculean tasks are not for the faint-hearted.

Join Archie Chen on this extraordinary adventure as he conquers Godowsky's Everest, scaling the heights of pianistic technique and musical artistry. Witness the impossible become possible!

Live from the Hugh Lane Gallery on August 4th, 2013 as part of the concert series of the Dublin International Piano Festival & Summer Academy. Please comment and share.

My SoundCloud Channel: https://soundcloud.com/archie-chen
Official Website: http://www.archiechen.com
Youtube DIPF https://www.youtube.com/c/PianofestivalIe
Youtube Archie https://www.youtube.com/c/ArchieChenPianist
Festival Website: http://www.pianofestival.ie
Teaching Website: http://www.pianoacademy.ie

Piano: Hamburg Steinway B
Piano Technician: Martin Walsh
Recording Engineer: Joey McDonald
Piano provided by Pianos Plus

Frederic Chopin Etude in C major, op. 10 no. 1 plus Leopold Godowsky Study no. 1 in C major

This seldom heard work by Claude Debussy is from my new CD album:
 'Debussy-Nature Myth Legend'

YouTube link:
http://youtu.be/fX1fqb3bJLA


Debussy-Nature Myth Legend

Nocturne, L. 82

'Nocturne' by Claude Debussy

SAY plays SAY

FAZIL SAY piano et composition

Voici regroupées pour la première fois les pièces que Fazil Say a composées pour piano solo et qu’il interprète sur les scènes du monde entier : Black Earth, Paganini Jazz, Alla Turca Jazz… Ces miniatures sont devenues des tubes et les hymnes d’un pianiste compositeur qui a inventé un langage musical unique !

 « Le programme que vous allez entendre est composé de pièces que j’ai interprétées lors de concerts tout au long de ma vie : elles sont littéralement les « musiques d’un pianiste au piano ». Vous allez découvrir de nombreux airs turcs et d’Anatolie. Dans ma jeunesse, j’aimais également beaucoup créer des arrangements jazz à partir de grandes œuvres classiques : j’ai donc aussi ajouté quelques-unes de ces transcriptions dans cet album. Au fil des années, j’ai toujours joué ces morceaux pendant mes concerts, parfois en tant que bis, en les variant ou en les adaptant. Ceux qui me suivent vont d’ailleurs sûrement reconnaître la plupart de ces compositions. 

J’aime beaucoup cette citation de Tarkovski qui dit : « Si l’artiste existe, c’est parce que le monde n’est pas parfait. » Essayer de raconter une vie par la musique… En voici quelques humbles exemples. » FAZIL SAY

(Extraits de SAY plays SAY, parution le 29 septembre 2014)

Paganini Jazz

watch: https://youtu.be/kzIy6XTvbPo?si=AFDnHdr8MNcPQb5c

Clean Bandit & Zara Larsson - Symphony, lovely Piano & Slower Ballad Cover

Sergei Rachmaninoff plays in 1925 Gluck-Sgambati: Melodie (Orfeo ed Euridice), Ampico 64921.
Recorded in 2016 (and the rec updated 25 Sep 2017) by VViljanen (by permission)from the optically digitized  copy of the original reproducing piano roll.
ANY KIND OF COMMERCIAL USE PROHIBITED. 
Photo: Sergei Rachmaninoff 1873-1943
Basic info* of the original piano roll:
MELODIE D minor
Roll Number: 64921, 64921H
Composer/Creator: Gluck, Sgambati - (Christoph Willibald (Ritter von) Gluck (1714-1787))
Pianist: Rachmaninoff
Roll System: Ampico
Country: US
Date: September, 1925
Category: classical
Original Price: $2.00
*Info source: The Piano Player Group web page (by permission).

