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

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

Swan Lake - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Swan Lake Act Two. No. 10. Scene (Moderato) - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (8D Binaural Sound - Music Therapy)

Swan Lake Act One. No. 2. Waltz (Tempo di valse) - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (8D Binaural Sound - Music Therapy)

Swan Lake Act One. No. 5. Pas de deux I. Tempo di valse - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (8D Binaural Sound - Music Therapy)

Swan Lake Act One. No. 9. Finale (Andante) - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (8D Binaural Sound - Music Therapy)

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker by Antal Doráti

The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: Dances of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince Charming. Pas de Deux (2022 Remastered, London 1962)

Camille Saint-Saens-Danse Macabre

Jack McPumpkeen

I recently installed some new software at my studio and wanted to put it through its paces a bit.  It's December, so this just seemed fitting.  Enjoy. 

Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy (Tchaikovsky)

A Trip to Prague

Má Vlast: Vltava "Die Moldau"

David Loebel conducts the New England Conservatory Symphony in a performance of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. Recorded live at NEC's Jordan Hall April 14, 2011.
For more information: http://necmusic.edu/concerts 

Stravinsky: Firebird Suite -   Finale