Reminds me of how my late mother played this piece. I'd love to hear you perform the Schumann Dedication.  Hope you have the opportunity to record that also.

I wonder what will it take for you to be recognized by the whole world, Rachel. Superb

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

JS Bach: Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme, BWV 140 (arr. Francesco Tristano)

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

Ravel's stupidly beautiful Pavane for a Dead Princess. He wrote it in 1899, this is my interpretation of it 115 years later.

iTunes UK. Feed me!

Ravel Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte

http://shop.rachelflowersmusic.com/releases

Solo piano, performed by Rachel Flowers.

Images (Book 1), Reflets dans l'eau - Claude Debussy

Beethoven: Piano Sonata "Pathetique" Mvt. 2 Adagio

i do not own this piano cover
all rights belong to Alex Lebroski on Youtube
watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n-G-UBpklI

Written In The Stars, Wedding Dress, Price Tag, Raise Your Glass Piano Cover by Alex Lebroski

Classic Debussy piece, he's my favorite composer hands down most of my repertoire consists of his works. This is my interpretation of Rêverie. The word comes from Rêve(dream), this variant is French for daydream or just pleasantly dozing off into deep thought, escaping reality. This is the second piano piece I learned.. Hope you enjoy.

Rêverie - Debussy - Rígel

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

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

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

I produced this track using midi and EW Gold Pianos in order to perfection the performance as I imagine it.

iTunes

Claude Debussy - The Girl with the Flaxen Hair

You can now purchase Rachel's solo albums "Bigger on the Inside" (2021), "Going Somewhere" (2018), and "Listen" (2016) along with "3x2," Rachel's collaboration EP with Michael Sadler of Saga!

From the first moment she touched the piano, Rachel Flowers has been consumed by music. Like a sponge she has spent her life absorbing every kind of music she encounters. This channel is her outlet where she gets to play, creating covers of the music she loves, and sharing that music with the world.

Now you can also hear Rachel's original music! Just visit shop.rachelflowersmusic.com

Images (Book 1), Reflets dans l'eau - Claude Debussy

RachelFlowers

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