Gluck-Sgambati: Melodie from 'Orfeo ed Euridice'. Sergei Rachmaninoff  1925 on Ampico 64921

"Through its dynamic co-operation TrondheimSolistene (the Trondheim Soloists) and 2L has always sort to stretch the boundaries of what is possible to convey to the listener, aiming for the ultimate recorded listening experience. With the Serenade the team has taken things one step further with the TrondheimSolistene truly justifying their name. By placing each individual next to someone from a different voice rather than sitting in conventional sections we are working at the very outer limits of what is possible and creating chamber music at the highest level" - Øyvind Gimse, 2012.

http://www.2l.no/pages/album/090.html

We allocated two weeks in 2011 to record this new album. Artistic director Øyvind Gimse and his associate Geir Inge Lotsberg initially chose two pieces that represent, in their estimation, "the most beautiful music ever composer for the string orchestra": Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence and his Serenade for Strings. Aiming for a 90 minutes program left 30 more minutes to record. So the orchestra and 2L logged on to Facebook and asked the listeners worldwide what they'd like to hear. And the audience responded: Nielsen's Suite Opus 1. A little gem that would exploit the Trondheim Soloists' singular way with Nordic repertoire.

Inspired by Morten Lindberg's extensive work with choral music, the Tchaikovsky's SERENADE was recorded with the ensemble placed in mixed voices, meaning no one is sitting beside anyone playing the same part, creating a totally new soundscape to the music. Carl Nielsen's SUITE opus 1 is recorded in a more "traditional" way in these sessions: Facebook Photo Album - Recording Sessions Part I

What we recorded in May 2011 is now published exclusively as high resolution audio files, by streaming and on vinyl. Then our recordings from October will add up to a full release on Pure Audio Blu-ray in May 2012.

DXD (352.8kHz/24bit) DMM (Direct Metal Master)
180g audiophile grade vinyl

TrondheimSolistene (The Trondheim Soloists) are regarded as one of the top chamber orchestras in the world. Their DIVERTIMENTI and FOLK STYLE were both nominated for a total of five American GRAMMY Awards in categories "Best Small Ensemble", "Best Engineered Album" and "Best Surround Sound Album".

The music captured by 2L features Norwegian composers and performers, and an international repertoire reflected in the Nordic atmosphere. The surround sound recordings of Lindberg Lyd not only transforms the entire listening experience, more radically, these innovative recordings overturn some very basic concepts regarding how music is played and even composed. 2L emphasizes surround sound with Pure Audio Blu-ray and HiRes file distribution, and have garnered no less than 12 American GRAMMY nominations over the past six years.

Tchaikovsky - Souvenir de Florence: I. Allegro

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Sonate op. 13 "Pathétique":
1. Satz - Grave / Allegro con brio

Erschienen auf der CD "Slama III"

Ludwig van Beethoven - Pathétique 1. Satz Grave / Allegro con brio

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73 'Emperor'

Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major Op. 73 'Emperor' - Glenn Gould & Leopold Stokowski

Johannes Brahms - Waltz in A Flat Major Op.39, No.15

Franz Liszt-Liebestraum No. 3 in A-Flat Major

Piano Solo - Minna Liu
Accompaniment - Bian Zhong

Recorded Live: Minna Liu Piano Recital, Oct 2011

Piano Concerto A minor, Op. 16 I. Allegro molto moderato — Edvard Grieg

Kinderszenen Op.15 No.7, Träumerei by Robert Schumann

Robert Schumann - Kinderszenen Op.15 No.7, Träumerei

Claude Debussy Claire de lune by Angela Hewitt

Concert étude No. 3: Un sospiro, for piano in D flat major (Franz Liszt)

Archie Chen is a dynamic leader and accomplished musician with a multifaceted career that spans performance, education, and arts administration. As the current Executive Director of Holy Names Music Center (HNMC) in Spokane, Washington, Archie has demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and a commitment to community engagement. Under his guidance, HNMC, a not-for-profit community music school, has flourished, providing high-quality music instruction and related programs to children and adults. Archie's role at HNMC involves fiscal and administrative management, fostering positive relationships both internally and within the Spokane community, and overseeing program development, marketing, and public relations activities.

