Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, pianophiles, and adventure seekers alike, prepare to embark on an auditory journey like no other. Today, the great pianist Archie Chen will perform Leopold Godowsky's mesmerizing Study no. 4 in A minor "Ignis Fatuus" – a composition so delightfully treacherous it will leave you questioning the very limits of human dexterity.

From the mind of Godowsky, the mad scientist of piano, comes a set of 53 arrangements that would make even Chopin's most nimble fingers tremble in fear. Schonberg once quipped that they are "the most impossibly difficult things ever written for the piano," and we dare say he wasn't far off the mark!

But what's all this about Ignis Fatuus, you ask? A term that conjures images of spectral lights and ghostly marshes, it refers to the deceptive luminous phenomena that have haunted folklore for centuries. These mischievous lights, known as Will o' the Wisps or Jack o' Lanterns, have been said to lead travelers astray, luring them to their untimely doom. Whether the spirits of the drowned or the souls of unbaptized infants, these eerie orbs have captured the imagination and terror of many a night wanderer.

And so, the stage is set for Archie Chen's spellbinding rendition of "Ignis Fatuus." Listen in awe as he transfers Chopin's already devilish right-hand etude into the left hand – a feat of pianistic prestidigitation that would leave even Houdini gasping for breath. As the haunting melody flits and flickers like the enigmatic lights it emulates, you may find yourself lost in its bewitching allure.

But fear not, dear listener! For Archie Chen is your guide through this labyrinth of notes, and he shall lead you safely back from the brink of pianistic pandemonium. So sit back, relax, and let the otherworldly beauty of Godowsky's Study no. 4 in A minor "Ignis Fatuus" wash over you like a mysterious, flickering flame.

And remember, don't follow the light... unless, of course, it's Archie Chen's dazzling fingers dancing across the keyboard!

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

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

Frédéric Chopin Etude in A minor op. 10 no. 2+Leopold Godowsky Study no. 4 in A minor "Ignis Fatuus"

Bach: The Transcriptions by Stokowski (Toccata & Fugue, Passacaglia, Air on the G string ..)

Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 (Remastered 2021)

Gergiev and Vienna Philharmonic play Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade

Richard Wagner -Parsifal- Prelude.

Recordings made from the conductors stand.

02 The Lamb

Sarmatian classics: arrows tipped with venom and Greek sailors landing on a Crimean beach.

nurho.tube

Sarmatians

Source

Black C in BC

David Loebel conducts the New England Conservatory Philharmonia and pianist Cristian Budu in a performance of Schumann's Concerto for Piano in A minor, Op. 54. Recorded live in Jordan Hall, Boston November 4, 2015.

Schumann: Concerto for Piano in A minor, Op. 54 Intermezzo: Andantino grazioso

Sumi Jo - Habanera - L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle

Hymn to the Morning | by André Gagnon

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
"Longe mala, umbrae, terrores"
Motet for soprano, strings and basso continuo. RV 629

Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor
Ensemble Artaserse

Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Meldorf
2011-07-15

Broadcast on NDR Kultur 2011-09-04

via http://www.youtube.com/user/sjuli17

*******
Longe mala, umbrae, terrores,
sors amara, iniqua sors.
Bella, plagae, irae, furores,
tela et arma, aeterna mors.

Recedite, nubes et fulgura,
et sereno coronata fulgore
coeli, sidera, coruscate,
omnes animae super
terram et super astra
viventes, iubilate.

Descende, o coeli vox,
ex alto asperge nos,
tolle maerorem.
Resplende, o vera lux,
es tu secura dux,
sparge fulgorem.

Alleluia.

*******
Away with woes, shadows, terrors,
bitter fate, unfair fate.
Wars, plagues, anger, rages,
weapons and armour, eternal death.

Clouds and lightning be gone,
and crowned with the tranquil brightness
of heaven, let the stars twinkle,
let every soul from
the earth to the stars
rejoice and be alive.

Come down, voice of heaven,
and wash us from on high,
take away misery.
Shine out, true light,
you are a fearless leader,
spread your light.

Alleluia.

Vivaldi Longe mala - Jaroussky - via SJuli

From the CD to be released in 2012: James Bond's greatest hits
Music by John Barry and Leslie Bricusse

Black C in BC

Low Level C