In his position at HNMC, Archie provides energetic and creative servant leadership to the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff. He is responsible for developing the annual budget, implementing development and marketing plans to meet fundraising and enrollment goals, and overseeing the Music Center's physical plant. Archie's ability to work with diverse populations and his working knowledge of board relationships and functions have been instrumental in his success. He actively engages the board, staff, and faculty in long-range organizational planning, ensuring the Music Center's mission and vision are achieved.

Archie is committed to building a resilient business model with sustainable financial results. He collaborates closely with the development team, board, and staff to identify donor prospects, cultivate their interest, and increase donor engagement and financial support. His strategic vision includes considering the need for capital and endowment campaigns and leading their implementation as determined by the board. Archie's oversight of the marketing team's pricing, promotion, and packaging opportunities has uplifted the visibility of HNMC, its programs, and its venue.

Community engagement and educational impact are central to Archie's approach. He serves as the public voice for HNMC in Spokane and beyond, creating and maintaining relationships with local and national arts organizations, producers, and presenters. Archie encourages and supports educational partnerships both at the venue and throughout the community, fostering mutual support and collaboration. He is dedicated to enhancing educational offerings that provide performing arts experiences for a diverse range of demographic communities.

Administrative and operational excellence are also hallmarks of Archie's leadership. He continually examines the organizational structure and capitalization needs, creating plans that address gaps and embrace opportunities. Archie fosters a culture of collaboration and teamwork, sharing necessary information in a timely and transparent manner, which builds upon a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. He develops and implements effective policies that ensure the continued smooth operations of the organization, partnering with appropriate staff to oversee the management and upkeep of the Music Center's facilities.

Archie's musical journey is equally impressive. Described by the Irish Times as a pianist with "daring velocity" and a "fiery temperament," he has graced prestigious stages worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Gewandhaus, Vatican Auditorium, Benaroya Hall, and the National Concert Hall in Dublin. His performances have captivated audiences across the United States, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with renowned artists and performed with notable orchestras such as the Spokane Symphony and the RTE Concert Orchestra. His recordings on Sony Classical and Carnegie Artists Records have solidified his place among the leading pianists of his generation.

Archie's dedication to music education is evident in his comprehensive online education program, which offers courses in Piano Pedagogy, Piano Literature, Historically Informed Performance, and Entrepreneurship for Musicians. His mentorship has guided students to win top prizes in international piano competitions and gain admission to leading universities and conservatories worldwide. Archie has served on the faculty of the Royal Irish Academy of Music and TU Dublin Conservatory of Music, and he is the Founder & Artistic Director of the Dublin International Piano Festival & Summer Academy.

In his role at HNMC, Archie is deeply committed to strategic vision and board governance. He provides leadership and direction to the board, Artistic Director, and staff to amplify existing artistic programs, diversify program opportunities, and set a vibrant strategic direction for the organization. Archie's engagement with the community focuses on building relationships, long-range goals, and a vision for HNMC that is embraced by multiple stakeholders. He supports the board in identifying, cultivating, and recruiting new board members while leveraging the deeply committed involvement of existing board members and considering long-term succession planning. Archie's support for board committees empowers staff to function in a collaborative and unified work environment, enhancing and building a deep culture of collaboration, communication, and transparency.

Archie Chen's leadership, artistic vision, and dedication to community engagement make him a valuable asset to any organization. His ability to inspire and connect with diverse audiences, combined with his entrepreneurial mindset, positions him to lead with confidence and achieve significant impact. Archie's comprehensive experience in fiscal management, fundraising, and strategic planning ensures the long-term viability and success of the organizations he leads, making a profound difference in the communities they serve.

Frederic Chopin Etude in C major, op. 10 no. 1 plus Leopold Godowsky Study no. 1 in C major

Archie Chen Pianist

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